What the National Championship Chuckwagon Races Are
The National Championship Chuckwagon Races are a nine-day horse, mule and wagon gathering at the Bar OF Ranch in Clinton, Arkansas. Teams race real chuckwagons around the arena, and the days around the races fill up with arena events, trail rides, camping and live concerts. The event bills itself as the world's largest chuckwagon races event and draws about 20,000 people a year. The most recent edition ran August 29 to September 6, 2026.
A Short History
Dan and Peggy Eoff of Clinton started it in 1986 as a Labor Day party for friends who brought horses and wagons. About 100 people were expected and more than 500 came to watch eight teams compete. The next year sixteen teams entered and about 1,500 people attended. By the twentieth anniversary in 2006 more than 20,000 people watched 135 teams, and recent editions have drawn close to 200 teams. In 2024 about 5,200 horses came through the gates.
How a Race Works
Each team has three members: a driver, a cook and an outrider.
- The gun firesThe cook tosses a box standing in for the cookstove into the wagon, then climbs up beside the driver.
- The outrider loadsThe outrider throws a tent into the wagon, mounts a horse and rides after the wagon.
- The finishThe outrider must pass the wagon before the finish line, and the wagon must cross it with the stove and tent aboard and the cook and driver still in it to earn a qualified time.
Races are hard to finish cleanly: outriders miss their mounts, cargo is left behind and wagons sometimes overturn. There are five chuckwagon divisions, based on the size of the animals pulling the wagon. Teams come mainly from Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Missouri.
Beyond the Chuckwagons
- The Snowy River Race, with two downhill runs and a plunge into the South Fork of the Little Red River
- A mule race and bronc fanning
- Pasture Roping, Land Rush and Buckboards
- Barrel racing, bull riding and bronc riding
- Trail rides, camping and evening concerts; the 2025 lineup included Pam Tillis, Wade Hayes and Clay Cooper
What Winners Get
Winners receive custom buckles and trophies, and "chuckwagon bucks" that can be spent with on-site vendors or participating local businesses. The event describes itself as not professional, and a 2025 report said teams pay no entry fee.
Admission
Tickets are sold at the gate only. Sunday admission for adults is $25, and children ages 6 to 12 are half price. Adult prices on other days vary by day of the week, so check the official site before you drive. Bring lawn chairs, sunscreen and a canopy for shade.
Where
Bar OF Ranch, 2848 Shake Rag Rd, Clinton, AR 72031, in Van Buren County. A Western Store is at 225 South St off Highway 65, and the Three Star Dance Hall is at 414 McKnight Ln.
Questions
Can I watch online?
Yes. Races can be watched at TheChuckwagonChannel.com, and results are posted at chuckwagonraces.com/results/.
How many people are on a team?
Three: a driver, a cook and an outrider.
Can I camp?
Yes. Camping is part of the week, and families camp together on the grounds. Camping details are in the Admission Info guide on the official site.
When was it first held?
1986.
Official Links
- National Championship Chuckwagon Races: dates, addresses, admission
- Encyclopedia of Arkansas entry: history, rules and divisions
- Clinton readies for stampede of a lifetime: 40th edition preview
- Thousands of campers saddle up for Chuck Wagon Races in Clinton: report from the grounds
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Arkansas Pecan Festival
Pecan festival on Main Street in Keo, scheduled for December 5, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Main Street, Keo, AR 72083 Official event details - Arkansas Rice Festival
Rice-themed festival in downtown Weiner, scheduled for October 9, 2027.
Weiner, AR Official event details - Arkansas Farm Bureau Annual Convention
Held each year; the most recent dates were December 3-5, 2025 (91st convention). Includes a public trade show with 180+ vendors, a farmers market, workshops and elections of state leaders.
- Four States Agricultural Expo
Annual research and best-practices expo for area growers, held at the Four States Fair and Rodeo grounds in Texarkana; the most recent date was February 12, 2026.
- Defeat the Beast Rodeo
Fourth annual two-night rodeo at Barton Coliseum in Little Rock hosted by local Arkansans; the most recent dates were March 27-28, 2026, with shows at 7 p.m.
2600 Howard St., Little Rock, AR Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.