Car Camping Oshkosh 2025

W

Wheresmychute

Pre-Flight
Joined
Apr 11, 2024
Messages
48
Display Name
Wheresmychute
Im hoping to drive up and camp in my truck for Oshkosh this year, but im having trouble getting a good gauge on availability. I want to arrive thursday most likely, and leave saturday. I know camping on site is first come first serve, what are my chances of getting a spot? I don't mind if its far out, I just dont want to be turned away.

Also, I read there is a sort of mass exodus after wednesday, why is that? Should I aim for the start of the show vs the end? Like arrive Sunday, leave Tuesday?

Or should I go for an off site campite, and just drive in every day.

Thanks for any tips.
 
EAA asserts that camp Scholler cannot be filled, so if you trust them, you are good to go.
 
While I believe the chances of getting a spot are very good, it’s not 100%. For example, in times past excessive rainfall has shutdown both Scholler and aircraft camping to new arrivals but that’s a rare occurrence and I bring it up as only as an example as to what to could happen to preclude you getting a spot. Bottom line is I think you’ll be good to go.

Although all of the camping areas start seeing departures by midweek, in my experience it’s more observable in the aircraft camping areas than in Scholler.
 
tsts4 said:
While I believe the chances of getting a spot are very good, it’s not 100%. For example, in times past excessive rainfall has shutdown both Scholler and aircraft camping to new arrivals but that’s a rare occurrence and I bring it up as only as an example as to what to could happen to preclude you getting a spot. Bottom line is I think you’ll be good to go.

Although all of the camping areas start seeing departures by midweek, in my experience it’s more observable in the aircraft camping areas than in Scholler.
Click to expand...
MountainDude said:
EAA asserts that camp Scholler cannot be filled, so if you trust them, you are good to go.
Click to expand...
Thank you both, it will be a 13-hour or so drive for me so I would hate to be turned away. But as long as its not a common occurence I will risk it.
 
Let us know how this goes. This was my backup plan if all my other options fell through. I wasn’t sure if I would bother with a rent or just sleep in the back of my Bronco. I really want to know how far away you end up.
 
If you can, I highly recommend bringing a bike, scooter, or similar transport to get you to and from your campsite to the gate as chances are you’ll be a pretty good walking distance away from the show.
 
If you're just going to Oshkosh for the experience, then anytime will check the box. But if there are specific things you want to do or see, then I recommend looking at the schedule and decide what are the best days for you: https://www.eaa.org/airventure/eaa-airventure-schedule-of-events

Some forums offer repeats, some don't. Most of the workshops are available everyday. The airshow changes daily, there may be some acts/demos that you really want to see, so look when they're performing. Also, as you noted, people start to leave later in the week so there may be aircraft you're interested in seeing that may not be there later in the week.

Also, don't forget the museum, it's great and will be open the whole week.

All that said, check the weather forecast. Camping can be brutal if there's more than one day of rain or it's hot. Arrive/depart before the storms or after it has dried out. And +1 on bringing a bike!
 
We got there on Wednesday afternoon last year. All the best spots were of course filled days before and we had to drive around a bit. But our 21+' class C adventure van found a place in the far end of camp Scholler. There would have been plenty of space if site selection had been a little more regimented. It was a free-for-all.

We finally asked a family in a huge toy hauler if they minded us being a little close on their non-slide out side. It was low-land that had been soggy the week before. But, by the time we got there it was firm enough.
 
Wheresmychute said:
Im hoping to drive up and camp in my truck for Oshkosh this year, but im having trouble getting a good gauge on availability. I want to arrive thursday most likely, and leave saturday. I know camping on site is first come first serve, what are my chances of getting a spot? I don't mind if its far out, I just dont want to be turned away.
Click to expand...
You won't be turned away. Last year, Scholler "filled up" for the first time and there was a massive backup at the entrance gate... But EAA took some land that they had purchased but not planned on opening up to camping, and quickly opened it up to camping. There wasn't really anything in terms of improvements, but it was a bare spot of land for people to camp on; they have already made the official camping grounds significantly larger this year.

Wheresmychute said:
Also, I read there is a sort of mass exodus after wednesday, why is that?
Click to expand...
Lots of people don't have the stamina, vacation time, or whatever for the whole show. There's a night airshow on Wednesday night. They'll stay for that and then split Thursday morning. There's a big influx of new people on Thursday as well - Thursday is the big "turnover day" of the show.

Wheresmychute said:
Should I aim for the start of the show vs the end? Like arrive Sunday, leave Tuesday?
Click to expand...
Depends what you're after. Big new product announcements happen on Monday so they can show the stuff off all week long. But, if you want free stuff, stick around til Sunday when vendors are unloading all kinds of things either free or at ridiculous discounts just so that they don't have to pack it up and carry it home.

