Wyoming’s Sweetwater County Prepares to Host Massive Rodeo

Rock Springs, Wyoming, will host one of the world’s largest rodeos in the coming week, with 1,700 athletes coming from around the world.

Hosting the National High School Finals Rodeo is a challenge for Sweetwater County in southwest Wyoming, but as the saying goes, this isn’t their first rodeo.

“I would say it’s controlled chaos, but it’s a well-oiled machine,” said Jenissa Meredith, chief executive officer of Sweetwater County Travel & Tourism. “We have hundreds of volunteers that come together to make this happen from check-in all the way to checkout. It’s a huge undertaking, but it’s done really well.”

It’s not just the 1,700 cowboys and cowgirls coming to the area from 43 states, Canada, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand — it’s also their horses, family members and friends.

The Sweetwater Events Complex has over 400 acres of space and is designed to accommodate events of this scale. There are more than 1,200 full hookup RV spaces, a grandstand arena and exhibit hall space.

“They put over $11 million worth of infrastructure into Sweetwater Events Complex to prepare to host the National High School Finals Rodeo,” said Meredith. “That has really been beneficial to our local community and our ability to attract other events to that space. In recent years, it’s hosted a number of RV rallies. We also host a number of different equestrian events.”

The July 13–19 rodeo includes 13 performances and a wide range of events including bareback riding, barrel racing, breakaway roping, bull riding, tie-down roping, cutting horse, goat tying, pole bending, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, team roping and a queen contest. Athletes compete for national titles, awards and scholarships. The event also includes a NHSFR Trade Show.

The NHSFR is projected to bring more than $12 million in economic impact to the area, with 100,000 visitors during the week-long competition. A typical large sports tournament in the area brings in around $3 million.

“Local businesses really look forward to hosting the National High School Finals Rodeo,” Meredith said. “Our local restaurants really thrive. Our hotels are full. Our gas stations see almost the most impact from it, with folks driving in with those big rigs. Everyone is so happy to see those folks coming to town. And not only is it the economic impact, they are such kind people. We always receive feedback as to how wonderful those competitors and their families are.”

Rock Springs has hosted the NHSFR eight times since 2012, most recently in 2024. The city is on a rotation with Gillette, Wyoming, and Lincoln, Nebraska, as the three host sites.

“The greatest way to showcase Rock Springs and Green River is through hosting events of this magnitude, so we make sure that we really roll out the red carpet providing stay-and-play packages, tour opportunities to get them out to experience the area while they’re here and then providing them all the information they need to plan their next trip,” Meredith said.

Another advantage for the Rock Springs area is over 80 percent of the county is public land, so visitors can explore without worrying about getting involved in private land issues. Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, which features a 91-mile-long reservoir, is a top outdoor attraction for rodeo competitors. The region has 30-plus hotels for those who don’t want to stay in an RV or camper on the rodeo grounds and more than 70 restaurants.

For Meredith and her staff, the event isn’t just about the hospitality in the present moment but also getting these thousands of visitors to come back for a non-rodeo trip.

“They’ve competed, they’ve qualified, they’re here for the biggest moments of their young lives, but they also are here to experience what makes Wyoming so epic. And we’re a great hub for that,” said Meredith. “It really has been a wonderful opportunity to be able to meet these people from all over the country and around the world and watch them form those family bonds around the state of Wyoming.”