Houston Rodeo Trail Riders return to Memorial Park
Thursday, Feb. 24 to Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022
After a two-year hiatus, the Houston Rodeo Trail Riders are galloping through Memorial Park once again on their historic route to Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. The Trail Rider groups will be arriving and camping through the weekend. Expect traffic delays on Memorial Drive and limited Park access.
During this time, Picnic Loop, the Commuter Trail, the Running Trails Center building and lot, the Living Bridge, and W. Memorial Loop Drive will be closed to accommodate the Trail Riders. Please see map below for Park access details.
The group will head out from Memorial Park the afternoon of Sunday Feb. 27, after which Park areas will reopen to the general public.
Quick Facts:
- Riders begin arriving on Thursday, February 24 along Memorial Drive. Memorial Drive will remain open. Expect traffic delays throughout the weekend.
- The following Park areas will be closed from Thursday, Feb. 24 to mid-afternoon on Sunday, Feb. 27 to accommodate Trail Rider groups:
- Picnic Loop
- the Commuter Trail from Picnic Loop to the Running Trails Center
- the Running Trails Center building and Parking Lot
- the Living Bridge
- West Memorial Loop
- Even though the Running Trails Center will be closed to the public, the Visitor Services team will still be available by phone at 713.863.8403 and by email at comments@memorialparkconservancy.org to assist with any questions.
2022 marks 70 years of Houston Rodeo Trail Rider History
The Houston Trail Riders tradition began in 1952 when riders traveled from Brenham to Houston to promote the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Now, there are 11 Trail Ride groups that come from across Texas and converge in Houston to celebrate and commemorate Texas history.
All 11 groups meet along the historic trail route in Memorial Park to camp and wait for every rider to arrive. Then, the groups ride together in one processional parade to the rodeo fairgrounds.
Find out more on the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Trail Riders page.