Kiowa brings together a rodeo at the Elbert County Fairgrounds, a museum in a former school building, and a rural setting with vast grazing lands. These offer three distinct reasons to visit: an event program, the history of a landmark building, and open countryside. When planning your trip, schedule your museum visit around its summer hours and check event dates.
Rodeo and Events
The rodeo organized by Cowboy Up In Kiowa takes place at the Elbert County Fairgrounds and is sanctioned by the Colorado Professional Rodeo Association. The program includes Bull Riding, Bareback Riding, Steer Wrestling, Saddle Bronc, Mixed Team Roping, and Ladies Barrel Racing. Mutton Bustin' and Boot Scramble round out the events. This combination makes the rodeo a distinct reason to travel; check the event date if you plan to attend.
The museum grounds also host the annual Pioneer Fourth Celebration. It includes an open house at the museum, live music, and family activities. The celebration offers a different focus from a visit centered on the exhibits: the open museum day is accompanied by its own event program.
School Building and Local History
The Elbert County Museum is located at 515 Comanche Street on Highway 86 in Kiowa. The regular summer schedule for 2026 calls for opening hours from Thursday through Sunday, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Check the museum hours before your trip.
The museum is housed in a building originally constructed as Kiowa High School. It features Spanish Colonial architecture, with stucco, ornamental brickwork, and tile, as well as arched windows and doors. The Main Street exhibit evokes a typical small prairie town around the turn of the 20th century. The museum thus brings together two perspectives: the school building itself and its architectural features, and a Main Street from an earlier era.
The Smoky Hill Trail represents a far-reaching historic route. It was a wagon road opened specifically for the 1859 Colorado Gold Rush. Stretching more than 600 miles, it ran from several locations in Kansas and Missouri on the Missouri River to Denver. Unlike the Main Street exhibit, the focus here is not a single image of a small prairie town, but a far-reaching route and its connection to the Gold Rush.
Rural Landscapes in Elbert County
Kiowa's rural landscape is characterized by expansive grazing lands and split-rail fences along the roads. On clear days, the foothills of the Rocky Mountains can be seen west of Kiowa; the mountain views therefore depend on visibility. Alongside architectural and local history, the landscape and views offer distinct reasons to visit.
In the wider Elbert County area, State Highway 86 is designated as the Plains-to-Pines Scenic Corridor. The designation was announced on March 3, 2026.
Discover more destinations: Agate.
For the broader travel overview: Elbert County.
