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Get your cowboy boots ready: 10 best rodeos in the United States
Best Rodeo (2023)
The professional sport of rodeo was born from real cattle herding practices of Spain, Australia and the Americas. Today, these tests of skill and speed are most closely associated with the American West and take place at rodeo events hosted throughout the continent. Here's where to experience the 10 best rodeos in North America.
- PBR World Finals - Fort Worth, Texas
- Tucson Rodeo (La Fiesta de los Vaqueros) - Tucson, Arizona
- NEBRASKAland Days - North Platte, Nebraska
- Ellensburg Rodeo - Ellensburg, Washington
- Snowmass Rodeo - Snowmass Village, Colorado
- World's Oldest Rodeo - Prescott, Arizona
- Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo - DMV - Upper Marlboro, Maryland
- Reno Rodeo - Reno, Nevada
- Pendleton Round-Up - Pendleton, Oregon
- Weekley Brothers Davie Pro Rodeo - Davie, Florida
Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media
No. 10:
The Professional Bull Riders (PBR) tour is one of the world's most popular rodeos, despite being focused on only one event: the bull ride. More than 500 cowboys who compete in the PBR circuit of over 200 bull-riding events try to make their way into the winner's circle of this crowning event. The PBR World Finals culminate in the awarding of their famed golden belt buckle and $1 million bonus prize to the best rider. The PBR World Finals is "the richest and riskiest bull riding event on Earth," according to expert Candace Dantes.
Photo courtesy of Tucson Rodeo
No. 9:
The Tucson Rodeo, aka La Fiesta de los Vaqueros, has grown into a nine-day event since its establishment in 1925. The rodeo features current and former PRCA cowboys and cowgirls from around the U.S. and Canada competing in several different events, as well as the world’s longest non-motorized parade.
Photo courtesy of Don Christner
No. 8:
There’s a little bit of everything at NEBRASKAland Days, including a competitive art show, Western revue stage show, mutton bustin', a prime rib feed, concerts and the PRCA Buffalo Bill Rodeo inside the Wild West Arena. The celebration takes place over 11 days in June.
Photo courtesy of Photo contributed
No. 7:
The Ellensburg Rodeo is part of the Kittitas County Fair, and attendees can enjoy both with a single rodeo ticket. In addition to the carnival and rodeo events, visitors can bop to live music and take in a Western parade.
Photo courtesy of Karen Kelly
No. 6:
As expert Kristen Lummis explains, "One of the oldest 'resort' rodeos, the Snowmass Rodeo runs on summer Wednesdays and celebrates the Roaring Fork Valley's ranching heritage." With plenty of family-friendly attractions like the calf scramble and mutton bustin', as well as real rodeo excitement with contests including bareback riding, bull riding, ribbon roping, barrel racing and more, the Snowmass Rodeo is a classic weekly rodeo played out in a truly gorgeous mountain setting.
Photo courtesy of Miller Photo / World's Oldest Rodeo
No. 5:
The World's Oldest Rodeo takes place during Prescott Frontier Days – a Fourth of July Weekend tradition dating back to 1888. Events include wild horse racing, steer wrestling, bareback riding, tie-down roping, saddle bronc riding, team roping, bull riding and barrel racing, as well as specialty rodeo performances.
Photo courtesy of THEPALMER // Getty Images
No. 4:
The history of Black cowboys in America's Wild West dates back to the beginning, which is exactly why the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo series celebrates both the men and women of color who ride and rope, with all-Black participants in their touring rodeo shows. The BPIR Championship, held annually in the DC/Maryland/Virginia (DMV), is the yearly culmination of this exciting rodeo that's been taking place across the U.S. since 1984. As expert Candace Dantes explains, "It celebrates pioneering cowboy Bill Pickett, who was born in 1870 and became an international sensation as a skilled Black cowhand. In the rodeo arena, Pickett introduced bulldogging to rodeo events in the early 20th century."
Photo courtesy of Reno Rodeo
No. 3:
The Reno Rodeo calls itself the “wildest, richest rodeo in the West,” a well-earned nickname for this 10-day event that draws some 140,000 spectators to the fourth richest PRCA tour rodeo. In addition to the rodeo action, festivalgoers enjoy mutton bustin', a rodeo carnival and a parade.
Photo courtesy of Jenn Byrne / Pendleton Round-Up
No. 2:
At the heart of the Pendleton Round-Up’s weeklong schedule of events is the rodeo with events like bull riding, breakaway roping, team roping and barrel racing. Festivalgoers also enjoy parades through Pendleton, live music and other family friendly entertainment.
Photo courtesy of David Rosenfield / Davie Pro Rodeo
No. 1:
Often considered Florida’s best rodeo, the Davie Pro Rodeo takes place in “Cowboy Town” with plenty of action throughout the year, including the prestigious PRCA Southeastern Circuit Finals.
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The Experts
Candace Dantes
Candace Dantes is a fourth-generation farm girl... Read More
Candace Dantes is a fourth-generation farm girl and award-winning journalist based in the Georgia Black Belt Region. Currently, the print-to-digital storyteller is communications director for national not-for-profit Outdoor Afro. She has served as a content creator for Justin Boots, Wrangler, and U.S. Department of Agriculture research grant projects. Her Deep South farming lifestyle here: candacedantes.com
Candace Dantes
Candace Dantes is a fourth-generation farm girl and award-winning journalist based in the Georgia Black Belt Region. Currently, the print-to-digital storyteller is communications director for national not-for-profit Outdoor Afro. She has served as a content creator for Justin Boots, Wrangler, and U.S. Department of Agriculture research grant projects. Her Deep South farming lifestyle here: candacedantes.com
Kristen Lummis
Kristen Lummis is a freelance writer based in... Read More
Kristen Lummis is a freelance writer based in Western Colorado. The mom of two now-adult sons, Lummis broke into her writing career through snowsports, founding the website braveskimom.com in 2010 to provide family-friendly tips across a full range of winter topics. And while skiing is Lummis’ first true outdoor love, she grew up camping, hiking, biking, kayaking and traveling extensively with her family — pursuits that she continues today. She prides herself on unbiased opinions, based on activities and destinations she’s visited and experienced. Lummis is honored to be considered an “expert” for 10Best. Follow her @braveskimom on Instagram and Facebook.
Kristen Lummis
Kristen Lummis is a freelance writer based in Western Colorado. The mom of two now-adult sons, Lummis broke into her writing career through snowsports, founding the website braveskimom.com in 2010 to provide family-friendly tips across a full range of winter topics. And while skiing is Lummis’ first true outdoor love, she grew up camping, hiking, biking, kayaking and traveling extensively with her family — pursuits that she continues today. She prides herself on unbiased opinions, based on activities and destinations she’s visited and experienced. Lummis is honored to be considered an “expert” for 10Best. Follow her @braveskimom on Instagram and Facebook.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
