🏁 Limited Availability Notice: The 2026 Bass Pro Shops Night Race is one of the highest-demand sporting events of the year. Our full hookup RV sites and prime tent spaces fill to capacity every fall. Sites are allocated on a first-call basis. Call (423) 383-5373 right now to reserve before we are completely sold out!
🏁 2026 Bass Pro Shops Night Race Weekend Schedule
September 17–19, 2026 • Bristol Motor Speedway • "The Last Great Colosseum"
There is nothing in motorsports quite like the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. When the sun dips behind the Appalachian ridgeline and the massive stadium floodlights ignite over the high-banked half-mile concrete bowl, 500 laps of pure, unfiltered stock car thunder takes over. It's intense, it's visceral, and for NASCAR fans, it is the ultimate bucket-list event.
The 2026 race marks the crucial Round of 16 elimination cutoff race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. Four drivers will see their championship dreams end under the lights, while the rest battle bumper-to-bumper with tempers flaring and sparks showering the concrete. To truly experience the magic of Bristol, you have to be here in person all weekend long.
When you stay at Bristol Hilltop Camping, you are positioned perfectly to take in every single lap of the action without the stress of parking lots or marathon highway delays.
Thursday, Sept 17: UNOH 200 (Craftsman Truck Series) & Bush's Beans 200 (ARCA)
Friday, Sept 18: Food City 300 (NASCAR Xfinity Series)
Saturday, Sept 19: Bass Pro Shops Night Race (NASCAR Cup Series • 7:30 PM ET)
Bass Pro Shops Night Race Tripleheader
Three consecutive nights of heart-pounding racing at the world's fastest half-mile track. Campers enjoy seamless track access every day from Thursday through race night on Saturday.
- ✅ Thursday: Practice, Qualifying & Truck Series 200 Laps
- ✅ Friday: Xfinity Series Food City 300 Under the Lights
- ✅ Saturday: 500 Laps Cup Series Playoff Elimination Finale
- ✅ Sunday: Relaxed check-out and hassle-free departure
Why Choose Bristol Hilltop for Night Race Camping?
The premier spot for Bass Pro Shops Night Race camping near Bristol Motor Speedway in September 2026
Walk to the Gates (0.9 Miles)
Forget sitting in 3-hour gridlock on Highway 11E and Volunteer Parkway when 100,000 fans leave after the checkered flag. At Bristol Hilltop Camping, you are an easy 15–20 minute walk (0.9 mi) to the BMS main entrance and 1.2 mi to the south gate. Walk back to camp, light the grill, and celebrate while others sit in traffic.
Full Hookup RV Sites
Looking for top-tier Bristol night race RV camping? We offer complete full hookup sites with fresh water connections, 30-amp and 50-amp electrical service, and dedicated sewer connections. Power your air conditioning, run your appliances, and enjoy all the home comforts in your motorhome or fifth wheel.
Scenic Tent Camping Spaces
Prefer authentic outdoor camping near Bristol Motor Speedway? Our spacious hilltop tent camping areas give you plenty of room to pitch your tent, set up shade canopies, and take in the crisp mountain air. Perfect for race fans traveling light or groups seeking an affordable race weekend getaway.
Family-Owned & Operated Hospitality
Unlike massive impersonal corporate parking fields, Bristol Hilltop Camping is a family-owned campground run by friendly East Tennessee locals. We take immense pride in maintaining a safe, welcoming, and clean environment where race fans return year after year as friends.
Breezy Hilltop Views & Clean Air
Perched at 133 Hilltop Street, our elevated location provides sweeping scenic views of the Appalachian foothills and refreshing mountain breezes that keep your campsite cool and comfortable after a warm September afternoon at the track.
Effortless Highway Access
Wondering where to camp Bristol race weekend without navigating complicated backroads? We are easily reached directly from Interstate 81 via Highway 394 and Highway 11E. Our broad entrances accommodate big rigs, toy haulers, and trailers of all lengths.
Ready to secure your spot for the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Night Race?
📞 Call Now to Check Night Race Availability: (423) 383-5373🏁 What to Bring & Race Weekend Insider Tips
Get the most out of your Bass Pro Shops Night Race camping trip with this veteran checklist
Essential Gear for Bristol Night Race Campers
Bristol Motor Speedway is famously dubbed "The World's Fastest Half-Mile" and "The Last Great Colosseum." With 36 degrees of banking and over 120,000 cheering fans packed into a concrete stadium bowl, it is one of the loudest, most thrilling environments in sports. A little preparation makes your weekend unforgettable:
- Hearing Protection & Racing Scanners: Decibel levels at Bristol can reach upwards of 130 dB. Bring foam earplugs or over-ear earmuffs for everyone in your party, especially children. Rent or bring a race scanner (Racing Electronics) so you can listen to spotter chatter, crew chiefs, and the MRN race broadcast live.
- Comfortable Walking Shoes: You are just 0.9 miles from the track gates! The walk down Hilltop Street and across Volunteer Parkway is brisk and convenient, but you will want supportive walking shoes or broken-in sneakers.
