Horseback Riding with Dinner Cookout: Yellowstone National Park

Ride to a campfire dinner cooked while you watch.

Horseback riding in Yellowstone National Park that starts at 4:30 PM and follows the Buffalo Fork River trail toward the Grand Tetons, ending at a campsite where your dinner (steak, chicken, or black bean burger) is grilled over mesquite fire. A live English-speaking guide leads groups of mixed ages. The ride takes 90 minutes total and includes the meal. Heart Six Ranch holds one of the few permits to run backcountry rides inside Yellowstone.

The experience

You arrive at Heart Six Ranch in the late afternoon and mount up for a scenic ride that starts at 4:30 PM. The trail follows the Buffalo Fork River as it flows toward the Snake River, with the Grand Tetons rising across the landscape. The route climbs higher as you ride, opening views that make for the kind of photographs people frame when they get home. No experience necessary beyond comfort in a saddle: the guide sets the pace and the terrain is manageable for moderate riders.

The ride ends at a campsite where your dinner is already being prepared. You dismount and watch the cook work a mesquite grill while you choose between steak, chicken, or a black bean burger. The meal happens at the site itself, not back at the ranch, so the whole experience (the ride, the views, the fire, the food) stays in one place and one evening. Bring a camera. The light at that hour and the mountain backdrop make the moment worth capturing.

Pack snacks and a water bottle in your saddle bag and bring any personal items you'll need. The 90-minute total includes the ride out, the meal, and the return. Children from age 7 can join if accompanied by an adult, and the guide speaks English throughout. Heart Six Ranch is one of only a few outfitters authorized by Yellowstone to run backcountry rides, which means the trails and the access are genuine, not a commercial loop, but actual park terrain.

What’s included

• The ride includes a live English-speaking guide.
• the dinner meal cooked over mesquite fire with your choice of steak, chicken, or black bean burger.
• and access to the Buffalo Fork River trail and campsite. Bring snacks, a water bottle, personal care items, and a camera in your saddle bag.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 15 May 2027

AgesAdult (14 and older) · Child (7 to 13 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 23 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by Heart 6 Ranch LLC

Is this one for you?Small groups ride together, so you'll be with other travelers rather than alone. The 90-minute format works for a free afternoon or an early evening when you want to stay close to the park without committing to a full day ride.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (7 to 13 years). Children under 7 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the Buffalo Fork River trail like for someone who hasn't ridden much?

The Buffalo Fork River trail is a scenic ride at a moderate pace, suitable for riders with basic saddle comfort. The guide leads the group and adjusts the speed to match the group's level, so you're not racing or struggling to keep up.

What happens if I'm not comfortable with the meal options?

The cook offers steak, chicken, or black bean burgers, so there's a choice for different diets. If none of those suit you, bring your own food to eat at the campsite instead.

Do I need to bring anything besides a camera?

Pack snacks and a full water bottle to keep in your saddle bag, plus sunscreen, a hat, and any medications you take regularly. The ride is outdoors for 90 minutes, so dress for the weather and bring layers if the evening cools down.

How far is Heart Six Ranch from the main Yellowstone entrances?

Heart Six Ranch operates near the northern boundary of Yellowstone and the base of the Grand Tetons. The exact drive time depends on which entrance you're coming from, but plan for a scenic approach through the region.