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Iowa's oldest community is excited to welcome RAGBRAI® July 17 & 25! Find essential info on lodging, airports, and shuttling, connect with local vendors, grab official Dubuque merchandise, and learn how to volunteer at this iconic event. Whether you’re riding in, cheering from the sidelines, or supporting behind the scenes, this is your hub for all things RAGBRAI® in Dubuque.
Please be patient as we continue to add more information and details to this website.
Stay in the loop by signing up for our email list and be the first to know about new announcements, updates, and everything listed below.
Want to be part of the action and meet people from all over the world? Volunteering with RAGBRAI® in Dubuque is a chance to help create an unforgettable experience at one of the largest cycling events in Iowa's history.
From staffing information tables and capturing moments at the dip site, to helping at the celebration, directing visitors, or pitching in during set-up and tear-down, there's a role for everyone.
Thank you to everyone who stepped up to support the 2026 Dubuque RAGBRAI ride into where Iowa started!
Sponsorship helps bring this iconic event to life and we appreciate each of these sponsors for helping us along the way.
Commemorate your stop in Dubuque with merchandise designed to celebrate the ride and our city.
These keepsakes are ones you’ll use long after the miles are logged and are a fun way to remember your time here and show your RAGBRAI® accomplishment wherever you go. While our t-shirt order closed on June 10, 18x24" and 8.5x11" posters are still available! If you ordered shirts, they are in production at District 20.
Get everything you need to know about how RAGBRAI® will impact the Dubuque area.
The Dubuque planning team is dedicated to ensuring that all businesses and residents along the route will still have access points to get to and from their properties. We do ask for your patience as we navigate this event.
Thank you for your interest in being a vendor at Dubuque RAGBRAI this year! The excitement has been incredible, and we’ve been blown away by the amazing response from vendors near and far. Our committee is currently reviewing all food and non-food applications, and selected vendors will be contacted within the next week. We truly appreciate your interest in being part of this unforgettable event and can’t wait to welcome riders and visitors to Dubuque!
Whether you're offering special menu items, live entertainment, deals and promotions, or extended hours to accommodate riders, we'd love to feature it in our promotions leading up to and during the event. With over 25,000 riders expected to pass through our community, this is a great opportunity to get your business in front of new visitors.
We've got you covered from the moment you arrive.
Dubuque offers long-term parking for riders leaving their bikes and cars for the week, day parking for those joining on July 25, and transportation connections to and from regional airports. Find everything you need below to plan your trip in and out of Dubuque.
Long-Term Parking
Parking will take place in the large grass lot, which will be well signed, at 799 East 16th Street. These spots will be open for parking July 17-25, 2026. Shuttle service will be provided from the Long-Term Parking Lot to the Charter Departure area on July 17 & 18.
Long Term Parking Hours of Operation:
July 17: 10 am to Midnight
July 18: 12:01 am to 2 pm
July 19: 10 am to 4 pm
July 20: Long Term Parking Closed
July 21: 10 am to 3 pm
July 22: 10 am to 3 pm
July 23: Noon – 7 pm
July 24: Noon – Midnight
July 25: – 12:01 am to 11:59 pm
July 26: – All vehicles must be removed from long term parking by Noon today
Daily parking rates do apply – learn more at Dubuque RAGBRAI 2026
To book your space, please know the size of the vehicle you will be bringing to long- term park. If your vehicle is larger than what is booked, fees will be charted day of arrival.
Shuttles
Dubuque's complimentary trolley shuttles make it easy to get around July 17 & 18. On July 17, shuttles run from 10 am to 10 pm with routes connecting McAleece Campsite, downtown Dubuque, the Port of Dubuque, Schmitt Island, and the Millwork District along with service to showers at Sutton Pool as well as to and from Long-Term Parking. On July 18, shuttles run from 5 am to 10 am between Long-Term Parking and McAleece Park for charter departure.
Mr. Car Shipper & Charters
Looking for information on other transportation and parking options? RAGBRAI® offers a variety of ways to tackle the logistics of your ride across the state.
Day of Parking
Available parking spaces for vehicles, buses, and NON-REGISTERED RAGBRAI Charters will be in the following locations on a FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS:
Please be respectful of these lots by cleaning up after yourself
July 25 Dip Site Shuttle Service
Only Dubuque RAGBRAI shuttles will have access to the dip site to meet up with your family and friends! Vehicles will not have access to get close to the dip site. Many of our businesses along Kerper will be open for business and parking lots will be filled with employees. PLEASE RESPECT THIS. Day of parking lots are listed above. We recommend parking at 2150 Kerper BLVD, 2040 Kerper BLVD or 799 16th Street to pick up a complimentary shuttle to get to the dip site.
