Fort Hays Old West Town & Dances with Wolves Movie Set
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Fort Hays Old West Town Hays Kansas

4.6
·2k reviews·Rapid City, United States

Step into the Wild West with a hearty Chuckwagon dinner, a lively variety show, and a historic town to explore.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Evenings

For the Chuckwagon dinner & show

CrowdHigh
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Fort Hays Old West Town & Dances with Wolves Movie Set

Fort Hays Old West Town Hays Kansas

Best Time

Evenings

For the Chuckwagon dinner & show

CrowdHigh
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Step into the Wild West with a hearty Chuckwagon dinner, a lively variety show, and a historic town to explore.

4.6
(2k reviews)

"An awesome way to end our trip! Food was delicious, musicians top-notch and entertaining."

Vertical photo
TIP

📞 Call Ahead for Closing Dates

Season end dates are flexible. Call to confirm when they close for the year, especially in fall.

⏰ Arrive Early for Rides

Get to the park early to enjoy the buffalo shoot coaster and other rides before the Chuckwagon show.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.6 · 1,781 reviews

Type

Restaurant

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking🚻 Accessible restroom

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Chuckwagon Supper & Show

Chuckwagon Supper & Show

Enjoy a hearty cowboy meal served efficiently, followed by a talented musical variety show. A memorable end to any trip!

Historic Buildings Tour

Historic Buildings Tour

Various locations within the town

Step back in time exploring authentic buildings, including Lt. Dunbar's office. Informative guides share fascinating backstories.

Buffalo Shoot Roller Coaster

Buffalo Shoot Roller Coaster

Amusement area

A surprisingly fun and thrilling ride that's a hit with all generations. Go early to fit in rides before the show.

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Planning Your Visit

Chuckwagon Dinner & Show Timing

The Chuckwagon dinner and show are a highlight, but closing dates can be flexible. Call ahead to confirm the season's end, especially for fall visits, as they may extend if busy or close earlier if slow. Arrive early to enjoy rides before the show.

Explore Beyond the Show

Don't just come for the Chuckwagon dinner! Explore the historic buildings, like Lt. Dunbar's office, and enjoy photo ops. The buffalo shoot coaster is a surprisingly fun ride for all ages.

Best Times

When
Evenings
Why
For the Chuckwagon dinner & show
Crowd
High
When
Daytime
Why
To explore buildings & rides
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Take a look at this antique Chuckwagon at the JA Ranch! This thing is a beast, and has features I've never seen in my life. If only I could hear the stories this old girl could tell! #cowboycooking #chuckwagon #texashistory #jaranch #cowboysoftiktok
@cowboykentofficial
9.6K likes • 262K views

📞 Call Ahead for Closing Dates

Season end dates are flexible. Call to confirm when they close for the year, especially in fall. Reddit

⏰ Arrive Early for Rides

Get to the park early to enjoy the buffalo shoot coaster and other rides before the Chuckwagon show. Reddit

Well, that was fun 😅🤣🤣🤣👌#ridgerunnerrace #whiskeyridgechuckwagonraces #whiskeyridge #racingontheridge #racingontheridge2023 #chuckwagonracing #swinming #justkeepswimming #fyp #fypage #countrygirl4life #punchyblonde #cowgirls
@barebacknpretty
6.7K likes • 406.2K views
#chuckwagonraces #clinton @Kaleb Smith @Nathan Gwin @Brody Maughan @Andrew Gwin 20 @Gracie Mills655 @Henrywelch2 @Ezekiel Mitchell @jC @Jrock🦁
@tymaughan24
4.3K likes • 117.8K views

📸 Photo Ops Galore

Plenty of spots for great photos, including the coffin and historic buildings. Reddit

🎶 Enjoy the Live Music

The musicians are incredibly talented and entertaining, with fun sing-alongs for all ages. Reddit

reddit.com

Chuckwagon dinner

Coming for fall break - when do they close for the season?

