National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

About the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

It all began as a time and place where western ranchers and cowboys could gather to share poems about their lives working cattle. Three decades later, the Gathering encompasses western poets, musicians, artisans, and storytellers, sharing their creativity across the country, telling their stories of hard work, heartbreak, and hilarity, and what it means to make your way in the rangeland West. The American Wests ever-changing landscapes, communities, flora, and fauna have long inspired exploration, reflection, and creative expression. We will be inviting western poets, songwriters, artists, artisans, and land stewards to bring new and old stories to light as they endeavor to create a West that hosts healthy and hospitable landscapes and agriculture-based communities. More details will be available soon.

In the meantime, consider joining the Western Folklife Center as a member. This allows you early access to purchase Gathering tickets, plus access to 2022 Wild Ride specials, videos of our virtual 2021 event, and full shows from the 2020 Gathering.