Be part of a Blue Bell tradition. This old-fashioned hayride takes you on a 45-minute scenic wildlife tour on the park's beautiful backroad to a mountain meadow canyon for a chuck wagon feast. Live entertainment! On the way, you can sing along with your live folk music entertainer, and the full folk band joins up at the canyon for the dinner show. Each paying guest gets a souvenir cowboy hat and bandanna to help you play the part.
Hayride & Chuck Wagon Cookout Details
Evening departures 7 days/week all season long. The activity takes about 2.5 hours, including the 45-minute wagon ride/wildlife tour with live entertainment, and the dinner show. Check-in at Blue Bell Lodge. Fun for all ages!
My husband and I went on the cookout wagon ride early October. This was an amazing experience. The ride was fun, the guitar player who got everyone involved in sing alongside was professional, silly, really really great. The cookout location was in a beautiful valley. Plenty of picnic tables. The cookout staff were helpful, efficient and they cooked an excellent meal. Worth every penny. So much fun.
– Julie A
At a Glance
Pre-dinner wildlife tour wagon ride (pull-downs & blankets available in the event of inclement weather) to Parker Canyon
8 oz. Choice Sirloin Steak, 1/3 lb. Burger, or Black Bean Burger
Nightly departures from Blue Bell Lodge according to the following schedule:
May 1 5:30pm
September 1 5:00pm
October 1 4:30pm
Must arrive 30 minutes prior to departure time for check-in, meal ticket & hat distribution, and loading the wagons (steps required).
Anticipate 2-2.5 hours for the activity.
2026 Rates
Adults: $80
Children 11 & under: $66
Under 3 years: Free if sitting on a lap and eating from an adult plate
Menu includes your choice of an 8 oz. choice sirloin steak or a 1/3 lb. hamburger with all the fixin’s, including cowboy beans, cornbread and honey, potato salad, coleslaw, watermelon, cookies, chuck wagon coffee and lemonade. A vegetarian option is also available. Please select your option when you make your reservation.
For questions, please call 605-255-4531 May 1 through mid-October
48-hour cancellation policy
Must arrive 30 minutes prior to departure time for check-in, meal ticket & hat distribution, and loading the wagons (steps required).
Dress accordingly. It cools down in the evenings! No pets. No bar available at the canyon for the dinner show; stop at Blue Bell Lounge for a pre-departure cocktail.
Weather Policy: This event departs rain or shine! Blankets and plastic covers are available on the wagons & a covered shelter is available for use at Parker Canyon for the cookout.
Parker Canyon is private; not accessible to the public.
There are several delicious dining options spread throughout the park, all open seasonally from the beginning of May through mid-October. Come hungry and ready to explore more them all.
Lodging at Custer State Park Resort
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In Custer State Park
