National Cattle Trails Conference

The full conference program is now online.

Interested in attending? Get your tickets now.

We have lodging info, including a group rate.

Get ready for an unforgettable experience at the 2026 National Cattle Trails Conference in Sedalia, Missouri! Join us as we celebrate the rich history of cattle trails, with the participation of organizations like the International Chisholm Trail Association, the Western Cattle Trail Association, the Great Western Cattle Trail, the Shawnee Cattle Trail, and the Goodnight-Loving Trail.

Come to Sedalia on Thursday, Oct. 22 for a guided tour that includes the Trails End Monument on the Missouri State Fairgrounds, the Sedalia Historic District, Marshall Junction, and a longhorn ranch. That night, enjoy music from 3 Trails West and the Diamond W Wranglers, and cowboy poetry from Jeff Davidson and Ron Wilson (separate ticket required; purchase onsite).

On Friday, the conference includes a keynote address on "Jack Thorp and the First Book of Cowboy Songs," a discussion of vaqueros and the Spanish cattle history, legislative updates, Western art history, and an artist reception. On Saturday, the conference continues with sessions on the many types people who worked as drovers, "Wyatt Earp and the Cowboys: Law Enforcement in the Cow Towns of Wichita and Dodge City," "Train History, Cattle Drives, and Western Expansion," and "Engaging Younger Generations with Western Heritage," among others.

Prepare for an exciting conference with engaging speakers, insightful legislative updates, fascinating tours, delicious food, and a whole lot of fun!