Knoxville Nationals 2027
Dirt-track royalty at the Sprint Car Capital of the World — sprint car racing's signature August week.
Expected dates
Aug 11–14
Knoxville (Knoxville Raceway) · Iowa
These dates are awaiting official confirmation, so check the event's site before booking.
Search RVs for these datesWhere to sleep in Iowa
Iowa campgrounds we keep verified — rig limits, fees and booking windows straight from the operator. Distances to Knoxville (Knoxville Raceway) vary, so check the map before you commit.
- Marching Bear Group Backcountry (Effigy Mounds NM)Nearest town: Harpers Ferry · National Park Service$0/nightTent onlyBooks backcountry permits not issued — use yellow river sf
- Maquoketa Caves State Park CampgroundNearest town: Maquoketa · State Park / State Forest$16–$28/nightRigs to 40 ftBooks 3 months ahead via ia dnr portal
- Backbone State Park CampgroundNearest town: Dundee · State Park / State Forest$16–$30/nightRigs to 50 ftBooks 3 months ahead via ia dnr portal
- Ledges State Park CampgroundNearest town: Madrid · State Park / State Forest$16–$28/nightRigs to 45 ftBooks 3 months ahead via ia dnr portal
Going to Knoxville Nationals? Tell us the nights.
Local owners list their own rigs here. You get a single email when one is listed for your window.
What you need to know
The Knoxville Nationals is one of the most prestigious events in sprint car racing, held every August at Knoxville Raceway, a half-mile dirt oval in Marion County, Iowa that has raced since the 1900s and houses the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame beside turn two. The event typically runs Wednesday through Saturday in the second week of August — exact 2027 dates come from the raceway's annual schedule. The town of a few thousand people absorbs tens of thousands of race fans, and camping is how the event works: Marion County Park, directly adjacent to the track, fills with RVs, and campers walk to the grandstands all four nights. Spots there are in heavy demand and administered locally — plan the camping question first, months out. Iowa's August RV demand is otherwise moderate, so the rig itself is the easier half; 6-8 weeks of lead is usually enough for the Des Moines market, 45 minutes away.
Official source: knoxvilleraceway.com
Safety + legal
Dirt-track racing means flying clay in the front rows and loud open-header engines all night — glasses or goggles low, earplugs everywhere.
Insider tip
The Hall of Fame museum's balcony overlooks turns one and two — a daytime visit doubles as course scouting for where you want grandstand seats that night.
Plan your trip · Aug 11–14, 2027 · Knoxville (Knoxville Raceway)
Rent an RV near Knoxville Nationals
Search runs on your Aug 11–14, 2027 window with a one-day buffer on each side — arrive early, leave late. Whether an RV is listed for those dates depends on what Iowa hosts have posted, so the campsite plan below is worth locking either way.
- Expected dates
- Aug 11–14, 2027
- Days away
- 346
- Location
- Knoxville (Knoxville Raceway)
- Book ahead
- 8+ weeks
- Planning window
- Plan ahead
Hosting near Knoxville (Knoxville Raceway)? List your rig and put your calendar in front of event travellers.
List your rig →Start early, arrive easy — the whole runway
The honest runway from start-looking to head-home, with a one-day buffer on each end.
Start
~8 weeks out
Give yourself ~8 weeks to line up a rig and a campsite.
Arrive
Aug 10
Roll in a day early and set up camp.
Event
Expected window
Knoxville Nationals 2027
Head home
Aug 15
Leave a day late and skip the exodus.
Best rigs for Knoxville Nationals
First pick first — each row opens a search for these dates, already filtered to the class.
Plan it by rig
Each class above has its own planning page for Knoxville Nationals — class fit and booking guidance in one place.
Frequently asked about Knoxville Nationals
When is Knoxville Nationals 2027?
Knoxville Nationals 2027 is expected to run Aug 11–14, 2027 in Knoxville (Knoxville Raceway), Iowa. Official dates are not confirmed yet — verify on the event's official site before booking.
Where is Knoxville Nationals held?
Knoxville (Knoxville Raceway), Iowa.
What are the exact 2027 dates?
Aug 11–14, 2027. These dates are provisional until officially announced.
What RV should I rent for Knoxville Nationals?
Best categories: rv, towable, trucks-vans. The Knoxville Nationals is one of the most prestigious events in sprint car racing, held every August at Knoxville Raceway, a half-mile dirt oval in Marion County, Iowa that has raced since the 1900s and houses the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame beside turn two. The event typically runs Wednesday through Saturday in the second week of August — exact 2027 dates come from the raceway's annual schedule. The town of a few thousand people absorbs tens of thousands of race fans, and camping is how the event works: Marion County Park, directly adjacent to the track, fills with RVs, and campers walk to the grandstands all four nights. Spots there are in heavy demand and administered locally — plan the camping question first, months out. Iowa's August RV demand is otherwise moderate, so the rig itself is the easier half; 6-8 weeks of lead is usually enough for the Des Moines market, 45 minutes away.
How early should I book an RV?
Recommended lead time: 8 weeks. Event windows book up early, so search and lock your dates as soon as your plans firm up.
Where do RVs camp for the Knoxville Nationals?
Marion County Park sits directly beside the raceway and is the traditional camping base — walk to the grandstands. Spaces are limited and locally administered, so sort camping months ahead, then book the rig.
When are the 2027 Knoxville Nationals?
The event typically runs Wednesday-Saturday in the second week of August — August 11-14, 2027 by that pattern. Knoxville Raceway confirms exact dates with its annual schedule.
How far is Knoxville from an RV pickup point?
Des Moines is about 45 minutes northwest and is the practical pickup market. August is moderate season in Iowa, so 6-8 weeks of booking lead is usually sufficient for a good rig.
What safety and legal guidance applies?
Dirt-track racing means flying clay in the front rows and loud open-header engines all night — glasses or goggles low, earplugs everywhere.
What's an insider tip?
The Hall of Fame museum's balcony overlooks turns one and two — a daytime visit doubles as course scouting for where you want grandstand seats that night.
Ready to roll?
Iowa is waiting.
Complete nightly price on every listing — your exact total itemized before you pay · 48h free cancel. Every rig near you, one checkout.
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Plan around the event · 2
Hub state · nearest city · nearest park · recommended rig category — one click each.
State rules, safety and legalLicence + 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 Iowa — key local rules
Renters drive motorhomes under 26,001 lbs on a standard license — Iowa DOT
Boater Education required for operators 12-17 — Iowa DNR — Boating Education
Iowa OHV User Permit required for state OHV park use — Iowa DNR — Off-Highway Vehicles
Iowa BAC 0.08%; open container in passenger area prohibited — Iowa Code §321J.2
Editorial summary, not legal advice. Verify with Iowa DOT MVD before relying. Reviewed in the last 3 months (as of 2026-05-24).
Iowa 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