Perhaps the favorite summer pastime in the Tetons, the Jackson Hole Rodeo is guaranteed to be a fun time for people of all ages. Between the daring roughstock events, thrilling timed events and jovial rodeo clowns, there is truly something for everyone. In this guide, we will talk about the history of the Jackson Hole Rodeo, along with its schedule, events, concessions and your best transportation options. As a bonus we’ll tell you how to pregame the Rodeo and where you’re most likely to run into the cowboys for the after party, and even the closest thing to a Jackson Hole limo service. Ready? Let’s ride!
A Brief History of Jackson Hole Rodeo
The Jackson Hole Rodeo has been going on since 1890 and shows no signs of slowing down. Founded by Sylvester Wilson, one of the Valley’s original settlers, the Rodeo is still run by the Wilson family 6 generations later. Several of their descendants are Rodeo athletes as well, including nationally ranked bull and bronc riders, as well as multiple roping cowgirls. While so much of our world has changed, this family is determined to keep the Jackson Hole Rodeo consistent with its roots and provide old wild west entertainment for tourists and locals alike.
Jackson Hole Rodeo Schedule
All rodeos begin at 8:00 pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays from Memorial Weekend to Labor Day. They’ve recently added Friday night rodeos in July and August as well because of the high demand. We recommend arriving at the Rodeo Fairgrounds around 6:30 pm when the doors open because most tickets are general admission, meaning the earlier you get there, the better your seats will be.
There are also a limited number of VIP experience tickets that allow you to go behind the chutes, meet contestants and tour the back pens. This can be a great memory for those who want to see the underbelly of rodeo. However, VIP tickets sell out fast so we recommend buying them months in advance.
Events at the Jackson Hole Rodeo
There are two types of events at any rodeo, roughstock and timed. Roughstock events are the dangerous bucking events that include bareback riding, saddle bronc riding and bull riding. In all of these events the contestants must stay on for 8 seconds while only using one hand and have their performance scored out of 100. Timed events are thrilling races against the clock and include steer wrestling, team roping, tie-down roping, barrel racing and steer roping. Both men and women are allowed to compete in timed events!
Jackson Hole Rodeo Concessions
It should come as no surprise that the Rodeo’s food and beverage options are coming from a chuckwagon. Hence the food options include burgers, brats, dogs, loaded nachos, pulled pork sandwiches and snacks. Drinks include coke products and a variety of beer and hard seltzers. While these can be great food options for the setting, we recommend having dinner beforehand if you are looking for higher end cuisine.
Transportation Options for the Jackson Hole Rodeo
The current labor shortage and breadth of the Valley makes transportation tricky in Jackson Hole. If you are a small group (6 or less) then you can try your luck with Ubers or try to set up a taxi in advance. However, if your group is larger than 6 we recommend a Jackson Hole party bus by Double Black Transportation. There is simply not a more fun option for getting to the Rodeo (or anywhere in Jackson for that matter) than a luxurious party bus outfitted with wraparound seating, surround sound speakers, LED mood lighting, flatscreen TVs and built-in coolers.
We are proud to offer flexible pricing options including round-trips and one-ways, not to mention countless discount opportunities including weeknight, daytime and off-season rates. Head to the Rodeo on Wednesday night and get 20% off with our weeknight pricing!
Pregame the Jackson Hole Rodeo
In our modest opinion, the best way to pregame a rodeo is hitting a local brewery within walking distance. Luckily Stillwest and Snake River Brewing are both within a 10 minute walk from the Rodeo Fairgrounds and have delicious food on top of their stellar beer lists. Check out our guide to the best breweries in Jackson Hole for a more comprehensive list!
Jackson Hole Rodeo After Party
There’s only one place to party after the Rodeo and it should come as no surprise that it’s the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. Known to locals as simply The Cowboy, this is the place to end your night almost every night of the week (check out our guide to the best bars in jackson Hole for a full breakdown for each night of the week) in Jackson. It is also the favorite for true cowboys and cowgirls, and chances are you will see the contestants from that night as well as the big winners having a time at the pool tables. Be careful though, a lot of these buckaroos are sharks as well.
Conclusion: Jackson Hole Rodeo is a Must
With over 130 years of tradition the Jackson Hole Rodeo is a must see attraction for visitors. Saturday nights are the biggest rodeos of the week, but don’t worry you’ll have a good time on Wednesday and Friday as well if that’s what your schedule allows. We recommend booking a Jackson Hole party bus for your transportation needs and having it stop at one of the best breweries in Jackson Hole for the pregame. And don’t forget to hit The Cowboy after the Rodeo. If you have any questions or need further help planning your Rodeo experience or party bus in Jackson Hole, give us a shout!