The Wapiti Big Boy
A Surreal Slice of History
A smiling Big Boy statue standing surreal in the middle of a wide Wyoming field, holding up a giant double-decker burger against a backdrop of sagebrush and mountains on the road to Yellowstone.
A Surreal Sight
In the middle of sagebrush country, this authentic fiberglass mascot stands on a concrete pedestal. Rescued from a real Big Boy restaurant in California, it was given a second life as highway art in 2013. Today, it’s one of those unexpected stops that people talk about long after their Yellowstone trip is over.
The Story & Style
The Artist
Local artist and sculptor James Geier owns both the land and the statue. He installed it as a conversation starter to celebrate the now-rare Big Boy restaurants.
Restoration
Geier periodically repaints and repairs the statue. In 2020, its brief disappearance for professional restoration caused a local stir before it triumphantly returned.
Classic Look
Styled in the classic Bob’s Big Boy look: red-and-white checkered overalls, white T-shirt, signature hair curl, and that giant burger.
Nearby Sights
Shares the highway with the distinctive multi-story log Smith Mansion and Yellowstone Valley Inn, creating a gallery of roadside curiosities.
Location & Access
Finding It
South side of U.S. Highway 14/16/20 (North Fork Highway) between mileposts 34 and 35. Roughly 20 miles west of Cody.
The statue sits on private property. Please utilize the small pull-off along the shoulder to safely view and take photos without entering the fenced land.