Last Updated on April 18, 2025 by Jeremy

Some trips don’t start with a map. They start with a date on the calendar—and sometimes, a rodeo in Southern Saskatchewan.

Back in our early RVing days, we’d always time our summer schedule to hit up the Hallonquist Rodeo in mid-July. It wasn’t just about the event—it was about the vibe. Pulling in with our old rig, “Helen,” setting up camp with a clear sky above and dust from the arena in the air. That was community. That was the road trip payoff.

These days, more and more RVers are building their adventures around events like that—and for good reason. It’s called event-based RV travel, and it’s one of the most exciting, flexible, and people-centered ways to explore the open road.

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🎟 What Is Event-Based RV Travel?

Rather than picking a static destination, event-based travel starts with an experience.

• Music festivals
• Sporting events & tailgates
• Fairs, rodeos, & local gatherings
• RV expos & vintage rallies
• Motorcycle meets
• Food, beer, and cultural festivals

We experienced this firsthand last fall while rolling through Las Vegas on our way down to Costa Rica. We randomly booked into an RV park and, wouldn’t you know it, Alliance RV was hosting a massive show on-site. Booths were set up, new models rolled in. That same weekend, they were prepping for a race event on the Strip—you could hear the test runs all evening. Total sensory overload, and we loved every second.

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🧭 Why It’s More Than Just a Trend

After three years working as park operators, I’ve seen the full spectrum of RVers. Some show up looking to unplug. Others? They’re riding the momentum of an event—buzzed off the energy of shared experiences.

There was one woman last year heading to the Boler Trailer Conference. She showed off her retro fiberglass unit and told me all about her restoration journey. It was so inspiring, I ended up writing a whole post about it: A DIY Camper Restoration Journey.

Here’s why this kind of travel hits differently:

• It’s purpose-driven—you’re not just wandering, you’re chasing something exciting
• You meet people with shared interests
• You often save money camping on-site instead of booking pricey hotels
• And most importantly—you come back with real stories

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🏕️ Real-Life Chaos (The Good Kind)

We’ve also seen what happens when you mix an event with a packed campground. At Seymour Beach, where we camp hosted one summer, the August long weekend brought in crowds for the local baseball and volleyball tournament. That park was full of laughter, music, late-night BBQs, and more tent stakes than we could count. It was busy—but it was buzzing.

If you’ve never experienced campground culture during a live event… you’re missing out.

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🔧 Planning an Event-Based RV Trip (Without Losing Your Mind)

If you’re ready to dip your toes into this world, here’s what I’d suggest:

1. Start With the Calendar
Big events like Burning Man, Daytona 500, and Balloon Fiesta book up 6 to 12 months in advance. Smaller events like rodeos, music fests, or local fairs can fill up fast too—especially for dry camping spots.

2. Know the Setup
Some places offer full hookups. Others? You’ll need solar, water tanks topped off, and a generator (if it’s allowed). Double check the site rules.

3. Show Up Early, Stay Late
Avoid the chaos of check-in day. Show up early, get the lay of the land, and enjoy the energy as the crowd rolls in.

4. Pack for the Experience
Tailgating? Bring the grill. Music festival? Outdoor lights and shade setup. Cooler temps? Don’t forget your diesel heater.

5. Be a Good Neighbor
Events bring out the best (and sometimes the loudest) in people. Respect quiet hours, clean up your site, and make new friends.

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🎉 What Kind of Events Work Best for RVers?

The beauty of event-based RV travel is the variety. Here are just a few perennial favorites that welcome (or even cater to) RVers:

• Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta – camp beneath a sky of floating color
• Country Thunder – boots, brews, and bumper-to-bumper RVs
• Sturgis Motorcycle Rally – half a million riders and a whole lotta campers
• Burning Man – solar-powered survival in the Nevada desert
• College Football & NASCAR tailgates – from stadium lots to full-blown RV cities
• Vintage RV rallies – Boler, Airstream, you name it

And if you ever catch wind of a local rodeo, town fair, or harvest festival—pull over. That’s the good stuff.

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🎧 Final Thoughts

Event-based RV travel isn’t about ticking off bucket list stops—it’s about living through something, with people who are just as excited to be there as you are.

You don’t need a huge rig. You don’t need a thousand bucks. You just need a reason to roll, a rig that can handle a weekend in the dirt, and a sense of humor when the camp beside you breaks out karaoke at midnight.

I haven’t done the full festival circuit yet—but one day, I wouldn’t mind parking our next rig near a stage, a fire pit, or a racetrack. Because honestly, the best part of RV life isn’t where you’re going.

It’s what’s happening while you’re there.