There are so many fabulous events and attractions across the United States and Canada each year that are RV bucket list worthy.
(A bucket list is a list of all the things you want to do before you die.)
While there are an infinite amount of RV bucket list destinations depending on your preferences (for example, Yellowstone National Park, Acadia National Park), there are also events that are held at only certain times of the year (e.g., Kentucky Derby) that are bucket list worthy.
While some of the content of the events may not be your thing, for example you may not be too interested in hanging out in the desert with a bunch of people dancing around a fire at Burning Man or watching cars go in a circle at a Nascar race, the events listed below are definitely experiences to remember.
Bucket List Events by Month
Here’s a starting list by the month the event is held each year and the state in which it is located.
Each of these events would be fantastic for anyone staying in a motorhome, fifth wheel, trailer, or any type of camper since the event has camping facilities at the event or nearby.
The month is provided for reference, although the dates may shift a bit each year.
If you know of other events that should make the RV bucket list, please add them to the comments below.
February
Western Winter Blast Pyrotechnics Show, Arizona
This is an annual convention of firework manufacturing companies that come from across the US to showcase their newest inventory of fireworks for more than 800 pyrotechnicians.
The best part is that they put on large public displays of fireworks over multiple days at Lake Havasu City that can be seen from many camping locations in the area. What could be better than camping in the desert watching large displays of fireworks over multiple days?
Daytona 500, Florida
At many NASCAR racecar events, RV’ers can camp right in the middle of the racetrack inner field. The Daytona 500 is one of the largest events, but big races take place from between February and November each year.
Some of these events fill up really quickly, so plan ahead for a true cultural experience. In addition to the Daytone Motor Speedway, some other NASCAR racetracks to consider include the Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama, Phoenix International Raceway in Arizona, Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina, and the Texas Motor Speedway in Texas.
Mardi Gras, New Orleans, Louisiana
Mardi Gras in New Orleans takes place sometime in February or March each year. The date moves around based on the religious holiday of Easter, but typically occurs sometime between February 3 and March 9.
Please check the date for the year you plan to visit. It’s a whirlwind party and drunkfest and can be difficult to find places to stay, so plan ahead!
(Check out this list of RV parks and campgrounds near the French Quarter so you can stay near the center of the festivities!)
April
Texas SandFest, Texas
Every year in April the largest sand sculpture competition in the USA takes place in Port Aransas in Texas. This 3-day festival on the beach attracts some of the best sculptors from around the world and a large festival takes place around the event. You can take your RV across to the island for free on a ferry run by the Texas DOT and camp right on the sand on the beach for $12.
We visited SandFest in 2019 and had a great time.
2024 Total Solar Eclipse
In 2017, the United States had an amazing total solar eclipse. If you were lucky enough to be in the path of it, you likely had an awe-inspiring experience.
Plan now for the next total eclipse in 2024, which will cross parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
The eclipse will take place on April 8, 2024. Plan now to reserve a camping spot directly in the path of when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun for a total blackout. This is a once-in-a-lifetime RV bucket list event.
May
Kentucky Derby, Kentucky
On the first Saturday in May each year, the Kentucky Derby horse race is held at Churchill Downs in Louisville. It’s the final event of a two-week long Kentucky Derby Festival and is said to be one of the most exciting two minute race events in the world.
The Kentucky Derby is the first in the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Horse Racing, and is the first of three key racing events, followed by the Preakness Stakes in Maryland and Belmont Stakes in New York. There is camping adjacent to the racetrack, albeit a bit pricey, plus other campsites located in the area.
Great American Horse Drive, Colorado
Each May the Sombrero Ranch holds a two-day affair to move a herd of between 400 and 600 horses through 60 miles of the open range in Colorado to their summer home.
For the more adventurous, you can actually pay to participate in the ride as a cowboy or cowgirl of sorts, but most people choose to participate as spectators. Towns along the route host festivities for the occasion. Add this to your RV bucket list.
July
Calgary Stampede, Calgary, Canada
The Calgary Stampede is an annual 10-day festival that is called the “greatest outdoor show on Earth.”
A rodeo and festival, it attracts more than 10 million people each year. Enjoy the bull riding, draft horse pulling contests, miniature horse chuckwagon races, frisbee dog competitions, dirt bike riding, nightly entertainment, and all sorts of carnival activities.
August
Sturgis Motorcyle Rally, South Dakota
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is held each year for ten days during the first full week of August. Attended by over half a million people each year, it’s quite the motorcycle event.
Many of the motorcycle riders bring their rides in via toy haulers and camp throughout the event with their families.
Burning Man Festival, Nevada
The annual Burning Man festival is held in the Black Rock Desert in northwest Nevada, approximately 100 miles from Reno.
While there are no specific scheduled entertainment events, Burning Man festivities explore artistic expression is attended by over 50,000 people each year. Dry camping spaces are available to RV’ers.
National Tractor Pulling Championship, Ohio
The National Tractor Pullers Association hosts the largest tractor pull event each year in August in Bowling Green, Ohio.
A tractor pull competition is designed to determine the strongest machine and the best driver, so the focus is on power rather than speed.The event is attended by approximately 80,000 fans each year and the 2,100 campsites each year are usually full. It’s a loud event, so bring your ear protection!
September
Camden Windjammer Festival, Maine
Each Labor Day, Camden, Maine celebrates the town’s rich history in shipbuilding by holding the annual Windjammer Festival.
The town holds a festival complete with live music, performances, nautical activities and demonstrations, and beautiful boat parades. It is attended by over 5,000 people each year.
National Championship Air Races, Reno, Nevada
Each September for five days in Reno, over 150,000 aviators and spectators gather to watch the most unique air racing event in existence as pilots speed around pylons traveling anywhere from 150 to 500 miles per hour.
Coupled with spectator events, demonstrations, and entertainment, this exciting air show is an experience not to miss. It’s perfect for your RV bucket list.
October
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, New Mexico
Held each October, this is one of the largest hot air balloon festivals in the world, with over 500 participating hot air balloons each.
There’s a designated campground for RV camping right next to the launch and land site. In addition, some RV clubs hold rallies at the event. Each year an Airstream rally group holds a prime camping location overlooking the launch field for the hot air balloons.
We visited the Balloon Fiesta in 2018. Check out our post about our experience camping in our RV at the balloon festival.
Campsites book up early. Here’s a list of 23 RV parks and campgrounds by the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta.
Various Dates Throughout the Year
Cape Canaveral for a NASA launch, Florida
NASA launches rockets from the Kennedy Space Center which can be truly awe inspiring. The Center hosts guest events to learn more about their activities. Anyone within a few miles from the launch pads will see and feel the liftoff of the spacecraft.
These events take place throughout the year. NASA maintains a schedule of rocket launches from the Kennedy Space Center.
