Aside from our local hotels and campgrounds, visitors have the option to stay with residents of Knoxville during the Knoxville Nationals, August 9-12, 2023.
In the spring, residents will have the option to start listing their homes on our website if they are interested in hosting race fans. Check back in the spring to see what is available.
If you would like to be added to our Nationals Housing E-mail list, please email info@knoxvilleiachamber.com.
Visitors
Looking for a place to stay?
The Knoxville Chamber of Commerce oversees a housing program for race fans coming for the 2023 Knoxville Nationals. Local residents have listed their homes, basements, spare rooms, and more for you to rent. Check out our “Frequently Asked Questions” below to learn more, and then head over to our Rentals During Knoxville Nationals page to browse listings and find the perfect place to stay during Nationals.
If you have any questions, contact us at info@knoxvilleiachamber.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why would I stay in a private residence and not a hotel or campground?
A: We do recommend that you check with all local hotels and campgrounds first to make sure they don’t have any openings, but please understand in order to reserve them, you must plan in advance. Knoxville is a community of 7,200 and 25,000 people come to visit during Nationals, meaning we physically do not have the hotel and camping spaces to accommodate everyone. Thankfully, residents open up their private homes for rental during the Knoxville Nationals and the Chamber of Commerce provides the platform for you to find a home that best suits your needs.
Q: How does this housing process work?
A: In the spring, the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce gives residents the ability to list their homes on our website for race fans to stay in during Nationals. Similar to platforms like AirBnB or Vrbo, our website allows residents to post information about their homes, including numbers of bedrooms, bathrooms, parking instructions, and more. You are able to browse all homes that have been posted on our website. When you find a home that looks to best meet your needs, you will be able to reach out directly to the owner and figure out further logistics.
Q: What if I am looking for a home and there are none available?
A: The good news is, in 2019 we fulfilled every request we received and housed 116 guests. Knoxville is a close-knit community and we can usually ask our friends and neighbors to open their doors, and they do! However, there is always a chance that we cannot get enough residents to participate, especially during the times of COVID-19. If that is the case, you will then be on your own to find accommodations.
Q: How do I know if I am staying in a residence that is trustworthy and clean?
A: We do our best to pre-screen hosts but we always recommend that you do your research as well. Each listing on our website should include photos of the home available to rent. Before booking your stay with the host, be sure to look through the available photos, chat with the host, and use your resources to determine if this will be the best lodging option for you.
If you do your research and you don’t think it will work out, it is your responsibility to contact your host. You can then revisit our Rentals During Knoxville Nationals page and see if there are other options that will better meet your housing needs.
Q: I won’t have a vehicle in Knoxville, how can I get around?
A: Second to walking, golf carts are a very popular option to get you from point A to B during the Nationals. Currently, there is not a business in town that rents golf carts but there are many within Central Iowa that you can contact. If you plan on using a golf care during Nationals, make sure you check out City of Knoxville’s golf cart requirements.
The Knoxville Chamber of Commerce also teams up with HIRTA Public Transit to help coordinate shuttle stops during Nationals. The shuttles run from morning until after the races and stop at various businesses around the community. Maps will be published online closer to August. Cost is $5 per day for unlimited rides.
Q: I want to rent a camper, where can I do that?
A: If you are interested in renting a camper to stay in during Nationals, we suggest that you visit rvshare.com. If you need a place to put that camper, check our website to see if any campers have been listed as available!
Residents
Looking to host guests?
We thank you for opening up your homes and yards! Not only are you providing guests with to stay but you are helping to keep visitors in our community. If you are comfortable opening your home to race fans, visit our Homes for Rent page to get started. Check out our “Frequently Asked Questions” below to learn more.
If you have any questions, contact us at info@knoxvilleiachamber.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I list my home for Nationals guests to see?
A: Listing your home is easy! Just click on the button above and fill out the form on our website. Make sure to include your contact information so race fans can reach out to you. Once you fill out the form, keep your phone nearby because the calls will start coming in!
Q: Why should I rent out my house or camper to a Nationals guest?
A: Because we are a smaller community of 7,200, we do not have enough hotels and campgrounds to accommodate all 25,000 people that come to town in August for the Knoxville Nationals. Fans that come to visit are generous and spend a lot of money at local businesses and support local organizations who are hosting fundraisers that week. The more time they are able to spend in Knoxville and not have to leave, the more our community will benefit.
You can also benefit by making income off of rent that your tenants will pay. Some residents have gotten to the point that they are able to pay their property taxes for the year by the income they bring in hosting guests during the Knoxville nationals.
Q: How much should I charge guests?
A: Ultimately, that decision is your own and has to make sense for your space. However, we do recommend that rates are lower than local hotels because they are not receiving the same amenities. People either price their space by rooms/night, people/night or one flat rate for the entire week. Whichever you prefer, rates can average from $75-150 per night per room.
Q: How do I know if my space is suitable for guests?
A: The best spaces for guests are ones that have private bathroom and/or a separate outside entrance. Finished basements, for example, are great space to rent out. Many race fans, though, are just looking for a place to lay their head at night and floor space for air mattresses are what some need.
Maybe you don’t have indoor space but a large yard, that works great too! We always have guests looking to pitch a tent or park their campers for the week.
Q: What do I need to provide for my guests?
A: You only need to provide what you promise, but the key is to have open and honest communication with your guests. Make sure you set ground rules before they arrive on any bedding, towels, laundry usage, etc. Most fans are happy just to have a place to stay and anything additional is a great perk.
Q: What if I am paired with guests that I don’t think will work out?
A: The final decision to keep guests is made by you. We recommend that as soon as someone reaches out to you, you get back to them ASAP. Have a set of questions you ask to get to know them and use your online resources. If you don’t think it will work out, it is on you to communicate that to your guest. Once that happens, guests will be able to return to our website and find other homes listed for rent that might be a better fit.
Q: What if I enjoy my guests so much that I want them to come back and stay next year?
A: Great, that is the goal! If everything works out well, you are more than welcome to make arrangements directly with your guests for next year.
