Keeping the Old West Alive Since 1953
Fun For The Whole Family
For over 70 years, the Flying W Ranch has been welcoming guests of all ages to Colorado Springs’ only Chuckwagon Dinner Show—a Western tradition unlike anything else in the region. Loosen your belt and fill up your tin plate with a hearty cowboy-style barbecue dinner with all the fixins’ – served the classic chuckwagon way. Then get ready for a lively evening of stirring Western music and humorous tall tales from the Flying W Wranglers, the second-oldest Western band in the world. Arrive early to explore the Western Grounds, meet our friendly ranch animals, try your hand at roping and other cowboy skills, do some shopping, and see vibrant demonstrations by Osage Nation dancers. It’s a night of food, music, and frontier charm your family will never forget.
The Menu
Dinner at the Flying W Ranch is served the Western way: generous portions, slow-cooked flavors, and no shortcuts. Grab your tin plate, head through the chow line, and enjoy the kind of hearty, stick-to-your-ribs food that kept cowboys on the range going strong. And if one helping isn’t enough, we always serve seconds!
Smoked Brisket
Slow-smoked to tender perfection. Delicious with or without our signature BBQ sauce!
Berbere Chicken
Juicy, slow-roasted chicken with a warm, spicy kick that wakes up the taste buds
trail beans
Simmered all day with the perfect balance of sweet and smokey
Baked Potato
Wrapped in tin-foil and served piping hot with shredded cheese and sour cream
Chunky Applesauce
Made the old-fashioned way with real apples and cinnamon
Dutch Oven biscuit
Soft, fluffy, and oh, so buttery. Served with honey and even more butter if you need it
Spice Cake
Light, fluffy, and dusted with powdered sugar. A perfect sweet treat to top off a hearty meal
Beverages
Your choice of water, tea, or lemonade – served ice-cold in traditional tin cups. (Sorry, no alcohol)
Cowboy Coffee
Our trail-ready, bold frontier brew with cream and sugar on the side
*Vegetarian and Gluten-free options are available on request. Please specify your needs when purchasing your tickets
Get Here Early
There’s so much to see and do before the show even begins! Take in the rugged beauty of the Colorado mountains as you explore the Western Grounds, where meandering streams, duck-filled ponds, and charming shops await. Meet our friendly ranch animals and try your hand at classic cowboy skills like roping and axe-throwing. Enjoy a carriage ride or climb aboard the Russel M. Wolfe Narrow-Gauge Train. Grab a fresh Dutch oven biscuit or other tasty treats from our concession stand (but don’t spoil your dinner!) and be sure to catch the pre-show featuring vibrant demonstrations by the Sweetwater Plains Indian Dancers.
The Show
Get ready to stomp your feet and clap your hands as the legendary Flying W Wranglers take the stage. Their stunning three-, four-, and even five-part harmonies—paired with high-spirited cowboy music and remarkable skill on every instrument—have delighted millions around the world, and their clean, family-friendly comedy will have you laughing all night.
The Flying W Wranglers
Since their debut in 1953, more than 70 musicians have carried on the tradition of the Flying W Wranglers, passing the mantle from one generation to the next. Their legacy includes dozens of records and performances on stages around the world—from the Grand Ole Opry to Carnegie Hall—bringing the sounds of classic Western music to audiences everywhere.
Get Your Tickets
Don’t miss out! Shows fill up quickly, so get your tickets while they last!
Seniors
(Ages 65 & Up)
Includes Dinner, Show,
and the Western Grounds
Military
(With Valid ID)
Includes Dinner, Show,
and the Western Grounds
General Admission
(Ages 13 & Up)
Includes Dinner, Show,
and the Western Grounds
Children
(Ages 4 – 12)
Includes Dinner, Show,
and the Western Grounds
Lap Sized
(Ages 3 & Under)
Child must sit on parent’s lap and eat from parent’s plate. Otherwise you must purchase a Children’s Ticket
What to Do When You Get Here
1. Parking
Follow the directional signs and instructions from our parking attendants to find your parking spot
2. Check-In
Stop at the Ticket Booth to check-in and receive a table assignment for your party. Note that your email confirmation is not your ticket. You must check-in with the name on your reservation to receive your tickets
3. Find Your Table
Head up to the Mountain Stream Lodge and find your table. The tables are numbered and your assigned table number will be written on your ticket. Note that the tables seat up to 18 people and you may be sharing a table with another party
4. Enjoy the Western Gounds
Before dinner, take some time to explore the Western Grounds where you’ll encounter breathtaking scenery and friendly animals and enjoy a variety of activies and demonstrations
5. Enjoy Dinner
At 6:30, our head Wrangler will welcome you and kick off the famous Flying W Chow Line. Have your tickets in hand and wait for your table number to be called. Then proceed through the line, picking up your plate, silverware, food, and drinks before returning to your table. Our friendly servers will be circulating the dining hall with pitchers for refills
6. Enjoy The Show
Sit back, relax, and get ready to be wowed when the Flying W Wranglers take the stage. Pro-tip: have your camera ready because you’re going to want pictures and videos! (Please no flash photography)
The Schedule
5:00pm: Gate Opens
5:00pm-6:30pm: Explore the Western Grounds
6:30pm: Dinner is Served
7:30pm: Original Western Stage Show Featuring
the Flying W Wranglers
How it All Began…
At age fifty-five, Don Wilson packed up his family and his three Kansas ranches and, in 1947, moved to the 1867 Colorado State Senator Robert Douglas homestead. The thousands of bucolic acres surrounding the homestead were nestled in the foothills of Pikes Peak on the northwest side of Colorado Springs. The land was originally owned by William Palmer, the founder of Colorado Springs, and is adjacent to Palmer’s Glen Erie home.
Don’s daughter and son-in-law, Russ and Marian Wolfe, moved to Colorado to help in the ranching operations. Black Angus cows were bred with Hereford bulls. The resulting Black Baldy calves were sold in the Fall. In addition, champion Quarter horses were raised and sold. Don and his older brother Harry were responsible for introducing the athletic Quarter horse to the state of Kansas (the Quarter horses were purchased from the King Ranch in Texas) and to Colorado.
During the summer, people would come out from town to ride horses over the extensive ranch lands with Russ Wolfe ramrodding the outings. Some evenings, the group would be small enough for Marian to invite the riders to share in a “potluck.”
Russ and Marian decided to make the affair a regular event – a scenic horseback ride followed by a home-cooked meal under the stars around an open camp fire. And so, in 1953, with 11 paying guests at $3.00 each, the Chuckwagon dream
was born.
Today, Flying W Ranch is a living symbol of Western Heritage, embodying the romantic spirit of the Old West. What began with just 11 guests grew to 1,400 nightly visitors, making the Flying W Ranch one of the most popular tourist
destinations in Colorado.