The gates open at 5:30. Come out and bring your portable BBQ, cooler and a picnic dinner for a fun tailgate party. No time to cook? Slow Groovin BBQ is at the rodeo “delivering some of the best BBQ and food in the area” says owner, Ryan Vinciguerra. They will even have Detroit style pizza this season from their new sister restaurant, Propaganda Pie. Slack starts at 6:00 p.m. and the Grand Entry is at 7:30 p.m. New 2023: Do Not Bring Your Own Alcohol. A beer garden will be available.
There are two grandstands with great views of all the action. Alternatively, for an additional fee of $50 you can back your truck or car up to the arena fence (see protocol for parking at the bottom of this page — changes in 2023) and watch the action with your friends & family. Please don’t climb on the fence.
Admission is $15 per adult. On-site parking change in 2023 — $10 fee per parking. Check in often for more details on Free Shuttle from town. We are finalizing details.
You can get discounted books of tickets at Roaring Fork Valley Co-op. A book of six is $75 and saves $2.50 per ticket. We have discontinued our carload admission. For questions on general admission please call Mike Kennedy, Carbondale Wild West Rodeo Association Board President at 970-379-3907.
Children under ten years are free.
The rodeo arena is located 1 mile east of downtown Carbondale in the beautiful Roaring Fork Valley. Consider riding our Free Shuttles from town. Final details are being worked out. Check back often. We’ve become so popular that parking issues have caused safety concerns and we are following recommendations of the Town of Carbondale and Garfield County Sheriff’s Office.
Gus Darien Riding Arena
County Road 100 (Catherine Store Road)
Carbondale CO, 81623
The Rodeo is centrally located in between Glenwood Spring and Aspen. Look for the sandwich board signs around Carbondale directing you to the arena.
If coming from Glenwood Springs on Highway 82 make a right at the light at County Road 100 (Catherine’s Store Road) and follow the road. The rodeo will be on your right.
If coming from Aspen on Highway 82, make a left at the light on County Road 100 (Catherine’s Store Road) and follow the road to the arena. The rodeo will be on your right.
A map can be found on our Join us at the Carbondale Rodeo page.
There is parking on the rodeo grounds. Please carpool if you can to alleviate parking congestion and save money.
2023 Changes: Please Read
** We will also be charging an on-site parking fee of $10 per vehicle. We hope this will encourage people to ride the FREE shuttle buses.
** FREE SHUTTLE BUSES will run from town to the Rodeo and back. Pick-up point in is the Orchard, 110 Snowmass Dr. Shuttles will run from approx. 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. We encourage people to use the shuttles as parking will be limited much more than in the past.
** NO PARKING ON COUNTY ROAD 100: By order of the Sheriff Dept for safety reasons. Cars cannot get off the road surface and it is dangerous walking along that road, especially in the dark.
** LIMITED PARKING ON WILLOW, DAISY AND ROSE LANE: By order of the Sheriff Dept, there will be parking on only ONE SIDE of these roads, in order to maintain proper access for emergency vehicles in the neighborhood. DO NOT BLOCK DRIVEWAYS or you will risk being towed. Shuttle buses will try to swing through this area when possible.
** ARENA PARKING: This has become a real problem and people leaving vehicles at the arena and on Willow Lane starting on Wednesday is not acceptable. We are hoping to go to an on-line system for reservations for a spot. Regardless, leaving vehicles on Wednesday will NO LONGER be permitted and vehicles may be towed if necessary. We will provide better detail as it becomes available. In addition, the Arena Parking Fee will increase to $50 this year.
Yes, Pictured here is uber volunteer TJ, demonstrating how to correctly recycle your empty aluminum beverage cans.
** ARENA PARKING: This has become a real problem and people leaving vehicles at the arena and on Willow Lane starting on Wednesday is not acceptable. We are hoping to go to an on-line system for reservations for a spot. More Info will be posted when details finalized. Regardless, leaving vehicles on Wednesday will NO LONGER be permitted and vehicles may be towed if necessary. We will provide better detail as it becomes available. In addition, the Arena Parking Fee will increase to $50 this year.
The Carbondale Rodeo Committee is a not-for-profit, volunteer organization committed to keeping the Roaring Fork Valley’s western heritage alive by offering a fun family-oriented event for residents and visitors alike. The Carbondale Wild West Rodeo is held every Thursday from June until late August, rain or shine.
The 2023 rodeo season will begin on Thursday, June 1st and continue through Thursday, August 17th. Come down to the rodeo every Thursday evening for 12 weeks with slack at 6:00 p.m. and the main performance at 7:30 p.m.
Learn more about the changes and what to expect for the 2023 rodeo season here!
To volunteer, email Mike Kennedy at:
[email protected] or call at:
(970) 379-3907
We are excited to announce the introduction of our premium arena side online parking reservation system new for the 2023 season!
Arena side parking tickets go on sale every Wednesday starting at 12 pm through the rodeo season!
Leaving your vehicles at the arena or on Willow Lane early will no longer be allowed for the 2023 season!! We hope you'll enjoy the convenience of reserving your premium arena-side parking in advance.
Gus Darien Riding Arena
County Road 100
(Catherine Store Road)
Carbondale, CO 81623