Top 10 Rodeos in North America

Few events capture the spirit of the American West quite like a rodeo. What began as informal competitions between working cowboys has grown into some of the largest annual festivals in North America. Today's biggest rodeos combine world-class PRCA competition with livestock shows, agricultural exhibitions, country music concerts, carnivals, and family entertainment, attracting millions of visitors every year. Whether you're planning an RV road trip through the United States, a camping vacation in Canada, or simply want to experience authentic Western culture, these famous rodeos belong on your bucket list. From Texas and Wyoming to Alberta, these are the largest rodeos in North America and among the best rodeos in the US and Canada to visit.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is widely regarded as the largest rodeo in the world. The 2027 edition is taking place from 2-21 March 2027 at NRG Park in Houston, Texas. Visitors can watch all major PRCA rodeo disciplines, including bull riding, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping and barrel racing, alongside one of the world's largest livestock exhibitions. More than 2.5 million people attend annually, making it the most visited rodeo festival anywhere. What truly sets Houston apart is its combination of elite rodeo competition with nightly stadium concerts featuring internationally renowned artists. This campground is near The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo at NRG Park: Lakeview RV Resort

Often called "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth," the Calgary Stampede is Canada's most famous Western festival. The next edition is held from July 9 to July 18, 2027 at Stampede Park in Calgary, Alberta. The rodeo includes the full range of professional events, from bull riding and bronc riding to steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping and barrel racing. Welcoming more than 1.2 million visitors each year, the Stampede is famous for hosting one of the richest rodeo tournaments in the world, with prize money exceeding US$1 million, while also featuring chuckwagon races, concerts, parades and one of North America's largest midway festivals. This campground is near the Calgary Stampede at Stampede Park: Mountainview Camping

According to Cowboys & Indians Magazine "Cheyenne Frontier Days isn't just a rodeo -it's Wyoming's biggest celebration of Western heritage." Also known as "The Daddy of 'em All," Cheyenne Frontier Days has been celebrating Western heritage since 1897. The event typically takes place over 10 days in late July at Frontier Park in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Rodeo fans can enjoy all classic PRCA disciplines, including bull riding, bronc riding, steer wrestling, calf roping, team roping and barrel racing. Around 550,000 spectators visit annually, making it the world's largest outdoor rodeo. Besides the competition itself, the event is famous for its historic atmosphere, military appreciation events, Western parades and major country music concerts.This campground is near Frontier Park: Ab Camping RV Park

Unlike the other events on this list, the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) is not a traditional festival but the championship finale of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). The next edition will be held 3-12 December 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The world's best competitors qualify to compete in bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping and barrel racing. The NFR attracts roughly 170,000 spectators across its ten performances, but its global television audience reaches millions. It stands out as the event where annual world champions are crowned, making it the pinnacle of professional rodeo.

This RV park is near the Thomas & Mack Center: Arizona Charlie's Boulder RV Park

According to ProRodeo Sports News "The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo has become one of the premier stops on the PRCA schedule." No wonder, the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo is one of Texas' largest annual events. The next edition is expected to run for 18 days from 11-28 February 2027 at the Frost Bank Center (formerly AT&T Center), the adjacent Freeman Coliseum, and surrounding fairgrounds in San Antonio. Visitors can enjoy every major PRCA discipline alongside an enormous livestock show. More than 1.5 million visitors attend each year. Beyond the rodeo arena, San Antonio is especially known for its carnival, pig races, shopping, educational programs and headline concerts, making it one of the most family-friendly rodeo festivals in North America. This campground is near the Frost Bank Center: Traveler's World RV Resort

Dating back to 1896, the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo is one of the oldest continuously running rodeos in the United States. Or, as Cowboys & Indians Magazine says: "Fort Worth is where tradition meets championship rodeo." Held from Jan 15 - Feb 6, 2027 the event takes place at Dickies Arena and the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas. Spectators can watch professional bull riding, bronc riding, steer wrestling, calf roping, team roping and barrel racing while also exploring one of America's premier livestock exhibitions. With more than one million visitors annually, Fort Worth combines authentic cowboy culture with one of the country's most respected agricultural shows. When RV-ing consider this RV Park: Starry Night RV Resort

Every January, the National Western Stock Show & Rodeo transforms Denver into one of the country's largest celebrations of agriculture and the American West. As the Denver Post puts it: "There's simply nothing else quite like the National Western. It celebrates both agriculture and the American West on a grand scale." The next event is held from 9-24 January 2027 and is hosted at the National Western Center in Denver, Colorado. Alongside professional PRCA rodeo competitions featuring bulls, horses, calves and steers, visitors can experience one of the world's largest horse shows and extensive livestock competitions. The event attracts approximately 700,000 visitors every year and is especially valued for its deep agricultural roots and educational focus. Going camping in Denver? Check out Ridgeline at River Run

Preserving the authentic spirit of the West. That's what Pendleton is all about. Founded in 1910, the Pendleton Round-Up is one of the most iconic and historic rodeos in North America. The next edition will take place from 12-19 September 2027 at the Pendleton Round-Up Grounds in Pendleton, Oregon. The rodeo features traditional PRCA disciplines including bull riding, bronc riding, steer wrestling, roping events and barrel racing. Although attendance is around 50,000 to 60,000 visitors, its influence on rodeo culture far exceeds its size. Pendleton is particularly famous for its traditional grass arena, non-motorized horse-drawn parades and strong partnerships with Native American communities, creating an authentic Western atmosphere unlike any other rodeo. The nearest campground is the Pendleton KOA Journey

Nicknamed "The Wildest, Richest Rodeo in the West," the Reno Rodeo has become one of the premier PRCA events in the United States. The next edition is held from 17-26 June 2027 at the Reno Livestock Events Center in Reno, Nevada. Fans can watch all major rodeo events, including bull riding, bronc riding, steer wrestling, calf roping, team roping and barrel racing. Approximately 140,000 spectators attend each year. Reno stands out thanks to its energetic atmosphere, strong professional field and reputation as one of the highest-paying regular-season rodeos on the PRCA circuit. When camping head to the River West Resort

The San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo rounds out this list as another of Texas' most respected rodeo traditions. The event typically takes place over more than two weeks in February and March 2027 at the Foster Communications Coliseum and surrounding fairgrounds in San Angelo. Visitors can watch professional rodeo events featuring bulls, horses, steers and calves while also exploring an extensive livestock exhibition. The festival attracts an estimated 300,000 visitors annually and is especially known for offering substantial prize money, attracting the the very best contestants on the PRCA circuit, for developing future rodeo talent and maintaining an authentic community atmosphere that reflects Texas' deep ranching heritage. Red Arroyo Campground is the nearest campground to the Foster Communications Coliseum.