Your Calendar Will Fill Up Quickly in the Great American West

The Great American West states of Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming have a lot to celebrate – and they make sure to go all out! From events celebrating food and drink (like Idaho huckleberries and barbecue in Fargo, North Dakota) to music festivals (like Montana’s Red Ants Pants Music Festival) to outdoor fun (like the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and Cheyenne Frontier Days), the calendar is jam-packed across the region.

Read on to see what you can expect to find when you visit the Great American West throughout the year:

Idaho: Idaho Huckleberries, Beer & Wine Have Their Own Celebrations

Montana: Music, Native American Culture & Rodeo Celebrated in Montana

North Dakota: Celebrate Seasons, Culture, Food & More in North Dakota

South Dakota: Get Ready for a Busy Summer in South Dakota

Wyoming: Food, Movies and Rodeo on Tap This Summer in Wyoming

Denver: Get Ready for Excitement in Denver This Summer

For more information on the Great American West, visit GreatAmericanWest.co.

Food, Movies and Rodeo on Tap This Summer in Wyoming

Cheyenne Frontier Days ­– Cheyenne

This one-of-a-kind celebration has been a Wyoming staple since 1897. Nicknamed the “Daddy of ‘Em all,” Cheyenne Frontier Days is the largest outdoor rodeo in the world. The event takes place during the last full week of July and features rodeos, night shows, carnival rides, food and much more.

Annual Eastern Shoshone Indian Days – Wind River Reservation

The Annual Eastern Shoshone Indian Days happens in June. This three-day celebration highlights Native American culture and is open to all. Enjoy the beautiful powwows, drums and vendors.

Fort Bridger Rendezvous ­– Fort Bridger

The first weekend in September celebrates Fort Bridger Rendezvous. Learn about the fur trade era while exploring Fort Bridger Historic Site. One of the largest rendezvous in the nation, you will find great food, historical demonstrations and more.

Chugwater Chili Cookoff – Chugwater

Join in the fun of this chili cookoff in Chugwater every June. Come enjoy all types and levels of spice in this cooking competition, plus kids’ games, a car show, a rodeo, live entertainment and more.

Wyo Film Festival – Sheridan

This film festival takes place the last weekend of September. Immerse yourself in this amazing community while enjoying films.

Cheyenne Frontier Days is the largest outdoor rodeo in the world. This one-of-a-kind event takes place during the last full week of July and features rodeos, night shows, carnival rides, food and much more. Photo courtesy of Wyoming Tourism

For more information on Wyoming, visit TravelWyoming.com.

Southwest Idaho Celebrates Everything From Wine to Rodeo

Treefort Music Festival in Boise (March)

Boise plays host to national and regional musicians while showcasing local up-and-coming talent.

Savor Idaho in Boise (June)

Savor Idaho is Idaho’s premier wine event, taking place in June during Idaho Wine and Cider Month at the beautiful Idaho Botanical Garden.

Hells Canyon Days in Cambridge (June)

A fun-filled weekend of family-friendly activities, music, crafts, cars/trucks, food and more.

National Oldtime Fiddlers Contest & Festival in Weiser (June)

A five-day celebration complete with fiddle contests, food and merchandise vendors, local entertainers and more.

Snake River Stampede Rodeo in Nampa (July)

The Stampede began as a small, local bucking horse competition in the early 1900s and has evolved into a major professional sports event.

Caldwell Night Rodeo in Caldwell (August)

With over 600 world-class contestants and seven action-packed nightly events, the excitement in the arena is electric.

McCall Winter Carnival in McCall (January)

The McCall Winter Carnival was inspired by the Payette Lake Winter Games, first held in 1924, when a train from Boise brought 248 visitors to McCall, Idaho. Over the years, it has grown into an iconic Idaho event that brings more than 60,000 people to McCall each year.

National, regional and local up-and-coming talent all perform at the Treefort Music Festival in Boise each March. Photo courtesy of Southwest Idaho

For more information on Southwest Idaho, visit VisitSouthwestIdaho.org.

Get Ready For a Busy Summer in South Dakota

Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant – De Smet (July)

The annual Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant is an outdoor theater experience that reenacts the famous “Little House on the Prairie” series of books.

Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo – Mitchell (July)

Watch incredible cowboys and cowgirls from all over the United States and Canada compete in the rodeo events over four days.

Sturgis Motorcycle Rally – Sturgis (August)

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is one of the world’s oldest and largest motorcycle gatherings, offering incredible riding, exhibitors, motorcycle shows, demo rides, racing, concerts and much more.

Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup & Arts Festival – Custer (September)

Watch cowboys, cowgirls and park rangers as they round up and drive the herd of approximately 1,400 buffalo.

Annual Black Hills Powwow & Art Market – Rapid City (October)

Enjoy the incredible drums, dancing and Native American culture at the annual Black Hills Powwow & Art Market.

Levitt at The Falls – Sioux Falls (Fridays and Saturdays, June-September)

Levitt at the Falls is a state-of-the-art outdoor music venue offering 50 free concerts each summer, featuring acclaimed artists in a wide range of music genres.

See incredible riding, exhibitors, motorcycle shows, demo rides, racing, concerts and much more at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Photo courtesy of South Dakota Tourism

For more information on South Dakota, visit TravelSouthDakota.com.

Sheridan Celebrates the West Through Festivals, Rodeos

Sheridan is known for hosting some of the most legendary festivals and events in the West. From rodeos and festivals to craft culture celebrations, Sheridan offers events for visitors to enjoy year-round.

Sheridan County’s rich cultural legacy is deeply rooted in the arts, and that will be prevalent this spring when the Brinton Museum showcases master leathercrafters from Wyoming alongside masters from Japan.

Mid-July brings a week-long celebration of Western culture that captures the hearts of the cowboy in everyone during the Sheridan WYO Rodeo, featuring one of the most unique sporting spectacles in America in the annual Championship Indian Relay Races.

Labor Day weekend brings an event that celebrates the spirit and traditions of the West: The annual Don King Days showcases classic equestrian events unique to Sheridan. Bring the whole family and experience steer roping, bronc riding, live music and championship polo matches on the grass at the Big Horn Equestrian Center.

The craft scene in Sheridan is among the most robust in the Mountain West, and it is celebrated every September at the annual Born in a Barn event. From fashion and furniture vendors to music and food, this event embraces the motto “craft is king.”

The Championship Indian Relay Races are part of the Sheridan WYO Rodeo, a week-long celebration of Western culture. Photo courtesy of Sheridan County Travel and Tourism

For more information on Sheridan, visit SheridanWyoming.org.

Summer is Full of Fun Around Rapid City, South Dakota

Mount Rushmore Evening Lighting Ceremony (May-August)

At sunset, visitors gather in the Mount Rushmore amphitheater facing the four lit faces as a park ranger begins to tell the storied history behind how this American landmark was created.

Legends in Light Laser Show (May-September)

Presented nightly after dark, the mountainside of Crazy Horse Memorial turns into a spectacular display illuminating our cultural diversity, celebrating our similarities and encouraging harmony while showcasing the story of the Native Americans

Summer Nights (May-August)

Every Thursday night, Rapid City blocks off a section downtown for summer fun. This is a true local experience with a different band each week. Enjoy music, delicious food, carnival games and much more.

Buffalo Roundup & Arts Festival (September)

Just like a Wild West movie scene, a herd of 1,450 buffalo are rounded up each fall by cowboys and cowgirls on horseback at Custer State Park. This event draws thousands of spectators.

Black Hills Powwow (September)

An incredible three-day celebration of Native American culture with dancers, drummers, artwork and much more. You can experience the heritage of the Lakota, Nakota and Dakota nations all under one roof in Rapid City.

Thousands of spectators gather to watch cowboys and cowgirls round up a massive buffalo herd in Custer State Park – just like a Wild West movie scene! Photo courtesy of South Dakota Tourism

For more information on Rapid City, visit VisitRapidCity.com.

Celebrate Seasons, Culture, Food & More in North Dakota

North Dakota hosts hundreds of events, fairs, festivals and family-friendly adventures throughout the year, including celebrations of the seasons, cultural heritage, local foods and more. These unique events are all about having fun and are a great way to get to know the state. Following are a few events to get your North Dakota travel plans started:

  • Bismarck: United Tribes International Powwow (September) and Papa’s Pumpkin Patch (September-October).
  • Mandan: Buggies-N-Blues (June) and Mandan Rodeo Days (July).
  • Fargo/West Fargo: Fargo Film Festival (March), Fargo Marathon (May) and Red River Valley Fair (July).
  • Grand Forks: Spirit of America Bike and Car Show (May) and Art on the Red (June).
  • Minot: North Dakota State Fair (July) and Norsk Høstfest (September).
  • Throughout the state: Devils Run Car Show in Devils Lake (June); ND Country Fest in New Salem (June); Medora Musical (June -September); Roughrider Days Fair and Expo in Dickinson (late June-early July); Buffalo Days in Jamestown (July); Maah Daah Hey 100 near Theodore Roosevelt National Park (August); North Dakota Chokecherry Festival in Williston (August); and powwows (summer).

