In the heart of cowboy country sits the Wild West town of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Generation after generation, folks from around the world have visited the town of Jackson and the National Parks that surround it. The sky scraping Tetons and the reliable Old Faithful has lured the young and old for over 100 years. One of the oldest and unique vacations in this part of the world is the Teton's Wagon Trains. During the months of June, July and August, we offer 4 – 6 day treks in the Bridger Teton National Forest. Everyone from the youngest to the oldest can enjoy a first class camping experience. Filled with horseback riding, riding in a covered wagon, mountain meadows, campfire entertainment, home cooked meals and much, much more.
Your adventure begins in Jackson Hole where you are picked up and taken by van to the wagon train. You’ll notice right off that the crew is upbeat and fun and that the horses are healthy and in shape. A big “Wagons Ho” gets the wheels rolling as everybody heads out in a covered wagon or atop a trusty saddle horse. On a horse or in the wagon you will find there is no shortage of scenery. Every guest has the opportunity to ride a saddle horse during the day and some opt to stick with the wagons or hike along the unused road and take in clean, mountain air. The wagon canvas sides are rolled up so that you can view the ever changing terrain, the wheels of the wagons are rubber and the seats are padded for your comfort. The towering Tetons make a breathtaking backdrop as you make your way up through the mountain canyons.
Horseback riders and wagons meet at a scenic spot for a relaxing lunch. After lunch the trail continues its way through the unused logging roads or along a timber lined ridge to its destination. After the wagons are circled and the horses are turned out to graze the sound of the dinner bell and the aroma of an unbelievable home cooked meal draws you to the chuck wagon. The cook can whip up quite a feast from a tender roast to a cherry cheese cake and all the trimmings in between.
Long forgotten songs like “She’ll be Coming Round the Mountain:” and “Home on the Range” will draw you to the campfire. The colorful crew swaps stories with the guests as they sip on a cup of cowboy coffee or hot chocolate and the brightness of the stars bring the day to a close. Walking to your tent or wagon the anticipation of what you will see tomorrow or what kind of trail the wagon master has picked out goes through your mind.
Crisp morning air and the sound of horse bells act as your alarm clock. Watches really aren’t of much use in the mountains and cell phones don’t get very good service and you think to yourself “it is so quiet and relaxing.” Eggs, bacon, fruit and pancakes cooked over the open fire are a welcoming site as the next days activities unfold. It is moving day and the whole camp has to be packed up and moved to the next camp site. Horses are saddled or harnessed and ready to go. Even the Teton Rose (the wagon outhouse) has been wrapped up. The camp quickly disappears as you turn around on your horse to take one last look where you hung your hat the night before.
Looking forward you feel refreshed and excited in anticipation of what the next camp will look like. Lunch is at another panoramic view fit for any Kodak commercial.
This afternoon you may have decided to take the wagon. The driver lets you drive the big, gentle team as they make their way up through the creek drainage and onto the plateau. Rolling in to camp you think to yourself “I should have booked a longer trip.”
Folks from all over the world have come to the great state of Wyoming to go on a trek with Wagons West. It has literally changed some of their lives and those of their families. No televisions, no game boys, phones or sirens….just the sound of horses, the wind blowing through the pines and the laughter of people having a good time. Here are a few testimonials from folks that have enjoyed a trip with Wagons West.
Lindsay, Alison, Patrick, Sharon and Jim from Massachusetts, write “We rode horses most of the time up through the hills with breathtaking views of the Tetons and absolutely fabulous fields of wildflowers which Sharon claimed was like riding through a Monet painting. The horses were let loose in the evening and wandered around with large cowbells. It was pure magic to wake up in a Conestoga wagon listening to the tinkling bells as they all came back to the camp for breakfast.”
Honeymooners, Anne and Dave from Florida, write “Even the other families on the trip made it special. We all ended up together at the Rodeo on Saturday night. We felt like we were all a family and it started with all of you. Thank you. We will be back!”
Sandi from Missouri writes: “For years I had dreamed of going on a covered wagon trip out of Jackson, Wyoming. The folks at Wagons West helped make that dream a reality. The wagon master and wranglers of Wagons West were very skilled, great with the guests and most helpful to me when I, a city slicker in every sense of the word, wanted to try horse back riding for the first time. Traveling via the covered wagon is a great way to experience the magnificence of the Grand Tetons and the wilderness of Wyoming. I returned from this trip with my spirit rekindled and relaxed. The excitement is still in my soul and I am planning a return trip – this time with friends from home – and to introduce them to my new friends, the staff of Wagons West.”
Mike, Katlyn, Angie and Stephanie from Ohio write: “….We really enjoyed ourselves and this was one of the best vacations any of us had ever been on. Thanks again for providing us with such a good time. Tell Chad if he ever decides to sell Duke, the horse I was riding, to let me know.”
We invite you to take this “trip of a lifetime”. You will never tire of looking at the magnificent Tetons and you never know what experience is about to take place around the next corner.
The wagons and horses are ready so come and see us in Wyoming.
Call 1-888-9-TRAILS for additional information or check out the website at: http://hiddentrails.com/pub/tour.aspx?id=wy_teton_wagons_trek&tourtype=WagonTrain
Subscribe