Sports · Kentucky
Kentucky Derby 2028 (154th)
May 6
Tell us your Kentucky datesLouisville (Churchill Downs, KY) · Kentucky · organizer listing
Dates follow the fixed rule on the organizer's FAQ · checked Sep 26, 2026
- Start looking
- by Aug 28
- Arrive
- May 5
- Head home
- May 7
Kentucky Derby 2028 — 154th running, first Saturday in May, two-week Derby Festival prelude.
Mint juleps and seersucker fill the infield while hooves thunder down the track at golden hour.
What you need to know
Kentucky Derby 2028 (154th) takes place on May 6, 2028, in Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville South KOA (Shepherdsville, off I-65 exit 117) runs a Derby Day round-trip shuttle for $50/person — book with the campsite reservation.
The 154th Kentucky Derby runs Saturday May 6, 2028 at Churchill Downs.
The Kentucky Derby Festival (Pegasus Parade, Thunder Over Louisville, Great Steamboat Race) runs the two weeks prior. Churchill Downs has no on-track RV parking; the canonical base is Louisville South KOA Holiday (~10 mi south, full hookups, runs Derby shuttle service), Louisville Metro KOA (Clarksville IN, ~10 mi north across the Ohio River, full hookups), or Otter Creek Park (~30 mi southwest, electric only). Race-week traffic on I-65 + Taylor Boulevard locks down by Friday morning. Infield general admission tickets remain the affordable entry path; Millionaire's Row + Turf Club seats sold via Ticketmaster Verified Resale.
Safety rules and an insider tip
Safety + legal. Infield admission allows BYOB but bans glass containers, coolers larger than 14x14x14, and umbrellas. LMPD runs DUI checkpoints on I-65 + I-264 Friday + Saturday nights. Louisville early May averages 70°F with thunderstorm probability — Derby has run in mud ("sloppy" track) 24 times since 1875. Pack rain gear and rubber boots for the infield.
Insider tip. Louisville South KOA (Shepherdsville, off I-65 exit 117) runs a Derby Day round-trip shuttle for $50/person — book with the campsite reservation. Skip the I-65 traffic snarl and avoid the $80+ rideshare surge pricing on Derby afternoon.
Official source: kentuckyderby.com
Where to sleep in Kentucky
None of the Kentucky campgrounds we verify is matched to this event's town.
Going to Kentucky Derby 2028? Tell us the nights.
Local owners list their own rigs here. You get a single email when one is listed for your window.
Around Kentucky Derby 2028
Frequently asked about Kentucky Derby 2028
When is Kentucky Derby 2028 (154th)?
Kentucky Derby 2028 (154th) takes place on May 6, 2028, in Louisville, Kentucky.
Where is Kentucky Derby 2028 held?
Louisville, Kentucky (Churchill Downs).
What are the exact 2028 dates?
May 6, 2028 (single-day event).
What RV should I rent for Kentucky Derby 2028?
Best categories: rv, trucks-vans. The 154th Kentucky Derby runs Saturday May 6, 2028 at Churchill Downs. The Kentucky Derby Festival (Pegasus Parade, Thunder Over Louisville, Great Steamboat Race) runs the two weeks prior. Churchill Downs has no on-track RV parking; the canonical base is Louisville South KOA Holiday (~10 mi south, full hookups, runs Derby shuttle service), Louisville Metro KOA (Clarksville IN, ~10 mi north across the Ohio River, full hookups), or Otter Creek Park (~30 mi southwest, electric only). Race-week traffic on I-65 + Taylor Boulevard locks down by Friday morning. Infield general admission tickets remain the affordable entry path; Millionaire's Row + Turf Club seats sold via Ticketmaster Verified Resale.
How early should I book an RV?
Recommended lead time: 36 weeks. Event windows book up early, so search and lock your dates as soon as your plans firm up.
Is the Kentucky Derby always on the first Saturday in May?
Yes. Churchill Downs runs it on the first Saturday in May every year, which puts the 154th running on Saturday, May 6, 2028.
What safety and legal guidance applies?
Infield admission allows BYOB but bans glass containers, coolers larger than 14x14x14, and umbrellas. LMPD runs DUI checkpoints on I-65 + I-264 Friday + Saturday nights. Louisville early May averages 70°F with thunderstorm probability — Derby has run in mud ("sloppy" track) 24 times since 1875. Pack rain gear and rubber boots for the infield.
What's an insider tip?
Louisville South KOA (Shepherdsville, off I-65 exit 117) runs a Derby Day round-trip shuttle for $50/person — book with the campsite reservation. Skip the I-65 traffic snarl and avoid the $80+ rideshare surge pricing on Derby afternoon.
Keep Kentucky Derby 2028 on your list
- Save a rig search for Kentucky, for its dates, to your account.
- Your trips and host messages, in one place.
PickRV is an independent RV-rental marketplace and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the NFL, FIFA, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, the International Olympic Committee, or any event organizer. All event names and marks are the property of their respective owners and are used here only for factual, descriptive reference.
State rules, safety and legalLicense + towing rules, insurance basics and the non-affiliation notice.
Important: travel + safety + insurance disclaimer
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only. PickRV is not an insurer, legal advisor, or vehicle-safety authority. Trip planning, route selection, rig suitability, weather, and emergency decisions are the renter's responsibility. Always consult the rig manufacturer's owner's manual, your insurance provider, the U.S. National Park Service (nps.gov), NOAA / NWS weather alerts (weather.gov), state and local emergency-management agencies, and current local regulations before and during travel. Cost figures, season windows, road conditions, and fee references on this page are estimates as of May 2026 and vary by season, location, rig, carrier, and operator. Mentions of brand names, state-tourism marks, national-park feature names, or third-party programs are informational only and do not imply affiliation, sponsorship, or endorsement.
Before you rent in Kentucky — key local rules
A regular driver license covers motorhomes under 26,001 lbs — KY Driver Licensing
Safe Boating Certificate required for operators 12-17 — KY DFWR — Boating
Hatfield-McCoy trails are all in West Virginia, not Kentucky — Hatfield-McCoy Regional Recreation Authority — Trail FAQs
Kentucky BAC 0.08%; open container in passenger area prohibited — KRS §189A.010
Editorial summary, not legal advice. Verify with Kentucky Transp. Cabinet — Driver Licensing before relying. Reviewed in the last 5 months (as of 2026-05-24).
Kentucky rules · last verified 2026-05-10
- State rental tax
- 7% · not collected by PickRV
- Min driver age
- 21+ std · 25+ Class A
- Gravel roads
- Allowed — disclosure required
- Generator quiet
- 22:00-07:00