Summer may be almost over — but for college football fans, the year is just beginning. As hot summer days slip away, the kids are getting ready to play ball, which means it’s your time to be getting ready for a once-in-a-lifetime college football road trip to go see them.
RVing can turn a college football game into a full, weekend-long experience. And traveling by RV makes it easier and more comfortable to string several games together in a college football road trip that could last weeks at a time, depending on your lifestyle. With a full kitchen on board and a TV, you won’t miss a single game, whether it’s in person or kicked back in your cozy living room.
Below, we’ve sketched out some of the best stadiums to stop at on a college RV road trip — and, as usual, the tips and tricks it takes to do a trip like this right.
Best SEC College Football RV Road Trips
The Southeastern Conference is known for its huge stadiums, fierce games, and, most of all, frenetic community spirit. A road trip to any (or all) of the stadiums below is a surefire way to get in the game, not to mention seeing some games you’ll never forget.
University of Tennessee: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville
Did you know that Neyland Stadium is the sixth-largest college football venue in the entire country? Set right on the Tennessee River, this is where you’ll want to go to get lost in an enormous crowd, hear thundering renditions of “Rocky Top,” and watch the Vol Navy “sailgate” on their boats.
RV Considerations:
We’ll be honest: This is a tricky one. For 2026, on-campus RV parking requires a permit and is limited to eligible season-ticket holders and Tennessee Fund donors. There’s no general-public RV parking on UT campus. We recommend hitting a private campground in the area, like Southlake RV Park, and shuttling in for game day. (And, of course, booking as soon as possible, because lots of other people will have a similar idea!)
While You’re In Town:
Explore downtown Knoxville and Market Square, or walk the Tennessee River waterfront and greenways. And, of course, you’re right in the backyard of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
University of Georgia: Sanford Stadium, Athens
No crowd shows up quite like a Georgia crowd does. On game days, the campus surrounding 93,033-seat Sanford Stadium fills with red-and-black themed tailgating parties, while the restaurants, bars and live-music scene of downtown Athens are just a short walk away. This one is an especially good RV destination if you want the weekend to offer plenty beyond football.
RV Considerations:
The Classic Center in downtown Athens offers reservable game-day RV parking about a 10-minute walk from Sanford Stadium — though space is strictly limited and you’ll want to contact The Classic Center Parking Department directly to arrange it. (Their email address is [email protected].) Amenities include access to indoor restrooms, and, of course, the short walk to everything else downtown Athens has to offer.
While You’re In Town:
You might not know it, but downtown Athens’ hopping music scene birthed both R.E.M. and the B-52s. In other words, it’s well worth visiting the bars where the newest up-and-coming acts are performing, and we also recommend a stroll through the State Botanical Garden of Georgia.
Louisiana State University: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge
You’ve probably heard of LSU’s Tiger Stadium, which is also known (affectionately?) as “Death Valley,” thanks both to the deafening sound of the crowds that gather there and their less-than-affectionate reception of visiting teams. In Baton Rouge, they mean business, which is why this stadium offers a truly singular college football tailgating experience.
RV Considerations:
A very cool thing about planning an RV trip to this version of Death Valley: LSU is extremely RV-friendly, more so than many other similar college arenas. Reserved motorhome areas include several season lots, plus Lot 413 for single-game RV parking. Lot 413 opens Thursday morning before games, and quiet hours apply after 12 a.m. on Friday and 2 a.m. on Sunday; permits are required.
While You’re In Town:
Visit Louisiana’s distinctive 34-story State Capitol building (the tallest in the U.S.!) and its observation deck, or explore downtown Baton Rouge and the Mississippi Riverfront.
University of Alabama: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa
Being in Tuscaloosa on an Alabama home weekend is like walking into the heart of football itself. The Quad will be packed with tailgating tents, many including big-screen TVs and barbecue grills, and many of which will be set up by 7:30 a.m. on game day. (Yes, you read that right.) Plus, the menu du jour is almost always filled with Southern style favorites like brisket and mac and cheese. Who could ask for more?
RV Considerations:
Alabama offers designated on-campus RV lots, with single-game passes scheduled for sale for the 2026 season. (Email [email protected] for more information.) RVs can enter beginning at 6 p.m. Friday before the game. Importantly, the campus lots have no hookups, so rigs must be self-contained. Parking passes include shuttle service to the Quad.
While You’re In Town:
Walk or bike the Black Warrior Riverwalk, explore downtown Tuscaloosa, or visit the Tuscaloosa Civil Rights Trail. Serious Tide fans will want to add the Paul W. Bryant Museum to their list.
Best Big Ten College Football RV Road Trips
Massive historic rivalries, old-school stadiums, powerhouse programs… If you’re looking for the serious epicenter of football, you’re looking to experience a Big Ten game. Here are our top picks.
Penn State: Beaver Stadium, University Park
Penn State game days essentially take over Happy Valley, with huge fields of tailgaters surrounding Beaver Stadium and more than 100,000 fans packing the stands. The famous White Out games are the bucket-list version: virtually the entire stadium dresses in white, creating one of the most recognizable (and Instagrammable) vibes in all of college football.
RV Considerations:
Football-weekend RV parking near Beaver Stadium is specially managed by Penn State Athletics and must be purchased in advance — and, unfortunately, no overnight RV parking is permitted. So you could enjoy an RV tailgating party near the heart of the action and then decamp to a nearby private RV park, like Blue White RV. (Yep, it’s name for the school’s colors!)
While You’re In Town:
State College is surrounded by stunning natural environments to explore, including Bald Eagle State Forest, Rothrock State Forest and multiple State Game Lands. You’ll also likely want to grab a cup to go at Penn State’s Berkey Creamery.
Michigan: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor
It’s called The Big House, and for good reason: Michigan Stadium seats 107,601 screaming fans, and yes, it’s the largest stadium in the U.S. (including both college and NFL stadiums). The tailgating parties are… everywhere, including spread across local golf courses, and the dulcet tones of “Mr. Brightside” are sure to reverberate out over the field. In short, it’s an experience any serious football fan will not want to miss.
RV Considerations:
While a game at this stadium is a must-see, RV camping can be a bit of a challenge. Pioneer High School no longer allows RV parking; the Brown Lot permits RVs on game day as capacity allows, but no overnight parking is permitted, and vehicles must leave shortly after the game. The Detroit / Ann Arbor KOA Holiday makes for a good weekend home base, but book early.
While You’re In Town:
You can easily while away non-game time exploring walkable downtown Ann Arbor, the University of Michigan campus (especially the Nichols Arboretum), and the city’s excellent restaurants, breweries and bookstores.
Ohio State: Ohio Stadium, Columbus
Known as The Horseshoe (which any from-above image will explain), Ohio Stadium is the setting of many Big Ten spectacles. For example, the Skull Session pep rally offers a free pre-game extravaganza as you watch and listen to the final musical rehearsal right across the street at St. John Arena, blossoming into the tradition of “Script Ohio” during the games themselves.
RV Considerations:
On-campus RV camping is possible, but takes some footwork: Passes are not sold on game day, and must be purchased in advance. Season RV parking is reserved for season-ticket holders, while designated game-day RV spaces are sold game by game.
While You’re In Town:
As urban as Columbus is — and we do recommend saving some time to explore its Short North Arts District and North Market — it’s surrounded on all sides by gorgeous midwestern countryside. It’s certainly worth the hour-long drive to Hocking Hills State Park, which will make you feel like you’ve arrived in a much more exotic destination than Ohio.
Wisconsin: Camp Randall Stadium, Madison
In Madison, the city itself is half the attraction, precisely because everyone’s on board on game day. Pregame festivities spill onto nearby Regent Street before nearly 80,000 fans pack Camp Randall. Then, between the third and fourth quarters, everyone jumps to House of Pain’s “Jump Around.” And they really mean it: this portion of the festivities has been known to register on local seismographs. (Seriously.)
RV Considerations:
Parking immediately around Camp Randall is constrained, and regular single-game parking is generally sold first-come, first-served on game day in designated lots. For RVers, your best bet is to choose a local campground as your headquarters, like the 50-amp hookup sites at Capital Springs State Recreation Area. Bonus: You’ll get some gorgeous nature time alongside your fighting football spirit.
