Oregon Rodeo Roundup

February 18, 2020 (Updated January 5, 2023)

 

You don’t have to rope, ride or wrangle to appreciate Oregon’s rodeos. Bucking broncos, wild bulls, barrel racing and calf roping: Think of it as the West’s first extreme-sports venue.

The granddaddy of them all — the Pendleton Round-Up — is typically held in September in the state’s largest rodeo arena in Pendleton. One of the 10 largest rodeos in the world, it’s been a celebrated annual event since 1910. The town swells to the gills with professional cowboys and cowgirls, hopeful amateurs and enthusiastic spectators who come to enjoy a full roster of steer roping, barrel racing, bull riding, parades and kids’ events. If you can’t make it to the Round-Up, you can find your cowboy or cowgirl roots in Pendleton during the city’s Get Wild in Pendleton event series each summer.

Here’s a guide to some of Oregon’s most iconic rodeos.

Cattle wrangling and bull fighting date back to the 16th century, but the modernized rodeo includes family-friendly activities too. (Photo by Mike Husk)

Tillamook County Rodeo

The Tillamook County Rodeo, known as the Biggest Little Show on the Coast, has occurred annually since 1987 and provides fun for the whole family. Friday night is family night and includes stick pony races and autograph signings with rodeo queens. On Saturday everyone can enjoy the Hooves N’ Hops Brewfest before the rodeo, with local breweries from along the Coast as well as a cornhole tournament. Events during the rodeo include bull riding, broncs, barrel racing, steer wrestling, rope tying and a rodeo queen competition.

Roughly 20,0000 spectators invade the small Western town of Sisters to see pure cowboy and cowgirl competition. (Photo by Mike Houska)

Sisters Rodeo

Awarded the 2019 Large Rodeo of the Year by the Columbia River Circuit, the annual Sisters Rodeo is held the second weekend of June in Central Oregon with a spectacular backdrop of the Three Sisters Mountains. The western town of Sisters is just a few miles away, with shopping, fine restaurants and plenty of special events for the entire family during rodeo week. On Saturday morning, visitors and locals alike line the downtown streets for a western-style parade of unique and creative entries. Sunday brings Cowboy Church in the arena and the ever popular Kiwanis Buckaroo Pancake Breakfast. The Biggest Little Show in the World is also popularly known as the friendliest rodeo in the world.

The Crooked River Roundup in Prineville kicks off with a traffic-stopping cattle drive through downtown. (Photo by Chris Mather)

Crooked River Roundup

More than 75 years old, the Crooked River Roundup  has captivated the hearts of those in Central Oregon and beyond. Located in Prineville, this medium-sized PRCA rodeo brings “western” back to rodeo. A punchy rodeo that includes a long alley roping setup and local events like the wild horse race and ranch bronc riding. Everyone loves to watch the kids in the calf scramble and the older fellas in the wild cow milking. Breakaway roping brings in more excitement and gets local gals in the arena. The PRCA events bring contestants from around the country who enjoy the challenges of great stock and the long alley for roping. What started in a pasture with a human fence has grown in 75 amazing years to a three-night event bringing in thousands. The Roundup earned the “2018 Medium Rodeo of the Year” from the Columbia River Circuit, and wins hearts every year for the sport of rodeo.

Witness some of the roughest and toughest competitions in the corral at Willamette Valley’s St. Paul Rodeo. (Photo by Bob Pool)

St. Paul Rodeo

The St. Paul Rodeo transforms a town of 425 into the epicenter of professional rodeo during the lucrative 4th of July run or “Cowboy Christmas.” The historic St. Paul Rodeo Stadium, constructed in 1944, features Arborvitae trees in the arena, offering a truly unique setting. The day after the rodeo local farmers begin planting grass for the St. Paul Buckaroos 1A football team to play in the arena. With $240,400 in added prize money, the small town of St. Paul ranks in the top 10 of regular season rodeos in the country.

Person on horse carrying American flag
Chief Joseph Days celebrates the history and culture of the West over six days.

Chief Joseph Days

The tiny town of Joseph swells to 10 times its normal size when it welcomes thousands of visitors to Chief Joseph Days. Held the last full week in July since 1946, Chief Joseph Days celebrates the history and culture of the West over six days. Visitors enjoy nightly PRCA rodeos Wednesday through Saturday at the Harley Tucker Memorial Arena, just off Main Street. Chief Joseph Days has seen its share of recognition.  Cowboys & Indians named it one of their 25 “Best Fests in the West.”  The past two years Chief Joseph Days won Best Medium-Size Rodeo for the Columbia Circuit. And in 2023, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) voted Chief Joseph Days one of the Top 5 best medium-sized rodeos in the country, out of more than 700. Chief Joseph Days was the only smaller rodeo to make the Top 10 Must See Rodeos list, along with juggernaut the Pendleton Round-Up. Named for the famous Nez Perce chief, Chief Joseph Days celebrates Nez Perce tribal members from around the region who participate in the Grand Parade down Main Street, and the pre-rodeo show Saturday night. The Nez Perce Friendship Feast is open to the public and features buffalo, salmon and Native dancing.

The Columbia County Fair and Rodeo is a century-old tradition in the city of St. Helens. (Photo by Arcadian Adventure Photography)

Columbia County Fair & Rodeo

Held Wednesday through Sunday, the third week of July, the Columbia County Fair & Rodeo is just a short 30-minute scenic drive from Portland along the Columbia River to St. Helens where the beloved tradition, more than 100 years old, makes for a wonderful family outing. In addition to the two-day NPRA Rodeo, there is the Jr. Rodeo as well as the Rodeo Queen Pageant. Other activities include stock car races, live music at the entertainment stage, 4-H presentations, vendor booths with great food, a carnival and exhibits.