There will be a police presence at the Fengler Street & Kerper BLVD intersection to monitor this situation.
Airport Shuttles
Planning to fly? Click here to get more information on shuttle services.
Parking before July 17, 2026
Central Avenue Parking Ramp – City of Dubuque
Attention RAGBRAI RIDERS: Parking is only allowed on the 6th floor of this ramp! Parking on any other floor could result in your vehicle being towed. Daily fee applies
Learn more at: Parking Meters, Ramps, & Lots | Dubuque, IA - Official Website
Dubuque Regional Airport
While there are currently no daily commercial flights out of the Dubuque Regional Airport, shuttle service from the Dubuque Regional Airport to the Eastern Iowa Airport does exist.
Eastern Iowa Airport
The Eastern Iowa Airport offers daily air service on Delta, United, American, Allegiant and Frontier. Shuttle service to Dubuque is available.
Dubuque offers a wide range of hotel & lodging accommodations to fit every stay - from full-service properties along the Mississippi River to convenient options near downtown.
Heading to Dubuque for RAGBRAI departure on July 18 or planning to explore Dubuque after the ride on July 25? We’ve got plenty of comfortable places to stay. Book early, summer fills up fast in Dubuque.
Newly remodeled full-service hotel offering the best in customer service and accommodations. Additional amenities…
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Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark is the perfect spot for enjoying this beautiful and exciting destination area. Gather…
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2020 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award Recipient | Our hotel offers thoughtful amenities and services for…
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The Hilton Garden Inn is connected to Houlihan's Restaurant and Bar and Q Casino. Offers a newly remodeled work out…
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193 guestrooms with king or double queen beds. On site River Rock Kitchen & Tap. 9800 sq ft of flexible meeting…
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Hotel Julien Dubuque is a remarkable boutique hotel, offering the area's most elegant accommodations with impeccable…
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Connected to Q Casino and family fun at the Island Social Entertainment Center via walkway, we’re located less than…
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TownePlace Suites by Marriott® is an extended-stay hotel where you can balance work and life as you like with…
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For a full list of places to stay, click here.
Camping is available for riders leaving their cars in long-term parking for the week.
McAleece Park - July 17 Only
Complimentary tent camping will be available at McAleece Park on Friday, July 17 with the site opening at 10 am (registration is required.) Shuttles will be available to take riders throughout Dubuque for food, beverage and entertainment until 10 pm.
Please note:
RV Camping - July 17
For RV Camping, please visit Rental Search - City of Dubuque Parks and Recreation. There is a fee for RV Camping at Miller Riverview Park. Campsites fill up quickly in the summer in Dubuque. We suggest booking early to ensure a spot.
Area Campgrounds
Staying in Dubuque on Saturday, July 25? Check out these area campgrounds:
20 acres offering camping, picnic, and recreation areas and a walking/biking path with a great view of the Mississippi…
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Creek Valley Campground is a family friendly campground ideal for relaxing and outdoor fun. We are located west of…
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The campground has modern campsites and restrooms and showers. Playground equipment and enclosed pavilion available for…
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Your camping base conveniently located to attractions in the Tri-State area of WI, IA and IL. We offer spacious back-in…
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Freshen up at Sutton Pool Showers
Showers are available at Sutton Pool (located at 1900 Hawthorne Street) and are $10 per shower (plus fee) rate includes towel.
July 17: 4 pm to 7 pm
Shuttle to showers is complimentary from McAleece Park.
July 25: 10 am to 4 pm
No shuttle service available. Transportation is the responsibility of the rider.
In the event of an emergency, please follow the direction of local law enforcement and the organizers of this event.
From vendors, a big screen, and beverage garden, find out what is planned at this year's RAGBRAI® Dip Site!
The excitement for vendors have been incredible, and we’ve been blown away by the amazing response from vendors near and far! Below is the list of vendors you can find on-site.
Food Vendors
Non-Food Vendors
Beverage Garden
Special thank you to the Dubuque Jaycees for partnering with us to make this event a success!
A large tent will be available for shade with tables and chairs. Picnic tables will be set up throughout the park as well.
