Mt Rush KOA at Palmer

Trip Planning

Explore These Rodeo Adventures!

Hit the road in your RV and check out these rodeo destinations!

When it comes to rodeos, many RV enthusiasts head to the Black Hills of South Dakota, where they can enjoy multiple rodeo events throughout the summer.
These include the
Black Hills Roundup, June 30 to July 4th, in Belle Fourche. The 105-year-old event, one of the oldest continuously operating outdoor rodeos in the country, includes rodeos, a parade, a carnival, concerts, and a golf tournament.

Other events include the Days of '76 Rodeo and Parade in Deadwood, scheduled for July 21 - 27, which is also considered to be one of the nation’s top rodeos. RVers visiting some Black Hills campgrounds don’t even have to leave the park to enjoy rodeo entertainment through the summer months.

Rodeo at Mount Rushmore KOA Resort
Photo courtesy of Mount Rushmore KOA Resort



For example, the Mount Rushmore KOA Resort in Hill City, South Dakota, has rodeo events with barrel racing, bull riding, team roping and other activities June 8 and 15 as well as August 1, 17, and 24. But while South Dakota has its share of rodeo entertainment, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and the Working Ranch Cowboys Association (WRCA) collectively organize more than 800 rodeos across the country each year. Both organizations post rodeo schedules and locations on their respective websites.

To jumpstart your rodeo planning, here’s a sampling of upcoming rodeos across the U.S. and Canada along with links to nearby campgrounds:

Prescott Frontier Days in Prescott, July 1-7: Considered the World’s Oldest Rodeo, the Prescott rodeo has been held every year since 1888. Rodeo performances are complemented with “Mutton Bustin’,” rodeo dances, parades, an arts and crafts show and a 100-yard dash in which contests race wearing cowboy boots. Nearby campgrounds include:

 

California Rodeo Salinas in Salinas, July 18-21: This rodeo, now in its 114th year, is the largest in California and one of the top 15 professional rodeos in the U.S. Activities include barrel races, freestyle bullfights, bull riding, steer wrestling, team roping, tie down roping, mutton busting, a horse show, parades, a carnival, and a kids corral. Nearby campgrounds include:

Greeley Stampede in Greeley, June 26-July 7:
This annual event includes steer wrestling and tie down roping, line dancing and swing dancing lessons, a barn dance, and an Independence Day parade. Nearby campgrounds include:

Pikes Peak or Best Rodeo in Colorado Springs, July 9-13: This rodeo has been a Colorado Springs tradition since 1937, showcasing top rodeo talent and action, while providing wholesome entertainment for the Pikes Peak community to enjoy. Nearby campgrounds include:


Rooftop Rodeo in Estes Park, July 5-10: This rodeo complements its competitive events with a parade and a “Behind the Chutes” tour in which attendees can meet the stock contractor, rodeo contestants, and crew. Nearby campgrounds include:

Snake River Stampede in Nampa, July 16-20: This rodeo is one of the top 10 regular professional rodeos out of the approximately 600 rodeos in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Nearby campgrounds include:

Dodge City Roundup Rodeo in Dodge City, July 30 to August 4: This rodeo has been an annual event since 1977 and has garnered nationwide acclaim. In July of 2012, Dodge City Roundup Rodeo was inducted into PRCA Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, and in 2018 was voted "#1 Rodeo in North American" by USA Today's 10Best. Nearby campgrounds include:

 

Big Sky Professional Bull Riding in Gallatin Gateway, July 12-20: Events include professional rodeo, bull riding events, and a community street dance. Nearby campgrounds include:

Nebraska's Big Rodeo in Burwell, July 27-29: This event features rodeo performances. Events include barrel racing and steer roping. There will also be live music, a carnival, a quilt show, and special activities for children. Nearby campgrounds include:

Reno Rodeo in Reno, June 20-29: This annual rodeo features traditional rodeo events, including barrel racing, bull riding, a vibrant carnival, and concerts. Nearby campgrounds include:

Pendleton Roundup in Pendleton, September 11-14: This weeklong rodeo celebration includes a parade, night shows, competitions with “Xtreme Bulls,” steer roping, team roping, breakaway roping, barrel racing, and live music. Nearby campgrounds include:

Black Hills Roundup in Belle Fourche, June 30 to July 4th: This 105-year-old event, one of the oldest continuously operating outdoor rodeos in the country, includes rodeos, a parade, a carnival, concerts, and a golf tournament. Nearby campgrounds include:

Days of '76 Rodeo and Parade in Deadwood, July 21-27: This event is considered to be one of the top rodeos in the country. Nearby campgrounds include:

Mount Rushmore KOA aerial view
Photo courtesy of Mount Rushmore KOA Resort

 

World Championship Ranch Rodeo in Amarillo, November 14-17: This world championship competition is sponsored by the Working Ranch Cowboys Association. Nearby campgrounds include:

Great Midwest Pro Rodeo and Bull Riding in Edgerton, July 19, 20 and 21: This Janesville area rodeo features bareback riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, tie down roping, team roping, cowgirls barrel racing, and bull riding. Nearby campgrounds include:

Heart of the North Rodeo in Spooner, July 11-13: This annual rodeo event features bareback riding; tie-down roping; mutton bustin’; team roping; saddle bronc riding; steer wrestling; barrel racing; and bull riding. Nearby campgrounds include:

Cheyenne Frontier Days in Cheyenne, July 19-28: Known as the “Daddy of ‘em All,” Cheyenne Frontier Days is one of the oldest and largest rodeos in the world. Dating back to 1897, this rodeo event is held annually in late July and features top notch Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and Working Ranch Cowboys Association (WRCA) athletes as well as concerts, a carnival and an air show. Nearby campgrounds include:

Cody Stampede Rodeo in Cody, July 1-4: This rodeo has been held every summer since 1919. The event includes parades and nighttime rodeo events. Nearby campgrounds include:

Calgary Stampede in Calgary, Alberta, July 5-14:
Renowned as the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,” the Calgary Stampede is a ten-day-long celebration blending rodeo action, parades, and musical and cultural performances. Nearby campgrounds include:

Williams Lake Stampede in Williams Lake, British Columbia, June 28-July 1: This annual event, now in its 96th year, is one of the largest rodeo events in Canada. Nearby campgrounds include:

 

Jeff Crider

Author

Jeff Crider, President and CEO of Crider Public Relations, has been involved in covering the campground industry for over 25 years. Jeff has worked as a freelance writer for publications such as RV Business, Motor Home Magazine, Trailer Life, Highways and other Affinity Group Inc. publications since 1995. He has also successfully pitched many of the nation's top tier media outlets, including CNN, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, The Financial Times, Reuters, The Associated Press and National Public Radio. In addition to writing, Jeff is also a talented photographer and humanitarian.