Omak Stampede

View on map
Sports & AdventureOmak
Dates13–16 August 2026Confirmed listing
Duration4 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCompetition, enduranceWhat separates Omak from a standard county
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategorySports & AdventureFestival type
The story

Omak Stampede in Omak

Held the second weekend of August in Omak, Washington since 1933, the Omak Stampede pairs a traditional rodeo with the World Famous Suicide Race, in which riders gallop horses down a steep bluff and swim them across the Okanogan River. Predominantly run by riders from the Colville Confederated Tribes, the race has drawn both cultural pride and sustained animal-welfare controversy since its 1935 debut.

Omak sits in north-central Washington's Okanogan Valley, a region with a long history of ranching and a substantial Native American population connected to the Colville Confederated Tribes.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

What separates Omak from a standard county rodeo is the Suicide Race itself: horses and riders descend a 225-foot, 62-percent slope known as Suicide Hill at a full gallop before swimming roughly 150 feet across the Okanogan River, a spectacle unmatched at any other American rodeo event

02

The mystery stays covered

The race carries genuine cultural weight for area tribal members, whose ancestors have deep equestrian traditions, and organizers and participants frame it as an expression of that heritage

03

The city starts moving

At the same time, the event has faced decades of protests, lawsuits and horse-welfare scrutiny from animal rights organizations, making it one of the most debated traditions in American rodeo

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The World Famous Suicide Race down Suicide Hill and across the Okanogan River

Water and renewal

Living ritual

PRCA rodeo competition

The sacred route

Living ritual

strong participation from riders of the Colville Confederated Tribes

The local code

Living ritual

and a decades-long public debate over the ethics of the race that remains part of its ongoing story

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

13–16 August 2026

Getting around

For Omak Stampede, plan transport around the exact Omak venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Western wear is common: cowboy hats, boots and denim, alongside casual outdoor summer clothing. Riverside viewing areas can be dusty, so closed-toe shoes are practical.

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Omak Stampede, stay near the part of Omak you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map48.41 N, 119.53 WOpen in Google Maps

Omak, WA

Nearest airportZGF — Grand Forks
TransportFor Omak Stampede, plan transport around the exact Omak venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Omak Stampede, stay near the part of Omak you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Omak via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Omak, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for August.Compare faresFestival gearWestern wear is common: cowboy hats, boots and denim, alongside casual outdoor summer clothing. Riverside viewing areas can be dusty, so closed-toe shoes are practical.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Omak Stampede?

Omak Stampede is listed for 13–16 August 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Omak Stampede take place?

The festival is listed in Omak, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

4 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Omak, WA

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLrodeosusa.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates13–16 August 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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