Saddle Up: The 69th Annual Ruth Rodeo Returns to Trinity County, July 31–August 2
Every summer, the town of Ruth shows up for itself. It’s a small, rural Trinity County community that comes together to put on the same event it always has — real people, real animals, and the skill and nerve it takes to ride. The 69th Annual Ruth Rodeo runs Friday, July 31 through Sunday, August 2, 2026 at the Ruth Rodeo Grounds in Ruth, part of the Three Rebels Rodeo Series.
A tradition nearly 70 years strong
For close to seven decades, the Ruth Rodeo — traditionally put on by the Six Rivers Lions Club — has stayed exactly what it’s always been: a real event about people, animals, and the skill and bravery it takes to get on and stay on. Bronc riding, bull riding, barrel racing, and roping aren’t staged for a crowd so much as they’re just what happens here every summer. The town holds a few hundred people, but for one weekend it fills with ranch families, competitors, and visitors who came for the same thing — to watch real skill up close, nothing dressed up about it.
Two events you won’t want to miss
Ruth Bull-A-Rama, Friday, July 31 at 7 PM
Kicking off the weekend under the Three Rebels Rodeo Series banner, Bull-A-Rama is Friday night’s headliner — wild bulls, tough cowboys, and one epic night of bull riding paired with food, drinks, and live music. For bull riding entry, contact Anna at (707) 496-6926.
Junior Bull Riders Tour, part of Saturday’s junior rodeo
New to the Ruth Rodeo this year: the Junior Bull Riders Tour, billed as “the greatest lil’ show on dirt.” Extreme young athletes ages 6 to 14 take the arena to compete on some of the world’s smallest bucking bulls. It’s a fresh addition to the weekend and a genuine glimpse at the next generation of rodeo talent. For more information, find Roughstock 101 on Facebook or call or text (209) 840-0602.
Weekend schedule
Friday, July 31
- 6:00 PM — Bar-B-Que
- 7:00 PM — Bull-A-Rama
- 9:00 PM — Live music
Saturday, August 1
- 7:00 AM — Breakfast and junior rodeo sign-ups
- 10:00 AM — Junior rodeo
- 5:00 PM — Bar-B-Que
- 6:00 PM — Open rodeo
- 9:00 PM — Live music
Sunday, August 2
- 7:00 AM — Farewell breakfast
For Bull-A-Rama and open rodeo entry, contact Anna at (707) 496-6926. For junior rodeo sign-ups, contact Laurel at (530) 510-2384 or Ronie at (707) 574-6472.
Make it a weekend in Trinity County
Ruth sits just minutes from Ruth Lake, a quiet mountain lake that’s easy to overlook until you’re standing on its shore. It’s worth building extra time into your trip for swimming, boating, kayaking, or casting a line for trout and bass. Lakeside camping and picnicking make it simple to turn a single rodeo night into a full weekend outdoors, and with the Yolla Bolly–Middle Eel Wilderness and Six Rivers National Forest right nearby, there’s no shortage of ways to stretch the trip further.
Where to get on the water:
- Ruth Lake Marina — boat rentals right on the lake, good for bass, crappie, and trout. (707) 574-6194
Where to stay:
- Ruth Rec Campground — private campground on Ruth Lake. (800) 840-9545 or (707) 574-6196
- More camping — Ruth Lake is also ringed by Forest Service campgrounds. See Ruth Lake CSD’s camping and day-use page for the full rundown.
- Journey’s End — cabin and motel rooms, across the road from the marina, if you’d rather skip the tent. Seasonal, open May through October.
Where to eat:
- Journey’s End — restaurant and bar for food and drinks, plus a general store for grabbing supplies, all in the same spot as the cabins.
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Mad River Burger Bar — Mad Burger is a local institution and a bit of an adventure. 2515 State Highway 36, Mad River, CA 95552-9317 — (707) 574-6646
Getting there
Ruth is reached via Highway 36 off the Ruth-Zenia Road, roughly two hours from Eureka and three hours from Red Bluff. Plan for mountain roads and spotty cell service.
Whether you’re a longtime rodeo regular or looking for a genuinely local slice of the West, the Ruth Rodeo is a reminder of why small-town Trinity County traditions are worth the drive.
