Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo
Cheyenne, Wyoming · Accessibility score 1.4/5
Address: Cheyenne, WY
Phone: (307) 778-7222
About
Cheyenne Frontier Days has been running every late July since 1897, making it one of the oldest and largest outdoor rodeos in the world. Known as "The Daddy of 'em All," this 10-day festival transforms Wyoming's capital city into the epicenter of western culture, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
The rodeo competition is the heart of it all. Professional cowboys and cowgirls compete in bull riding, saddle bronc, bareback riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping, and barrel racing. The prize purses attract top talent from across the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association circuit, and the atmosphere in Frontier Park arena is electric - especially during the final championship rounds.
But Frontier Days extends far beyond the arena. The daily parade through downtown Cheyenne features horse-drawn wagons, marching bands, vintage vehicles, and mounted riders - one of the largest parades in any American city. The Indian Village celebrates Native American culture with traditional dancing, crafts, and food. A massive carnival midway offers rides and games for all ages.
Frontier Nights brings major concert acts to the arena after the rodeo wraps up. Past headliners have included Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, and dozens of other top-tier country and rock performers. The concert lineup is typically announced in spring and often sells out.
Free pancake breakfasts served from chuck wagons in the park have been a tradition since the early days. Thousands of people line up for flapjacks, and it's one of those experiences that feels genuinely communal.
Cheyenne itself is worth exploring during the festival. The Cheyenne Depot Museum, the Wyoming State Museum, and the historic downtown district all benefit from the festival energy. The city sits at the crossroads of I-25 and I-80, making it accessible from Denver (about 90 minutes south) and points across the Mountain West.
Frontier Days isn't a sanitized theme park version of the West. It's the real thing - dusty, loud, exciting, and thoroughly western.
Accessibility
Cheyenne Frontier Days has implemented ADA services to accommodate visitors with disabilities across the festival grounds. ADA seating is available in the arena and is clearly marked on all ticketing platforms. Designated wheelchair viewing areas are set aside for most events, providing clear sightlines to the rodeo action.
Wheelchairs can be maneuvered throughout most of the festival grounds, though some areas involve packed dirt surfaces that may be challenging, particularly after rain. The main pathways through the carnival midway and vendor areas are generally navigable.
Guided tours of the festival grounds are available for visually impaired and blind visitors. Tour guides provide inclusive, descriptive tours upon request. Contact the CFD Ticket Office at (307) 778-7222 to arrange a guided tour.
Accessible parking is available in designated lots near the main entrances. The festival grounds are large, so plan accordingly for distances between attractions.
Accessible restrooms are positioned throughout the festival grounds. Food vendors and exhibition areas are generally at ground level and accessible from the main pathways.
For the daily parade through downtown Cheyenne, wheelchair-accessible viewing spots are available along the parade route, typically on paved sidewalks. The downtown area has standard sidewalks with curb cuts.
For specific ADA accommodation requests, contact the CFD Ticket Office at (307) 778-7222 or visit cfdrodeo.com/visitor-information/ada-services for current information.
More accessible places in Wyoming
- Cheyenne Botanic Gardens (Cheyenne)
- Grand Teton National Park (Moose)
- National Museum of Wildlife Art (Jackson)
- Devils Tower National Monument (Devils Tower)
- Fort Laramie National Historic Site (Fort Laramie)
- Heart Mountain Interpretive Center (Powell)