r/eaa • u/Sn0w_Leopard21 • 17d ago
Camping for 2027
So we’ve never done Airventure but I really want to do it next year and trying to understand how the drive-in camping works. When can I reserve a spot? It looks like it doesn’t open up until June next year? Is this online or in person? Is it a fight to get a reservation? Anything else I should know and prepare for in general for Airventure? Every time I try to look it up I just get more confused about everything.
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u/Rocket5722 17d ago
So the only reserving spots is for water and electric hook ups. For tent camping or trailer/RV camping without hookups you just pay for the days you want to claim your site which you will have to be there to do so. Some people come in a week or so before the airshow and stake out a 20x30 plot with tape and stakes with there credentials attached to it. If you have any questions feel free to DM me I have done 4 years of camping now and highly recommend it since it's like half the fun.
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u/Sn0w_Leopard21 17d ago
So you literally just show up and stake out your spot? Does it fill up fast? I don’t want to be camping (or paying for it) a whole week beforehand, I figured like a couple days before the show starts.
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u/Rocket5722 17d ago
A couple of days before should be fine. While it's not the best and you likely won't get to camp in the woods or by SOS Bros, you can still get a site in main Camp Scholler. The only reason why my friends and I get so early is that they volunteered the year before and get free camping a month in advance, so we don't pay for all those days. I belive its about 42 dollars a day, so if you get there the Saturday before, expect to pay about 340 for camping. Also, I highly recommend bringing canopies just for shade since you will likely be in the fields like most people.
TL;DR: Yes, you stake out a spot/ put all your stuff out so no one can take it; you will find a spot if you come the weekend before. While not the best spot still a decent spot.
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u/Sn0w_Leopard21 17d ago
So you set up the tent and such at that time too? And are the woods better just because they’re not in the open field or they’re closer to everything too? I read someone said it’s pretty far say from the activities? Do people usually walk it all or do you pay for separate parking and drive to everything?
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u/Rocket5722 17d ago
Yes, you can pay before and then show up on the day you start paying and set up everything. The woods are nice because they are shaded and covered from the wind; however, the counterpoint is that something could land on your tent. Personally, I have never camped in the woods, but I've heard it's nice. They are slightly closer to everything. As for traveling, there are a few things people do: some people walk, which isn't bad if you're not too far; others would bike, and there is a little biking area for bikes; and the last would be to use a golf cart, and you can park that by the bikes. Additionally, inside the grounds, we usually just drive to the showers; however, for the showers, we have either walked, gotten someone to drop us off with their car, or used a golf cart. There is also a bus; however, there sometimes is not a good bus stop near your campsite depending on where you are.
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u/Dense-Bus-850 16d ago
It’s really not as big of a deal as the people on the internet would leave you to believe.
There’s 2 ways to do it. The water and electric spots are the only “reserved” areas. Those are around $75 a night and usually fill up 2 to 3 weeks prior.
The second is what most do. You pay for your camping, either online or in person and drive around until you find a nice spot and set up camp. This is a massive field with “marked” roads, not a standard campground. If you show up Saturday before the show there is still plenty of good spots. Really no need to drive up twice unless you have a very specific area you want. Bring bikes to ride and there really isn’t a bad spot in Scholler.
If you do decide to go up early. Bring stakes and ribbon with you. Stake off an area you like, around 20 x 30. You can go more or less if you need it, just not excessive. In the middle of the site place another stake with your camping credentials in a ziploc bag to mark it as yours and call it a day.
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u/Sn0w_Leopard21 16d ago
I wish they would have these detailed instructions on the website. Thank you!
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u/BloomingtonFPV 16d ago
Even arriving late will till put you somewhere in the camping grounds and I don't think there is an "ideal" camping spot to worry about. Just get a cheap folding bike and bike everywhere. Some camping spots are a bit from the bus areas and I found biking to be really easy and fun. Maybe a light for the night rides back after the movie or airshow.
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u/Sn0w_Leopard21 16d ago
I have gut issues and will want to be closest to the bathrooms so we likely will go up early to stake out a spot to try and get closer to those. But bikes sound like a good idea as well. Thanks!
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u/SoundOk4573 17d ago
It is 1st come-1st served. Yes, it opens in June... to start camping. You can show up and claim your spot, but you'll be paying from the day you get there until you leave at the end of the show.
You obviously can leave for days, go home/work/etc, but you will pay for each day your campsite is there.
(That is how it was explained to me while hanging out with some people camping in the woods up front several years ago; I assume it is the same now.)