The Daytona 500 is the season-opening NASCAR race that’s right up there with Talladega for its notoriety. Drivers start their engines on February 19th, 2023 for this 500-mile race that’s one of the most prestigious NASCAR events on the docket.
RVing to The Daytona 500 is the best way to roll because having an RV at the race opens the door to a new world that’s just as — if not more — fun than the race itself. RVers camp all around the track, in the infield (a grassy area inside the track), and at RV parks in the Daytona area. RVers spend their time before, during, and after the race tailgating, socializing, and soaking in the NASCAR culture. And to make it even more enticing we want to help you get out there by offering 10% off your rental. Use code DAYTONA23 at checkout!
We put this post together to get you all you need to know for an RVing trip to the Daytona 500. We’ll chat about how to find the best Daytona 500 campsites, ways to get an RV delivered to you, dry camping options near the track, and much more. Let’s fire it up.
RVing To The Daytona 500
RV camping at the Daytona 500 starts the engine of an epic adventure that you and the family won’t soon forget. RV life at the Daytona 500 is like moving into a mini-city that’s tailor-made for NASCAR fans.
Imagine endless tailgates, race reminiscing around the campfire, and family cookouts — these are a few of the things you’ll experience if you RV to The Daytona 500. And — despite a sometimes wild reputation — Daytona and its namesake race are generally family-friendly environments.
Even if you don’t have tickets to the race itself, RVing to The Daytona 500 is still an epic event. That’s because the city and areas outside the track transform into massive fan zones where drivers meet fans, cool gear is shown off, and the latest race cars are paraded about.
Daytona is truly unforgettable during race weekend and RVing will help you soak it in however you’d like.
How To Find The Best Daytona 500 Campsites
The beautiful thing about Daytona 500 camping is that there are a plethora of RV sites offered by the track itself. This means you can post up within walking distance of all the action and even get RV power and water hookups at some of the sites.
The crème de la crème RV spots at Daytona are those in The Infield. The Infield is a section that’s right in the middle of the track. That means you can camp with fellow NASCAR fans as racers loop all around you. Infield camping at Daytona is also affordable — with prices starting at $325 for 7 days of dry camping.
If you’d rather enjoy the action by day and calmer environments by night, the Daytona area features an array of wonderful RV sites that cater to every taste:
Prefer RV camping on the beach? A place like Coral Sands RV Resort puts your RV right on the water and close to the track.
Forest camping more your jam? The Ocala National Forest is a sprawling wilderness at Daytona’s doorstep.
Is city camping where it’s at for you? The Endless Summer Campground will put you right in the thick of the Daytona Strip.
No matter your camping style, Daytona and The 500 have something for you.
Boondocking Near The Daytona 500
When RV parks near the Daytona 500 are full, boondocking — aka dry camping — will open a wide landscape for camping in your RV. As long as your camper is equipped with the right equipment for boondocking, you should have a variety of options for making camp near the race.
For example, the Tiger Bay State Forest is just 7 miles west of Daytona and offers water activities, dry camping, and nature viewing within a stone’s throw from the track.
Or you could go a bit further out to places like the Lake George Conservation Area for rustic RVing that’s close to epic fishing and boating activities while still being near the race action.
Sites like Harvest Hosts also offer an array of Daytona-area dry campsites at places like wineries, breweries, farms, museums, and more.
The bottom line is that if you’re willing to do a bit of driving, are equipped to camp without hookups, and know how to find boondocking campsites, you’ll be able to find dry camping near The Daytona 500.
How To Have An RV Delivered To The Daytona 500
We’ve talked about taking an RV to The Daytona 500, but what if you’d rather just show up to a plugged-in, stocked-up, and ready-to-rock RV?
We at Outdoorsy love helping with that 🙂 Simply jump to outdoorsy.com and search for delivery-ready rigs in the Daytona area to take your pick. Most of our owners also offer add-on options to set up the rig for you when they drop it off.
