Food City 500 Camping at Bristol Motor Speedway
Camp just 0.9 miles from the World's Fastest Half-Mile! Experience the thunderous return of high-banked concrete short-track action with full hookup RV sites and spacious tent camping at Bristol Hilltop Camping.
š Next Spring Race: April 2027 (Prior Event: April 12, 2026) | Bristol, Tennessee
Spring campsites book fast ā lock in your full hookup or tent spot today!
The Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway
500 laps of pure, high-banked adrenaline in the hills of East Tennessee
Few spectacles in American motorsports rival the intensity of the annual Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Since its debut in 1961, Bristol's spring race weekend has forged legends, ignited iconic rivalries, and delivered some of the most heart-stopping finishes in NASCAR history. With the spring race restored to Bristol's celebrated high-banked concrete surface, fans are treated to 500 laps of blistering side-by-side racing on 28-degree banking in the turns and 6 to 10-degree banking on the straights.
The Food City 500 race weekend is a multi-day motorsport festival. The schedule typically showcases a high-octane tripleheader featuring the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, the NASCAR Xfinity Series, and the main event: Sunday's grueling NASCAR Cup Series Food City 500. Across the entire weekend, engines roar, tires screech, and paint is exchanged at over 120 miles per hour inside "The Last Great Colosseum" ā an arena that holds more than 140,000 cheering fans.
When you camp at Bristol Hilltop Camping, you are placed right in the heart of this electric atmosphere. You can wake up to the smell of morning coffee and race fuel, listen to the warm-ups echo through the Holston Valley, and walk to your seat in 15 minutes flat.
Practice, Qualifying & Support Races
Catch Cup Series practice and pole qualifying, followed by the intense short-track action of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series under the lights and afternoon sun.
NASCAR Cup Series Food City 500
500 laps, 266.5 miles of bumper-to-bumper combat. Watch 40 of the world's best drivers battle the concrete colosseum for a guaranteed ticket to the NASCAR playoffs and the coveted Food City 500 trophy.
Why Choose Bristol Hilltop Camping for the Food City 500?
The smartest choice for NASCAR fans who want proximity, comfort, and authentic Southern hospitality
When it comes to premier Bristol spring race camping, convenience and location make all the difference. Ask any veteran race fan who has attended Bristol Motor Speedway, and they will tell you the same thing: traffic after the checkered flag can be brutal. Highway 394 and US-11E (Volunteer Parkway) can grind to a complete halt for two to three hours following a NASCAR Cup Series race. While thousands of weary drivers sit bumper-to-bumper on the asphalt, guests at Bristol Hilltop Camping take an easy, paved 15-minute walk back to their campsite, fire up the grill, kick back with friends, and recount the race's wildest moments.
Bristol Hilltop Camping is a proud, family-owned campground. We treat every guest like family, ensuring a clean, safe, well-lit, and neighborly environment. Whether you are driving a 45-foot luxury Class A motorcoach, towing a fifth-wheel or travel trailer, or setting up a rugged pop-up tent, our hilltop property is designed to provide the ultimate race weekend retreat.
Full Hookup RV Sites
Premium Food City 500 RV parking with dedicated 30-amp and 50-amp electrical pedestals, fresh city water hookups, and direct on-site sewer connections. Big-rig friendly pull-through and back-in spaces with level ground.
0.9 Miles to Main Gates
Just 0.9 miles to the BMS main entrance and 1.2 miles to the south gate. Enjoy a straightforward 15-minute walk without spending a dime on parking passes or shuttles.
Spacious Tent Camping
Scenic grassy tent sites situated on our breezy hillside. Ample room for multi-tent groups, canopy shades, camp chairs, and your personal vehicle parked right next to your site.
Family-Owned & Operated
We live and work right here in Bristol. Our hands-on owners are on-site all weekend to assist with parking, hookups, local tips, and maintaining a welcoming, friendly atmosphere.
Hilltop Views & Quiet Hours
Enjoy peaceful Appalachian ridge views by day and respectful quiet hours (11 PM ā 7 AM) by night, ensuring a great night's rest so you are refreshed for every lap of race day.
Trailer & Tow Parking
Generous site dimensions mean you won't have to squeeze your tow vehicle, golf cart trailer, or extra vehicle into an overcrowded satellite lot. Everything stays with your camp.
Spring Camping Guide: Weather Tips for the Food City 500
How to stay warm, dry, and comfortable during April in East Tennessee
Springtime in the Appalachian foothills of East Tennessee is breathtaking, with budding dogwood trees, blooming mountain wildflowers, and crisp mountain air. If you are planning for camping near Bristol Motor Speedway April race weekend, preparing for the seasonal climate will ensure your Food City 500 camping experience is flawless and comfortable from setup to tear-down.
š§„ 1. Master the Art of Layering
April temperatures in Bristol regularly swing 30 to 40 degrees in a single day. Daytime highs often hit a comfortable 65Ā°F to 75Ā°F under bright sunshine, while night temperatures can drop into the upper 30s or 40sĀ°F. Pack a combination of moisture-wicking base layers, fleece pullovers, and a wind-resistant jacket. You will appreciate the extra layers during morning track walks and evening campfires!
