Talledega Free Camping

[charlesh58]

Hey everyone. I'm getting a bunch of my buddies together to take them to their first NASCAR race. I thought the proper way to introduce them to their first race is Dega.

My dad, brother, and I have made a ritual of going to Charlotte every year and grabbing any other race we can, so it's not my first race or Dega race by any means. My dad and I talked to a guy at Charlotte that said he went to the free camping at Dega every year, has anyone else camped in the free spots? How early (which day and time) do you need to arrive to nab one?

Thanks!

[rcushenberry1]

The free camping covers a hugh area (I think 250 acres) across the Speedway Blvd. I think you can get a spot almost anytime, but to get a good spot you may want to get there on Wed. You may want to go for the $100 reserved spot if you are going to get there on Thursday or later. (just to get a good spot).

Good luck

[Nascarcamping]

I got some pictures of that place I will post later

[charlesh58]

Thanks, I've heard it gets pretty rowdy down there... which is why we're considering doing the free thing. Look forward to seeing pictures. Everyone going is 22-26, no wives or kids are making the trip.

I've got a pull behind, if that makes any difference.

[pitguy3]

Cause staying in the free campgrounds, you'll not get any while there!! HA!!:mrgreen:

[charlesh58]

Cause staying in the free campgrounds, you'll not get any while there!! HA!!:mrgreen:

So it is as wild as everyone says? :)

[Buddlite]

Wilder!!!!!:shock:

[Nascarcamping]

The president of Talladega was on Sirius radio today.

[charlesh58]

Wilder!!!!!:shock:

That's a good thing!

I read that in some dega sites you have to have a ticket to enter the campground, is this true with the free camp sites?

[Nascarcamping]

The free campground is the one on the main drag is it not?

I went to Talladegas web site last night, but something is wrong with their fan guide, I cant download it.

[ShannonTN]

We've stayed in the Free Family Park (behind Reserved Family Parks A-D behind turns 2 & 3 of the track) for the last 6 races at Dega. We have a group of around 16 who usually meet up there. We usually try to make sure at least one of us gets there by at least Wednesday night or Thursday morning at the latest to ensure we get our usual spot (all the way in the back with the woods behind us (not as much noise)). I would recommend getting there by Thursday afternoon at the latest if you have a pull behind camper. Its gonna be hard to get anything much bigger than a pop-up in there after Thursday. We've watched hundreds of campers/moter homes driving past our campsite trying to find a spot to no avail from Friday on. We love the free family park. I stayed at the free lot across from the main entrance of the track about 10 years ago. It was pretty wild then. I just like the free family park because it is so convenient to get into/out of the race. We are always back at our campsite within 20 minutes after the race, whereas most other areas can take a lot longer to get back to after the race. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about Dega. Main thing is - make sure you take PLENTY of drinks/food to last the weekend. Because its about a 30 minute drive to the closest Wally World and I wouldn't even attempt to drive out of the track anytime after Friday afternoon. Otherwise, you risk sitting in traffic for a long time.

[jennyt43fan]

The free Family Camping outside turns 1 & 2 isn't too rowdy - IMO. The free camping that is across Speedway Blvd however is a WHOLE different story. :) Scott's cousin and all his buddies were there during the fall race last year. It's the first time I've ever been over there after dark and it was SCARY!! LOL The cousin and his posse were shut down numerous times for having a stripper pole. The hilarious thing was - it wasn't the stripper pole that the police objected to - it was the HUGE crowd that kept gathering. :)

[Nascarcamping]

http://bp3.blogger.com/_isBKSO9dDiQ/R557zYJeTGI/AAAAAAAAAaY/zSSO-ApO4p8/s400/Talladega+Free+Camping+Area+3.JPG

[Nascarcamping]

http://bp0.blogger.com/_isBKSO9dDiQ/R558CoJeTHI/AAAAAAAAAag/Z83GuGizwGs/s400/Talladega+Free+camping+Area+2.JPG

[Nascarcamping]

http://bp0.blogger.com/_isBKSO9dDiQ/R558NoJeTII/AAAAAAAAAao/IwaOYm2ifYk/s400/Talladega+Free+Camping+Area+1.JPG

[Nascarcamping]

The above 3 pictures is what I took when we where leaving Talladega after the spring race 2006.

[jennyt43fan]

One note about those photos - I think the Port-a-potties you see scattered around, are rented by individuals from Mac's Vacs. The "public" port-a-potties are all down by Speedway Blvd as far as I know.

[ShannonTN]

Yeah, those are the rented potties - which I HIGHLY recommend. We just always rent one because it keeps us from having to dump our tank. Plus, we're the only one out of our group with a bathroom on our camper, so if we didn't rent one, everyone would be using ours. :sad: I think last race it was $110 to rent. But we split it between all of us so it's not too bad.

