February 2020 trip to Daytona 500

[1st time RV]

Going to be our first trip to the Daytona 500 and we're looking for good places to stay along the way from College Station, TX to Daytona. Probably take 3-4 days to get there.

Also have a dog that we would possibly like to board for the week of the race so we don't have to worry about her. Any good reliable kennel suggestions near Daytona (within 50 miles even)?

Possibly going to stay in the infield if we could get in but if not, any suggestions on great campgrounds in that area. We have an Interstate and only need 30 amp. I guess in February we could dry camp but would prefer hookups.

Another possibility is staying further away and renting a car to get to the track.

Any advice or suggestions??

[Jarrod White]

I’ve stayed at two fairly close state parks - Tomoka and Gamble Rogers - for races before. Both are less than 30 minutes from speedway and on the north side which is where the offsite parking is located (the track does an amazing job with offsite parking and transport to track - they use school buses and have their own roads). There are some closer commercial campgrounds but they sell out quickly and are pricier. Airmiles posted on here last week that he has found a place to stay that he likes but it is boondocking. My favorite local restaurant is Aunt Catfish in port orange. First Turn restaurant in port orange has a nascar with lots of memorabilia. Be sure to drive by streamline hotel in Daytona Beach where nascar was born. I think it is being renovated.
As far as your trip over, there are lots of good stops off I-10. Buccaneer State Park in Waveland, Miss is good or Davis Bayou in Ocean Springs. Maeher State Park is is close to downtown Mobile and directly on bay (visit 5 rivers and take delta cruise while there). In Florida, Topsail or Grayton beach make good stops. Stephen Foster Cultural Center Park at I-10/I-75 is nice. And there some good options near St Augustine (you can also easily say trip up there if you end up at Gamble Rogers). If you want to switch up route when you leave take Highway 40 west through Ocala National Forest and stay at Silver Springs and then either hop on 75 or cut over via Williston to highway 19 up through perry (my preference).
It will be fun. I have annual tickets to Daytona and always look forward to it.

[Tater]

We have/are staying at International RV Park. It's about a mile from the track. This is our last year coming to the race. You shouldn't have a problem finding a kennel close by. There are several dogs in this park. We don't have one but people are out walking them daily.

[68 Overlander]

With viewership down and ticket sales at all time lows, you just might find something. 15-20 years ago, I would have said to turn around and not waste your time. If your dog can stay in the camper for 4-5 hours, I wouldn't board. Have fun!

[nsbcpa]

Coleman farms pet resort comes highly recommended for boarding your dog.

They're located off of CR-415 about 10mi south of the Speedway.

[AirMiles]

Speedweeks Campground is basically a farm field at $40 per night. The nice part about this campground is that it never fills up so you can just drive up and pay for the nights you want to stay. Speedweeks Campground offers its race fans: hot showers, nightly bonfire, water stations for fill up & friendly neighbors. We have RV pumpout available daily for a fee from a local company. Electrical hook ups are not available. Generators are fine. There will be open-frame generators running 24/7, so bring your ear plugs.

http://www.speedweekscampground.com/

I will be at this campground next Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for the 2019 Daytona races!

[Tracster]

Check out Dogtona in Daytona. We used them for dog day care and it worked out well. Expect they overnight as well.

[Mento05]

Check out Salt Springs Natl Forest. Full hookups. Very nice

[JCWDCW]

Just be sure to book well ahead. We arrived in North Florida years ago just to stay for a few weeks, only to find there wasn't a campsite within 200 miles of Daytona on that weekend.
JCW

[Joyman]

Sounds like a blast! Hope to do it one day!