The Fraternal Order of the Wagon for Literary Outdoorsmen
Josh Centers 06.16.25
Need a place to get away? Nestled in the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains lies an oasis, both literal and figurative. The Wagon Box in Story, Wyoming is a bar, restaurant, and campground, but since Paul McNiel took ownership in 2022, it’s become more than that. McNiel has transformed The Wagon Box into a favorite hangout of authors, intellectuals, and other misfits. Author Walter Kirn called it a “refuge for thoughtful spirits.” Better known as the Fraternal Order of the Wagon for Literary Outdoorsmen.
The Fraternal Order of the Wagon for Literary Outdoorsmen
The Wagon Box is situated between two flowing trout streams, perfect for practicing your fly fishing. There are plentiful elk around, with guided hunts available.
The 20-acre property has a host of lodging options: Bunks, cabins, tipis, wall tents, and—if you’re feeling adventurous—converted buses. Of course, camping is always an option.
Now you have the opportunity to join the Fraternal Order of the Wagon and enjoy year-round access:
The Wagon Box’s Fraternal Order of the Wagon is a network for serious men headquartered in an area of outstanding natural beauty in the Wyoming mountains. Established as a meeting point for philosophers, artisans, technologists, homesteaders, policymakers, and wandering scholars to clear their minds, converse, and collaborate. Members gain access to the library, lodge, restaurant, campground, streams, corral, and clubhouse, and to this unique fellowship.
The Fraternal Order of the Wagon offers three tiers of membership: Member, Fellow, and Patron.
Member
The basic Member tier costs $24.99 per month and will grant:
- 24/7 access to the Wagon Box Clubhouse with:
- 8 large bunk beds
- Kitchen
- Living area with fireplace
- Showers
- Sauna
- Weight room
- Access to member-only events like dinners and writer’s retreats
- Discounted rates for other events
- A pin and mug that grant you one free drink per day
- Access to a private group chat
- A free subscription to the Wagon Box Substack
- A 15% discount on meals and lodging
Fellow
At the Fellow tier ($99 per month), you get everything included in the Member tier, plus:
- A custom-engraved glass mug
- Get meals 20% off, lodging 30% off, and events 30% off.
- Access to a growing network of satellite locations around the country, starting in Alaska and North Carolina
- Access to the club armory, plus one free box of ammo
Patron
The Patron tier at $299 per month opens even more perks:
- You can reserve the entire Lodge once per year at a 50% discounted rate
- A custom engraved pewter mug
- Get Meals 30% off, Lodging 50% off, and Events 50% off
- Free ammo
- An engraved rifle
Paul McNiel says:
Membership in the Fraternal Order of the Wagon is an invitation to join this adventure, to shape its lore as it grows into an intergenerational institution. It’s for men who grasp the spirit of this mission and are eager to collaborate and grow with men of character. We encourage you to apply now and step into a brotherhood that offers not just a cabin by the stream or a dusty volume from the library ladder, but a stake in a distributed community with the resources, skills, and camaraderie to face whatever comes. Together, we’ll ride horses into the mountains, cast flies over rushing waters, and build something enduring—something worth passing down.
I signed up at the Member level. I fell in love with the Wagon Box at last year’s Doomer Optimist campout, and will be returning later this month for this year’s campout. I hope to now make it out to the Great American West much more often.
