BIG HORN, WYOMING · LABOR DAY WEEKEND
Where to stay for Don King Days
Polo, steer roping and saddle bronc riding on open grass with no fences between you and the action — Sheridan County's Labor Day weekend tradition since 1989.
Labor Day weekend, annually — 2027 dates not yet announced
Stay in Sheridan, about 15 minutes from the Big Horn Equestrian Center, and drive down for the day. Don King Days packs polo, steer roping and saddle bronc riding into Labor Day weekend, and Sheridan has the lodging, restaurants and groceries that Big Horn itself doesn't. Wyo Stays manages Sheridan vacation rentals with full kitchens, booked direct with a licensed Wyoming brokerage.
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What to know before you go
- Held at the Big Horn Equestrian Center, 352 Bird Farm Road — about 15 minutes south of downtown Sheridan via Bird Farm Road.
- A two-day, fence-free event on open grass: the Big Horn Polo Club's season-ending tournament, Wyoming Steer Ropers' season finals, and invitational saddle bronc riding, all close enough to the crowd that the action comes to you.
- Gates typically open around 9am with events starting at 11am, and live music runs at the clubhouse both afternoons, per the venue's own event page.
- Parking is fieldside, alongside the grandstands, or across the field — tailgating is part of the tradition.
- Early September afternoons at Big Horn run warm and mornings start cool, with little shade around the open fields.
Not yet confirmed
- • 2027 event dates — not yet announced by the Big Horn Equestrian Center or Sheridan County Travel & Tourism as of this writing. The event has historically run Labor Day weekend.
- • Current admission pricing — not published by the organizers for the current year. Older listings citing a specific price are out of date; confirm directly before you plan around one.
- • Daily start and end times for the next running, once announced.
We publish what we can verify. Anything above should be confirmed with the organiser before you make travel plans.
Updated September 2026. Event details change year to year — dates, hours, parking and admission should always be confirmed against bighornequestriancenter.org before you travel. Wyo Stays is a lodging operator, not the organiser of this event.
Which of our places suit this
Big Horn itself is the polo grounds and not much else — no hotels, limited dining. Sheridan, about 15 minutes north, has the restaurants, groceries and lodging for a full Labor Day weekend, with an easy morning drive down to the fields.
Labor Day weekend is one of the busiest travel weekends in the country, independent of this event, and Sheridan lodging fills around it. Book several weeks ahead once your dates are set.
Downtown Sheridan Apartment
Downtown apartment 15 minutes from the fields — walk to dinner after a day at Don King Days.
Sheridan Loft — Walk to Everything
A loft over Main Street for a small group — fireplace for a cool September evening.
Circle Bar Manor — Spacious 4BR
A big family house two blocks from downtown, budget-friendly, pet-friendly, room for the whole crew.
How far is Sheridan? Drive times
| From | Distance | Drive time | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo, WY | 35 miles | ~35 min | I-90 north |
| Gillette, WY | ~103 miles | ~1 hr 30 min | I-90 west |
| Billings, MT | ~130 miles | ~2 hr | I-90 south |
| Casper, WY | ~149 miles | ~2 hr 15 min | I-25 north to I-90 |
Billings Logan (BIL) is the nearest major airport at roughly two hours north. Sheridan County Airport (SHR) sits five miles from downtown and carries commercial service via Denver — routes and frequency change year to year, so check current schedules.
What else to do that weekend
Frequently asked questions
What is Don King Days?
A two-day Labor Day weekend event at the Big Horn Equestrian Center combining polo, steer roping and invitational saddle bronc riding — all on open grass fields with no fences between spectators and the action. It has run annually since 1989, named for Sheridan saddlemaker Don King.
When is Don King Days?
Annually over Labor Day weekend. The most recent running was September 6–7, 2026 (the 38th annual). Neither the Big Horn Equestrian Center nor Sheridan County Travel & Tourism had published a 2027 date at the time this page was last reviewed — confirm before booking travel.
Where is Don King Days held?
At the Big Horn Equestrian Center, 352 Bird Farm Road, about 15 minutes south of downtown Sheridan, Wyoming.
Is Don King Days free to attend?
Admission has not been published by the organizers for recent years. Older listings citing a specific ticket price are out of date — confirm current admission with the Big Horn Equestrian Center before you go.
Where should I stay for Don King Days?
In Sheridan, about 15 minutes from the equestrian center. Big Horn itself has little lodging or dining; Sheridan has both, plus everything else for a Labor Day weekend trip. Wyo Stays manages Sheridan vacation rentals with full kitchens, booked direct at wyostays.com.
How far is Sheridan from Buffalo, Gillette, Billings or Casper?
Buffalo is 35 miles south on I-90, about 35 minutes. Gillette is roughly 103 miles east, about an hour and a half. Billings, Montana is about 130 miles north, roughly two hours, and is the nearest major airport. Casper is about 149 miles south, roughly two and a quarter hours. Big Horn is a further 15 minutes south of Sheridan.
How far in advance should I book lodging for Don King Days?
Labor Day weekend is a busy national travel window on its own, and Sheridan lodging fills around it independent of this event. Book several weeks ahead once your dates are set.
What should I bring?
Sun protection — there's little shade around the open fields — plus a lawn chair or blanket if you want your own seating rather than the grandstands, and a layer for a cool early-September morning that warms up fast.
Book the room before you plan the rest
Sheridan is a small town with a big calendar. Lodging is the constraint, not the tickets.
Book direct