š 2. Early-Season RV Readiness
For many campers, the Food City 500 marks their first major RV trip of the spring season. Before pulling out of your driveway, de-winterize your plumbing, sanitize your freshwater tank, test your water pump, and inspect your propane system. Fill both LP tanks so your furnace can keep your cabin cozy on chilly spring nights. It is also wise to pack a heated or well-insulated freshwater drinking hose in case nighttime temperatures flirt with the freezing mark.
š§ļø 3. Rain Gear & Track Rules (No Umbrellas in Grandstands)
Spring mountain showers can pass through quickly. Bring sturdy ground tarps, waterproof boots or hiking shoes, and heavy-duty rain ponchos. Remember that Bristol Motor Speedway prohibits umbrellas inside the grandstands because they obstruct the sightlines of fellow fans. A high-quality hooded rain poncho will keep you completely dry while watching high-speed qualifying or race action.
š„ 4. Cozy Campfires & Evening Tailgating
Nothing beats sitting around a roaring campfire on a cool April evening under the starry Tennessee sky. Above-ground fire pits are welcome at Bristol Hilltop Camping. Pick up dry, seasoned local firewood to avoid transporting invasive pests, bring roasting sticks for s'mores, and enjoy swapping racing stories with fellow NASCAR diehards.
Getting to Bristol Hilltop Camping from I-81
Effortless driving directions directly to 133 Hilltop Street, Bristol, TN
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
- From I-81 South (Virginia / North): Take I-81 South into Tennessee to Exit 69 (TN-394 toward Blountville / Bristol). Follow TN-394 East for approximately 9 miles toward Bristol Motor Speedway. Merge onto US-11E (Volunteer Parkway) heading north, then turn onto Hilltop Street. Our hilltop property is just ahead on your right.
- From I-81 North (Knoxville / South): Follow I-81 North to Exit 69 (TN-394 East). Continue on TN-394 directly toward Bristol Motor Speedway. Proceed toward US-11E, turn onto Hilltop Street, and follow the camp signs right to check-in.
- From I-26 / Johnson City: Take I-26 West to Exit 17 for TN-354 / Boones Creek Road toward US-11E North, or connect via TN-394 East directly to the speedway corridor and Hilltop Street.
- Big-Rig & Trailer Friendly: Hilltop Street offers clear, wide access for large Class A motorhomes, toy haulers, and fifth wheels. Our staff will meet you upon arrival to direct you straight into your assigned site.
ā±ļø The Ultimate Walk-to-Track Convenience
When booking your camping near Bristol Motor Speedway April weekend, nothing compares to the luxury of leaving your keys in your pocket. Once your rig is leveled and your camp is set up, you never have to move your vehicle again until it's time to head home. Walk down to BMS for practice, qualifying, Fan Zone concerts, and all three races in just 15 minutes!
Food City 500 Camping FAQ
Everything you need to know about camping near Bristol Motor Speedway for the spring race
Bristol Hilltop Camping is located exactly 0.9 miles from the main grandstand entrance of Bristol Motor Speedway and 1.2 miles from the south entrance / Dragway entrance. It is a smooth 15-minute walk along established roads, allowing you to walk right to the gates and avoid all parking fees and post-race gridlock.
We offer full hookup RV sites equipped with 30-amp and 50-amp electrical service, city water, and direct sewer hookups. If you are looking for convenient, hassle-free Food City 500 RV parking, we provide level pull-through spaces accommodating big rigs, fifth wheels, and toy haulers up to 45 feet, as well as dry RV parking and scenic grassy tent camping sites.
Yes! That is one of our greatest advantages. Once you pull into Bristol Hilltop Camping, your vehicle is parked safely at your site for the entire weekend. You can walk down for practice, qualifying, Truck Series, Xfinity Series, and the Food City 500 Cup race, returning to camp whenever you want without fighting track shuttles or traffic jams.
We offer flexible arrival times starting earlier in race week (typically Wednesday or Thursday) so you can get settled before on-track activities begin on Friday. Our office phone lines are open daily from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and gate access is open 24/7 for registered guests during race week.
Yes, above-ground fire rings and propane/charcoal grills are permitted (as long as Sullivan County is not under a temporary burn ban). For dry camping sites, quiet inverter generators are welcome, but we strictly enforce neighborhood quiet hours from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM to ensure all guests get a restful night's sleep.
Because our campground is one of the closest and most accessible destinations for Bristol spring race camping, our full hookup and tent sites fill up several months ahead of the spring race. Reservations are booked directly over the phone with our family staff by calling (423) 383-5373. We recommend reserving as soon as your race tickets are confirmed.
Reserve Your Spot for the Spring Bristol Race
Don't get stuck miles from the track or trapped in three-hour post-race traffic. Join our racing family at Bristol Hilltop Camping and enjoy the ultimate Food City 500 weekend!
š 133 Hilltop Street, Bristol, TN 37620 ā¢ Just 0.9 miles from Bristol Motor Speedway