Watch the Big Screen
A live feed from Loras College will take place from 9 am to 3 pm. Have a rider coming in to meet you at the Dip Site? Have them do a shout out at Loras College on camera. Watch the riders coming down Loras throughout the day.
…and more
Enjoy DJ Entertainment throughout the day with fun photo opportunities throughout the park.
The Dubuque route was developed through a collaborative planning process led by public safety officials, City staff, and a local advisory committee that includes experienced RAGBRAI riders and representation from the Dubuque Bike Club.
Members of this group, many of whom have ridden previous Dubuque routes, reviewed and rode the route in advance, offering input and confirming the route was appropriate with the planned road improvements for implementation come July.
Following RAGBRAI’s decision to conclude this year’s ride in Dubuque, the City of Dubuque reviewed its existing plans for repairs to sections of Loras Blvd. and University Ave. and has revised the timeline for those plans in order to improve these sections of the RAGBRAI route before riders arrive on July 25.
Planned improvements include new asphalt overlay on University Ave. from Delhi St. to Gilliam St. and a combination of concrete panel replacement, section replacement, joint replacement, and crack sealing on Loras Blvd. from University Ave. to Main St.
The City’s Street Maintenance/Rehabilitation Program was identified as a top priority for 2025-2027 by the mayor and city council. The City is committed to the safety of all roadway users, including RAGBRAI riders.
In designing the route, several key priorities were carefully balanced. First and foremost is safety, for both riders and residents. Compared to past years, adjustments were made to reduce major conflict points, including minimizing train crossings and avoiding some of the most congested corridors that previously created challenges. The selected route also allows for better traffic control, with planned crossing points staffed by law enforcement throughout the day to help residents move through the city as needed.
Beyond logistics, the route was also designed to showcase a broader cross-section of Dubuque. While portions of the West End and industrial areas may feel less scenic on their own, they play an important role in safely and efficiently bringing a large volume of riders, estimated at around 25,000 participants and support personnel, into the community before transitioning them through historic neighborhoods, key corridors, and ultimately to the riverfront finish.
This approach ensures the route reflects both community input and operational planning, with a focus on delivering a safe, well-managed, and representative experience of Dubuque.
The Route to and through Dubuque
RAGBRAI begins on Sunday, July 19, in Onawa and ends in Dubuque on Saturday, July 25, at A.Y. McDonald Park.
Riders will spend the night of Friday, July 24, in Dyersville. They will enter the Dubuque city limits via Seippel Rd. near the county fairgrounds before turning east on Chavenelle Rd. and passing through Dubuque Industrial Center West and the Bergfeld Recreation Area. The route then turns north at Radford Rd. before heading east onto Pennsylvania Ave. Riders will stay on Pennsylvania Ave. through much of Dubuque’s West End, crossing the Northwest Arterial and John F. Kennedy Rd. and passing Flora Park.
Next, they’ll turn onto University Ave. and take another east turn onto Loras Blvd., where they’ll make their approach into downtown Dubuque. From Loras Blvd., the route continues on E. 14th St. before turning north onto Jackson St. near the Historic Millwork District. Jackson St. takes riders to E. 20th St., then to Rhomberg Ave. into the North End. Riders will go nearly the entire length of Rhomberg Ave. before turning at Hawthorne St., which leads them to the “dip site” at A.Y. McDonald Park. To allow for site preparations, A.Y. McDonald Park will close to the public beginning at 8 a.m. Friday, July 24.
Parking and Traffic Impacts
To provide a safe roadway for the riders, all vehicles must be off the RAGBRAI route by 6 a.m. on Saturday, July 25, when on-street parking restrictions take effect.
Residents on impacted streets are encouraged to find alternative parking arrangements beginning the afternoon/evening of Friday, July 24, until at least 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 25. Riders are expected to begin arriving before 6 a.m. and will continue throughout the day.
Signs with details about parking restrictions will be posted on the route during the week prior to Saturday, July 25. Please follow the enforcements to avoid being ticketed and towed.
Loras Blvd. Residents: Free, off-street parking will be available in the Locust St. Parking Ramp (830 Bluff St.) from 6 p.m. on Friday, July 24, to 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 26.
Significant traffic impacts can be expected on and along the route all day on Saturday, July 25. Most streets on the route will be fully closed to vehicle traffic. However, westbound traffic will be maintained on Pennsylvania Ave., with RAGBRAI riders positioned in the eastbound lane(s). Chavenelle Rd. will be restricted to business traffic only in the westbound lane.
