Where is Cowboy Cross held?

The event takes place at the Ellensburg Rodeo Arena in Ellensburg, Washington.

Are there accessibility options?

Yes; accessible parking is near the ticket office and a wheelchair ramp is available by the Gold Buckle Club on the arena’s east end.

Unless the event listing explicitly permits pets, keep dogs at home to avoid livestock stress and crowd safety issues.

Is Cowboy Cross family-friendly?

Yes—families attend frequently; bring ear protection for children and plan for short bursts of action between heats.

How can I support the community benefit?

Proceeds support Cops and Bobbers, a program established in memory of Deputy Ryan Thompson; check event materials for donations and volunteer opportunities.

Cowboy Cross: Endurocross Racing and Bull Riding at Ellensburg Rodeo Arena

At the Ellensburg Rodeo Arena in Ellensburg, Washington, Cowboy Cross fuses Endurocross motorcycle racing with traditional bull riding to deliver an afternoon of raw speed, dirt, and animal power. Riders thread a man-made obstacle course of packed dirt, berms, steep tabletops, and cramped rock sections while bulls rotate from the chutes to center stage between heats. The crowd migrates from the bleachers to ringside, trading dust for adrenaline, and the arena hums with engines, hoofbeats, and commentator calls.

What sets Cowboy Cross apart is its unlikely combination of disciplines inside a single venue. The moto track is rebuilt year to year on arena soil, producing rhythm sections, launch ramps, and technical approaches that reward line choice and throttle control; the bull chutes and holding pens remain visible reminders of the rodeo tradition embedded in Kittitas County. The beer garden opens at 12:00 pm and is sponsored by the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Association, with proceeds supporting Cops and Bobbers, a youth fishing and outdoor program established in memory of Deputy Ryan Thompson. Practical accessibility details matter: accessible parking sits near the ticket office, and a wheelchair ramp provides entry near the Gold Buckle Club on the arena’s east end.

If you go, aim to arrive before the first heat to walk the perimeter, scope sightlines, and visit vendor booths. Bring hearing protection for the motors and a bandana for dust on windier afternoons; sun protection is essential in the open basin. Parents should plan for short attention spans between high-energy moto runs and the visceral eight-second bull rides. Expect regional flavor in the food trucks and local vendors who make the event a community affair rather than an anonymous commercial spectacle.

Cowboy Cross is an important local fixture because it transforms the Ellensburg Rodeo Arena into a hybrid field of competition that honors ranching history while embracing modern motorsport. It draws riders who chase technical lap times and spectators who came to watch bulls buck but leave with new appreciation for throttle control and animal handling. Whether you want seat-of-the-pants action, a people-watching afternoon, or to support community fundraising, Cowboy Cross offers a loud, physical, and distinctly Western experience in the heart of central Washington.

Cowboy Cross: Endurocross Racing and Bull Riding at Ellensburg Rodeo Arena

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