Photo Credit: Travel Alberta / Colin Way

Saddle up for the wildest week in Calgary, then hit the road for jaw-dropping mountain escapes. Here’s everything you need to know about pairing the adrenaline of Stampede with the serenity of the Rockies.

If you're looking for the ultimate Alberta experience this summer, there’s no better combo than the Calgary Stampede and a jaw-dropping tour through the Canadian Rockies. One gives you dust-kickin’ rodeo energy, live music, fried everything, and cowboy hats as far as the eye can see. The other? A much-needed nature break in the form of pristine lakes, glacier-fed waterfalls, and alpine towns where the wild things (like bears and bighorn sheep) roam.

Here’s your how-to guide for planning the most unforgettable Alberta adventure yet, complete with Stampede tips, packing lists, hydration reminders (yes, really), and a perfectly timed Rockies getaway.

🤠 First, What Is the Calgary Stampede?

Often called "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth," the Calgary Stampede started in 1912 as a rodeo and exhibition and has since evolved into a full-blown 10-day festival of western culture, concerts, agriculture showcases, and nightly fireworks.

More than a million people flood into Calgary each July to take part in the fun, donning cowboy hats, flipping pancakes, and two-stepping until the sun comes up.

🐎 Key Events to Plan Around:

The Rodeo: Daily events showcasing saddle bronc, barrel racing, and bull riding. It's the real deal.
The Evening Grandstand Show: Think Cirque meets country music with a dash of fireworks.
The SuperPass: A value-packed pass that gets you unlimited evening shows and park access.
The Coke Stage: Free concerts with your park admission. Past headliners have included major pop, country, and indie acts.
The Big Four Roadhouse: The party never stops here. Expect DJs, surprise guests, and shoulder-to-shoulder dancing.
Cowboys Tent & Cowboys Music Festival: A nightlife rite of passage. Enter at your own risk 😂
The Saddledome: Check the calendar for massive concerts. This is where big names roll through.

👉 Insider Tip: Check Calgary Stampede’s official website early to grab tickets for major events.

🥞 Don’t Miss the Pancake Breakfasts (Yes, They’re Free)

It's not Stampede without flapjacks. All over Calgary, businesses and communities host free pancake breakfasts complete with sausages, music, and a healthy dose of Canadian hospitality.

🎯 Bookmark this: Free Pancake Breakfast Calendar

Plan your mornings around these and thank us later.

🎒 What to Pack for Stampede: The Ultimate List

Whether you're headed to the rodeo, the music stage, or the midway, you'll want to look the part and stay comfortable. Here's your no-nonsense list:

✅ Cowboy boots (break them in before you go)

✅ A cowboy hat (shade + style = win)

✅ Denim shorts or jeans

✅ Bandana or neck scarf

✅ Comfy top (Western shirt optional but encouraged)

✅ Portable phone charger

✅ Refillable water bottle (Stay hydrated, pardner!)

✅ Sunscreen & sunglasses

✅ Crossbody bag or fanny pack

✅ Rain poncho or light jacket (weather can change faster than you can say Yahoo!)

✅ Your SuperPass or daily event tickets

🧴 Hydration Reminder: The Stampede is a marathon, not a sprint. You're walking a lot, maybe drinking a lot, and the sun can be ruthless. Refill stations are scattered around the grounds. Use them.

⛰️ Need a Breather? Escape to the Rockies

After 2-4 days of line dancing and deep-fried pickles, you’ll be itching for some fresh mountain air. That’s where we come in.

Take a one-day or multi-day break from the Stampede chaos and explore Banff, Lake Louise, the Icefields Parkway, and Jasper with Westar Travel. We handle the planning, the driving, and the views. You just sit back and say “wow” every five minutes.

🚌 Our tours are perfect for:

Solo travelers or couples looking to balance party with peace
Families with energy to burn in the city but wanting calm in nature
Anyone craving turquoise lakes, rugged peaks, and glacier views

Choose from:

🚐 1-Day Banff & Lake Louise Day Trips (just long enough to breathe deep and soak it in)
🏞️ 2 to 7-Day Rockies Tours (Stampede one week, Rockies the next? Perfection.)

🎯 Ready to book your Rockies break?

Browse Westar Tours and pick your perfect escape.

🧭 Final Tips for Planning the Ultimate Alberta Trip

✔️ Book your accommodations early. Hotels fill fast during Stampede week. Look for options near the CTrain or downtown.

✔️ Layer up. July days are warm but nights can be chilly, especially in the mountains.

✔️ Be flexible. Some of the best Stampede memories come from spontaneity. Whether it's an unexpected concert, a mechanical bull ride, or a wildflowers detour in the Rockies.

🤩 Your Adventure Awaits

From hollerin' at the rodeo to whispering beneath glacial peaks, Alberta offers the best of both worlds. So lace up those boots, slap on some sunscreen, and get ready to yahoo your way through an unforgettable Canadian summer.

Ready for the ride of your life?

🎟️ Book your tour with Westar now and make your Alberta dreams a reality.

📞 Have Questions? Call +1 (403) 201-8525 or WhatsApp +1 (587) 889-8397

📧 Or email us at info@westartravel.com

🌄 Stampede + Rockies = Unmatched Adventure. Let's Ride.