Wheresmychute said:
Or should I go for an off site campite, and just drive in every day.
Click to expand...
No way! Being on the field 24 hours a day is the way to do it. That way the fun never ends - When the "show" is over for the day, you hang out in the campground and talk with other pilots, and you get woken up in the morning by airplane noise.

idahoflier said:
Also, don't forget the museum, it's great and will be open the whole week year.
Click to expand...
FTFY. If you're coming from any reasonable distance (say, 3-4 hours' flight time or less), skip the museum and come visit it the rest of the year, when it'll be nearly empty and you can wander and drool to your heart's content. I never go to the museum during the show because I can get there easily the rest of the year and enjoy it.

That said, it is really a great museum so if you're coming from farther away, definitely check it out. It's also dry and air conditioned which can be nice depending on the weather outside...

Finally, be sure you actually see the whole thing. The entrance to the big hangar is REALLY easy to miss, and there are several smaller areas that are also really easy to miss.
 
flyingcheesehead said:
You won't be turned away. Last year, Scholler "filled up" for the first time and there was a massive backup at the entrance gate... But EAA took some land that they had purchased but not planned on opening up to camping, and quickly opened it up to camping. There wasn't really anything in terms of improvements, but it was a bare spot of land for people to camp on; they have already made the official camping grounds significantly larger this year.


Lots of people don't have the stamina, vacation time, or whatever for the whole show. There's a night airshow on Wednesday night. They'll stay for that and then split Thursday morning. There's a big influx of new people on Thursday as well - Thursday is the big "turnover day" of the show.


Depends what you're after. Big new product announcements happen on Monday so they can show the stuff off all week long. But, if you want free stuff, stick around til Sunday when vendors are unloading all kinds of things either free or at ridiculous discounts just so that they don't have to pack it up and carry it home.


No way! Being on the field 24 hours a day is the way to do it. That way the fun never ends - When the "show" is over for the day, you hang out in the campground and talk with other pilots, and you get woken up in the morning by airplane noise.


FTFY. If you're coming from any reasonable distance (say, 3-4 hours' flight time or less), skip the museum and come visit it the rest of the year, when it'll be nearly empty and you can wander and drool to your heart's content. I never go to the museum during the show because I can get there easily the rest of the year and enjoy it.

That said, it is really a great museum so if you're coming from farther away, definitely check it out. It's also dry and air conditioned which can be nice depending on the weather outside...

Finally, be sure you actually see the whole thing. The entrance to the big hangar is REALLY easy to miss, and there are several smaller areas that are also really easy to miss.
Click to expand...
idahoflier said:
If you're just going to Oshkosh for the experience, then anytime will check the box. But if there are specific things you want to do or see, then I recommend looking at the schedule and decide what are the best days for you: https://www.eaa.org/airventure/eaa-airventure-schedule-of-events

Some forums offer repeats, some don't. Most of the workshops are available everyday. The airshow changes daily, there may be some acts/demos that you really want to see, so look when they're performing. Also, as you noted, people start to leave later in the week so there may be aircraft you're interested in seeing that may not be there later in the week.

Also, don't forget the museum, it's great and will be open the whole week.

All that said, check the weather forecast. Camping can be brutal if there's more than one day of rain or it's hot. Arrive/depart before the storms or after it has dried out. And +1 on bringing a bike!
Click to expand...
Thats good to hear, and Im a 13 hour drive away so I will probably want to get my museum fix in while I'm there.
 
so how early would a person have to arrive to be able to get a spot
a) within reasonable walking distance of a gate?​
b) within a reasonable bike ride to the gate?​
c) where you don't feel like you're in the next county?​

I'm wondering from the perspective of a small two-man tent spot next to a car
but also for something like a 30ft class C RV?

I've been there a few times, but have only camped once and that was a long time ago. 2002 I think it was
I drove in, I think a couple of days before opening day, and after some driving around, found a spot right next to the gate...I mean right next to it. Just big enough for my rental car and a two-man tent. I knew I was lucky even back then.... but most folks wanted something larger. I wish that I could find a picture of it... I'm not even sure I took any....
 
Dave Theisen said:
Let us know how this goes. This was my backup plan if all my other options fell through. I wasn’t sure if I would bother with a rent or just sleep in the back of my Bronco. I really want to know how far away you end up.
Click to expand...
I did this in 2019 when I had plane issues upon departure from my home airport. I packed two duffle bags -- one with clothes and one with sleeping bag, tent, etc. Southwest to Midway and a rental car to the show. Flying out Saturday before the show I got a camping spot somewhere around 24th/25th between Rutan and Cottonwood.

