Cowboy Up In Casper, Wyoming 

There are a few places where cowboy culture is found in abundance. One such place: Wyoming. Each June, the Cowboy State plays host to the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) where the best collegiate rodeo athletes compete to be named the champion in their respective events. And as the host location of CNFR since 1999, Casper is no stranger to rodeo and will welcome CNFR June 11-17, 2023. 

If you’re ready to cowboy up in the Cowboy State, here’s your guide to this year’s CNFR in the wilds of Wyoming. 

1. Snag Your Tickets for Nightly Performances 

Each evening, the best college athletes hit the arena floor at the Ford Wyoming Center, with spectators catching saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, breakaway roping, goat tying and barrel racing. Be sure to arrive early to attend the tradeshow, which is held all around the concourse. 

2. Visit Lou Taubert Ranch Outfitters 

An anchor in Wyoming since 1919, Lou Taubert Ranch Outfitters came to Casper in 1947. With nine floors of retail space, Lou Taubert has 10,000 pairs of cowboy boots and beautiful hats that can be expertly shaped. After a visit to Lou’s, be sure to check out Floral Rhino, Mustard Seed, 307 Metal Works and WyoMade.  

3. Get the Latest Western Fashion at the CINCH Style Show

A staple of CNFR, the folks from CINCH put on a fashion show each year at the Ramkota Hotel & Conference Center. Held on Saturday, June 17 at 11:30 a.m., this is a great way to get the rundown on the upcoming fashion season. 

4. Rodeo Red Carpet Friday Night 

New for this year, Visit Casper is bringing rodeo to the red carpet at the Ford Wyoming Center for the Friday night performance. There will be a red carpet, live social media feeds and more, as Casper locals and rodeo attendees bring their best fashions to the event. 

5. NIC Fest + Live Music 

Held June 16-18, NIC Fest is a much-loved event in central Wyoming. Located in the heart of downtown, NIC Fest features live music, art, vendors and more, with over 70 regional artists on hand with their work. Visitors can also catch live music at the Beacon Club and The Bloomery. 

6. Yak it Up 

Makeup mogul and rancher Jeffree Star is a staple in Casper and while he ranches yaks outside of Casper, you can also find his yak meat on a variety of menus around town, including FireRock Steakhouse and Tacos Mexicos. You can also snag it at Grant Street Grocery. Up next: a retail store (slated to open soon!) in Casper’s Old Yellowstone District at 355 S. Ash St. 

7. Play Outside 

Sitting at the base of Casper Mountain and with the North Platte River running through downtown, it’s no secret that Casper is an outdoor recreation hub. When you’re not at the rodeo, here are some ways to soak up Casper’s outdoors: hike on Casper Mountain, walk to Garden Creek Falls, take a guided fly-fishing or raft trip on the North Platte River, kayak Alcova Reservoir and set out on a wagon ride along the Oregon Trail with Historic Trails West. 

And if you can’t make it to Casper, you can still follow along and catch all the rodeo action with two cowgirls and western influencers – Natalie Kovarik and Cassidy Brunner Davis. If you’re ready to cowboy up in Casper, start planning your trip at VisitCasper.com.

(Courtesy of Visit Casper)