Nostalgic Rail Journey
Train🚆 Vacation on the route to Pendleton Round-Up
Denver & Pendleton Round-Up Scenic Rail Adventure
12 Days | Amtrak Rail Journey & Western Rodeo Experience
Experience an unforgettable journey through the heart of the American West aboard one of Amtrak's most scenic train routes. Begin your adventure in Columbus, Wisconsin, traveling by rail through Chicago before boarding the legendary California Zephyr to Denver, Colorado. Spend several days exploring the Mile High City, from historic Union Station and Red Rocks Amphitheatre to the breathtaking Rocky Mountains.
From Denver, fly to Pendleton, Oregon, home of the world-famous Pendleton Round-Up, one of the oldest and most celebrated rodeos in North America. Enjoy thrilling rodeo competitions, the colorful Westward Ho! Parade, Native American cultural events, live entertainment, and the rich Western heritage that makes Pendleton a bucket-list destination.
After your rodeo adventure, return to Denver for your scenic Amtrak journey back to Wisconsin, completing a memorable vacation that blends spectacular rail travel, mountain scenery, vibrant city experiences, and authentic Western traditions into one extraordinary trip.
Itinerary Highlights
🚆 Columbus, WI → Chicago → Denver
Travel Train Day 1
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Drive to Columbus, WI Amtrak Station
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Board the Empire Builder to Chicago (about 3½ hours)
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Transfer to the California Zephyr
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Overnight on the train - sleeper car
Denver dAY 2 STAY 3 NIGHTS
🚆Arrive in Denver
Suggestions:
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Red Rocks Amphitheatre
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Rocky Mountain National Park
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Golden, Colorado
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Coors Brewery Tour
Day 5 Fly Den → Pendleton
Travel✈️ from DEN to Pendleton, OR
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Denver → Portland
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Portland → Pendleton
Travel time is about 4–6 hours with one connection
Day6-9 PENDLETON ROUND-UP
Pendleton Round-Up is known for its festival atmosphere and deep historical traditions
Spend 3–4 nights enjoying:
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Pendleton Round-Up Rodeo
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Westward Ho! Parade
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Happy Canyon Night Show
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Pendleton Woolen Mills
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Downtown Pendleton
Return✈️ trip to Denver from Pendelton, OR
Day 10
Fly from Pendleton →
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Pendleton → Portland
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Portland → Denver
Travel time is about 4–6 hours with one connection
🚆Denver → Chicago → Columbus, WI
train travel back Day 11&12
Day 11 – Denver → Chicago
Board the California Zephyr eastbound.
Sleep on the train.
Day 12 – Chicago → Columbus
Transfer to the Empire Builder or Borealis back to Columbus
Option FLY BACK TO cOLUMBUS, WI
Travel✈️ from Pendelton, OR to Columbus, WI
✈️ Pendleton, OR (PDT) → Madison, WI (MSN)
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Typical travel time: 8–13 hours
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Connections: 2 (most commonly via Portland and Denver, or Portland and Chicago) because Pendleton is served only by Boutique Air with connections through Portland.
Cost Breakdown & Trip Estimates
Round-Trip Rail (Amtrak): Estimates for private sleeper cars (roomette or bedroom) between Columbus, WI and Denver range from $800 to $1,400 per person, depending on booking time and availability. This includes all meals on board.
Flights (Denver ↔ Pendleton): Round-trip flights between Denver and Pendleton (typically connecting via Portland) average $450 to $700 per person.
Accommodations: 3 nights in Denver + 4 nights in Pendleton. Estimated cost for mid-range to boutique hotels is $250 to $400 per night, totaling approximately $1,750 to $2,800 per room. (If you have accommodations in Denver, this would be reduced by 3 nights.)
Pendleton Round-Up Tickets: Access to the Rodeo, Westward Ho! Parade, and Happy Canyon Night Show ranges from $150 to $300 per person for premium seating packages.
Once you've decided which vacation option best fits your travel style and have a general timeframe in mind, I'll be happy to create a personalized itinerary just for you. From there, I'll provide a detailed quote with the best available pricing based on your selected dates, accommodations, transportation, and any special preferences. My goal is to make the planning process simple, stress-free, and tailored specifically to you.
History and significance
The first Pendleton Round-Up was held on September 29, 1910, after local leaders sought to create an annual celebration of frontier skills and regional culture. The famous slogan "Let'er Buck" originated with the event and remains its enduring symbol. Operated as a nonprofit, the Round-Up has become an internationally recognized rodeo while maintaining strong community involvement and longstanding participation by members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and other Northwest tribes.
The Pendleton Roundup Grandstand is home to the Pendleton Round-Up, one of the best-known annual rodeos in the United States, held in Pendleton, Oregon. Since its founding in 1910, it has grown into a week-long celebration of Western heritage that combines world-class rodeo competition with parades, Native American cultural events, and community festivities, attracting tens of thousands of visitors each September.
Pendleton
Round-Up
Pendleton Round-Up is known for its festival atmosphere and deep historical traditions. The event has earned the PRCA Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year award multiple times and is widely regarded as one of North America's premier outdoor rodeos.
What to expect
The rodeo is the centerpiece of Round-Up Week, but the event extends far beyond the arena. Visitors can experience professional rodeo competitions, the Westward Ho! Parade, the Happy Canyon Night Show, Indian powwows, a traditional Tipi Village, concerts, vendors, and downtown entertainment. Major rodeo events include bareback and saddle bronc riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, team roping, tie-down roping, barrel racing, Indian relay racing, and wild cow milking.
Pendleton Round-Up is known for its festival atmosphere and deep historical traditions. The event has earned the PRCA Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year award multiple times and is widely regarded as one of North America's premier outdoor rodeos.
What to expect
The rodeo is the centerpiece of Round-Up Week, but the event extends far beyond the arena. Visitors can experience professional rodeo competitions, the Westward Ho! Parade, the Happy Canyon Night Show, Indian powwows, a traditional Tipi Village, concerts, vendors, and downtown entertainment. Major rodeo events include bareback and saddle bronc riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, team roping, tie-down roping, barrel racing, Indian relay racing, and wild cow milking.
Pendleton Round-Up is known for its festival atmosphere and deep historical traditions. The event has earned the PRCA Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year award multiple times and is widely regarded as one of North America's premier outdoor rodeos.
What to expect
The rodeo is the centerpiece of Round-Up Week, but the event extends far beyond the arena. Visitors can experience professional rodeo competitions, the Westward Ho! Parade, the Happy Canyon Night Show, Indian powwows, a traditional Tipi Village, concerts, vendors, and downtown entertainment. Major rodeo events include bareback and saddle bronc riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, team roping, tie-down roping, barrel racing, Indian relay racing, and wild cow milking.