Hershey RV Show: Tips for Attending & Things to Do Nearby

Hershey RV Show: Tips for Attending & Things to Do Nearby
Plus, what to expect from Winnebago at this year’s event!

By: Kenny & Sabrina Phillips

Every September, thousands of RV enthusiasts make the trip to Hershey, Pennsylvania, for what is known as America's Largest RV Show. Last year's attendance topped 45,000 visitors, making it one of the biggest RV events in the country. Whether you're shopping for your first RV, comparing floorplans, or simply love seeing what's new in the industry, the Hershey RV Show is an event every RVer should experience at least once.

This year, the show takes place from September 16-20. You can tour new Winnebago RVs and chat with the team at booth C2.

Why We Love America's Largest RV Show in Hershey, PA

For Sabrina and I, the Hershey RV Show has become one of our favorite annual traditions. We've now attended the show seven times since 2016, and each year we find something new to see.

The show holds a special place in our hearts because it's where we first discovered the floorplan that eventually became our 2016 Winnebago Vista 27N. We didn't buy it at the show, but walking through that coach put us on the path to becoming Winnebago owners.

The show is also a bit of a homecoming for me. I grew up in Philadelphia, so attending Hershey gives me the opportunity to catch up with friends and family. Many of them come out to spend the day with us at the show or meet at a favorite restaurant after.

One of the things we love most about the Hershey RV Show is that it's easy to turn it into a long weekend or even a week-long vacation. Between the RV show itself, great restaurants, Hersheypark, Chocolate World, and nearby Lancaster County, there's more than enough to fill several memorable days.

14 Tips for Attending the Hershey RV Show

If you're planning your first visit, here are a few tips that we've learned over the years to help you make the most of your time at the RV show and surrounding area.

1. Know the Show Schedule

The 2026 Hershey RV Show runs from Wednesday, September 16, through Sunday, September 20. With five full days and long show hours, there's plenty of time to explore.

From Wednesday to Saturday the show runs from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and on Sunday the show hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

If you are a Winnebago owner, be sure to check on social media (@WinnebagoRVs) and at the Winnebago booth at the event for meet and greets and other opportunities for current and wannabe owners!

2. Plan Enough Time

If you're seriously shopping for an RV, we recommend planning at least two days at the show. Spend the first day narrowing down your favorites, then return for a second look before making any big decisions. (Here are more tips for choosing the right RV for you!)

Sabrina and I usually attend Wednesday, Thursday, and part of Friday. We've found that Friday afternoon through Sunday tends to be the busiest, so visiting earlier in the week makes for a much more relaxed experience.

3. Arrive Early

The earlier you arrive, the better your experience will be. Parking is easier, temperatures are cooler, and you'll avoid many of the long lines that develop later in the day for touring the newest and most popular RVs.

4. Stay Hydrated

You'll be surprised how much walking you'll do at this RV show. Between the outdoor exhibits and climbing in and out of dozens of RVs, it's easy to spend an entire day on your feet. You're welcome to bring your own water bottle into the show, so take advantage of it. Staying hydrated not only keeps your energy up throughout the day, but it also prevents unwanted symptoms of dehydration.

5. Wear Comfortable Shoes

This isn't the place to wear brand-new shoes. You'll be walking on pavement, grass, gravel, and climbing in and out of RV after RV. It's not uncommon for us to log more than 15,000 steps in a single day. Plan your shoe choices accordingly.

6. Have a Plan

Before arriving, download the show map (or the show app) and make a list of the manufacturers and floorplans you want to see first. Last year's show featured more than 1,400 RVs, and it's impossible to see everything in a single day, or even two.

Having a plan helps you prioritize the RVs that matter most to you while still leaving time to explore anything else that catches your eye.

7. Don't Forget the Vendors

One mistake many first-time attendees make is focusing only on the RVs. While the coaches are certainly the stars of the show, the vendor buildings are an attraction all on their own. In fact, you could easily spend half a day exploring the hundreds of exhibitors without ever stepping inside an RV.

You'll find companies showcasing everything from solar systems, lithium batteries, suspension upgrades, internet solutions, towing equipment, portable grills, and countless accessories and services designed to make life on the road easier.

The vendors also provide a great opportunity to speak directly with the manufacturers. Whether you're considering upgrading your suspension, adding solar, or simply looking for products to improve your current RV, you'll often be talking to the people who designed the products or know them inside and out.

Even if you're perfectly happy with your current RV and aren't shopping for a replacement, the vendor exhibits alone make the Hershey RV Show worth attending because it is fun to see what else is out there.

Be sure to visit the vendors inside the Giant Center as well because it's also a great place to get away from the heat during the middle of the day. The stairs inside the arena can look a little intimidating, but there is an elevator available if you prefer not to add any extra steps to your day.

You can browse the list of 2026 vendors here.

8. Take Your Time

With well over a thousand RVs on display, don't feel like you need to rush through everything. Spend extra time exploring the coaches that truly interest you rather than trying to see every RV on the lot.

9. Keep Notes and Take Photos

After touring twenty or thirty RVs, they all begin to blend together.

Back in 2016, Sabrina and I carried around a small notepad and wrote down everything we liked and didn't like about each RV. Today we mostly use our phones, but the idea is the same.

Record things like:

• Manufacturer and model
• Floorplan you liked
• Features you loved
• Things you didn't like
• Questions to research later

You'll be amazed how helpful those notes are once you're back home trying to remember which RV had the perfect pantry or the bathroom that felt too small.

