7 Late Summer Rodeos

Summer in Southwest Montana means rodeo season is in full swing! And it’s not over yet. There’s a rodeo happening nearly every weekend from now through Labor Day. Many of these rodeos are paired with the local county fair, featuring 4-H livestock shows, ranch rodeos, and small-town traditions. So, if you’ve been wanting to catch a rodeo, now’s your chance! Here’s where to catch the action.

Flag bearer on horseback leads the grand entry at the Dillon Jaycees PRCA Rodeo, part of Montana's Biggest Weekend in Dillon, Montana. Spectators pack the grandstand behind sponsor-lined rodeo chutes, capturing the Labor Day weekend rodeo tradition in Southwest Montana. Photo by Tempest Technologies LLC. — Beginning of the grand entry at Dillon’s PRCA rodeo, where Montana’s Biggest Weekend gets underway | Photo by Tempest Technologies

1. National Veterans Rodeo – Helena, MT

NRA Rodeo August 1, 2026

August kicks off in the capital city with the National Veterans Rodeo at the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds. It’s an NRA rodeo celebrating our nation’s and the community’s veterans. The action starts in the grandstands at 7 pm, but come early. Beforehand, a resource fair brings together more than 20 veteran service organizations offering healthcare, housing, benefits, and employment support. Get more info and grab your ticket here.

2. Madison County Fair and Rodeo – Twin Bridges, MT

NRA Rodeos August 6 & 7, 2026

The Madison County Fair in Twin Bridges kicks off August 1 with the county horse show, then rolls on through the week with 4-H and FFA events. It all builds up to back-to-back nights of NRA Rodeo on Thursday the 6th and Friday the 7th, with live music to follow and a ranch rodeo on the 8th. The week caps off with a parade down Twin Bridges’ Main Street at 10:30 am on the 9th. The rest of the fair all takes place at the Madison County Fairgrounds. For a full schedule of events and to grab a ticket to the rodeo, visit their website here.

3. Broadwater County Rodeo and Fair – Townsend, MT

NRA Rodeos August 7 & 8, 2026

Over in Townsend, the county fair runs Thursday through Sunday with a rodeo nearly every day, kicking things off with a kids rodeo on the 6th. Next, two nights of NRA rodeo on the 7th and 8th. Finally, an In Country adult rodeo on the 9th. Townsend will, of course, cap off the fair with a parade down Main Street on Sunday, August 9. The Broadwater County Fair will be held at the Townsend Fairgrounds. For a full schedule of events and to purchase rodeo tickets, visit their website here.

Horseback riders carry American and Montana state flags down Main Street during the Broadwater County Fair parade in Townsend, Montana, with the Big Belt Mountains in the background. Photo by Donnie Sexton, Montana Department of Tourism. — Broadwater County Fair Parade in Townsend, Montana | Photo by Donnie Sexton, Montana Department of Tourism

4. Tri-County Fair – Deer Lodge, MT

NRA Rodeos August 14 & 15, 2026

This is the 85th Annual Tri-County Fair running August 12-16 with two nights of NRA Rodeo on the 14th and 15th. The fair brings together Powell, Granite and Deer Lodge counties for plenty of 4-H and FFA livestock shows, plus a ranch rodeo and more! Find the action at the Tri-County Fairgrounds in Deer Lodge, MT. For more information, visit their Facebook page here.

A cowboy competes in calf roping on horseback at the Tri-County Fair Rodeo in Deer Lodge, Montana, with fans crowded along the fence rail during the run. Photo by Tempest Technologies LLC. — Calf roping at the Tri-County Fair in Deer Lodge, Montana | Photo by Tempest Technologies

5. Jefferson County Fair and Rodeo – Boulder, MT

NRA Rodeos August 21 & 22, 2026

The Jefferson County Fair and Rodeo closes out the month, running from August 20-23. Two nights of NRA rodeo take the arena on Friday and Saturday at 6 pm. Admission for the rodeo is $15 for adults, $10 for kids, and kids under 6 are free. Admission to the fairgrounds is free, and parking onsite is just $2. Off the dirt, there’s a parade, live music, and carousel rides. Head to the Jefferson County Recreation Park for the fair and rodeos. For more information, visit their website here.

A saddle bronc rider marks out on a bucking horse during the Jefferson County Fair Rodeo in Boulder, Montana, with foothills rising behind the arena. Photo by Donnie Sexton, Montana Department of Tourism. — A saddle bronc rider hangs at the Jefferson County Fair Rodeo in Boulder, Montana | Photo by Donnie Sexton, Montana Department of Tourism

6. Montana’s Biggest Weekend – Dillon, MT

PRCA Rodeos September 5 & 6, 2026

Labor Day weekend brings out Montana’s Biggest Weekend in Dillon. The action starts on September 4 with a ranch rodeo and then rolls into two PRCA Rodeos on Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th. Plus, you can’t miss the concert by Kameron Marlowe on Sunday night! It’s all part of the Beaverhead County Fair, so there will be lots to see and do in Dillon this Labor Day weekend, including a parade rolling through downtown Dillon on Labor Day. Purchase rodeo and concert tickets here.

A cowboy competes in saddle bronc riding at the Dillon Jaycees PRCA Rodeo during Montana's Biggest Weekend in Dillon, Montana, marking out on a bucking horse in front of a packed arena fence. Photo by Tempest Technologies LLC. — Saddle bronc riding during Montana’s Biggest Weekend in Dillon, Montana | Photo by Tempest Technologies

7. Helmville Rodeo – Helmville, MT

NRA Rodeos September 6 & 7, 2026

On Labor Day itself, the season closes out on a high note in Helmville. Known as the biggest little rodeo in Montana, it runs Sunday and Monday at the Helmville Rodeo Grounds. Sunday brings the top six bareback riders, Monday the top six saddle bronc, with bull riding, roping, and crowd favorites like wild cow milking and kids’ mutton busting. When the dust settles, the crowd heads to the Community Hall for a good old-fashioned dance. It’s the perfect send-off to a summer of Southwest Montana rodeo. For more information and updates, visit the Helmville Rodeo Club’s Facebook page here.