To add some excitement to your summer, all you need to do is travel west. Here, cowboys showcase their riding and roping skills in rodeo competitions held throughout the state. Celebrate life on the open range at these summertime events that bring out some of the West’s best athletes. Not sure where to start? We list a handful of Wyoming rodeos that can’t be missed.
May
Jackson Hole Rodeo
The Teton Range and Gros Ventre Wilderness make for a dramatic backdrop to this annual celebration of all things cowboy, held at the Jackson Hole Rodeo Grounds in Jackson. It’s among the earliest and longest-running events of the state’s rodeo season, held most Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from May through September. Bull riding, bronc riding, barrel racing and roping are all part of the Jackson Hole Rodeo experience.
June – And All Summer Long
Friday Night Rodeos in Dubois
Those seeking a peek at northern Wyoming at its wildest should check out the upper Wind River Valley town of Dubois, home to dude ranches, square dances and the summer Friday Night Rodeo series. Bareback bronc riding, barrel racing, bull riding and steer wrestling are just a few of the highlights. Rodeos run throughout the month of August.
Cody Nite Rodeo
The longest-running nightly rodeo in the country is the family-oriented Cody Nite Rodeo series, held from June through August in the town known as the “Rodeo Capital of the World.” Get a photo taken on Hollywood the Bull and meet the clowns and bullfighters that take center stage at this nightly event.
July
Cheyenne Frontier Days
Cheyenne Frontier Days began in 1897 as a humble affair, but it has since turned into the largest outdoor rodeo and western celebration in the world. Every July, visitors get a true taste of the Old West as the “Daddy of ’Em All” delivers 10 days of thrilling rodeo competitions, down-home food, carnival fun and world-class entertainment. The event (held at the end of July each year) draws some of the nation’s top talent from the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, all vying for a piece of the million-dollar purse — the largest regular-season payoff in pro rodeo. Rodeos take place daily and include events like bareback riding, barrel racing, steer roping, steer wrestling and wild-horse racing.
In addition to rodeo events, this Wyoming rodeo features performances from some of the biggest names in country music, a carnival, line dancing, cultural exhibits and more. Want to know more? Check out list of the top five things to do at Cheyenne Frontier Days.
Lander’s Pioneer Days Rodeo
Bronc riding is a big deal in Lander, and there’s no better evidence of that than at Pioneer Days. This annual Fourth of July extravaganza has a little bit of everything: bull riding for adults and children (ages eight to 14), saddle bronc and bareback riding, and timed events including barrel racing, calf roping and steer wrestling.
Sheridan WYO Rodeo
Founded in 1931, the four-day Sheridan WYO Rodeo is part of the Million Dollar Silver Tour, with a trove of awards to back it up. The event kicks off with a family-friendly boot-kicking competition and stick-horse races for little cowboys and cowgirls, and continues with an array of festivities including a Native American powwow, parade, street dances and pancake breakfast. And of course, no Wyoming rodeo is complete without the competitions. The World Championship Indian Relay Races feature riders changing horses mid-race — one of the most heart-pounding portions of the Sheridan WYO Rodeo — plus bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, steer roping and much more.
Laramie Jubilee Days
Beginning in 1940 as a horse race celebrating Wyoming’s statehood, this hometown Laramie event honors the Western lifestyle year after year. Enjoy a PRCA rodeo along with a kids’ horse show, bull riding and barrel racing.
National High School Rodeo Association Finals in Rock Springs
See champion cowboys and cowgirls in the early phase of their rodeo careers at this action-packed high-school-level event. “Versatility” is the name of the game here, with a wide range of events that include bareback riding, barrel racing, cutting horse, goat tying and pole bending.
Red Desert Roundup Rodeo in Rock Springs
Held the last full weekend of July, this PRCA rodeo brings Rock Springs visitors and residents together for three days of broncs, bulls and family fun. Events at this Wyoming rodeo include bareback riding, tie-down roping, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling and bull riding. Be sure to check out the Saturday parade that goes through the heart of the beautiful historical downtown.
Central Wyoming Fair & Rodeo in Casper
Have a bareback ridin’, mutton bustin’ good time in Wyoming’s second largest city every July when the Central Wyoming Fair & Rodeo comes to town. The fair dates back to 1904, and has grown over the decades to bring countless riders and fans from throughout the region to Casper. Rodeo events include tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping and bull riding. But the rodeo’s just part of the fun. Find carnival rides, fair food, a demolition derby and children’s activities throughout the week, plus a “The Voice”-inspired contest where singers compete to be “The Voice of Casper.”
Cody Stampede Rodeo
This iconic Wyoming rodeo has taken place every summer since 1919. Spend your Fourth of July weekend watching top contestants compete for big purses during this four-day rodeo. Parades, a craft fair and food booths are also part of the celebration.
August
Wyoming State Fair & Rodeo
Three nights of high-energy rodeos, arm-wrestling competitions, and a carnival with a Ferris wheel, carousel and other classic rides are just a handful of reasons why this event draws patrons do Douglas every August.