 
Sam D said:
I did this in 2019 when I had plane issues upon departure from my home airport. I packed two duffle bags -- one with clothes and one with sleeping bag, tent, etc. Southwest to Midway and a rental car to the show. Flying out Saturday before the show I got a camping spot somewhere around 24th/25th between Rutan and Cottonwood.

Click to expand...
That’s not too bad.
 
Brad W said:
so how early would a person have to arrive to be able to get a spot
a) within reasonable walking distance of a gate?​
b) within a reasonable bike ride to the gate?​
c) where you don't feel like you're in the next county?​

I'm wondering from the perspective of a small two-man tent spot next to a car
but also for something like a 30ft class C RV?

I've been there a few times, but have only camped once and that was a long time ago. 2002 I think it was
I drove in, I think a couple of days before opening day, and after some driving around, found a spot right next to the gate...I mean right next to it. Just big enough for my rental car and a two-man tent. I knew I was lucky even back then.... but most folks wanted something larger. I wish that I could find a picture of it... I'm not even sure I took any....
Click to expand...
We just went to claim our spot this weekend (we live about 5 hours away and camp with friends in a location that is walkable but much nicer with a bike). I was surprised how many people were already there. "Reasonable" distances vary by person but I would say yours odds are good to great 7-10 days out from the first weekend. But they are probably still pretty good up through Thursday, especially if you aren't trying to camp with other people and have a small footprint option. Local restaurant staff said they start feeling the event crowds starting Wednesday. Showing up with a 30ft class C RV after Thursday would be harder to get a prime spot. Note: Even ADA spots fill quite quickly according to Don, a chatty early bird we met. I hear they are adding more and more full hookup spots (water and electric) FWIW and shuttle service is available. If you haven't considered joining a local chapter it might be worth a look. Not all chapters go, but they do allow them to reserve spots for their members (I don't know the details I just see them taped off.
 
By Thursday, there will be openings from people leaving. Start up by Paul's Woods near the show entrance and weave your way backwards. I'll bet you can find something before you get to Stitts. Look for where the grass is smooth, it's a campsite where someone left.
 
Michelle R said:
We just went to claim our spot this weekend (we live about 5 hours away and camp with friends in a location that is walkable but much nicer with a bike). I was surprised how many people were already there. "Reasonable" distances vary by person but I would say yours odds are good to great 7-10 days out from the first weekend. But they are probably still pretty good up through Thursday, especially if you aren't trying to camp with other people and have a small footprint option. Local restaurant staff said they start feeling the event crowds starting Wednesday. Showing up with a 30ft class C RV after Thursday would be harder to get a prime spot. Note: Even ADA spots fill quite quickly according to Don, a chatty early bird we met. I hear they are adding more and more full hookup spots (water and electric) FWIW and shuttle service is available. If you haven't considered joining a local chapter it might be worth a look. Not all chapters go, but they do allow them to reserve spots for their members (I don't know the details I just see them taped off.
Click to expand...
I few follow up questions and some clarification, by Thursday do you mean this upcoming Thursday the 17th? I intend to arrive Monday the 21st.

Also, how are spots marked, is it literally just an open field and you park yourself 10 ft away from the closest camper and thats your spot? Or are there designated spots already marked and you find an empty one?
 
Wheresmychute said:
I few follow up questions and some clarification, by Thursday do you mean this upcoming Thursday the 17th? I intend to arrive Monday the 21st.

Also, how are spots marked, is it literally just an open field and you park yourself 10 ft away from the closest camper and thats your spot? Or are there designated spots already marked and you find an empty one?
Click to expand...
Per the Camp Scholler guidelines:
  • Basic sites are not pre-marked or assigned. Once credentials are issued, the member may locate and stake out an unoccupied spot in the campground.
  • The EAA member must size the basic site to accommodate the member’s camping unit and one (1) transient vehicle (or two (2) motorcycles) with a five-foot (5’) perimeter. Camping units must be at least ten feet (10’) apart. Any campsite deemed too large will be resized by EAA Security.
So yeah you just find an open spot of ground and adhere to the rules as best you can. If you're coming at the end of the week it will be more less obvious what's an open spot.
 
Wheresmychute said:
I few follow up questions and some clarification, by Thursday do you mean this upcoming Thursday the 17th? I intend to arrive Monday the 21st.

Also, how are spots marked, is it literally just an open field and you park yourself 10 ft away from the closest camper and thats your spot? Or are there designated spots already marked and you find an empty one?
Click to expand...
Looking at the map, I see that Scholler has expanded RV parking and pushed regular campers further out. Getting there on Monday, expect to be way south, maybe halfway to Fond du Lac. The last time I went was 2021. I arrived on Thursday before the show and camped near 28th/Elm. I would estimate the general camping east of there is already claimed by EAA groups and very early arrivals.

 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top