Discover Sweetwater Downs Horse Racing in Rock Springs
Spend an afternoon at the races for horses, festivities and good times.
From the lively buzz of anticipation to the parade of brightly colored jockey silks, Sweetwater Downs Horse Racing offers an unforgettable day of Western experiences.
Horse-racing events first became popular in Wyoming during the 1970s. Today, a resurgence of interest in all things racing means visitors and locals alike attend this annual family-friendly event at Rock Springs’ Sweetwater Events Complex.
Whether you’re new to the excitement or you’re a seasoned enthusiast, Sweetwater Downs Horse Racing offers fun and thrills for all.
What To Expect on Race Day
Fast-paced and heart-thumping, the Sweetwater Downs races are a series of high-energy sprinting competitions. Here, champion runners bolt from the starting gate towards a finish line 300–400 yards down the track — or a quarter of the way around the course, for those not in the know. With horses thundering around the dirt circuit at more than 40 mph, each run lasts less than 30 seconds. Though it’s a shorter contest than the Kentucky Derby, you’ll find lots of high-energy enthusiasm.
The full set of competitions is completed over 16 individual days, which typically happen from August to September. Each day features between eight and 12 races with opportunities for special festivities like pony-stick competitions and prizes.
Seats are located in the grandstands with room for your group to spread out. Bring comfy blankets or cushy stadium seats to make your spot extra cozy.
What To Wear to Sweetwater Downs
Don’t worry about putting on your best Derby duds — horse-racing events in Rock Springs are more casual. While you’ll see plenty of folks in cowpoke boots, plaid shirts and wide-brimmed Stetsons, shorts, sneakers and tank tops are just as welcome.
If you’re looking to show off your fancy wear, come for Kentucky Derby Hat Day, when folks donning their best Kentucky Derby-style headwear compete for prizes and bragging rights.
Insider Tips to Sweetwater Downs:
Get a Program
Programs are your $1 guide to the day’s festivities. They’ll tell you everything — from which events are happening that day to which horses will be participating and when. See who among your group can pick the most winners of the day or, if you’re feeling lucky, place a bet at the on-site teller windows for as little as a dollar.
Explore Between Races
Have a favorite horse-jockey team? Check your program for competition timing. See the horses saddle up while jockeys get last-minute directions from their trainers on the east side of the grandstands.
When hunger strikes, grab a snack or a frosty beer from the concession area, featuring a rotating lineup of local food trucks.
Stay Hydrated & Wear Sunscreen
With Wyoming’s 244 days of sunshine, the odds are that race day will be gloriously sunny. So, come prepared with a hat or sunglasses, plenty of sunscreen and a bottle of water. You can also find other refreshing drinks available at the food trucks.
Get Tickets
Tickets are $5 and available at the gates of the event complex or at their off-site location inside Marty’s Family Restaurant.
Spend a Weekend in Rock Springs & Green River
Extend your trip with a weekend of Western culture and outdoor adventures. Take a picturesque drive on the Pilot Butte Wild Horse Scenic Loop. Experience the thriving and wild spirit of the West as you watch wild horses gallop across Wyoming’s high-desert landscape. Looking to cool off? Bring your boat — or rent one — for swimming, fishing and paddling on the rushing waters of the Green River or the tranquil Flaming Gorge Reservoir.
Opt out of planning and choose a guided scenic bus tour. Lunch is included along with spectacular views of gravity-defying rock formations and a dramatic gorge filled with vast, blue waters. Or turn your visit into a camping trip for dazzling nights under southwest Wyoming’s star-filled skies.
Check out southwest Wyoming’s full calendar of events or see what’s happening at the Sweetwater Events Complex.