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The unique Kutztown Folk Festival has been wowing visitors since 1950. · The National Cowboy Poetry Gathering is jam-packed with programs for all ages and one-of ...
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The week-long, multi-generational cultural festival in Elko, Nevada, celebrates the unique art form of cowboy poetry and the music, creative art, and dance of the rural West’s cowboy country. The 40th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering is jam-packed with programs for all ages and one-of-a-kind experiences highlighting the region’s cultural expression. <anchor>Start planning your group trip</anchor> today for the upcoming January 2025 event.
Plan Your Trip — National Cowboy Poetry Gathering
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# National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

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# National Cowboy Poetry Gathering    National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

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# Plan Your Trip

# Plan Your Trip

### Travel and lodging in Elko Town!    Plus, the food to sustain you at the Gathering.

## How to get to Elko

You’ll find Elko in Nevada’s northeast corner, smack dab in the Great Basin at the foot of the Ruby Mountains on the swells of the sagebrush sea.



### By Car

Elko is on Interstate 80 (between Salt Lake City, UT, and Reno, NV). At 5,060 feet elevation, winter weather varies. Check the weather and road conditions before you travel.

### By Plane

SkyWest Airlines (a Delta affiliate) offers connecting flights from Salt Lake City (SLC) to Elko (EKO). Flying fancy? Charter a helicopter through El Aero Services.

### By Train

Take Amtrak’s scenic California Zephyr route, which stops briefly at the Elko station (an unmanned platform on the banks of the Humboldt River).

### By Bus

Salt Lake Express offers transportation to and from Elko from multiple cities.

### How to get around Elko

Rental car service in Elko is provided by Enterprise (775-738-2899 or 800-593-0505), Hertz (775-738-3147), and Avis (775-738-4426).

Once you’re here, our accommodating shuttle drivers will also ferry you between the main Gathering venues on a free WFC-provided shuttle that runs Wednesday through Saturday. Unfortunately, shuttle vans are not equipped with wheelchair lifts.

## Where to stay in Elko

Elko has plenty of hotels in every price range and RV parks for your own home away from home. We suggest booking ahead to get one that fits your budget and needs.



### Hotels that offered special Gathering deals in the past:*

Thunderbird Motel Book online or call the local front desk at 775-738-7115.

For rates, call the local front desk directly at 775-738-2111.

### 2025 hotel deals coming soon!

* Subject to availability. Some offers may be time limited.

## What to eat at the Gathering

Prime eats abound in Elko, with options for every taste and budget. We also have food vendors and trucks on site to feed your Gathering energy at the Gathering venues.



### Food Vendors

Voted Best Coffee Shop in Elko, their signature coffee blend is made with beans roasted in-house. They also have hot chocolate, baked goods, and other snacks. Tea drinker pro tip: try the Orange Dreamsicle (it's a WFC staff favorite)!

Atrium, Convention Center

Thu, Feb. 1 | 8am-3pm

Fri, Feb. 2  | 8am-3pm

Sat, Feb. 3 | 8am-3pm

Serving warm sandwiches and mouthwatering platters, including falafel, shish kebab made with fresh Angus beef, and shawarma made with fresh petite sirloin or lamb. Desserts are available.

Sage Lounge, Convention Center

Thu, Feb. 1 | 9am-6pm

Fri, Feb. 2  | 9am-8pm

Sat, Feb. 3 | 9am-3:30pm

Specializing in Basque food. Try their hot sandwiches, including Ogi’s famous solomo and tri-tip beef, homemade baked beans, chili, pastries, muffins, cookies, and brownies.

Lobby, Convention Center

Thu-Sat, Feb. 1-3 | 9am-5pm

### Food Truck Alley

between Convention and Conference Center

Delicious gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, homemade soup, and handcrafted sweet treats! Stop by to warm your belly with some cowboy bean soup or satisfy your sweet tooth with some huckleberry ice cream.

Thu-Fri, Feb. 1-2 | 10am-6pm

A new addition to the food lineup. If you haven’t had Indian tacos before…well…you can thank us later!

Mon-Wed, Jan. 29-31 | 11am-3pm

Thu-Sat, Feb. 1-3 | 11am-5pm

Bringing you comforting pub-style food, an award-winning burger, and six flavors of lemonade. Up late last night? Good news! This truck serves breakfast all day!

Mon-Wed, Jan. 29-31 | 9am-2pm

Thu-Sat, Feb. 1-3 | 10am-5pm

### Drinks

Fill your belly at the food vendors, then warm your veins with a tipple from the Pioneer Saloon (Western Folklife Center) or the Whoa Back Saloon (Convention Center).

Saloon proceeds support the Western Folklife Center.

### Find more tips to plan your activities in the FAQs.

Western Folklife Center • 501 Railroad Street

Elko Nevada 89801 • 775-738-7508 • Fax: 775-738-2900 Copyright 2022 Western Folklife Center  RSS Site Map All rights reserved. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.