Cheyenne Frontier Days

The event began in 1897 as a single day of frontier sports and has run every year since, growing into ten days in late July that roughly double the population of Cheyenne. The rodeo itself is a full professional programme with the standard roughstock and timed events, plus wild horse racing and a chuckwagon race that are not run at most rodeos. Around it are night concerts on a main stage, a carnival midway, an air show by the Thunderbirds in some years, free pancake breakfasts served from cement mixers to tens of thousands, and a parade with a large collection of restored carriages. Animal welfare in rodeo is a genuine and ongoing argument, and this event sits at the centre of it.

What you actually see

• Ten days of rodeo and events - running annually since 1897.
• Wild horse racing and chuckwagons - not standard at most rodeos.
• Pancake breakfasts from cement mixers - free, and enormous.
• Night concerts and a carriage parade - around the arena programme.

When to go

Late July, the ten days of the event. A day or several.

Honest expectations

Accommodation across the region books out months ahead and prices rise sharply. July in Wyoming is hot with afternoon storms. Events are individually ticketed. Rodeo animal welfare is contested - decide on that before booking.

Nearby

Cheyenne's downtown depot museum is south; Curt Gowdy State Park is west.