Tailgating has its own kind of magic. It sparkles every time you fire up the grill in a parking lot, or crack open a cold beverage in a stadium shadow. For RVers, it’s an even bigger deal because your rig becomes the glorious hub of food, friends, and fandom. And while every college football stadium has its traditions, there are a few places where the tailgate isn’t just a pregame activity. At the best college football stadiums, tailgating is a uniquely American, uniquely enjoyable experience.
Which ones are the best? Like everything else in college football, that’s controversial. But let’s be bold! Here are our picks for the best college football stadiums for tailgating for each Power 4 conference — plus one independent spot that can only be called a near-religious experience and a Big 12 transfer now in SEC country.
SEC: Tiger Stadium, LSU
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
If tailgating had a Hall of Fame, LSU and its Parade Grounds would be first-ballot. Known as “Death Valley” (like another stadium on this list), Tiger Stadium comes alive hours — sometimes days — before kickoff. You’ll find RVs (not on the Parade Grounds themselves, but in dedicated parking lots) with canopies stretched wide, smokers going at dawn, and Cajun cooking that rivals any restaurant in the state. Gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish étouffée — this is tailgating as a culinary art form.
Best of all, LSU fans are famous for sharing plates and stories with visitors. So if you’re rolling in on game day, don’t be shy about stopping by a rig and asking what’s cooking. The energy only builds as day turns to night, and a Saturday night game in Baton Rouge is one of the loudest, rowdiest, most unforgettable experiences in all of sports.
Big Ten: Camp Randall Stadium, Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
The Badgers know how to throw down on a Saturday. Camp Randall sits in the middle of Madison, where the stadium, lakes, and downtown scene all connect to form one big pre-game block party. RVers will love the setup because it’s less about a single lot and more about tailgating spilling into every corner of the city. Expect brats sizzling on the grill and cheese curds as far as the eye can see. (I’ll never understand: WHY do they squeak when you bite into them). And did I mention coolers full of local Wisconsin brews?
The welcoming community atmosphere is also part of the charm. Neighbors invite strangers over, and it doesn’t take long before you’re part of the pack. Stick around after the game for “Jump Around,” one of the best traditions in college football, and you’ll feel like the tailgate never really ended.
Big 12: Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Kansas State
Manhatten, Kansas
The last few decades of conference realignment — in all its weirdness — must have geography teachers everywhere pulling their hair out. California in the Atlantic Coast Conference? Yeah, that’s a thing. Another result has been that all the Big 12’s biggest stadiums have swapped conferences. Texas, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M are in the SEC now. Nebraska is in the Big Ten. So, you might wonder what’s the best of what’s left.
If you’re asking that question, you haven’t tailgated at Kansas State. Sure, the venue is smaller, but the taste is just as big. Kansas-City-style barbecue? Yes, please. Even better, the scene is RV-friendly. Just be conscious to consider your RV’s size when you reserve a spot.. Parking for motorhome and towables is limited to designated reserved parking stalls in the east and west stadium lots, and there’s a maximum stall width of 11-feet, 6-inches and a maximum stall length of 55-feet.
ACC: Memorial Stadium, Clemson
Clemson, South Carolina
There’s something special about tailgating in a small town that revolves around football. Clemson transforms on Saturdays, with the entire community turning into one giant, orange-clad tailgate. RVers line up early. The scene quickly fills full of tents, grills, and slow cookers churning out bubbling Carolina barbecue. But what really makes Clemson’s tailgating legendary is the spirit. Fans are welcoming. Food is shared freely. And the vibe is more like a raucous reunion than a rowdy crowd.
The tailgate stretches across campus, with balls tossed on Bowman Field, families picnicking, and the Tiger Band echoing through the air. And when it’s finally time to head into “Death Valley” (yet another one), the famous tradition of the team running down the hill only adds to the sense that this is more than a game — it’s a Southern celebration of community.
Independent: Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame
South Bend, Indiana
Notre Dame’s tailgating scene has its own flavor. Tradition is the heartbeat here, and the pregame feels like a pilgrimage. RVs line the parking lots around campus, and grills fire up with everything from Midwest staples to Irish-inspired dishes. Families set up long tables covered with food, cornhole boards get constant use, and the entire campus hums with anticipation. But what sets Notre Dame apart is the way football weaves into the traditions of the university. The marching band parade, the player walk, the stop at the Grotto — all of these rituals flow right alongside the tailgate.
For RVers, it’s the perfect mix of sports and campus culture. You’ll leave with your stomach full and your heart convinced you’ve been part of something bigger than just a game. And, on top of everything else? It’s right by Elkhart, Indiana — the center of the RV universe.
Bonus (Because Conference Realignment Is Weird)
Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Oklahoma
Norman, Oklahoma
In Norman, the tailgate is as much about pride as it is about the spread. Sooner fans are generational — grandparents, parents, and kids all gathering together to pass down traditions with a plate of smoked brisket in one hand and a crimson flag in the other. The smell of barbecue fills the air from dawn till kickoff, and RVers will appreciate how welcoming the lots are for setting up big spreads. Campus Corner, a few blocks from the stadium, transforms into a street party packed shoulder-to-shoulder with fans, food, and fun.
Whether you’re parked in a lot or walking the strip, you’ll find yourself surrounded by that Oklahoma brand of hospitality that makes you feel like you’ve been part of the family all along.
The Common Thread
Whether it’s LSU’s Cajun cookouts, Wisconsin’s brats and beer, Oklahoma’s barbecue spreads, Clemson’s small-town hospitality, or Notre Dame’s tradition-filled rituals, the common thread is this: tailgating is about more than food and drink. It’s about community. For RVers, that sense of community is already built into the lifestyle. You roll up, set up, and suddenly you’re part of a bigger story — sharing laughs, swapping food, and building traditions that last long after the game clock hits zero.
So next time you’re planning a fall road trip, think about routing your rig through one of these legendary tailgating towns. (After all, some of these teams are major players on rivalry weekend.) Bring the grill, bring the flags, bring your appetite. And come ready for one of the most uniquely American experiences there is. Because in college football, the tailgate is just as important as the touchdown.
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