Destinations & Events Archives

RVing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Post author:Danielle Taylor
Post published:June 17, 2020
Post category:Destinations & Events

Indy 500 Indianapolis Motor Speedway — Susan M Dunn / CC BY-SA

Want to see the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing”? The Indy 500 was pushed back from its normal Memorial Day weekend schedule this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it will roar back to life on August 23, and you can get right in the middle of the action with an RV vacation. Don’t want to wait that long? Spend your Fourth of July RVing at the GMR Grand Prix race, held July 3-4.

RVing is a great way to experience a weekend at the “The Brickyard” — if you get a spot onsite, you can set up your home away from home right next to the speedway and walk to all the events. If you choose to camp offsite, you can wake up in a beautiful natural setting, spend the day at the track and return home to the respite of your campsite for an evening under the stars.

Reserve Your Site

Several of the parking lots around the track open up for RV camping on race weekends, and it’s not too late to snag your spot. Some offer electric services while others offer dry camping only, so make sure to read the details to ensure you get the best site for your needs. Pumping and water delivery services are available as well as showers, ice and firewood sales.

Indy 500 Indianapolis Motor Speedway Camping Map — Indy 500 Camping Map – Click for PDF

If you prefer an offsite camping location, you can find several great options within a few miles. Raceview Family Campground is found directly across from Lucas Oil Raceway just seven miles from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and it creates a race-friendly atmosphere with full hookups and all the amenities for its campers. A few miles south, Lake Haven Retreat offers full hookups and everything you need next to a 22-acre lake stocked with fish.

On the east side of Indianapolis, the Indianapolis KOA Campground provides the family-friendly atmosphere you know and love from this national chain. Enjoy the onsite water park, dog park, pool and playground, and bring some apples and carrots to feed the owner’s friendly horses. Check the Indiana campground roster for more options — you’ll want to look at Marion, Hendricks, Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Shelby, Johnson and Morgan Counties for places to stay within half an hour or so of the track.

Reserve Your RV

We currently have seventeen units in our fleet at Williamson Auto & RV, LLC, with Class A, Class C and trailer units available for you to rent. The larger RVs we have can sleep up to nine people, so you’ll find great options no matter the size of your group. Keep in mind your plans for getting around Indianapolis as you make your reservation. You can tow a travel trailer to a campground and then unhitch it so you can drive untethered to the track, or you could tow your car behind one of our drivable units. If you’re planning on going straight to the track and not leaving until you head home, you don’t even need a separate vehicle.

In any case, RVs go fast for Indy weekends, so you’ll want to make your reservation early. Contact us to discuss your needs and we’ll set you up with a great unit perfect for your getaway. We’re located in Scipio, Indiana, about 65 miles southwest of Indianapolis Motor Speedway in a convenient halfway point from Louisville, Lexington and Cincinnati.

After you’ve got your accommodations lined up, pack your sunglasses and sunscreen! The Indy 500 and GMR Grand Prix races are truly unforgettable experiences, and we look forward to helping you and your loved ones pack these weekends with enduring memories.

RVing and the Kentucky Derby

Post author:Danielle Taylor
Post published:May 5, 2020
Post category:Destinations & Events

The Kentucky Derby is considered “The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports,” and if witnessing it live is on your bucket list, you might consider making your trip to Churchill Downs an RV adventure. Normally held on the first Saturday in May, the Derby has been moved to September 5 this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so you still have time to plan your trip for 2020.

Reserve Your Site at the Kentucky Derby

After you get your tickets to the event, you’ll want to reserve a spot close to the action. Your closest option is Derby Park Campground & RV Park, just a few blocks away from Churchill Downs. In addition to partial hookups, the park offers a homestyle breakfast to its guests on Derby weekend. Also within walking distance, the Kentucky Expo Center opens up its parking lot during Derby weekend and offers electric hookups and basic amenities.

A few miles away, the Louisville North Campground has full hookups, tent sites and camping cabins plus onsite amenities like a game room and playground for the kids. A little further north, Add-More Campground in Clarksville has 35 acres of shade trees plus a fishing pond as well as full hookups. On the south side of town, the Louisville South KOA Campground features all the familiar amenities of this national chain as well trails leading to a historic Native American cave dwelling.

If you prefer the surroundings of a park, Charlestown State Park is about half an hour away on the Indiana side of the river. It features full and electric-only hookups plus opportunities for hiking, fishing, picnicking and more.

There are several other RV parks available a bit further afield, but plan accordingly and leave plenty of time to get to Churchill Downs. Onsite parking needs to be reserved in advance, and taxis and rideshares will be very busy.

Reserve Your RV

We currently have sixteen units in our fleet at Williamson RV Rental LLC, ranging from a four-person, 21-foot travel trailer to a seven-person, 40-foot Class A RV, so there’s something available that will work well for your group. Keep in mind your plans for getting around town as you make your reservation. You can tow a travel trailer to a campground and then unhitch it so you can drive untethered to the track, or you could tow your car behind one of our drivable units. In any case, RVs go fast for Derby weekend, so you’ll want to make your reservation early. Contact us to discuss your needs and we’ll set you up with a great unit perfect for your getaway.

After you’ve got your accommodations plans squared away, go find your big hat! The Kentucky Derby is truly an unforgettable experience, and we look forward to helping you make a weekend full of memories with your loved ones.