Since 1932 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo events have provided family-friendly fun and donated millions to the youth of Texas. Showcasing a range of Western heritage with a focus on rodeos, carnivals, concerts, cook-offs and much more, you can find plenty to do on the grounds year-round. The biggest shows occur in the early Spring and show world-class cattle and food, while also providing some of the greatest in carnival rides and amazing shows.
While the grounds themselves do not offer camping, there are plenty of options in the surrounding area that make this rodeo a perfect stop for RVers. On the grounds, you'll be greeted with outdoor markets packed full of wonderful local vendors offering a range of clothing, souvenirs, art, and more.
While it is named for rodeos and livestock shows, the grounds are also home to wine tasting, bar-b-que cook-offs, along with 5k and 10k races. Past activities have included Go Texan Day, Black Heritage Day, Special Needs Events, and dozens of other events that foster public education and enjoyment in agriculture.
Being a charity at its core, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo donates money to the local community. Nearly half a billion dollars has been donated since its inception to education related to agriculture along with providing scholarships to thousands of college attendees.
Tickets for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo have a few options, with general admission as the most basic. General admission entrance ranges from $5 to $15 depending on the age, with children 2 or under getting in for free. Seasonal passes are available for a bit more and can help save you money if you plan to attend several times.
General admission does not include seats for specific events like rodeos; seats can range from about $20 and upwards of $350. The last of these involves premium seating and other bonuses like a steak dinner and an open bar. Since the grounds host a plethora of events, it can be difficult to give even rough numbers on what to expect to pay. The best course of actions is to look through their website and choose your events.
Located in the middle of the beautiful City of Houston, the rodeo is just north of Interstate 610 along Old Spanish Trail in Houston, Texas. Getting off of either of these roadways is easy enough as there are multiple exits in the surrounding area. Located just north and northwest of the main stadium is a small shopping center to help you know recognize the area.
Parking is available north and east of the grounds with prices generally around $25. Lot times can vary, with many of them opening early in the morning and extending throughout the day. Parking passes per day are available and are slightly more expensive but give premium spots along with come-and-go and shuttle services. Season parking passes are also offered for guests who plan to attend the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo multiple times. For those competing or participating in the show, there are reserved spaces.
Houston, as a metropolitan city, provides plenty in terms of transportation with older cab companies and newer tech ones by private hire throughout the city. Bus services are also available to and from the rodeo grounds, with shuttle services provided depending on your parking location.
Being cramped for space already the Houston Livestock Show does not offer onsite camping. Don't despair because there are plenty of RV camping options in the surrounding area.
Motorists will find a few campgrounds in the Houston area, with rates varying depending on the size and type of RV you have. Many of them have full hookups for RVs, with other amenities like gyms, WiFi, showers and laundromats. Getting to the rodeo will vary depending on which RV park you choose, most sitting within 20 minutes or so of the rodeo grounds; several parks can be found off of Interstate 69, 610, or Alt-90.
At the rodeo grounds, motorized vehicles such as scooters, golf carts, and so forth are prohibited. Shuttles are provided in some places depending on the orientation between the parking spots and the grounds themselves. Wheelchair-friendly accommodations are in place throughout the rodeo grounds, and guests are invited ask for assistance if needed. Strollers are permitted but are subject to search as with other guest items upon entry.
The best time to go will depend on what events you would like to experience at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo grounds. Warm clothes will be needed if attending the first events of the year, and during the early spring, much of the chill of winter is still in the air. You may expect to wear jeans, a t-shirt, and a light jacket for many of the spring events. While spring is the most popular time to visit, it is far from the only range of activities; overall, you will need to pack for the time of year in which you plan to attend.
Gear that enters the rodeo grounds with you is best enjoyed if it is minimal. A cowboy hat and boots are always welcome but not required. Items such as toiletries and most personal belongings can be left at your campsite. Any gear that can cause a ruckus or be potentially dangerous like fireworks, firearms, alcohol, air horns, footballs, and so on are not permitted at the rodeo or surrounding grounds.
While the rodeo itself is well-shaded, everything outside of it is open to the elements. A hat (ten-gallon hat works nicely if you have one) and sunscreen are recommended. There are plenty of vendors, washing facilities, and first aid stations throughout the premises.
Cooking on the premises is prohibited except for vendors and those involved in scheduled contests. One of the most famous of these is the World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest which typically takes places around late February. You can expect to find other potential cooking events all year long. As for preparing meals at your campsite, remember to check fuel allowances and cooking regulations at your selected campground.
In the past, local eateries like Chuck Wagon and Bar-B-Que Saloon have provided plenty of food to carnival and rodeo-goers for many years. If you would like to check out other Houston eats there are still dozens of options in the surrounding area. The city is chock full of plenty of grills, cafes, and restaurants for you to pursue at your leisure.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo site offers a wide variety of onsite vendors, with dozens of food masters dishing out carnival-style fair, delicious bar-b-que, and the like. Located on the west side of the Astrodome is an outdoor shopping area that shows a variety of leather goods, art pieces, and much more for guests to explore.
For the safety of all guests, many items are banned including, alcohol, laser pointers, weapons, and others as chosen by the rodeo grounds. Security personnel will check bags and other belongings at the carnival, rodeo, and other events at any given time. A small amount of cash is recommended to interact with vendors more easily, so remember to keep it secure.
Weather in Texas can vary dramatically throughout the year. The main rodeo events take place during the early spring season, and you can expect weather in the 60s and 70 throughout the day, while in the 50s at night. In the summer, guests can expect the sun to be in full action, and proper protection should be worn. Colder winter months often bring some indoor Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo events, but guests will still want to be prepared by checking local forecast information before traveling.
First aid stations and personnel are on the premises ready at any time to help with minor and major medical emergencies if needed. They are located near the southeast entrance and the other at the main doors. External defibrillators are located throughout the premises. There are a few hospitals in Houston with the closest being approximately a 15-minute drive away.