And if you score an RV site at the track, the crew at Daytona International Speedway makes it very easy to have your RV delivered right to your site. Simply reserve your trackside RV site here and call the track at 1-800-PITSHOP to let them know the name of the Outdoorsy owner who’s delivering your rig for you.
The RV owners on our platform all set their own rates and terms for delivery — be sure to check those out so you understand any mileage charges, setup inclusions, and other important details for a seamless arrival.
What Are The Best Types of RV For The Daytona 500?
The best type of RV for The Daytona 500 depends on the experience you want to have. Here are some great options to consider:
Fifth-wheel campers delivered to you — Fifth-wheel campers are those campers on the road where a part of the camper (usually the bedroom area) goes up and over a pickup truck bed. These are perfect chariots for the Daytona 500 because they offer some epic tailgating features — like outdoor kitchens and back porches.
Fifth-wheels are family-friendly trailers that make excellent use of space — often sleeping up to 10 people. Some of them even have a toy hauler section — a garage for small-engine vehicles that can sometimes double as a back deck.
Fifth-wheel campers usually need to be towed by larger trucks, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! We have many of these trailers that can be affordably delivered wherever you need them — all you have to do is show up.
Here are some fifth-wheel campers offering delivery to The Daytona 500:
- This toy hauler fifth-wheel in Orlando can be delivered straight to the Daytona International Speedway. It features a spacious rear area with bunk beds for the kids and a large door that drops down to create a back deck.
- This ulta-lux rig has a big outdoor kitchen so you can cook for the crew while enjoying Florida’s sunny skies.
Deliverable Class A motorhomes – Class A motorhomes are large motorhomes that are often built on large bus-like frames. While these rigs offer luxury amenities and plenty of space, they can be intimidating if you’ve never driven one before.
That’s why many Class A owners on our platform offer delivery. Here are some examples: - This spacious Class A features an outdoor TV so you can keep the race rolling no matter where you are.
- If you want a once-in-a-lifetime experience, this movie star-style rig can be rented with a driver so you can be chauffeured around the Daytona area in supreme luxury.
Family-friendly Class Cs — Class C rigs are larger than Class Bs (campervans) but still nimble enough to get around if you choose a smaller length. Class C rigs also tend to have more amenities than Class B’s and can often sleep up to 6.Class Cs can also feature a bunk area that goes over the cab, offering great sleeping space for the kiddos.
- This easy-to-drive (yet spacious) rig can be navigated to the speedway by just about anyone of driving age.
- This haus on wheels sleeps up to 10 and offers an array of amenities to get you rocking for race weekend.
Easy to tow trailers — Trailers like pop-ups can be towed by everyday vehicles and provide ample accommodations for the Daytona 500.
Check out these examples near the track: - This A-Frame pop-up offers AC, comfy sleeping quarters, and a kitchenette area.
- This glamping pop-up is easily towed and features a fun style.
What To Pack For Daytona 500 RVing
When it comes to RV camping at The 500, there are a handful of must-pack items that’ll make for an unforgettable experience. If you’re renting an RV, these amenities are often provided or offered as add-ons. Here’s a non-exhaustive list of race-enhancing items:
- S’more fixins
- A way to cook outside (e.g. grill, outdoor RV kitchen, etc.)
- Camping chairs
- Shirts repping your favorite driver(s)
- Lighters
- Firewood
- A canopy tent
- Folding tables
- Bicycles
- Recyclable cutlery and plates
RVing to the Daytona 500 is the way that racing was meant to be enjoyed. Whether you rent an RV or bring your own — you’ll benefit from a wide variety of campsites, a super fun crowd, and an exciting event all in one package. Oh, and then there’s the beaches…Daytona puts you right by some of Florida’s best beaches where you can camp right on the water.
What are you waiting for? Check out our RVs for rent and start your engine for an unforgettable trip to the Daytona 500.