Yes, the free family park behind turns 2 & 3 is much more laid back than the free camping across from the track. Not to say there aren't still some rowdy sections there though. We just always try to go all the way in the back, up against the woods. I can actually say I get a full nights sleep almost every night at Talladega (except for 2 races ago when the people next to us had a huge Karoake system set up & went on literally all night long on Sunday night after the race).

[JohnGina1]

The cousin and his posse were shut down numerous times for having a stripper pole. The hilarious thing was - it wasn't the stripper pole that the police objected to - it was the HUGE crowd that kept gathering. :)

You gotta love Dega!!! :cool: - Gina

[Nascarcamping]

That explains it then, I was wondering why so many and all spread out like that, but really that is a great idea:)

[charlesh58]

Thanks for all of you answers to my questions. Very good idea bout renting a port-a-pottie, looked up mac's vac online and got the number!
If I got down there early Thursday would there be decent spots available?
Also when you all say scary, do you mean scary as in your stuff will get stolen and vandalized? Or scary because everyone just acts crazy?

[Manders]

I'm curious too how bad the free camping is...we're taking our 5th wheel down and we've considered parking in the free area because of the party. We want to be in the middle of it all, but don't want our stuff to get destroyed. We're getting in late Thursday night..early Friday morning..does anyone know if there will still be spots available in the free camping??

[jennyt43fan]

I don't have any experience of the spring race for how fast camping fills up. I know in the fall, you would still be able to find a spot in the free camping across Speedway Blvd. The people we knew had spots open around them, they were all the way at the top of the hill, so it makes it quite a walk to the track, but there were some available. The free camping that is outside turns 1 & 2 fills up quickly, and I would say by Thursday night is pretty full.

When I said "scary", I was referring to the fact that the ratio of men to women over there seemed to be about 50:1. Being a woman was SCARY! LOL The guys didn't have a problem with it at all!! LOL The police patrol the campground on horseback, and everyone seemed to be having a good time - it just isn't "family" camping - IMO. Pretty much anything goes over there and you just have to be prepared for dealing with crazy drunk people all weekend. The party is pretty much non-stop over there - I don't think anyone sleeps! LOL

I've never camped in the free camping, but in general at a Nascar race, your stuff will be safe. Of course seeing as they were stealing from our sites at the Dallas race last fall, we will be locking everything up next time we camp there.

[ShannonTN]

No, not scary as in vandalism. We've never had one problem with anything like that in the last 6 races there. I was a little worried the first time thinking that we'll be leaving our campsite unattended for 5 hours or so during the races, but we've never noticed one thing being touched while we were gone. It's actually pretty amazing how nice everyone is.

I think "scary" just means wild partying, which can happen just about anywhere in Dega. There are just certain areas that it tends to be a little more wild. Heck, the noise from the 1000's of generators running all night has always bothered me more than anyone partying. The so called "quiet time (midnight to 6:00 a.m.) doesn't really exist in Dega. We don't run our generator at night, but our neighbors usually aren't as courteous. I sort of get used to it though.

I'd say that if you get there by VERY EARLY Friday morning you SHOULD be able to get a spot in free camping. It just gets a little trickier especially when you have a larger pull behind or fifth wheel. People just sort of set up all over the place, no real marked off sections, so you never know what you'll find. One time, we had our truck parked next to our camper up next to a fence with about a 5-foot section behind the tailgate of the truck and the fence (we were trying to hold that spot for my brother-in-law's camper). When we woke up in the morning, these people had set their tent up between our truck and the fence. So it's pretty much just a free for all. But the great thing about Dega is all of the free camping they offer. From what I've researched, its pretty much unique to most of the other Nascar tracks. So we've just sort of learned to deal with some of the craziness there (since my husband is a tightwad and refuses to pay $300 or more for a spot for a few nights :rolleyes:)

[charlesh58]

We're going to Dega to party (and maybe catch a race), so everything sounds good on this end! We usually mark our "territory" (around the awning) with a few fence posts and banners, can you say redneck? That's of course at places with unassigned "spots." Would this be a bad idea @ the free camping, possibility of someone camping under my awning in the morning? haha Like I said, we're a younger bunch of guys, so noise and partying wont' bother us in the least.

I hate asking so many questions over and over, but does anybody have any experience buying tickets from scalpers? A guy told me that you can find some cheap tickets, if you just play the waiting game.

Totally understand why you found it scary then! About the ratio though, is it safe to assume that nobody is screaming telling anyone to take out the trash then, right? :wink: JUST KIDDING! haha Looks like the ratio may not be in my favor on this board, so maybe I'll stay away from those kind of jokes! :)

[Nascarcamping]

I remember seeing lots of scalpers on the way in off the Interstate, but the best and safiest way is of course through ebay.

