RV shows are wonderful opportunities to discover the latest travel trailer and motorhome models. You can meet with dealers, tour various layouts, and maybe even score a great deal on your next camper. Whether you’re a newbie looking to buy your first travel trailer or a seasoned traveler with an upgrade on your mind, RV shows can be very enjoyable and beneficial.
Don’t forget about all the cool camping gear and gadgets. Dozens of vendors are usually in attendance to promote their camping goods, services, and products.
I’ve compiled a list of 10 RV shows across the U. S. that you’re sure to love. Take a look and see what’s coming up in your area. Please note that not all shows are included in the following list.
Here is my list, organized by date.
Florida RV Supershow
Tampa. Florida
January 18-22
Description: This is a must-see show for all RV and travel enthusiasts. Whether you’re an experienced RVer or just getting started, the SuperShow is made for you. The RV show offers educational seminars, daily entertainment, and the latest innovative RV products and accessories. Two booth exhibit halls are full of parts and accessories, campgrounds and resorts, tourism information, towing supplies, and many other products. Plus you’ll find all types of RVs from small travel trailers to bus-conversion luxury motorhomes.
Location: Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 US Highway 301 North, Tampa
Show Hours: Wednesday, January 18–Saturday, January 21, 9:00 am– 6:00 pm; Sunday, January 22, 9:00 am–5:00 pm
Admission: Adults $15.00 (get 2nd day pass free); children under 16 free
Parking daily rate: $10/car, $16/RV; parking is handled by the Florida State Fairgrounds
Camping: Advanced reservation required; overnight camping is handled by the Florida State Fairgrounds; for questions or concerns please contact 813-621-7821
Tacoma RV Show
Tacoma, Washington
January 19-22
Description: No other show in the region delivers a more complete shopping experience with so many dealers, brands and RV’s under one-roof.
Location: Tacoma Dome, 2727 E. D Street, Tacoma
Show Hours: Thursday, January 19-Friday, January 20, 11 am–8 pm; Saturday, January 21, 10 am–8 pm; Sunday, January 22, 10 am–5 pm
Admission: Adults 13 and over $13; Military $7.50; children 12 and under free
Parking: Free
Greater Chicago RV Show
Chicago, Illinois
January 20-22
Description: Featuring the latest makes and models of recreational vehicles from all of the nation’s top manufacturers. Special factory rebates, financing, and on the spot loan approval makes this show can’t miss for the RV enthusiasts.
Location: Schaumburg Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Dr, Schaumburg
Show Hours: Friday, January 20-Saturday, January 21, 9 am-8 pm; Sunday, January 22, 10 am-5 pm
Admission: Adults $15; children under 16 free; CASH ONLY
Parking: Onsite parking is free at the Schaumburg Convention Center and offers easy access to the show entrance
Quartzsite Sports, Vacation & RV Show
Quartzsite, Arizona
January 21–29
Description: For nine days, RVers descend on the giant exhibit tent to see the latest gadgets, get work and upgrades done on their RVs, and learn more about the RV lifestyle with workshops and seminars where attendees can learn about topics from trip planning to safety upgrades, solar and batteries, boondocking, and how to shop for an RV.
One can expect to see the “who’s who” of the RV industry but the stars of the show are the over 400 exhibitors (set up in and around the Big Tent—a 70,000-square-foot fully carpeted structure) selling everything from the latest and greatest RV gadgets to fashion jewelry to local honey. Some big tent vendors also have a cellphone and electronic gadgets, glass fingernail files, dip mixes, and other vendors with non-RV junk.
Location: Central Blvd., Quartzsite
Show Hours: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (3 p.m. closing day)
Admission and parking: Free
Louisville Boat, RV & Sportshow
Louisville, Kentucky
January 25-29
Description: The annual boat and RV show offers outdoors enthusiasts and newcomers alike the chance to prepare for their next adventure and beat cabin fever.
Location: Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Ln, Louisville
Show Hours: Wednesday, January 25, 5 pm-9 pm; Thursday, January 26-Friday, January 27, 12 pm-9 pm; Saturday, January 28, 10 am-9 pm; Sunday, January 29, 10 am-5 pm
Admission: $14.00 Adults (13 and up); children 12 and younger free (when accompanied by a paid adult); Thursday, January 26, $5 after 5 pm; all ticket sales are now online
Parking: Kentucky Exposition Center has more than 19,000 parking spaces; parking is $12 for cars and $20 for buses; handicap parking is also available
Atlanta Camping and RV Show
Atlanta, Georgia
January 26-29
Description: The Atlanta Camping and RV Show began in 1975 and has grown to one of the biggest combined RV dealers show in the Southeast with nine of Atlanta’s largest RV dealers on-site featuring all makes and models for outdoor travel and camping.
