Cowtown Rodeo Arena
Cowtown Rodeo Arena in Pilesgrove, New Jersey, has been running professional rodeo since 1929 and calls itself the longest running weekly professional rodeo in the USA. Seating is general admission on open-air wooden bleachers, and parking is on the lot behind the arena where you can tailgate before the gates open. Coolers over 12 by 12 inches stay at your vehicle, so pack small.
Before you go
- Indoor or outdoor
- Outdoor: open-air wooden bleachers, and the rodeo runs in rain, heat or shine
- Official site
- cowtownrodeo.com
- Next festival here
- Cowtown Rodeo, May 29, 2027
Worth knowing before you go
- Arrive no earlier than 3:30pm; the lot is shared with the Farmers Market on Saturdays and it clears around 4pm.
- There are no reserved seats, so groups who want to sit together should arrive and enter together early.
- Coolers are measured at the gate against a 12 by 12 inch milk crate, and glass bottles are not allowed.
- Food vendors take cash only.
- The front gate and ticket booth close at 9pm, which is also the last time to re-enter with a wristband.
Festivals here
Venue basics: Open-air wooden bleachers · Tailgating in the rear lot · Coolers 12 by 12 inches or smaller.
Is it for you
Choose it if
- You want an open-air, wooden-bleacher rodeo with a tailgate beforehand.
- You are bringing a small group that can arrive and sit together early.
- You want a long-running weekly professional rodeo.
Think twice if
- You need to bring a large cooler or a folding chair.
- You are travelling with a double stroller or a wagon.
- You want to bring a pet other than a service dog.
- You would rather have reserved seating.
Getting there and parking
Parking is in the lot behind the arena, which has room for tailgating before the gates open. Regular vehicles and trucks tailgate along the far back and side fence lines, while RVs, buses and vans park on the far rear side of the Farmers Market property next door.
On Saturdays the lot is shared with the Cowtown Farmers Market, which usually clears out around 4pm, so aim to arrive around 3:30pm and no earlier. The area across from the ticket booth road is kept for staff, arena vendors and elderly parking.
Festival-specific · Cowtown RodeoThe ticket booth opens at 6pm on Saturday nights in the rodeo season, and the front gate and ticket booth close at 9pm for ticket purchases and wristband re-entry.
Accessibility
A section of bleachers just inside the arena area is set aside for guests who use wheelchairs or need accessible seating. Service dogs are welcome within ADA guidelines.
Confirm your specific needs with the venue before you travel (cowtownrodeo.com).
Camping
We don't yet have confirmed information about camping at Cowtown Rodeo. The venue's own pages are the place to check: cowtownrodeo.com.
Food, water and what you can bring
Food vendors sell hot sandwiches, snacks, drinks, peanuts, candied nuts, cotton candy, popcorn and funnel cakes, and they take cash only.
You can bring your own drinks in a small handheld carrier or cooler no bigger than 12 by 12 inches, small enough to fit the milk crate staff use to check them. Large and wheeled coolers are not allowed through the gate, and glass bottles are not allowed on the property.
When tailgating, open flames and charcoal grills are not allowed, but small camper propane grills are. Take your own trash with you, and note that excessive or underage drinking is not allowed on the property.
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Quick answers
Where do I park at Cowtown Rodeo?
In the lot behind the arena. You can tailgate there before the gates open, and you are asked to arrive no earlier than 3:30pm.
Can I bring a cooler to Cowtown Rodeo?
Yes, a small one. Coolers must be 12 by 12 inches or smaller and are checked at the gate, and glass bottles are not allowed.
Is Cowtown Rodeo wheelchair accessible?
Partly. A section of bleachers near the arena entrance is designated for wheelchair users and accessible seating, and service dogs are welcome within ADA guidelines.
Can I bring my own chair?
Generally no, because space is limited, though exceptions are sometimes made for elderly and disabled guests. Stadium seats with fold-up backs that clip or slide onto the bleacher bench are allowed.
Can I bring a stroller?
Small single strollers, ideally easy-fold umbrella strollers, are fine. Double strollers and wagons are not allowed in the bleacher area.
Can I bring my dog?
No, unless it is a service dog. Pets and emotional support animals are not permitted at the rodeo or the market.
What happens if it rains?
The rodeo goes ahead in rain, heat or shine. Rain ponchos are sold at the YETI merchandise trailer.
Can I camp at Cowtown Rodeo?
We don't yet have confirmed information about camping at Cowtown Rodeo. The venue's own pages at cowtownrodeo.com are the place to check.
A little history
Cowtown Rodeo started in 1929. It describes itself as the longest running weekly professional rodeo in the USA and the only professional weekly rodeo in New Jersey.