[takeabreath3]

since it's gonna be a group of young guys looking for a party....your group will have a blast!

i went over with jenny43 one of the nights at the fall race. it was plenty wild and looked like everyone was having a 300 acre beer bash!

being a little older and maybe wiser (damn i still remember my 20's) my thoughts on the free caming across the road was :) "Clothing Optional"! :) in my 20's i would have been right there in the middle of that party having a blast!!! with more beads than i could wear!!
but since my grown kids think i have lost my mind even going to the races solo i have been relegated to the family section D where its pretty sedate!

but i'm loving it and so depressed cause i could not get my ducks lined up for the daytona trip!!!

you guys will really love camping in the free camping, just remember, someone will have to drive home on Monday!!

[jennyt43fan]

Yup - young guys + looking to party + lots of beer = great time at Dega! :) You'll have a blast.

There are tons of scalpers all along Speedway Blvd in both directions - you can basically shop the entire length of the road - LOL T-shirts, beads, firewood & tickets. I don't have any background in using them though. You can also get backstretch tix from the track if you want to make sure you have tix. They aren't too bad $$-wise and the backstretch is a closer walk from the free camping....especially on a Sunday when you are beat-up/worn down from all the fun. :)

[Manders]

Thanks so much for the great imput! I really appreciate it! :D

[charlesh58]

Yes! Thank you all so much for your help, I'm sure I'll be back on here again before the race to let you all know if I am going for sure and maybe to ask a more questions!

Thanks again!

[Nascarcruzin]

It's more than "pretty" rowdy, most of the time it's down right obscene. We will miss the Spring race (going to Alaska) but will be in the "free" section in the Fall.

The guys all have a blast.

Rebecca

[BamaChief]

I have never stayed in the free camp areas. I do know it can get wild there. I have a buddy that rode an ambulance the whole 'Dega weekend and he ran alot of calls there. The big free area is along the "main drag" Talladega Blvd. I usually stay off Jackson Trace in M&N Campgrounds. It is a pay spot but it is worth it. Power & Water level spots and its not to rowdy. The owners are good people and really make the stay worthwhile.

[charlesh58]

I'm bumping this thread because I didn't make it to the Spring race, but I'm going to the fall race. I posted in the fans lounge, but is anyone staying in the free camping? If so, I would really appreciate someone helping me out. We aren't going to get there until Friday (maybe Thursday night), if someone will "save" me a spot I would really appreciate it. We're tent camping (my first tent camp at a race), but figure we can handle it no more time than we'll be spending in our camper.

[swiz]

We went to spring race...showed up Friday morning and there was plenty of good spots to pick from in the Northpark free section...Have fun!!!

[tradinpaintwith24]

That's a good thing!

I read that in some dega sites you have to have a ticket to enter the campground, is this true with the free camp sites?


Lots of free camping and you don't need a ticket to get in there. It fills up real quick so plan of getting there early if you want a site. I would spend the $100 bucks and get a reserved site. If you go in the campgrounds behind Turn 1 ask for a site right at the back. There is a low fence line and a service road at the back, this is one of the free zones. Most of the action happened on the road, hell we even had a band set up right behind us! Just set up a chair by the fence and watch the action.....

[swiz]

North park free camping at the spring race did require a race ticket to enter the campground.

[charlesh58]

Hey, thanks for the responses. We are going to get down there on Thursday afternoon or Friday Morning. We're going to plan on stayin in the North area. Are the spots marked off or is it a free for all?

[tradinpaintwith24]

Hey, thanks for the responses. We are going to get down there on Thursday afternoon or Friday Morning. We're going to plan on stayin in the North area. Are the spots marked off or is it a free for all?


As the name implies it is a free for all.LOL

[charlesh58]

In fear of not having a spot, I'm convinced to buy a reserved spot. :cry:

[takeabreath3]

i just happen to have a camping spot for sale. it's in the family section A. it's not as wild as the north (clothing optional) campground. but it is lots of fun and some of em can get pretty rowdy. don't let the "family section" steer ya away.

[charlesh58]

i just happen to have a camping spot for sale. it's in the family section A. it's not as wild as the north (clothing optional) campground. but it is lots of fun and some of em can get pretty rowdy. don't let the "family section" steer ya away.

How much are you asking for it? I'm currently winning on on eBay, but may be interested if I am outbid.

[takeabreath3]

just face value which is $80.00. will even meet ya at the track and pass it off to ya

stay safe

[charlesh58]

just face value which is $80.00. will even meet ya at the track and pass it off to ya

stay safe

Looks like we've found another one, but thank you very much. Will let you know if anything changes. Thanks again.