Location: Atlanta Exposition Center South, 3850 Jonesboro Road, Atlanta (I-285, Exit 55)
Show Hours: Thursday, January 26, 11 am-6 pm; Friday, January 27-Saturday, January 28, 9 am-7 pm; Sunday, January 29, 9 am-5 pm
Admission: Thursday or Friday adult $10.00; children 18 and under free; Saturday or Sunday adult $12.00; children 6-18 $5.00; under 6 Free (on-line pricing for single day eEntry $2.00 discount applied)
Minneapolis/St. Paul RV, Vacation & Camping Show
Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 2-5
Description: The show features the latest makes and models of RVs from the nation’s top manufacturers. Take advantage of special show-only pricing and incentives. Units are available for immediate delivery at the show. The show will also feature a huge selection of outdoor accessories and daily seminars.
Location: Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis
Show Hours: Thursday, February 2-Saturday, February 4, 10 am-7 pm; Sunday, February 5, 10 am-4 pm
Admission: Free
Parking: Visit the official Minneapolis/St. Paul RV Vacation & Camping Show Parking Page to find and reserve convenient parking with rates up to 50 percent off drive-up
Houston RV Show
Houston, Texas
February 8-11
Description: Texas’ largest RV Expo with thousands of recreational vehicles including motorhomes, travel trailers, tent campers, fifth wheels, and van conversions. RV-related venders onsite representing campgrounds, resorts, parks, and RV supplies.
Location: NRG Center (Halls C, D, E); NRG Center events utilize Gate 10 on the corner of Kirby and McNee. Type in the address: 8600 Kirby Drive, Houston, TX 77054 for specific driving directions
Show Hours: Wednesday-Friday, February 8-10, Noon–8 pm; Saturday, September 11, 10 am–8 pm
Admission: $15.00 adults; $5.00 children (6-12 years); under 6 Free
Parking: 26,283 parking spots available at NRG Center
Dallas RV Supersale
Dallas, Texas
February 23-26
Description: Dallas RV Supersale features hundreds of RVs from North Texas RV dealers in more than 350,000 square feet of exhibit space. Major national manufacturers and top dealers will display motorhomes, fifth-wheels, travel trailers, toy haulers, tent trailers, RV accessories and more. Booth vendors will showcase related products as well as a wide assortment of other products and services. Also take advantage of the free seminars throughout the day.
Location: Dallas Market Hall, 2200 N Stemmons Freeway, Dallas
Show Hours: Thursday, February 23, 10 am–6 pm; Friday, February 24-Saturday, February 25, 10 am–8 pm; Sunday, February 26, 10 am–6 pm
Admission: Adults $15.00; youth (6-12) $7.00; children (5 & under) free; cash only (ATM onsite)
Parking: Free
Hershey America’s Largest RV Show
Hershey, Pennsylvania
September 13-17
Description: With more than 1,400 RVs on display from the smallest travel trailer to the largest motorhome, this show is the place to shop and compare RVs, the latest camping accessories and gear, upgrades, campgrounds, vacation destinations, and related products. Explore the 33 football fields of RVs available from over 30 manufacturers, talk to knowledgeable dealers, and attend seminars presented by industry experts.
Location: Giant Center, 550 W. Hersheypark Drive, Hershey
Show Hours: Wednesday, September 13–Saturday, September 16, 9 am–8 pm; Sunday, September 17, 9 am–5 pm
Admission: Adult (13 and up) Wednesday-Friday $12 in advance, $14 day-of; Saturday $17 in advance, $19 day-of; Sunday $8 in advance, $10 day-of
Parking: Free daily parking in designated lots
Worth Pondering…
The RV lifestyle is like nothing else.
It’s leaving home, exploring America, and yet bringing your home along with you!
Stopping at a wayside picnic area, preparing lunch in your kitchen.
It’s sleeping in your own bed every night, yet waking up to a new vista each morning!
The sounds of a crackling campfire; of a mountain stream, of frogs, and crickets.
It’s families drawn closer; it’s retirees being rewarded for many years of labor.
—Loren Eyrich, Two-Lane Roads