Vehicle traffic will be allowed to cross the RAGBRAI route at certain designated intersections, which will be controlled by Dubuque Police officers.
Traffic will also be impacted on Kerper Blvd. After dipping their tires at A.Y. McDonald Park, riders will be encouraged to use Kerper Blvd. to meet up with their support vehicles before departing Dubuque. Support vehicles will travel in dedicated lanes on Kerper Blvd.
From vendors, a big screen, and beverage garden, find out what is planned at this year's RAGBRAI® Dip Site!
The excitement for vendors have been incredible, and we’ve been blown away by the amazing response from vendors near and far! Below is the list of vendors you can find on-site.
Food Vendors
Non-Food Vendors
Beverage Garden
Special thank you to the Dubuque Jaycees for partnering with us to make this event a success!
A large tent will be available for shade with tables and chairs. Picnic tables will be set up throughout the park as well.
Watch the Big Screen
A live feed from Loras College will take place from 9 am to 3 pm. Have a rider coming in to meet you at the Dip Site? Have them do a shout out at Loras College on camera. Watch the riders coming down Loras throughout the day.
…and more
Enjoy DJ Entertainment throughout the day with fun photo opportunities throughout the park.
Buckle up! Dubuque is going to be busy the weekend BEFORE the ride. Here's what you need to know.
McAleece Park / Former Dubuque PACK Site
We expect up to 2,000 people to be in in Dubuque to park their vehicles for the week. They will be camping at McAleece Park and staying at local hotels.
Complimentary shuttle services to get these individuals from hotels and campgrounds into our restaurants, attractions, retail and more will be offered on July 17 from 10 am to 10 pm.
On July 18 we expect up to 30 charters to depart from McAleece Park for the start of the ride. Charters should be out of Dubuque by noon.
Please be aware, long-term parking will be at the former Dubuque PACK site located at 799 East 16th Street . We expect 16th, Kerper, and US 151/61 to be very busy on July 17 & 18 while vehicles come in to long-term park .
Thousands of riders will be taking in the sights of Dubuque as they peddle to the Mississippi. Here is what you should know.
A.Y. McDonald Park
We expect upwards of 25,000 people to travel throughout Dubuque to celebrate their ride 394 miles across Iowa. They will dip their tires at A.Y. McDonald Park on Saturday, July 25. The first riders are anticipated to come through Dubuque as early as 6 am and a bulk of the riders to travel through Dubuque between 9 am and 2 pm.
Please be aware of road closures and plan your day accordingly and keep in mind there will be heavy traffic on US 151/61 North and South, on 16th Street near the former Dubuque PACK site, on Kerper Blvd and all areas surrounding A.Y. McDonald Park.
The RAGBRAI Route will officially close in the City of Dubuque at 4 pm on Saturday, July 25, 2026.
Want to help? Learn about Volunteer Opportunities!
Complimentary Shuttle
We know you are as excited as we are to see these riders come into Dubuque! Complimentary shuttles will be available from the large green grass lot on 5th Street in the Port of Dubuque running from 8 am to 3 p m. Park here and let our shuttle driver do the work of getting you into and out of the dip site!
Want to learn more about plans for Dubuque RAGBRAI 2026? Join us at one of our upcoming community meetings to hear the latest updates and find out how you can be part of welcoming thousands of riders to our community.
Dubuque RAGBRAI Community Meeting In-Person (Tuesday, June 23)
Sessions at 12:00 PM & 6:00 PM
Reflections Event Spaces at Q Casino + Resort – Meeting Room B
Dubuque RAGBRAI Community Meeting Virtual (Thursday, June 25)
12:00 PM Can't attend live? A recording of the presentation will be posted afterward on DubuqueRAGBRAI.com
Register here for the virtual meeting.
No matter how you plan to experience RAGBRAI—riding, volunteering, hosting visitors, supporting local businesses, or simply cheering from the sidelines—we encourage you to stay informed and get involved.
Businesses
Want to know how your business can get involved? We have a few ways you can help including volunteering and sponsorship. For businesses looking to market their business to riders, please email Taylor at tkellogg@traveldubuque.com as more details will be shared.
Neighborhood Groups
Hey, neighborhood groups! Are you along the route and interested in getting involved? Reach out to Julie Kronlage or Becky Carkeek at 563.845.7698.