How to Find and Navigate Cowboys Training Camp
The Dallas Cowboys open camp every year around late July, and if you've never been before, the logistics are kind of a mess. I went to my first camp back in 2018 and spent forty minutes just trying to figure out where the front gates actually were. The experience has improved since then, but it still requires some planning if you want to actually see anything instead of just standing in the sun. The main facility is the C.T. Beachy Athletics Complex at the University of Texas at Arlington, located at 601 S Davis Street, Arlington, TX 76019. That's the address you need for GPS and for any tickets or passes you'll request through the Cowboys' official website. It sits on the UT Arlington campus, just off I-20 near the O.J. Simpson exit. I'll be honest though — I once drove to a different address that some random forum post was swearing by, ended up at some random stadium entrance that had nothing to do with training camp, and had to circle back. The internet is full of outdated links and wrong addresses because camp details change slightly year to year. Always verify from the official Dallas Cowboys site before you go. They occasionally shift the public entrance depending on security setups or weather contingencies.
What to Expect on the Ground
Training camp runs for about two to three weeks. Practices are usually split across morning and afternoon sessions, with the afternoon sessions being the ones open to the public. Morning sessions are often reserved for organization and media. You can sign up for free passes online, but they fill up fast — usually within hours of opening. I learned this the hard way when I tried to show up day-of back in 2019 and got turned away at the gate. There was a line of about sixty people who had also made the same mistake. The passes are free but you do need a valid photo ID and the seat assignments are somewhat arbitrary. You're not getting a great view from most sections. The best spots tend to be near the practice fields along Davis Street, and those are often restricted to media or VIP holders. What most regular ticket holders actually get is bleacher seating a decent distance from the action. It's fine for the atmosphere but don't expect to see individual footwork or play calls clearly.
Parking and Logistics
Parking on campus costs around fifteen to twenty dollars if memory serves, and it fills up by early afternoon. The lot nearest the complex is the one everyone heads for, and it's usually packed by 1 PM. I started showing up at noon and still walked a quarter mile from the far end of the lot. If you want to minimize that walk, aim for the secondary lots near the College Park area and take the shuttle, which runs regularly during camp. One thing nobody tells you about camping in Arlington is the heat. We're talking ninety-five degrees and humidity that makes your shirt stick to the bleachers within twenty minutes. I ended up with a mild heat exhaustion at my first camp because I wore a hoodie and didn't bring water. Bring water. There are concession stands but the lines are long and the prices are inflated. I've seen people sell full bottles for eight bucks right outside the gate, which feels predatory but honestly, nobody's stopping them.
Get the Full Details

Tickets and Passes
You register for passes through the Cowboys website, usually around mid-July each year. The registration window opens once and closes within hours for the prime time slots. I've watched people burn through three computers and five browsers just trying to snag a Thursday afternoon slot. If you're not registered on time, you can still walk in but you're at the mercy of whatever seats haven't been assigned, which tends to be the very back rows. There's also a separate process for media credentials if you're trying to get press access. That requires proof of press affiliation and goes through a different department entirely. I tried this once when I was freelancing for a small outlet and got bounced by the security desk within ten minutes because my press pass was from a defunct blog. Don't bother unless you have current credentials from an active publication.
A Few Things Nobody Warns You About
The practice schedule is fluid. Coaches change it based on injuries, weather, or game-planning needs, and the public often doesn't find out until the last minute. I showed up one afternoon expecting a full two-hour session and walked in on a forty-five-minute walkthrough because Dak had a slight tweak and they wanted to limit his reps. It happens every year. Check the Cowboys app or Twitter the morning of before you drive out. Also, the cameras are everywhere. They're not aggressive about it but there are officials watching for recording devices during certain portions of practice, especially when they're running scripted plays. Just don't pull out your phone and start filming the huddle and you'll be fine. I saw someone get a stern warning and put their phone away after the second time they pointed it toward the coaches' area. If you're going with kids, bring folding chairs. The bleachers are concrete and unforgiving after the first hour. I bought a cheap camping chair on Amazon before my second camp and it made a real difference. The whole experience takes about three to four hours if you factor in parking, walking, and the practice itself. Plan around that and you won't waste the day.
The one edge case worth mentioning: if you have mobility issues, request accommodations through the official accessibility line well before camp starts. The campus is large and the walking distances are real. I helped a friend navigate this last year and the process worked but only because we started the call two weeks in advance. Waiting until the last minute got us transferred between three different departments before anyone could help.