Art lovers from around the region enjoy art, food, kids’ activities and art projects, live performers and more at the annual Arts on the Red in Grand Forks. Photo courtesy of North Dakota Tourism

For more information on North Dakota, visit NDTourism.com.

Music, Native American Culture & Rodeo Celebrated in Montana

The Montana Folk Festival, held each year in early July, is one of the largest free outdoor music events in the northwestern United States. Over 200 musicians, dancers and craftspeople are showcased, all beneath Butte, Montana’s iconic headframes.

North American Indian Days is held on the Blackfeet Reservation in Browning during the second week in July. This four-day event comprises one of the largest gatherings of U.S. and Canadian tribes, celebrating their heritage with dancing, music and ceremony.

The Crow Fair Celebration is held on the Crow Reservation during five days around the third weekend of August. It has one of the largest teepee encampments in the world.

The Red Ants Pants Music Festival is held in late July and benefits local rural communities, supports working family farms and ranches, and helps develop leadership roles for women. It is held in a cow pasture in rural Montana, and past years included headliners such as Taj Mahal, Keb Mo’, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Brandi Carlile and Emmylou Harris.

The Miles City Bucking Horse Sale is held during the third weekend each May with lots of rodeo action including bucking horses, horse racing, bull riding and concerts.

The Crow Fair Celebration on the Crow Reservation is home to one of the largest teepee encampments in the world. Photo courtesy of Montana Tourism

For more information on Montana, visit VisitMT.com.

Idaho Huckleberries, Beer & Wine Have Their Own Celebrations

Idaho’s 80-plus breweries have unparalleled access to some of the best ingredients, with Idaho claiming the top spot for barley production and second-highest for hops in the U.S. Every April, the state celebrates this bounty with Idaho Craft Beer Month. The month kicks off with Pints Up Idaho and is filled with unique events including one-of-a-kind beer pairing dinners and new beer releases.

Thanks to its fertile volcanic soil and four distinct seasons, Idaho is ripe for growing wine grapes. The industry has developed to include over 65 wineries and tasting rooms from the state’s three American Viticultural Areas – Snake River Valley, Eagle Foothills and Lewis-Clark Valley. Each June, this growth is celebrated with Idaho Wine and Cider Month, including special events and promotions from wineries and cideries across the state.

You can sample treats from comforting baked goods to refreshing lemonade packed with huckleberries at the Donnelly Huckleberry Festival, held the second weekend in August. Huckleberries are the state fruit of Idaho, and locals have concocted a variety of ways to enjoy this wild and tart cousin of blueberries. Beyond delicious food offerings, the festival features a float parade, 5K fun run and walk, and arts and crafts vendors.

June is Idaho Wine and Cider Month, celebrating the state’s 65-plus wineries and tasting rooms. Photo courtesy of Idaho Tourism

For more information on Idaho, visit VisitIdaho.org.

Plan A Stop in Western Montana’s Glacier Country

Western Montana’s Glacier Country has several annual signature events that enhance itineraries through the region.

Every February, Whitefish holds its annual Whitefish Winter Carnival and Skijoring World Invitational. Or, if you’re visiting in September, join the fun at the Great Northwest Oktoberfest.

North American Indian Days, held the second week in July over four days in Browning, is the signature celebration of the Blackfeet Nation and hosts Native Americans from every region of the U.S. and Canada. Featured events include a parade, powwow, stick games and horse relay races.

Missoula hosts an annual River City Roots Festival the last weekend in August, bringing together exceptional music, food, libations and more at this two-day free event in the heart of the city.

Delicious Flathead cherries are celebrated with their very own festival: The Flathead Cherry Festival takes place in Polson the last weekend in July on the southern shore of Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the western U.S.

For equestrian lovers, Kalispell plays host to The Event at Rebecca Farm over five days in late July, featuring a horse competition of dressage, cross country and show jumping along with food and a shopping fair. And it’s free!

North American Indian Days is the signature celebration of the Blackfeet Nation; featured events include a parade, powwow, stick games and horse relay races. Photo courtesy of Glacier Country Tourism

For more information on Western Montana’s Glacier Country, visit GlacierMT.com.