05/30/2026
Ponoka Stampede’s Free Camping Expands to Younger Fans
Plus, additional free parking and free camping added to support growth
Where do the wild horses go? To the Wild Horse Flats Campground.
With ninety years of hosting rodeo, the Ponoka Stampede Association has never lost that true sense of western hospitality. It’s one of the reasons you see families coming back year after year. Indeed, there are generations of rodeo fans who ensure Ponoka Stampede is the place to go.
This year’s rodeo features not one but two major camping expansions:
1. 25-acres just west of the VIP Wild West Campground. Dubbed the Wild Horse Flats.
2. 98-acres just south of the Calnash Trucking Ag Event Centre, which will handle additional camping and parking.
The Wild Horse Flats are located just east of the railroad tracks, close to the Battle River, says Stampede director Murray Schur, who oversees parking and busing.
Ponoka Stampede and Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern (formerly CP Rail) have collaborated closely on creating a safe crossing for the area and work has begun in earnest. Fencing, rail crossing and more are being taken on to keep the cowboys and cowgirls safe while adding new camping opportunities.
It’s intended to give younger rodeo fans a place to camp or bring their trailers into a location that’s separate from the other camp areas, explains Stampede Director Murray Schur.
“I think the exciting part about it is that we’re attracting fans who are looking for a fun and exciting rodeo experience. A big part of that includes ease of travel to and from their camping and their vehicles,” says Schur.
When Ponoka Stampede starts, the town swells as thousands of rodeo fans, athletes, horses and trailers converge on the community for an amazing rodeo experience. This also requires space and building capacity. Along with the two new camping spots, Ponoka Stampede is enhancing parking, adding security, and adding complementary shuttles.
“We have a facility now that's probably second to none in North America where fans can enjoy an amazing rodeo and camping’s free,” Schur added. “It’s been free for many years.”
With growth comes adaptation, change, and enhancement of services. For Ponoka Stampede bringing the Wild Horse Flats, busing, security, and shuttle services to campers was a board priority.
98-acres picturesque parking and camping
While the name for the area south of the Ag Event Centre is “additional parking/camping” it’s a picturesque piece of land the association has acquired. With beautiful valleys, the Battle River, trees and greenery, the view is gorgeous and for fans looking to relax, it’s a great place to park or camp.
“There’s room there too where you can entertain a little more area if you had two or three campers together,” explains Ponoka Stampede president, Bruce Harbin.
“It’s such a great location,” added Schur. “With the river close by it’s such a great spot for camping.”
What’s great about all this is that additional busing and security services have been added to the new camping spots.
Parking, Complementary Shuttles, Security, Signage
“We do our best to provide a very welcoming experience for fans and we check the box of being able to accommodate the fans who come to the Ponoka Stampede for a good customer service experience.”
Among the changes this year will be clearly marked signage, busing/shuttle routes, and if parking is full, fans will be given the chance to connect with a parking attendant to find other available parking spots.
Attendants will be handing out flyers for additional parking when a specific lot is full.
“We have to grow with the times and keep everybody safe, plus keep it a pleasant experience while also being able to have more room for RVs, and trailers,” says Schur.
The new camping spots do not have services like in the Frank Mickey Campground, however, there are contractor service trucks that make their way around all the campgrounds that fans can pay for.
Camping Information
● Frank Mickey Campground reservations please call 403-783-5611.
● Parking information please call 403-783-0101 starting June 20 at 9 a.m.
● Hours of operation for camping services operations
➔ June 20 to June 24 - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
➔ June 25 and on - 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Written by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye
