Indiana State Fair

ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT

The Indiana State Fair has plenty of activities to keep you busy - for 17 whole days, too! Get a birds-eye view of the grounds on the Skyride, visit the Pioneer Village to see antique tractors and make ice cream, learn new facts about barn animals at Animal Farm, and sample some Indiana beer, wine, and spirits. You can also shop for souvenirs and handcrafted goods that make one-of-a-kind presents or keepsakes to remember your trip. 

Wristbands are available that allow you to ride all the rides on the midway, watch band competitions and a fiddle contest, and visit the Indiana Arts Building to see creations from local artists. Don’t forget to visit the animal barns to see the cattle, draft horses, alpacas, rabbits, and other farm animals. For a great overview of the fairgrounds, take the Wonder Trail - a self-guided tour through twelve different exhibits.

ON-SITE AMENITIES

There are many amenities throughout the fairgrounds. Wheelchairs and strollers are available to rent, there are several ATMs, and there are information booths throughout the fair. There are also accommodations for parents, with changing tables and an area for nursing mothers. There is a shuttle to take you around the fairgrounds for a minimal fee. Visitors are allowed to bring bags and coolers though they will be checked by security at the gate, and no alcohol is allowed. Check here for more information on guest services at the fair. 

LOCATION

1202 E. 38th St. 

Indianapolis, IN  46205

RVING AT THE EVENT

You can camp right at the fairgrounds! Enjoy a full day seeing the exhibits and riding the rides, then return to your own bed just steps away. You can get full or partial hookups for $40/night during the fair. Reservations are required to secure a spot - you can make them here. 

There are also other places to camp nearby. The great part about renting an RV with RVshare is that even if you don’t own an RV, you can enjoy camping and coming back to a space that’s all your own after a busy day out. 

Here are a few other places nearby that you can camp:

• Lake Haven Retreat - this campground has a stocked fishing lake, laundry, showers, full hook-ups, 30 and 50-amp service, pull-through sites, paddle boat rentals, and WiFi. 
• Indy Lakes - has 30 or 50-amp service, city water and sewer, dog-friendly lots, and a fishing lake.
• S&H RV Resort - offers RV service for repairs or services to “pamper your camper,” pull-through sites, full hookups, 20 and 50-amp service, laundry, WiFi, heaters and air conditioners to rent, propane and firewood for sale, and a fishing lake. 
• Indianapolis KOA Holiday - has up to 50-amp service, WiFi, a dog park, a pool, a snack bar, bike rentals, and propane available.
• White River Campground - features full hookups or electric and water only, and also has laundry, a playground, a canoe launch, fishing and hiking, and beautiful river views.

WHERE TO STAY

RV Camping

Whether you own an RV or camper or use a rental from RVshare, RV camping is a great way to experience the fair! You’ll be able to have fun all day and come home to a cozy bed with your own private bathroom, and food you choose and prepare exactly how you want it.

Hotels

If you choose not to camp, there are also plenty of hotels around Indianapolis where you can stay while enjoying the fair. The Indiana State Fair partners with several of them, and you can find the hotels they recommend here. Many major chains have hotels in the city as well, so you can check with them if you have one you prefer. Finally, travel sites like Expedia or Travelocity are also a good place to look for deals on lodging. 

HOW TO GET THERE

Directions from the south: Take I-65 north (from Louisville, KY; Columbus, IN). Then take I-70 east to North Keystone Ave, exit #85B. Turn right (north) onto Keystone Ave. Turn left (west) at 38th St. Continue west to the fairgrounds. 

Directions from the north: Take I-65 south (from Chicago; Lafayette, IN) to the 38th St. exit #119. Continue about 5 miles to the fairgrounds. 

Directions from the west: Take I-70 east (from St. Louis; Terre Haute, IN) to the North Keystone Ave. exit #85B. Turn right (north) onto Keystone Ave. Turn left (west) at 38th St. Continue west to the fairgrounds. 

Directions from the east: Take I-70 west (from Columbus, OH; Richmond, IN) to North Keystone Ave exit #85B. Turn right (north) onto Keystone Ave. Turn left (west) at 38th St. Continue west to the fairgrounds. 

PARKING

Parking is available for $5 per vehicle. Visitors should enter through Gate 1 off 38th St., Gate 6 off Fall Creek Parkway, or Gate 10 off 42nd St. Parking is first come, first served. 

TICKETS & PRICING

You can purchase discounted tickets to the fair - a 38% savings - online here. Admission at the door is $13 for adults, and free for kids 5 and under. 

WRAP UP

We at RVshare are passionate about helping people to explore the amazing outdoors and to have adventures exploring new areas. Whether you’re an Indiana native, or have never been there before, attending the State Fair is a great way to learn more about the state and its qualities, to eat some delicious fair food, and to make some great memories. Visiting the fair in an RV provides an easy, restful experience, with your own shower and bed, and with the food you like along with other comforts of home. Regardless of whether you visit the fair in an RV rental from us or use other accommodations, we’d love to see pictures of your experience! Send us photos at [email protected], and tag us on social media to share your visit. Your adventures could be featured on our blog or social media! 

Check out @IndyStateFair on Twitter and Instagram, and @IndianaStateFair on Facebook for event updates!

Please note, this is not the official source of the event information. While we try to be as comprehensive as possible, some details may have changed since the time this article was written. Please confirm final details with the official event page.