Enjoy carnival rides, food vendors and the 4H auction at Chief Joseph family-friendly rodeo. (Photo by Roseanna Sales Photography)

Lake County Round-Up

A hundred years of Buck’n, Bronc’n, and Bust’n at the Lake Country Round-Up! This PRCA Rodeo runs on true grit and generations of volunteerism. Saddle up Labor Day weekend in Lakeview for a great show full of Professional Bronc riding, bull riding, bareback riding, barrel racing, calf roping, steer wrestling and more. Bring the family for the County Fair, which runs concurrently through the weekend. Enjoy carnival rides, food vendors, and the 4H auction. Saturday night, catch a country star for the headline concert and make sure to hit the iconic ReRide room for a cool beverage before you see the show.

Bareback riding is one of the most notorious events in the arena, but regulars to the Pendleton Round-Up are no strangers to daring exhibitions.

Pendleton Round-Up

There’s an abundance of traditions and history at the Pendleton Round-Up. With the history dating back to 1910, it has become a notable attraction for tourists and history lovers. The rich cultural heritage of our Native Americans make Pendleton Round-Up a perfect destination for unforgettable experiences you won’t find anywhere else. Rodeo fans and the rodeo-curious are impressed with the frontier authenticity that’s been maintained for over a century.

Southern Oregon

Fall Classic Rodeo
Canyonville at Seven Feather Casino Resort
Mid-September

Lake County Round-Up
Lakeview
Late August to early September

Central Point Challenge of Champions
Central Point
Early January

Rogue Valley Rough Stock Rodeo
Grants Pass

Late April

Central Point Wild Rogue Pro Rodeo
Central Point
Late May

South Douglas Rodeo
Myrtle Creek • Mid-June

Yoncalla Rodeo
Yoncalla • Around July 4

Sutherlin Stampede Rodeo
Sutherlin • Late July

Klamath Falls Great NorthWest Pro Rodeo
Klamath Falls
Early August

Bullmania Klamath Falls
Klamath Falls
New Year’s Eve

Jefferson State High School Rodeo
Klamath Falls
Early April

Jefferson State Winter Rodeo Series
Klamath Falls
Fall and Winter Months

Crater Lake Stampede Tour Rodeo
Chiloquin

Central Oregon

Jefferson County Fair & Rodeo
Madras • Late July

La Pine Rodeo
La Pine
Fourth of July weekend

Pi Ume Sha Treaty Days Rodeo
Warm Springs
Third weekend in June

Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo
Redmond
Late July, Early August

High Desert Stampede
Redmond • Late March

Wasco County
Tygh Valley • Late August

Crooked River Roundup
Prineville • Late June

Sisters Rodeo
Sisters
Second weekend in June

Eastern Oregon

Chief Joseph Days
Joseph • Late July

Spray Rodeo
Spray • End of May

Eastern Oregon Livestock Show
Union • June

Haines Stampede Rodeo
Haines • July 3 & 4

Elgin Stampede
Elgin • Second full
weekend in July

Baker County Fair and Panhandle Rodeo
Halfway
Early September

Baker City Broncs & Bull Riding
Baker City • July

Malheur County Fair & Rodeo
Ontario • Late July

Farm-City Pro Rodeo
Hermiston • August

Arlington Jackpot Rodeo
Arlington • May

Nyssa Night Rodeo
Nyssa • Late June

Vale 4th of July Rodeo
Vale • July 1-4

Condon High School Rodeo
Condon •Late August

Grant County Fair & Rodeo
John Day • August

Morrow County Fair & Rodeo
Heppner
Third week of August

Wheeler County Rodeo
Fossil • August

Harney County Fair & Rodeo
Burns • August

Treasure Valley Community College Rodeo
Ontario • Fall

Pendleton Round-Up & Happy Canyon Indian Pageant
Pendleton • Second full
week of September

Jordan Valley Big Loop Rodeo
Jordan Valley • Late May

Portland Region

Columbia County Fair & Rodeo
St. Helens • Mid-July

Northwest Bullfest
St. Helens • Late June

Willamette Valley

St. Paul Rodeo
St. Paul
June 30 – July 4th

Clackamas County Rodeo
Canby
Mid to Late August

Rough Stock Rodeo at Polk County Fair
Rickreall • Early August

Santiam Canyon Stampede
Sublimity
Third weekend in July

Eugene Pro Rodeo
Eugene • Early July

Hell on Hooves Rough Stock Rodeo
Albany
Mid to Late October

Hoof N’ Holler New Year’s Professional Bull Riding
Albany • New Year’s Eve

Benton County Fair & Rodeo
Corvallis
End of July, Early August

Philomath Frolic and Rodeo
Philomath • Mid-July

Molalla Buckeroo
Molalla
Around July 4

Cottage Grove Rodeo
Cottage Grove
Mid-July

Oregon Coast

Lincoln County Pro Rodeo
Newport
July 4th weekend

Tillamook County Rodeo
Tillamook
Fourth weekend in June

About The
Author

Kayla Brock
Kayla Brock was the Global Integrated Marketing Content Editor at Travel Oregon. She loves photography, traveling, and attending various arts performances around the state. Her perfect day would consist of grabbing brunch in the city followed by attending an arts performance before heading to the Oregon Coast to soak in the sun and waves.