Tanbark Trail attempts to simulate the exciting world of Holstein show ring competition. The object of the game is to win ribbons and trophies which at the end of the game are converted to points. The player with the most points wins.
At the start of the game, a set number of cattle are auctioned off to the players. During the game, players may purchase more cattle from the sales barn, sell animals back to the sales barn, or trade or purchase from each other.
There are also random event cards drawn during the game that operate much like "Chance" or "Community Chest" cards in Monopoly.
Players move around a board depicting a fairgrounds, at the center of which is the show ring. Any time a player moves his token into the show ring, a competition begins. At this point players must pay an entry fee for each animal they wish to enter in each show class. First, second, and third-place winners are determined by combining die rolls with stats on that animal's card.
The first three rounds of show competition are considered to be State competitions, and the fourth a National competition. After the fourth round, all award ribbons are converted to points, and the winner is determined.