Keystone Wagon Ride Dinner – Way More Than a Meal

I didn’t think the Keystone Wagon Ride Dinner at the ski resort in Colorado could possibly live up to my high expectations. My family had gone on the Keystone Sleigh Ride Dinner a couple of winters prior and I thought there was no way the summertime version could compare to the magical, snowy experience. Boy, was I wrong. Here’s what to expect on a Keystone Wagon Ride Dinner.

Keystone Wagon Ride Dinner
Keystone Wagon Ride Dinner (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Travel Mamas and Grownup Getaways sometimes receive compensation and/or hosted travel and sample products related to blog posts. This story may include affiliate links for which we receive a small commission at no extra cost to consumers. As an Amazon Associate, we earn money from qualifying purchases.

Fun for All Ages

Operated by Keystone Stables, the Wagon Ride Dinner is more than just a meal. It is an experience. This unique dining experience appealed to everyone in our multigenerational group of 13 people, including grade school kids, teens, and adults in every decade from their 30s through 70s.

Roping for fun at the Keystone Wagon Ride Dinner
Roping for fun at the Keystone Wagon Ride Dinner (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

The Horse Drawn Wagon Ride

The night starts with a horse drawn wagon ride through green valleys speckled with yellow Lupine and other wildflowers. Throughout the journey, you can take in the view of Keystone’s mountain peaks in all directions. Your driver will regale the crowd with stories about the horses and Keystone’s history.

Be sure to dress in layers and bring hats and gloves for all family members. Nights in the Colorado Rockies get chilly and you will want to spend some time enjoying the outdoors before hurrying inside the cabin for dinner.

Hula hooping at Keystone Wagon Ride campsite
Hula hooping at the campsite (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Cowboy games

Upon arrival at the secluded original Keystone homestead, outdoorsy games will keep the whole family smiling. Kids and grown-ups alike will want to get in on the fun. Play a game of horseshoes, try your hand at wrangling a faux steer with a lasso, or spin a hula hoop around you waist. This old fashioned, tech-free entertainments intensifies the surrounding beauty. No one will ask to play with a smart phone here.

horseshoes at keystone ski resort in summer
A lesson in playing horseshoes between cousins (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Campfire songs

If the air is a bit chilly, warm up by the campfire while listening to cowboy songs sung and strummed by a local musician. You just might find yourself swaying to the beat and singing along.

Songs by the campfire in Keystone, CO
Songs by the campfire (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Photo ops

The beauty here is so overwhelming, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a postcard. Before dinner starts, take advantage of the breathtaking Colorado setting by snapping some family photos.

Family in Colorado nature in summer
Posing with my husband and kids (Photo credit: Travel Mamas)

With our multigenerational group, we took turns taking photos of each family unit and asked one of the friendly Keystone Stables employees to take a group shot.

Keystone Wagon Ride Dinner family portrait
Three generations in Keystone in summer (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

The photos provide not only a wonderful souvenir of the Keystone Wagon Ride Dinner, but also an opportunity for more family bonding and silliness.

Roping fun in Keystone
My dad trying to “rope in” my mom during some photo-taking silliness (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Look out for photo bombing family members as you pose for your pictures!

Family photo bomb!
Family photo bomb! (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Keystone Wagon Ride Dinner fixings

After you’ve had your fill of cowboy games, warm up inside with some tasty chow. Dinner starts with a salad bar with plenty of tasty fixings. Grab a cold lemonade (included in the price) or belly up to the bar for a cocktail, bottle of brew, or cup of wine at additional charge. Pile your plate with delicious barbecued ribs, grilled chicken, corn on the cob, cornbread and baked beans. But save room for dessert because the deep dish apple pie à la mode is what sweet dreams are made of!

Keystone Wagon Ride salad bar fixings
Salad bar fixings (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

After an evening of horsing around, campfire songs, and cowboy cuisine, you might feel a little melancholy as you climb aboard the wagon for the ride home. Comfort yourself knowing you can always come back for another Wagon Ride Dinner or Sleigh Ride Dinner. If you’re like me, then the experience will be every bit as magical on your next trip.

Now, be sure to check out my tips for visiting Keystone in summer!

Keystone Wagon Ride Dinner campsite
Keystone Wagon Ride Dinner campsite (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Save this Keystone Wagon Ride Review

If you’re considering a Keystone Ski Resort vacation, be sure to save this story. Simply pin the image above to Pinterest. I hope you’ll follow Travel Mamas on Pinterest while you’re at it!

Keystone, CO Wagon Ride Dinner Review

Did you ever return somewhere and worry it would not live up to your past experience? Did it? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

A Note from The Travel Mama: My family of four received a complimentary Keystone Wagon Ride Dinner for the purpose of this review. Everyone else paid full-price. All opinions are mine, as always.

Sharing is caring!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

2 Comments