Authentic Adventure in Wonderful Wyoming
Elk Fork Outfitters
Cody, Wyoming
Photography contributed by Elk Fork Outfitters
Imagine rolling green foothills with soaring granite backdrops, light mountain breezes waving pine boughs, and the jingling bells of the pack string as mules are turned out to graze for the night under the twinkling stars of twilight. A picturesque day filled with trail riding, fishing, and lots of laughs ends at the campfire with the most satisfying fare for hungry bellies. This is an outfitter’s well curated life and labor of love. Certainly not for the faint of heart, the work is hard and constant, but the reward is greater still.
Captivated by the west, Seth and Alden Ballard have made it the mission of Elk Fork Outfitters to create this experience time and again for their guests. Located near the East Entrance to Yellowstone National Park, the young couple was drawn here from other regions and knew they wanted to stay and share the beauty of northwest Wyoming with others.
Seth is a dedicated carpenter and horseman who traveled west from Ohio right out of high school. While building his home outside of Cody, Wyoming, Seth clapped eyes on Alden in Jackson Hole where they were employed by the same outfitter. He was a guide, and she was a camp cook. When he completed his home construction, he asked her to be his wife and they recently celebrated their tenth wedding anniversary.
Growing up on a small farm in New Hampshire next to White Mountain National Forest, Alden has an innate joy for being outdoors. An avid photographer, her love for mules, horses and dogs is crystal clear by a single viewing of her photo album. Their herd is their family – each called by name with great affection.
Several years later, in 2018, Elk Fork Outfitters was born when an existing camp within the Shoshone National Forest became available. With permits in hand, working side by side, the couple began the upgrades. Because of their experience, they knew exactly how they wanted to see the adventure unfold for their guests.
Seth’s mantra for the business is “everything we can control, we need to do very well,” and it’s evident. While the wilderness presents plenty of variables, such as weather, or trout hiding out from fisherman, the couple counteracts the unknowns with gourmet meals, comfortable wall tents, well-maintained equipment, and proven horses and mules.
Observing Seth breaking and training his horses and mules is truly an art form and his gift is evident. From the perfect Tom Selleck-esque mustache and the calloused hands, right down to his dusty boots, it’s his heart for the animals and the wisdom he’s gleaned over the years that brings soul to his work. This is reflected in the attitude of the animals as they also love their jobs.
Alden is a horsewoman in her own right as well. But she shines in the camp kitchen. No stranger to food, she makes everything from pizzas to stuffed mushrooms, meatloaf to steak, and cinnamon rolls to pancakes. Alden’s command of a wood-fired cook stove, the Dutch oven, and the open campfire flame is uncanny, and she generously shares many of her gourmet recipes on their website.
Many camp families aren’t complete without their pets, as is the case for Ballards who are joined each day by three dogs. Amos Moses is a blue heeler, Lizzy is a “noodle” (not all poodle), and Rip is an Australian shepherd. These crucial team players are well-loved and much appreciated and pay their rent by keeping an eye on things. Like bears, for one. They do see them on occasion, but because of all the activity around the camp, the dogs, and the safekeeping of food in locked steel boxes, the bears stay away for the most part. Like Alden says, “this is their home, too.”
Seth and Alden have a deep respect for our public lands and wildlife and serve as careful stewards of the resources. Doing so will help ensure their business endures for years to come. They limit their hunters each season to closely manage the elk population. With great respect, Alden explains that they protect “our elk” and seek to preserve the beauty and integrity of the land for future generations. They enjoy sharing the backcountry with folks from all over the world.
They do so through the option of offering horseback day rides from May to July, or week-long summer pack trips riding, fishing, and relaxing. Basic instruction for beginning riders is provided and well-trained guides always accompany guests. The horses and mules are experienced and able to handle all kinds of terrain.
Along with poking the campfire with a long stick, there are many activities at camp. Sit by the creek. Photograph the landscape. Read or write a book. Take a nap. Converse face-to-face without the distraction of cell service. View the brightest night stars in the west.
Elk Fork Outfitters is also a licensed Wyoming hunting outfitter offering fair-chase, guided hunts for elk, sheep, and moose. Information on licensing, dates, and what to pack can be found on elkforkoutfitters.net. Advanced booking is encouraged as they are full for 2024 and over half-booked for 2025.
The Ballards agree that repeat visitors, of which there are many, are some of their favorite guests. In fact, one guest didn’t want to take a pack trip at first, but remarked she had the best night’s sleep she had in years and has since returned multiple times thanks to Elk Fork Outfitters' expertise and homespun dedication to their customers.
It’s apparent upon meeting these two young people that their warm, welcoming spirit fosters lasting connections wherever they find themselves. Seth and Alden Ballard are the genuine article putting their heart and soul into their life’s work.