Tips

from all over the internet

📞 Call Ahead for Closing Dates

Season end dates are flexible. Call to confirm when they close for the year, especially in fall. Reddit

⏰ Arrive Early for Rides

Get to the park early to enjoy the buffalo shoot coaster and other rides before the Chuckwagon show. Reddit

📸 Photo Ops Galore

Plenty of spots for great photos, including the coffin and historic buildings. Reddit

🎶 Enjoy the Live Music

The musicians are incredibly talented and entertaining, with fun sing-alongs for all ages. Reddit

💰 Great Value Meal & Show

The $40 price for dinner and a show is considered very reasonable by visitors. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.6
(2k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise Fort Hays Old West Town for its enjoyable Chuckwagon dinner and highly entertaining variety show, noting the delicious food and talented musicians. The historic town exploration and the surprisingly fun buffalo shoot coaster are also significant draws for families and all age groups.

"This was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. The food is fantastic and we loved being served cowboy style. The show afterwards is fantastic. Great musicians and entertainers. Our group had a great time! 100% recommended."

Debbie Schwind

"We didn't make it to a Chuck wagon dinner but enjoyed the buildings around Fort Hays. The office where Lt Dunbar gets his orders for Ft Hays is so cool to see. Lots of places on the grounds to take pictures (try the coffin). The buffalo shoot coaster is more fun than it looks! That thing books!"

T L

"We did the Chuckwagon supper and show. What an awesome way to end our trip! They efficiently serve a large crowd in a friendly manner. Food was delicious; we particularly liked the chunky applesauce. The musicians were top notch - super talented and entertaining. We brought our 10 and 12 year olds and they enjoyed the sing alongs. At $40 per person for dinner and a show, we found the price to be quite reasonable. Thanks for a fun time! ~ Erica and Roy from NJ"

Roy Heinrichs

What People Like

Delicious Chuckwagon meals
Talented musical shows
Historic town atmosphere

What People Dislike

Flexible closing dates

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Fort Hays Old West Town is located in Hays, Kansas. Visitors typically drive to the location. Check local maps or GPS for the most direct route from your starting point. TikTok

Yes, ample parking is usually available for visitors. It's recommended to arrive early, especially if attending the Chuckwagon dinner and show, to secure a good spot. Reddit

Absolutely! Many visitors enjoy Fort Hays Old West Town as a day trip, exploring the historic buildings and enjoying the rides before heading to the evening show. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Hours can vary, especially for the Chuckwagon dinner and show. It's best to check their official website or call ahead for the most up-to-date operating hours. Reddit

Admission typically includes access to the town and rides, with an additional cost for the Chuckwagon dinner and show. The dinner and show combo is often around $40 per person. Reddit

While not always mandatory, booking Chuckwagon dinner tickets in advance is highly recommended, especially during peak season or holidays, to ensure availability. Reddit

The closing date for the season is not fixed and can depend on business. It's advised to call and inquire about their anticipated closing date, as they may stay open longer if busy. Reddit

Information on discounts can vary. It's a good idea to check their website or contact them directly to inquire about any available group rates, military discounts, or special promotions. Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

You can explore a variety of historic buildings, including Lt. Dunbar's office, take photos at designated spots, and enjoy rides like the buffalo shoot coaster. Reddit

Yes, families with children of all ages enjoy Fort Hays. Kids love the rides, and the Chuckwagon show often includes sing-alongs that are fun for everyone. Reddit

The show is a Wild West-themed variety show featuring talented musicians and entertainers, often including sing-alongs and engaging performances. Reddit

Yes, guided tours are available and highly recommended. Guides like Dan are very informative and share interesting backstories of the town and its history. Reddit

There are numerous great spots for photos, from the historic buildings to unique props like the coffin. It's a photographer's delight! Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

The Chuckwagon dinner features hearty, meat-and-potato style meals served cowboy-style. Visitors particularly enjoyed the chunky applesauce. Reddit

Reviews consistently praise the food as delicious and the service as efficient and friendly, even when serving large crowds. Reddit

It's best to contact Fort Hays Old West Town directly in advance to inquire about vegetarian or other special dietary accommodations for the Chuckwagon dinner. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

Capture memories at the historic buildings, the unique coffin prop, and the general Old West atmosphere. The buffalo shoot coaster also makes for fun action shots. Reddit

Generally, photography is allowed in most areas, but it's always a good idea to check for any specific signage or ask staff if you're unsure about photographing inside certain buildings. Reddit

Late afternoon and early evening, before and during the Chuckwagon show, can offer beautiful lighting. Daytime is great for exploring and capturing details of the town. Reddit

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Fort Hays Old West Town Hays Kansas (2026) – Best of TikTok, Instagram & Reddit Travel Guide