Sports · Colorado
National Western Stock Show 2028
Jan 8–23Expected dates
Tell us your Colorado datesDenver (National Western Complex) · Colorado
Dates not yet announced by the organizer
These dates are awaiting official confirmation, so check the event's site before booking.
- Start looking
- by Dec 4
- Arrive
- Jan 7
- Head home
- Jan 24
Denver's January institution since 1906 — 16 days of rodeo, stock show, and the Kick-Off Parade through downtown.
What you need to know
National Western Stock Show 2028 is expected to run Jan 8–23, 2028, in Denver, Colorado. Official dates are not confirmed yet — verify on the event's official site before booking. The Kick-Off Parade — longhorns through downtown — is free, happens before the show opens, and is the single most photographed moment of the sixteen days.
The National Western Stock Show has opened Denver's year since 1906: sixteen January days of professional rodeo, horse shows, one of the country's premier livestock exhibitions, and the tradition that starts it all — longhorns driven through downtown Denver in the Kick-Off Parade. The show has consistently run early-to-mid January; exact 2028 dates come from the annual announcement. January is the deepest off-season of the Colorado RV calendar, which cuts both ways: rental rates and availability are the best of the year, but you're committing to genuine winter camping on the Front Range. Cherry Creek State Park keeps a year-round campground about 25 minutes southeast of the complex — confirm current winter loop availability when booking. A rig with a strong furnace, heated or managed tanks, and winter tires handles Denver January fine; afternoon chinooks can push 55F between cold snaps. For families, the stock show's barn tours and petting zones fill daytime hours before evening rodeo sessions.
Safety rules and an insider tip
Safety + legal. Front Range January swings from 55F chinook afternoons to sub-zero nights within a week — winter-rate the whole plan: furnace, tank management, and I-70/I-25 storm awareness.
Insider tip. The Kick-Off Parade — longhorns through downtown — is free, happens before the show opens, and is the single most photographed moment of the sixteen days. Arrive an hour early on Union Station's side.
Official source: nationalwestern.com
Where to sleep near Denver
None of the Colorado campgrounds we verify lists Denver as its nearest town.
Going to National Western 2028? Tell us the nights.
Local owners list their own rigs here. You get a single email when one is listed for your window.
Around National Western 2028
Frequently asked about National Western 2028
When is National Western Stock Show 2028?
National Western Stock Show 2028 is expected to run Jan 8–23, 2028, in Denver, Colorado. Official dates are not confirmed yet — verify on the event's official site before booking.
Where is National Western 2028 held?
Denver, Colorado (National Western Complex).
What are the exact 2028 dates?
Jan 8–23, 2028. These dates are provisional until officially announced.
What RV should I rent for National Western 2028?
Best categories: rv, trucks-vans. The National Western Stock Show has opened Denver's year since 1906: sixteen January days of professional rodeo, horse shows, one of the country's premier livestock exhibitions, and the tradition that starts it all — longhorns driven through downtown Denver in the Kick-Off Parade. The show has consistently run early-to-mid January; exact 2028 dates come from the annual announcement. January is the deepest off-season of the Colorado RV calendar, which cuts both ways: rental rates and availability are the best of the year, but you're committing to genuine winter camping on the Front Range. Cherry Creek State Park keeps a year-round campground about 25 minutes southeast of the complex — confirm current winter loop availability when booking. A rig with a strong furnace, heated or managed tanks, and winter tires handles Denver January fine; afternoon chinooks can push 55F between cold snaps. For families, the stock show's barn tours and petting zones fill daytime hours before evening rodeo sessions.
How early should I book an RV?
Recommended lead time: 5 weeks. Event windows book up early, so search and lock your dates as soon as your plans firm up.
When is the National Western Stock Show 2028?
The show traditionally runs sixteen days in early-to-mid January in Denver; exact 2028 dates are announced annually at nationalwestern.com.
Can you camp near Denver in January?
Cherry Creek State Park operates a year-round campground about 25 minutes from the complex — confirm which loops are open in winter when you book. A furnace-equipped rig is essential.
Why do an RV trip in Colorado's off-season?
January brings the year's best rental rates and availability, and the stock show is Denver's biggest winter event. Pair it with a ski-town day trip — the same rig covers both if you check chain laws first.
What safety and legal guidance applies?
Front Range January swings from 55F chinook afternoons to sub-zero nights within a week — winter-rate the whole plan: furnace, tank management, and I-70/I-25 storm awareness.
What's an insider tip?
The Kick-Off Parade — longhorns through downtown — is free, happens before the show opens, and is the single most photographed moment of the sixteen days. Arrive an hour early on Union Station's side.
Keep National Western 2028 on your list
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State rules, safety and legalLicense + towing rules, insurance basics and the non-affiliation notice.
Important: travel + safety + insurance disclaimer
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only. PickRV is not an insurer, legal advisor, or vehicle-safety authority. Trip planning, route selection, rig suitability, weather, and emergency decisions are the renter's responsibility. Always consult the rig manufacturer's owner's manual, your insurance provider, the U.S. National Park Service (nps.gov), NOAA / NWS weather alerts (weather.gov), state and local emergency-management agencies, and current local regulations before and during travel. Cost figures, season windows, road conditions, and fee references on this page are estimates as of May 2026 and vary by season, location, rig, carrier, and operator. Mentions of brand names, state-tourism marks, national-park feature names, or third-party programs are informational only and do not imply affiliation, sponsorship, or endorsement.
Before you rent in Colorado — key local rules
Standard Class R license covers motorhomes under 26,001 lbs — Colorado DMV — 1 CCR 204-30 Rule 8 (Class R definition)
Operators 18+; ages 14-17 need a safety certificate; ANS stamp to launch — Colorado Parks & Wildlife — Boating Safety
Colorado OHV permit $26.25/yr — same price for residents and visitors — Colorado Parks & Wildlife — Register an Off-Highway Vehicle
0.08% BAC per se; 5 ng THC creates only a permissible inference — Colorado General Assembly — Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol (CRS §42-4-1301)
Editorial summary, not legal advice. Verify with Colorado DMV before relying. Reviewed in the last 5 months (as of 2026-05-24).
Colorado rules · last verified 2026-05-10
- State rental tax
- 7.6% · not collected by PickRV
- Min driver age
- 21+ std · 25+ Class A
- Gravel roads
- Varies by rig — verify with your host
- Generator quiet
- 22:00-07:00