Spring into Sports as the Weather Turns Warm
Take a sporting odyssey throughout America
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We all think of spring as a time for renewal, growth, and getting outside to enjoy the warmer weather at picnics and parties amidst a blossoming landscape. But it’s also the ideal time to shake off those wintertime blues and hit the road. The only question is: where exactly? Thankfully, some of the country’s most fun-filled sporting events make it easy to organize an epic trip. Whether you’re a snowbird yearning to hear the crack of a bat or a car-lover with a need for speed, a spring sports outing combines beautiful locales, picture-perfect weather, and easy RV access at a multitude of iconic venues.
Going, Going, Gone!
Spring is synonymous with baseball, but with ticket prices skyrocketing, regular-season games can sometimes feel out of reach. Spring training, however, remains one of the significant democratizing events of the sporting season, with activities for families readily available — and affordable! — seats, and the chance to see your favorite players having a little fun before the high-stakes pressure of the regular season takes over. The two primary spring training leagues are both ideal for RVers, though they offer distinct amenities. The Cactus League in Arizona’s Valley of the Sun kicks off in late February and features fifteen teams playing across ten different stadiums.
Yuhei Nakaushiro pitching for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Photo: Jeff Warrington
For some of the best mountain views and activities, head to Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, home to both the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies. In addition to on-site RV accommodations, the 11,000-seat facility also has a casino and resort. It is close to downtown Scottsdale, so you can enjoy a bustling urban environment after enjoying the ballgame. Other worthy stadiums include Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, where RV tailgating is a rite of passage, and Camelback Ranch in Glendale, where you can catch the Dodgers and White Sox before taking the sights and sounds of the nearby Westgate Entertainment District.
MLB’s other spring training mecca, Florida, is no less inviting. The Grapefruit League, as it’s affectionately known, is a bit more spread out, though most stadiums are located along the state’s west coast. Sarasota and Tampa are well-known for both the rabid fans of their “local” teams, the Orioles and the Yankees, as well as great RV resources at nearby campgrounds, but it’s JetBlue Park in Fort Myers that takes the cake. Known as Fenway South, the spring home of the Boston Red Sox has its own Green Monster amidst beautiful surroundings, including some of Florida’s top beaches and nature preserves. Take a wildlife-viewing kayak trip in Estero Bay for the true Fort Myers experience.
Pit crew at Talladega Superspeedway. Photo: Carol Highsmith
Start Your Engines
Baseball isn’t the only pastime Americans equate with spring. NASCAR, one of the most iconic racing series the world over, technically kicks off in early February, but the season really gets going when the weather warms. RVers looking to enjoy the inimitable roar and rumble of forty finely-tuned racing machines doing their thing can do so at iconic venues including Daytona, Bristol, and Talladega. Special RV access includes infield camping, free entertainment zones, family-friendly activities, and occasionally even discounted access to the grandstand. Keep in mind that infield tickets often sell out early; however, waitlists are available and, according to frequent campers, you’ve got a good shot of getting lucky. Just outside the tracks, smaller campsites are also available.
Participant at Myrtle Beach Bike Week. Photo: Larry Grubbs.
Two Wheels, Four Legs
For those of you who enjoy riding on two wheels as much as four, Myrtle Beach Bike Week, an annual May event celebrating all things motorcycles, is a must. Rockabilly, blues, and rock bands abound, while the Grand Strand, South Carolina’s sixty-mile beachfront, becomes a haven for Harleys. There are numerous campgrounds along the Strand, with a few even featuring bike rallies of their own. The Kentucky Derby, that great American tradition, is another worthy spring spectacular for campers to enjoy. Derby Park, a few blocks from Churchill Downs, offers package deals including one of the best (read: raucous!) parties in Kentucky each year during the race. The site also boasts a concert stage, the state’s largest flea market, and a year-round farmer’s market so you can stock up on the freshest mint julip ingredients. Other events worth including in your itinerary include the Miami Grand Prix on May 3 and the 2026 World Cup, which is taking place at stadiums across the country between mid-June and mid-July.
Greg Donahue
James Donahue is a writer and outdoors enthusiast whose travels have taken him to 45 states and nearly as many countries around the world. When he's not hiking, biking, or fly fishing (or writing about all three), you can usually find him exploring the beaches up and down the East Coast with his wife and daughter.
