loggenrock wrote:
Howdy (or is it Howdy, pat'ner!?)
We are thinking about visiting Cheyenne Frontier Days the end of July for a day or 2. Never been there before - looks like a HUGE event! Can anyone offer some insight - best shows/exhibits to see, best days to visit, worth trying to camp near there/etc?
Have family in Denver area where we can driveway camp - so a day trip is a possibility if needed. Hoping some other travelers have visited the show and could share some of the good stuff with us!
Thanks in advance!
New Hampshire Yankees who have cowboy hats... ST
We go to CFD every year, and have done so for a lot of years. Catch a couple of concerts each year, some rodeo, as well as the carnival/midway.
HUGE event is an understatement. CFD is called "The Daddy of 'Em All" for a reason. There is a lot to see and do, for a variety of interests.
There is, of course, the Rodeo. And there's Frontier Nights, the concerts of some of the biggest names in country music performing there. There's the carnival and midway, with lots of rides and side shows, and tons of people watching.
As far as the best shows, that's subjective depending on who and what you like.
H E R E is a link to the Frontier Nights Shows. You need to get tickets NOW. Shows sell out fast, some faster than others. And the shows are LOUD. Strongly urge everyone to bring ear protection of some sort. We saw Florida Georgia Line's show and it was nearly unbearable. The Championship Bull Riding Shows should not be missed, they are incredibly exciting.
During the day, the Rodeos are a bit more manageable, the preliminary events can be more lightly attended, and the crowds build as riders progress.
The carnival/midway is always packed, regardless of the day or time of day. It's a great place to people watch. It can also be very expensive. Food/Drink costs are like what you'd pay at a major sporting event or A lister concert, which is to say ridiculous. Beers are $7.50, it's been that price for the last 5 years that I've been up there.
At this late date, it's not likely to find much camping available in the area immediately around Cheyenne. There are several campground parks off I-80 east of town, there's a few on S College Dr on the south side of town, there's the Terry Bison Ranch at Exit 2 on I-25 just north of the state line, and they are all fairly well booked early, from tourists as well as participants and support staff. There's also Curt Gowdy State Park between Cheyenne and Laramie, but it's also likely to be booked. There's a KOA north of Wellington off I-25 and a KOA just north of Fort Collins. There's camping in the Loveland area, and that may be your best bet. Best place to consider in Loveland would be Boyd Lake State Park.
Parking. It's a nightmare. CFD grounds border I-25 on the west side, and there's residential areas that surround the park. There's lots of on-street parking for free; traffic is crazy. If one parks on-street, be prepared to walk a significant distance.
And HEED NO PARKING SIGNS! Cheyenne PD will ticket and tow.
Many residents in the area will allow parking in their yards/driveways, and it will cost a goodly amount. Last year was the first year I've seen parking at $50. There's parking lots at the park, but they fill up very early and costs $20.
There's a Park and Ride south of the Park, about 5 minutes away. It's at Exit 10 on I-25, cost is $10 and that includes the gate pass. That's the best place to park. The entire fleet of Cheyenne Public Schools buses are put into service, and loop around from the P&R to the park every 5 minutes. They drop you off at the main gate, and in the evening, that's where you catch the bus back to the P&R. Buses run til 12:30AM which for most shows will work to get back in time to get your car. HOWEVER...2 years ago, the buses couldn't keep up with the demand and their was a 90 minute delay after the show ended in getting back to the P&R.
H E R E is a link to the CFD website, that will give you more on the above info, as well as more of the things to see and do. And downtown Cheyenne is not far away, there's lots to see and do down there, and there's a Museum at the State Capitol that is incredible, and worth the time to visit.
ETA: It can get warm/hot there in July. Yes, you're above 6000 feet, but the sun can get intense and there's not a lot of shade in the midway/carnival area. Add in big crowds of people, sometimes shoulder to shoulder and it can get intense. Also, no outside food/beverages are allowed in the park, so you're at the mercy of the vendors in the park. Water ain't cheap; fortunately there's ATMs all over the place. Stay hydrated!!!
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