Tailgating during football season is a popular activity. Gathering with friends and family in the parking lot of whatever game or event you're attending is a fun way to socialize and pregame—and occasionally continue the party during the game itself. But have you ever tried RV tailgating?
Having an RV with you means you've got all of the niceties you could ever want during the party: a bathroom nearby and full cooking facilities. Who needs a cooler and a charcoal grill when you've got a refrigerator, oven and stovetop at the ready? (Well, maybe you still want to grill, but grilling by choice is much more fun!)
Here are a few suggestions for maximizing your RV tailgating time.
RV tailgating at a glance
- Buy your RV spot early. At many big programs, RV lot spaces are sold in advance — often as season permits — and some don't sell single-game spots at all.
- Know the lot rules: set arrival and departure windows, generator noise limits, and no dumping tanks outside a designated dump station.
- Arrive with empty holding tanks and a full freshwater tank.
- Cook big: the RV kitchen lets you go well beyond burgers.
- Plan for weather and a way to catch the game if you stay outside.
Plan your menu
If you're tailgating out of a car or SUV, your menu is going to be relatively limited by space. Take advantage of your RV and consider upping the ante with fancier foods that you'd normally skip. Deviled eggs or chicken salad are great, but why not make some quesadillas to go with that beer? Check out our article on the best tips and recipes for RV tailgating, plus these tailgating foods that travel well. In our experience, the RVs that become the lot's favorite stop are the ones with a slow cooker going and a pot of chili ready by kickoff.
Plan where to park
RV parking can be tricky, so figure out a game plan well before game day. At many big college programs, RV spots are no longer something you can sort out with a phone call that week: Auburn made on-campus RV parking reserve-in-advance starting in 2026, Missouri sells season RV permits only, and Tennessee assigns RV spaces to season ticket holders by donor priority. Check your team's athletics or parking website for when sales open. Keep in mind that if your lot is out of the way, that's not necessarily a big deal. After all, you've got your bathroom and your kitchen with you—and probably an awning too. For more tips on how to make your tailgating experience go off without a hitch, check out our article on making RV tailgating easy, and our guide to RVing to the college football playoffs if your team makes a postseason run.
What rules do stadium RV lots have?
RV lots run on their own rulebook, and it's different at every school. Expect set arrival and departure times, a fee per weekend or season, generator limits, and a strict no-dumping rule. Here's what that looks like at a few big programs in 2026:
- Texas A&M: weekend RV permits run $180 to $230 depending on the lot, with noon check-in (9 a.m. at Aggie RV Park), noon check-out, and a $75 charge for arriving early or leaving late without a reservation. Generators can't be louder than 75 decibels at the neighboring space.
- LSU: RVs in the single-game lot must leave by noon the day after the game, gas generators must use an exhaust stack above the roof, and quiet hours start at midnight the night before the game.
- Auburn: RVs can arrive from 3 p.m. Friday and must leave by 4 p.m. Sunday, and spots must be bought ahead of time.
- Missouri: single-game RV passes aren't sold, so RVs need a season permit. Generators need a muffler and must stay under 80 decibels, and one RV space can take up to five parking stalls.
Two rules are nearly universal: don't dump your tanks anywhere on campus except a designated dump station or pump-out, and don't count on electric or water hookups. Arrive with empty holding tanks and a full freshwater tank, and run your generator safely by keeping it more than 20 feet from windows, doors, and vents. Renters we talk to who read the lot rules the week before kickoff are the ones who never get the knock on the door from lot staff.
Prepare for the elements
If your RV has an awning, that could help if there's a bit of rain. But if it gets too windy, you'll be closing it up. Be prepared with rain gear, bug spray, sunscreen and a hat—and don't forget to wear your team jersey and pack other accessories to show your support. We've watched more than one awning fold in a gust before kickoff, so stake down your canopy and roll the awning in whenever you walk away from the rig.
Don't miss a minute
If you're planning to keep the party going during the game, even if it's just the very beginning, figure out how you can avoid missing any of the action. Have a radio handy? What about an outdoor TV? Come up with a game plan—pun intended. Keep the volume neighborly, though: some lots ban DJs and live bands, and others require a permit for amplified sound.
What's the best RV for tailgating?
The best tailgating RV has an outdoor kitchen or grill hookup, a big awning, an outdoor TV, and a size that fits your lot. A mid-size Class C is the easy pick for most groups: it's simpler to park than a big Class A, sleeps a crowd, and fits the multi-stall RV spaces many stadium lots use. Toy haulers are a fan favorite, too — the rear ramp folds down into a patio, and Family RVing Magazine's tailgating roundup highlights models with outdoor kitchens, patios, and exterior TVs. Browse toy hauler rentals or compare sizes in our guide to Class A, B, and C RVs. In our experience, the rig with the best outdoor setup beats the biggest rig every time on game day.
All in all, enjoy the game and make sure you leave the area as clean as you found it when the fun is done.
If you'll be renting an RV for your next tailgating party, Outdoorsy's RV rental search can help provide you with a cool rig.
About this guide
Originally written by Outdoorsy author Jamie Feinberg. Updated in November 2026 by Outdoorsy Editorial. Facts in this guide were checked against official and primary sources linked throughout. Stadium rules change every season, so confirm your lot's rules before you go.
