camping near the KY Derby

Hello all. I need some help. Some of my friends and I have decided that we would like to do the infield this year at the derby. We aren%26#39;t looking to spend tons of money on hotels. We realize that there prob. won%26#39;t be much use for it. So we need help what would be a good cheap hotel, up too 2 hrs away or camping spots that we might want to look into? Also how soon should we get to the gates to get in without stanidng for hrs or is the parking lot just as good as the field? Any help would be great, thanks!!!!!

PS ~ How many days do people usually stay we are thinking come up on the 4 - 6th

camping near the KY Derby

I do not know of any campgrounds in Louisville, but there is a KOA just about 15min south in Shepherdsville. You can rent a site or a cabin there. The further you go away from Lou. the cheaper it will get and there are several hotels in Shepherdsville. Can%26#39;t help with the Derby specifics though - it%26#39;s sorry to say, but I%26#39;ve never been.

camping near the KY Derby

Otter Creek Park (about 25 mins.) outside of Louisville is another camping option. They also have cabin rentals. louisvilleky.gov/MetroParks/parks/ottercreek/

For cheap hotel options, you might check out Southern Indiana (New Albany, Jeffersonville or Clarksville, IN) Right across the river from Louisville.

Surprisingly, the wait to get through the gates is not that bad. I wouldn%26#39;t worry about getting there at the crack of dawn. There%26#39;s not much going on in the parking lot. The infield is where the big ';tailgate'; party happens (without the cars).

The 4th - 6th would be OK. It really depends upon how much you want to do. I%26#39;d suggest that you at least get in early on the 4th. If you don%26#39;t feel like going to the Oaks....the city is filled with parties.....check out the Chow Wagon at Waterfront Park and/or there%26#39;s usually a good concert on Derby eve....plus, the bars stay open all night. (It%26#39;s sort of like Mardi Gras)

I always advise people that if they must leave the day after Derby, make sure that you take into consideration that you will be exhausted and probably hung-over. Don%26#39;t schedule an early morning flight -- Give yourself some recovery time. Leave late on the 6th -- if you must.

Just found another camping option. Looks like it%26#39;s about 15-20 miles from Louisville (in Taylorsville). www.rollinghillscamping.com

If you are coming from Nashville, camping is available at Mammoth Cave National Park which is about 90 miles from Louisville but you may need a reservation. I have stayed at Otter Creek Park campgrounds which is 45 - 60 minutes from Churchill. It is a nice campground in the bluffs overlooking the Ohio River. The cabins are rustic and nice enough there as well.

I have always seen tents set up at U of L for campers. I%26#39;m not sure how to find out about that. If you have a camper, I have some friends that have camped for years at the Fairgrounds.

Close to town camp spots available would be Charlestown State Park (15 mikes away) in Charlestown Indiana on the Ohio river, Taylorsville Lake State Park (20 miles) in Kentucky. Otter Creek Park is owned by the City of Louisville and has nice campsites.

There is also a small KOA camp in Jeffersonville , just north of Louisville, ( 5 min to down town)

This is my first year going. Me and 8 other people rented an RV and found what I think will be a great parking spot. Its called Expo Five (they have a web page). They do campers and tents with electricity hookup. They also have bathrooms and showers. The price wasnt bad I paid 175.00 For electricity and a RV spot. The best thing about it is that its only 7 blocks away from the race and they offer a free shuttle to the race and to the bars. We are leaving Thursday night driving from chicago and staying until Sunday.

I just want to put a bump on this topic because it came in really handy while planning my trip to the 2008 Kentucky Derby. There was so much information I put together a pretty good list of campgrounds within 40 minutes of Louisville.

happyboredom.com/home/camping_kentucky_derby