The Great Florida Cattle Drive Gathering 2027 is set for April 8–11 in Live Oak, Florida
Experience Florida’s cowboy heritage with a weekend of trail riding, camping, arena games and an optional overnight cattle drive.
The Florida Cow Culture Preservation Committee invites cowboys, cowgirls and families to the 2027 Great Florida Cattle Drive Gathering, April 8–11, 2027, at the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches in Live Oak, Florida.
In the years between the Great Florida Cattle Drives, the committee hosts gatherings to bring participants together, celebrate Florida’s ranching heritage and keep the traditions of the Florida cowboy alive.
The 2027 Gathering will offer a weekend of camping, horseback riding, wagon rides, arena games, campfires, cowboy storytelling and activities for the whole family. Whether you’ve participated in a past cattle drive or are joining us for the first time, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Experience an Overnight Mini Cattle Drive
For those wanting a little more adventure, an optional overnight mini cattle drive will begin Thursday, April 8.
Participants will check in Thursday morning, load their gear into wagons and saddle up for a 2 p.m. departure. After a day on the trail, riders will set up camp, enjoy a provided supper and spend the night under the stars, much like the Florida cow hunters of years past.
Following breakfast Friday morning, participants will continue the cattle drive before returning to the main Gathering camp around midday.
The mini cattle drive is an additional $25 per person. Riders must be at least 8 years old and able to ride independently.
A Weekend of Cowboy Fun and Fellowship
The main Gathering begins Friday, April 9, with check-in from 9 a.m. until noon. Participants can set up camp, get their horses settled and prepare for a weekend of activities.
Friday afternoon kicks off with arena activities beginning at 2 p.m. That evening, everyone is invited to gather around the campfire, bring their own vittles to cook and enjoy cowboy storytelling and poetry.
Saturday will be filled with activities celebrating the skills and traditions of Florida’s working cowboys. Planned activities include trail rides, wagon rides, cattle sorting, ranch roping, branding activities, arena games and cowboy crafts for the kids. Beef education and demonstrations will also give participants an opportunity to learn more about Florida’s cattle industry.
Saturday supper will be provided, followed by an evening of arena games, friendly competition and plenty of laughs.
Sunday morning will include a cowboy church service, trail riding, wagon rides and arena activities before participants break camp and head home by 1 p.m.
2027 Great Florida Cattle Drive Gathering Registration Fees
The Gathering is designed to be an affordable weekend for individuals and families who want to experience Florida’s cowboy traditions.
| Registration | Cost |
|---|---|
| Adults | $100 per person |
| Children 12 and under | $50 per child |
| Family maximum | $300 for 2 adults and any number of children 12 and under |
| Electrical hookup | $45 per night |
| Optional overnight mini cattle drive | Additional $25 per person |
Horse and Camping Information
Participants are welcome to camp with their horses throughout the weekend. No horse stalls will be available, so participants should plan to tie out, hobble or use a picket line for their horses.
Electrical hookups are available for an additional nightly fee. Concessions will be available on-site, and select meals will be provided during the weekend.
Keeping Florida’s Cowboy Heritage Alive
The Great Florida Cattle Drive and its gatherings are about more than riding horses and moving cattle. They’re about preserving a way of life that helped shape Florida, passing along traditions to the next generation and bringing people together who share a love for the state’s cattle industry and cowboy history.
From the sound of hooves on the trail to stories shared around the campfire, the Gathering offers a chance to experience a little of the life Florida’s cow hunters knew generations ago.
Mark your calendars for April 8–11, 2027, and make plans to join us in Live Oak, Florida. Bring your horse, bring your family and come be part of keeping Florida’s cowboy heritage alive!
The schedule and activities are subject to change as plans are finalized.
Tags: arena games, campfire, camping, cattle drive, trail riding