- Layered Clothing for Mountain Temperatures: Mid-September in Bristol, Tennessee brings pleasant daytime highs in the mid-70s to low-80s, but once the sun goes down over Sullivan County, temperatures can drop rapidly into the 50s. Bring hoodies, light jackets, and long pants for the 500-lap night race finish.
- Speedway-Approved Soft-Sided Coolers: Bristol Motor Speedway allows fans to bring one soft-sided cooler (maximum dimensions: 14" × 14" × 14") plus one lightweight bag or backpack into the grandstands. No glass containers are permitted inside the track.
- Camp Shade & Seating: Pop-up 10x10 canopies, folding camp chairs, patio mats, and battery-powered camp lanterns will make your campsite the ultimate pre-race tailgating lounge between track sessions.
- RV Essentials: If booking a full hookup RV site, bring a standard 25–50 ft RV drinking water hose, water pressure regulator, 30A or 50A electrical surge protector/cord, and heavy-duty sewer hose with proper elbow fittings.
💡 Pro Tips from Your Camp Hosts
1. Arrive Early on Thursday or Friday
Check in early on Thursday or Friday morning. You will avoid race-day traffic on Hwy 394, set up your campsite at leisure, and catch the UNOH 200 Truck race and Food City 300 Xfinity battle before Saturday's main event.
2. Pack Clear Bags for Quick Entry
BMS security checkpoints move fast, but clear tote bags or clutches ensure you breeze through security without delay.
3. Stay Hydrated
Between cheering, walking, and tailgating, keep plenty of bottled water in your cooler. September sun can be deceivingly warm before the evening cool rolls in.
4. Reserve Your Spot Now
Full hookup spots for the night race are in high demand nationwide. Don't wait until race week when sites are completely gone.
📞 Call (423) 383-5373 to BookGetting Here from Interstate 81 & Surrounding Areas
Simple driving directions to 133 Hilltop Street, Bristol, TN 37620 — only 0.9 miles from the track
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
- From I-81 Northbound (Knoxville / Morristown / Johnson City): Take I-81 North toward Bristol. Take Exit 69 for TN-394 toward Blountville / Bristol Motor Speedway. Follow TN-394 East for approximately 9 miles directly toward the speedway. Merge toward US-11E, follow signs to Hilltop Street, and head to the top of the hill.
- From I-81 Southbound (Virginia / Roanoke / Abingdon): Follow I-81 South into Tennessee. Take Exit 69 onto TN-394 East toward Bristol Motor Speedway, or take Exit 3 / US-11E South directly through Bristol to Hilltop Street.
- From Tri-Cities Airport (TRI): Take TN-75 North to TN-394 East. Follow TN-394 directly to the Bristol Motor Speedway corridor (approx. 20-minute drive).
- Arrival Advice: Hilltop Street provides wide, gradual access for RVs and trailers. Look for the Bristol Hilltop Camping entrance signs at the crest of the hill.
Frequently Asked Questions — Night Race Camping
Everything you need to know about camping at Bristol Hilltop for the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Night Race
We are situated just 0.9 miles from the main entrance of Bristol Motor Speedway and 1.2 miles from the south entrance. You can comfortably walk to and from the grandstands in about 15 to 20 minutes, meaning you can hear the roar of engines from your campsite and skip all the post-race traffic gridlock!
We have a limited number of full hookup RV sites featuring fresh water, 30/50-amp electric hookups, and sewer connections. Because the Bass Pro Shops Night Race on September 19 is just 16 days away, these premium spots fill quickly. We strongly urge you to call us directly at (423) 383-5373 right away to secure your site.
Campers are welcome to arrive starting Thursday, September 17, 2026 (or earlier upon prior arrangement) so you can catch the Thursday night Truck Series race and Friday night Xfinity Series race before Saturday's NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops Night Race. Check-out is Sunday, September 20, 2026.
Yes, absolutely! Walking to the track is one of the greatest advantages of staying at Bristol Hilltop Camping. Parking at the speedway can cost upwards of $40–$60 per day and often takes 2 to 3 hours to exit onto Volunteer Parkway after the race. Our campers simply walk back up Hilltop Street in under 20 minutes and relax around camp while everyone else sits in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
Yes! We love welcoming tent campers, pop-ups, truck bed campers, and camper vans. We have designated green tent camping areas that take full advantage of our hilltop views and cool evening breezes. Give us a call at (423) 383-5373 for tent camping rates and reservations.
Well-behaved pets are welcome at Bristol Hilltop Camping! Dogs must remain leashed at all times and owners must clean up after their pets. Please note that during race weekend, the track generates intense noise, so ensure your pets are comfortable and secure during race times.
Making a reservation is quick and easy! Simply call our office at (423) 383-5373. We will discuss your RV length or tent setup, confirm your dates, and reserve your space over the phone. Because this race weekend is just 16 days away, we recommend calling as soon as possible.
Don't Miss the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Night Race!
The green flag flies in just 16 days on Saturday, September 19, 2026. Premium full hookup RV and tent sites are extremely limited — call now to reserve your spot!
📍 133 Hilltop Street, Bristol, TN 37620 • Only 0.9 Miles from Bristol Motor Speedway