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Idaho Rodeos

When you visit the rugged landscapes of Idaho, you’ll want to be sure to see some of the famous rodeos going on in The Gem State. Idaho’s rich western cultural heritage makes for some great rodeos, fairs, and festivals.

Snake River Stampede

What started in the 1900’s as a small local bucking horse competition has grown into one of the top 10 professional rodeos in the country. The Snake River Stampede is known as the biggest, wildest, fastest major professional sports event in Idaho. If you’re planning a trip to Idaho, you’ll want to see this professional rodeo in Nampa this June.

Snake River Stampede is a weeklong, annual rodeo. In addition to the traditional rodeo events, there’s also a junior rodeo, a calf scramble, mutton bustin’, and a variety of community events. There’s something for everyone during this week of western celebration.

In addition to promoting western lifestyle, Snake River Stampede also makes community engagement a priority. This rodeo is produced by a non-profit organization which supports youth activities, community events, volunteer and fundraising opportunities, entertainment and education. They also founded Stampede for the Cure, which provides breast cancer screenings and awareness education for Idaho’s cowgirls.

Caldwell Night Rodeo (CNR)

In August, you can enjoy five thrilling nights of rodeo excitement at the Caldwell Night Rodeo. It’s one of the top 20 professional rodeos in the nation, among the top 5 outdoor rodeos, and ranked as Canyon County’s #1 large outdoor family event for three consecutive years. PRCA has even nominated CNR as the Top Large Outdoor Rodeo in the US 10 different times. This is one rodeo that’s well worth seeing while you’re in Idaho this summer.

Each rodeo day offers a Buckaroo breakfast, Cowboy Up mercantile shopping, a VIP dinner, a jr rodeo, and the Pro Rodeo with elite cowboys and cowgirls competing in seven nightly events. Saturday is Championship Night, where the 12 top athletes of each event will compete for the championship title. 

Eagle Rodeo

The Eagle Rodeo started in 2001 as an easy going, fan and family friendly rodeo event. It continues to grow each year, and brings four nights of excitement, sportsmanship and suspense to Eagle, Idaho.

Eagle rodeo brings cowboys from all over to show off their skills. There’s food and drink, beer gardens, retail vendors, special events, and a renowned after party. In addition to the main PRCA rodeo event, there’s also mutton busting, youth steer riding, steer riding, and jr barrels.

That Famous Preston Night Rodeo

In the beginning of August every year, you can see That Famous Preston Night Rodeo. It’s recognized as the first Night Rodeo in the world, so this is a historic rodeo that you won’t forget.

The main event features bull riding, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, calf roping, team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, and a specialty act. There will also be rodeo queens, booths, food, and entertainment. There’s even a golf tournament and a biathlon during rodeo week.

County Fair Rodeos

Idaho also has plenty of fairs, festivals and celebrations throughout the summer months. Many of these feature a rodeo along with their other festivities. You’ll be able to see a rodeo no matter what county you’re in.

Bannock County Fair & Rodeo

Visit the Bannock County Fair in August for rodeos, live concerts, parades, a car show and more.

Caribou County Fair and Rodeo

The Caribou County Fair features the Cowboy Boots & Buckin’ Chutes rodeo. There’s also a talent show, art contests, pet shows, and a fun run.

Power County Fair Rodeo

You can attend the Power County Fair during the first full week of August. There are animal shows, food contests, art competitions, and a rodeo.

Gooding County Fair & Pro Rodeo

The Gooding Pro Rodeo brings huge crowds to Gooding County for the fair and rodeo. You won’t want to miss this famous PRCA sanctioned rodeo or the fun festivities that go along with it.

Owyhee County Fair & Rodeo

Owyhee County also holds their own fair and rodeo in August each year. If you’re in the area, make sure to stop by for 4 nights of top notch entertainment.

Idaho High School Rodeo Association (IHSRA)

The IHSRA is part of the National High School Rodeo Association (NHSFR). It’s a non-profit organization focused on promoting sportsmanship, horsemanship and character of the youth in Idaho through rodeo competitions. Students are able to compete in both judged and timed events. There’s bareback riding, barrel racing, breakaway roping, bull riding, tie-down roping, pole bending, team roping, goat tying, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, reined cow horse, and cutting horse events.

There are 9 separate high school districts in Idaho, each with their own area high school rodeo. The IHSRA State Finals is in June, and the NHSFR finals are in July.

Idaho State University Bengal Roundup Rodeo

The high school rodeos aren’t the only place where you can support student athletes competing in rodeos. Idaho State University also has an annual rodeo event for college athletes to show off their skills. At the Bengal Roundup Rodeo, you can support ISU student athletes while they compete in exciting rodeo events. The Roundup Rodeo is every September. There’s bull riding, roping, steer wrestling, bareback, saddle broncs, and barrel racing.

Shoshone-Bannock Indian Festival

The Shoshone-Bannock Indian Festival is a unique annual event during the 2nd weekend of August. It’s held in Fort Hall, Idaho, and is considered one of the best Indian pow wows in Indian country. The festival started in 1964 with plenty of Indian culture and history. 

The Shoshone-Bannock Indian Festival features an all-indian rodeo as well as exciting indian pony relay races. There’s live music with local drummers, singers, and dancers. There’s also parades, kids’ games, an art show, a fun run/walk, skate jam, and a feast. Athletes can compete in tournaments for softball, golf, and horseshoes. There’s even a festival royalty contest where Miss Shoshone-Bannock is chosen. It’s a fun-filled cultural event with something for everyone.

Marsh Valley Pioneer Days Rodeo 

During the second weekend of July in McCammon, you can see the Marsh Valley Pioneer Days Rodeo. It’s an annual event that’s been going on for 86 years to honor Idaho’s pioneer ancestors. The rodeo features a pre show, the main rodeo event, a family night, a breakfast and slack. There’s also a parade downtown with a different pioneer theme each year.

Bancroft Rodeo

The Bancroft Rodeo is another annual pioneer celebration. It’s held every July 24th to celebrate pioneer culture and ancestry. There’s a breakfast, parade, rodeo, a 5k walk/run, vendor booths, live music, dancing, and even fireworks at the end of the celebration.

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