Camel Racing In Virginia City, Nevada – Is A Real Thing!

Camel racing in Virgina City, Nevada

After a newspaper misprint 63 years ago, camels, zebras and ostriches arrived in Virginia City, Nevada, to race. In the second week of September, onlookers can be transported back in time to experience the same spectacle.

The races take place this year from September 9-11 just 25 minutes away from Reno, Nevada.

Virginia City is best known as a mining town and was made famous by the iconic Western television series Bonanza. The first camel race came to the city in 1959 after the Territorial Enterprise printed a fictitious story. Their rival newspaper, the San Francisco Chronicle, picked it up and reprinted it. The Chronicle sent animals, including a camel borrowed from the San Francisco Zoo to Virginia City the next year after being unhappy about printing a mistruth the year prior.

This year, “Hot Camel Nights” features an evening race on Friday night. Races and shows will continue the following two days. Reserve tickets for September’s races now!

General Admission – $20
Premium Shaded Seating – $30
Kids (3-12)/Seniors General Admission – $13
VIP Bleacher Seating – $55 (includes tent and dinner)
VIP Reserved Front Row Table for 6 – $400
VIP Reserved Interior Table for 6 – $365
Upper Arena Reserved Parking Pass – $25