The Reno Rodeo Cattle Drive celebrates the rich legacy of the “Wild Wild West,” with an unforgettable journey through the High Desert.
For five days leading up to the Reno Rodeo, 55 guests will join a team of volunteer cowboys to drive 300 head of rodeo steers from Winnemucca Ranch to Reno, Nev. Guests travel from around the world to partake in this authentic slice of buckaroo life, many of whom return year after year.
For many, the Reno Rodeo Cattle Drive is more than a vacation; it’s a paradigm shift, a chance to see the world through the lens of a true-blue cowboy. Long, dusty afternoons are soaked up on horseback, navigating short-horned cattle through dusty plateaus and sunbaked sagebrush. Guests will also enjoy and witness first-hand the 1800s-style horse- or mule-drawn wagons on the trail and will have the option to ride in a wagon on a certain leg of the drive. Rain, snow, and beating sun are all fair game during the Reno Rodeo Cattle Drive, but they are no match to the sweeping vistas and a profound sense of accomplishment participants experience with the close of each day.
With daylight’s departure comes the time to let loose. Long days on horseback are rewarded with all the well-deserved luxury a cowboy could dream of. Technicolor sunsets usher in evenings laced with laughter and camaraderie. Hearty catered meals and an open bar are welcome staples to nights spent gathered around the campfire singing songs, sharing cowboy poetry and forging memories that will last a lifetime. In the words of past participants, there’s nothing like it.
The final leg of the journey culminates at high noon as the cattle drive makes its grand entrance into Reno hitting the pavement at Clear Acre Ln to McCarran Blvd and down Sutro Street. Here the crew is greeted with sidewalks brimming with smiling faces and children hoisted up on shoulders. It’s certainly a sight to behold as the buckaroos navigate 300 rodeo steers through the paved streets of Reno, much to the marvel of those looking on.
The completion of the Reno Rodeo Cattle Drive marks the official start of the “Wildest Richest Rodeo in the West.” Whether you’re participating in the full five-day affair or taking it all in from the sidelines, there’s no denying that this is a spectacular experience that’s not to be missed.
Cost:
The cost for the 2026 Reno Rodeo Cattle Drive is $3,000 per person. Prices are subject to change.*
*Pricing is all-inclusive. Prices are subject to change without notice.
Confirmed reservations will be on a first come first serve basis until the guest list is full. Payment in full must be received online at the time of application.
Horseback Riding Experience:
To fully enjoy this experience, a minimum of 20 hours riding experience is required. This helps ensure your comfort and safety during the ride, as participants will be on their mount for a significant portion of each day. Participants should be comfortable with the walk and trot, navigating varied terrain and riding outside of an arena. The cattle drive will involve navigating hills, dry creeks, rocky ground, hillsides, roads and pavement, in addition to encountering unexpected situations. Honesty about your riding ability is essential for a positive experience. Please contact the Organizer if you have any questions about your suitability for this experience.
Refund/Cancellation Policy:
We are unable to roll over funds for the following year. If you are unable to attend the drive, you have until March 15th of the same year you are signed up for to request a refund. The refund request must be in writing. We will refund your fee minus a $1,000 processing fee if request is made before the deadline. A doctor’s note will not waive the processing fee. We will not process refunds after March 15th and your full payment will be forfeited if you do not attend.
Rules of the Cattle Drive:
- No guest will be allowed to bring his or her own horse on the drive. No exceptions.
- Riders must be 18 years of age to attend.
- No dogs or other pets are allowed.
- No alcoholic beverages will be permitted while riding. The bar remains closed until every guest is safely back in camp and no other riding is planned for the day.
- No firearms allowed. No exceptions, even CCW carriers.
- Willful disregard for the rules or acts of disorderliness will not be tolerated. In the interest of the safety of the guests and to ensure a pleasurable experience for everyone, the Trail Boss or Cow Boss may remove a guest at any time from the Drive who demonstrates these characteristics. Any mistreatment of persons, animals or public drunkenness will be cause for removal.