10. Look Beyond the Pretty Interior

Beautiful décor is great, but don't let it distract you from how you'll actually live in the RV. Ask yourself practical questions:

• Where will your clothes go?
• Is there room for your coffee maker or air fryer?
• Can two people comfortably cook together?
• Where will the dog bed fit?

This is your chance to play house. Open every cabinet, check every storage compartment, sit on the couch, lie on the bed, stand in the shower, and imagine what a typical camping day would look like. Those little details often become the biggest deciding factors.

11. Don't Feel Pressured to Buy

Many dealers advertise special show pricing, but don't let that pressure you into making a major purchase.

Sure, you may get a great deal, but if you later discover the RV doesn't fit your camping style, you'll likely lose far more money trading it in than you saved during the sale. Take your notes home, compare models, sleep on the decision, and make sure it's the right RV for you.

12. Visit Your Favorite RVs Twice

If you really like an RV, don't rely on your first impression alone. Come back later in the day or the following day and tour it again. The second walkthrough is often when you'll notice the little details that can make or break your decision.

13. Attend Seminars

One of the hidden gems of the Hershey RV Show is the educational seminars. Topics range from towing and maintenance to RV ownership and travel. They're a great opportunity to learn something new while giving your feet a well-earned break. (Check out the 2026 seminars.)

14. Take a Midday Break

One of our favorite tips is to leave the show for lunch. Since your admission allows re-entry, Sabrina and I usually head back to our RV or vehicle, eat lunch, play with Belle, relax for thirty or forty-five minutes, and then head back inside.

Not only does it save money from the show food, but it also gives your feet and your brain a chance to recharge. After spending hours looking at RV after RV, that short break makes it much easier to stay focused for the rest of the afternoon.

RV Camping During the Hershey RV Show

There are a few dry camping and full-hookup options when bringing your RV to the Hershey RV Show. For us, dry camping is usually not the best option because we travel with our dog Belle, and September afternoons can still be warm, so we don't like leaving her alone in the RV for several hours. However, there are great campground options also!

On-Site Dry Camping

America’s Largest RV Show in Hershey, PA, offers on-site dry camping, making it incredibly convenient to attend in an RV. You're only minutes from the entrance and can easily return to your RV for lunch or a quick break.

Stay at a Nearby Campground

If you'd rather have full hook-ups and campground amenities, there are several excellent choices nearby.

Hersheypark Camping Resort is the closest campground to the show and a great option if you're also planning to spend a day at Hersheypark. Just remember that it's one of the most popular campgrounds during show week, so reservations fill quickly.

We've also stayed at Elizabethtown/Hershey KOA Holiday and have always enjoyed it. It's clean, well maintained, and only about twenty minutes from the show.

Our personal favorite, however, is Jonestown KOA. It's a little farther from Hershey, but the campsites are larger, the campground feels less crowded, and there's even a nearby dog daycare we've used for Belle while attending the show.

Turn Your Trip to the Hershey RV Show into a Vacation

If you have time to explore more of Hershey while visiting for the RV Show, there are some great options nearby for making your trip feel like more of a vacation!

Experience Hersheypark Dark Nights

If you're visiting during the week of the RV show, we also recommend spending an evening at Hersheypark. During the show, the park transforms into Hersheypark Dark Nights, featuring haunted houses, scare zones, seasonal entertainment, and many of the park's most popular rides.

It's become another tradition for us. We often meet up with some of our friends from Winnebago and spend an evening enjoying the park together before another day at the RV show.

Bring the Family to Hershey's Chocolate World

Of course, not everyone enjoys haunted houses, scare zones, or being startled around every corner. If that's not your style, or you're simply looking for a more relaxed way to spend an afternoon, don't miss Hershey's Chocolate World.

Located just outside Hersheypark, Chocolate World is a fun stop for visitors of all ages. Sabrina and I took the classic Chocolate Tour ride during one of our trips and really enjoyed learning how Hershey chocolate is made. Best of all, the ride is free. Naturally, we couldn't leave without browsing the massive gift shop and bringing home a few of our favorite Hershey treats.

Another attraction that's been on our list for years is the Hershey Trolley Works tour. We've heard so many great things about it that we're finally planning to take the tour this year with my parents. The trolley shares the fascinating history of Milton Hershey and the town he built, making it a great way to experience another side of Hershey beyond the RV Show.

Step Back in Time to Explore Lancaster County

If you have a little more time and want to explore beyond Hershey, Lancaster County is only about forty minutes away and offers a completely different experience. After the excitement of the RV show, it's the perfect place to slow down and relax.

Some of our favorite things to do in Lancaster include:

• Ride the historic Strasburg Railroad
• Tour Amish Country
• Drive the scenic back roads through Pennsylvania Dutch Country
• Visit Amish bakeries, markets, and furniture stores like Beiler's Fruit Farm for fresh produce and homemade treats

When we're staying in Lancaster, we usually camp at Lancaster/New Holland KOA. It's one of our favorite campgrounds in the area, with plenty of amenities and several great places to relax and watch the sunset. And no trip to Lancaster is complete without dinner at Miller's Smorgasbord. It's easily our favorite restaurant in the area.

Final Thoughts on Planning Your Hershey RV Show Trip

The Hershey RV Show is much more than a place to shop for an RV. It's an opportunity to compare hundreds of floorplans, discover innovative products, learn from industry experts, meet fellow RVers, and start dreaming about your next adventure.

Whether you're searching for your next RV or simply enjoying everything the show has to offer, a little planning goes a long way. Wear comfortable shoes, stay hydrated, take your time, browse the vendor exhibits, and don't be afraid to revisit your favorite coaches before making a decision.

Who knows? Just like it did for Sabrina and me, one walkthrough might lead you to the RV you've been looking for!