Camping at EAA AirVenture Is Like Living in an ‘Aviation Bubble’

Longtime campers share their experiences and tips.

Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 08:44 AM ET

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Tents and RVs start to fill in Camp Scholler at EAA AirVenture in this aerial photo taken a few years ago the weekend before the airshow kicked off. [Photo: Dave Volcker]

Key Takeaways:

EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, hosts a massive "pop-up city" for approximately 40,000 aviation enthusiasts who camp onsite, offering an immersive "aviation bubble" experience.
The campgrounds, including Camp Scholler and fly-in airplane camping areas, are managed like a small city with extensive amenities, fostering a strong sense of community, tradition, and camaraderie among attendees from diverse backgrounds.
While some improved RV sites can be reserved, most camping spots are secured on a first-come, first-served basis, often referred to as the "Great Oshkosh Landrush," accommodating thousands of aircraft and campers each year.

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For those who like to camp and who love all things aviation, EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, is heaven on earth. Each summer, the EAA grounds become home to about 40,000 campers who flock to the biggest airshow in the world. The pop-up city that results has a unique culture and rules—and a loyal “citizenry” that returns year after year.

David Leiting Jr., who started camping at AirVenture at the age of 3 and hasn’t missed a year since (except when the show was canceled in 2020 for COVID-19), likens it to an indulgent aviation getaway. “You’re in your own little world when you camp at the convention. You’re a part of the action from the moment you wake up to the moment you zip up your sleeping bag….You’re living in this little aviation bubble for a week and a half.”