Looking for some late-summer RV road trip destinations? Why not plan them around these well-known annual summer festivals across the U.S.?
Here’s everything you need to know about these popular events, including where to park your RV.
Oktoberfest USA—La Crosse, WI
Attending an Oktoberfest celebration is the perfect way to wrap up your summer adventures. Oktoberfest USA is one of the largest and longest-running Oktoberfest celebrations in the midwest. It offers all the traditional German events and food. From Weiner races and polka bands to carnival rides and parades, you’ll feel as though you’re at the real deal in Munich. Prost!
Dates: September 29 – October 1, 2022
Where to camp: Neshonoc Lakeside Camp-Resort is a beautiful Good Sam camping resort about a 20-minute drive from the event grounds. You’ll surely enjoy relaxing at this peaceful and serene park after enjoying the energy of the event.
Visit Oktoberfest USA’s website for more information.
Seven Peaks—Villa Grove, CO
Seven Peaks is a fairly new country music festival in Colorado started by the country music star himself, Dierks Bentley. It quickly gained popularity with headliners like Maren Morris and Luke Bryan in 2019 and Morgan Wallen and Tracy Lawrence this year. The three-day event is one big party with an on-site bar and tons of vendors. After the event ends you can even spend a day at the nearby Great Sand Dunes National Park. The mountains are calling!
Dates: September 2-4, 2022
Where to camp: One of the main attractions of this festival is that they have camping right on site so the party doesn’t end! They have several different camping passes to choose from.
Visit the Seven Peaks website for more information.
Maine Lobster Festival—Rockland, ME
The Maine Lobster Festival is one of Maine’s premier summer events and was even featured on the Food Network. The Maine Lobster Festival is actually a nonprofit organization that gives proceeds to various groups, charities, and organizations throughout the Rockland area. In fact, in recent years, they’ve given $500,000 to the local community! So while you’re helping to eat some of the 20,000 pounds of delicious lobster, you’ll also be supporting the cause. You can also enjoy a sea goddess coronation, a parade, entertainment, fine art, vendors, cooking contests, and more. Consider volunteering to make it an even more memorable event!
Dates: August 3 – 7, 2022
Where to camp: Camp Maine is a great resource for finding campsites near the festival. Megunticook Campground By The Sea and Lobster Buoy Campsites are both within 5 miles of the festival.
Visit the Maine Lobster Festival’s website for more information.
Kentucky Bourbon Festival—Bardstown, KY
Bardstown, Kentucky is the Bourbon Capital of the World—so there’s no greater place on earth for this festival. The event promotes and educates the public on the history and production of Bourbon while also supporting local non-profit organizations. What began in 1992 as a Bourbon tasting dinner has grown tremendously and now has something for everyone, with arts and crafts, music, and more. Pair the deep love and art of distilling America’s native spirit with Kentucky hospitality and you’re sure to have a great time.
Dates: September 16 – 18, 2022
Where to camp: A quick search for campgrounds in the area will give you plenty of options, but you may not want to look much further than My Old Kentucky Home Campground, which is a colonial mansion & state park featuring costumed tour guides, a museum, and an outdoor theater.
Visit the Kentucky Bourbon Festival’s website for more information.
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally—Sturgis, SD
Each year 500,000 people descend upon the normally quiet town of Sturgis, SD to attend one of the world’s largest motorcycle rallies. Held annually during the second full week of August, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally offers something for everyone, not just for those with motorcycles. Of course, there are activities specifically for riders, but there are plenty of other activities including concerts, burger cookoffs, a beard and mustache contest, a 5k run, and much, much more. In addition to being a fun event, Sturgis offers some other benefits to those bringing their RV. Sturgis is located in the Black Hills and is only minutes away from Mt. Rushmore, Devil’s Tower, and an abundance of beautiful scenery.
Dates: August 5 – 14, 2022
Where to camp: Pappy Hoel Campground has been named the official campground for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Pappy Hoel is a 600-acre venue located within minutes of downtown Sturgis. Guests can choose from a great selection of lodging amenities including cabins and spacious RV and tent sites as well as take a dip in the Olympic-size swimming pool.
Visit the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally’s website for more information.
We hope you enjoy this list of recommended late-summer festivals—maybe they’ll even become a yearly tradition for you! Let us know in the comments if we left out your favorite summer event that’s perfect for an RV road trip.