While You’re In Town:
Olbrich Botanical Gardens is world-famous for a reason, and you can’t go wrong with a stroll along Lake Mendota (plenty of trails crisscross Lakeshore Nature Preserve). Just a bit further afield, even more dramatic landscapes await, including Lake Kegonsa State Park.
Notre Dame RV Football Road Trip
Notre Dame stands alone — literally. With a unique independent status among the various conferences, a trip to see the Fighting Irish is sure to stand out in your memory. The stadium holds roughly 80,000 fans, but the game-day experience is a comprehensive one spreading all across campus and town. Join the throngs of visitors wandering past the Golden Dome, Basilica, Grotto and “Touchdown Jesus” (aka the World of Life Mural). You can also tune into the bagpipe band and gander at the team’s pregame walk.
RV Considerations:
Although Notre Dame does offer game-day parking, overnight parking or camping is prohibited, and lot space is limited and goes fast. The best option for most RVers is going to be to camp elsewhere and drive in. A couple of good drivable options include Shamrock Hills RV Park to the south and Elkhart RV Resort to the northeast.
While You’re In Town:
Downtown South Bend has a lot to offer, from a visit to the Studebaker National Museum to a walk or bike ride along St. Joseph River. Plus, its location puts you in a prime position to explore the Great Lakes, whether for a weeklong adventure or a whole fall adventure.
How to Plan a College Football RV Road Trip
Now that you know where to go, what do you need to do to plan the best possible college football RV road trip? A few easy-to-follow tips go a long way.
- Check out the parking situation ahead. As you saw above, each stadium has its own rules, and they can change from year to year. Checking and double-checking stadium area parking is key to avoiding an unpleasant surprise on arrival — and make sure you’re looking specifically at RV parking and camping options.
- Plan ahead on arrival and departure timing, too. Especially if you’re parking onsite, strict rules may be in play about how early you can show up and the latest you can take off. (Again, these can change season by season, so even if you’re a regular, check again!)
- Reserve your parking spot or nearby camping ASAP. These weekends are big fun, which means a lot of people want to partake, which means available slots go early.
- Choose the right RV for your needs. That’s different for everyone! Maybe you want to pull out all the stops with a giant fifth wheel travel trailer, or maybe you want to rough it (but save some money and feel fully immersed in the vibe) in a pop-up camper. Either way, the peer-to-peer market has you covered with a much wider range of RV types to choose from.
- Build in time to explore! Each of these stadiums is situated in a college town surrounded by stunning natural scenery. It’s worth the effort to ensure you have a bit of extra time to get familiar with the area.
College Football RV Road Trip: Frequently Asked Questions
It depends. While many college football stadiums do allow onsite parking for RVs, permits may be limited and need to be purchased ahead of time. Additionally, you may or may not be able to stay overnight. Other stadiums may allow smaller vehicles to park onsite, but not motorhomes and travel trailers.
Again, it depends. Some stadiums, like LSU’S Tiger Stadium, are more RV friendly and make it relatively easy to camp overnight (though you’ll still need to purchase a permit). But other stadiums, like Michigan Stadium, do not allow overnight RV parking. Plus, policies can change, so you should always check ahead of time with the specific stadium you’re visiting.
As early as possible! Campsites, rental RVs, and other goods and services can get booked up and more expensive as time goes on. If you want the best shot of going to the game you want in the rig you want, you should be booking at least a month, and possibly even longer, ahead of time.
Outdoor seating like foldable camp chairs, something to provide shade like a pop-up canopy, an outdoor grill, a cooler (or two), and yard games like corn hole can all make an RV tailgating party that much more fun. (Plus, of course, decor and swag celebrating your team of choice!)
Some of our favorites include LSU’s Tiger Stadium, University of Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium, and University of Georgia’s Sanford Stadium.
RVing turns a single game day into a weekend-long road trip — or even a longer adventure, with all the creature comforts of home along for the ride.
Start your college football road trip with RVshare.
