Pork Belly Update-Indoor Sleeping 2026

But first - a reminder about your account balances!

Just a friendly reminder that your account balances are due in full by May 15th. You may pay your balance via credit card by logging into your pkbelly.com account. If you'd like to save the credit card processing fees, you're always welcome to mail us a check! If you will be sending a check and it won't make it by the 15th or if you need to make any other arrangements, please write to us at info@pkbelly.com. Thanks!

What exactly is Indoor Sleeping?

PBV is devoted to the idea of making our stays beneficial to both our hosts and our riders! And that's how indoor sleeping came to be...many years ago! Riders can make a donation of $25 (or more, if there's a value-added option), collected by Pork Belly, in exchange for the opportunity to sleep in a rain-proof, air-conditioned space. One hundred percent of the money collected for indoor sleeping goes to the host!

We define "indoor sleeping" as rolling out your bedroll in an air-conditioned space with restroom facilities, and always being respectful of our hosts and the facilities they offer us. This year, we can offer indoor sleeping on at least four nights of RAGBRAI (plus the Friday before in Dubuque). Unique opportunities this year include the option for dorm rooms one night and a wrestling room complete with mats - but most of the time, you're just renting floor space. It is possible that we will be able to add indoor sleeping on additional nights - and if so will send another email.

RAGBRAIs 2011, 2012, and 2023 are memorable for heat that sometimes didn't abate overnight; and waking up dry after an occasional overnight thunderstorm is definitely worth the donation! This is a way to hedge against heat and storms, OR simply avoid setting up a tent... by reserving shelter and air-conditioning in advance. You'll be helping our friendly and hospitable hosts as well! ***Please note that unless specified, these are a large common area where you will be alotted a reasonable footprint for your bedroll and bag. Snorers, please be respectful (see "Courtesy", below), and light sleepers, we advise ear plugs!***

Ready to reserve? Please read all the way through first!

You Must Be With PBV

We can only offer these opportunities to people who are using Pork Belly Ventures Weeklong Support or Partial-Week Support.

Be Sure of Your Commitment

Please read this description in full. By responding, you are committing to paying for these affordable opportunities. We will put these charges on your PBV applications. Our cancellation policy applies. You will need to settle your balance before you come to Iowa. Do keep your word to us and to our hosts. *Reminder-full payment for services is due by May 15th.* 

Game-Day Decisions

Some people look at these opportunities as a kind of insurance. If it's nice outside, they'd rather camp. But in case of extreme heat or overnight thunderstorms, they have reserved an indoor spot. They figure it's a small donation to a good cause, whether or not they end up using it. If you don't use it, there's no refund.

About your Baggage

Due to our larger responsibilities, the PBV Crew can move baggage to and from indoor sleeping venues only on those days when the venue is not in camp. So far, all of our indoor sleeping locations are located in camp, so you should plan on carrying your own luggage to and from. Depending on if you're a self-tenter or in a rental tent, the location might be nearer or farther from where your baggage is on any given night. If necessary for an off-site location, PBV crew will be happy to help move baggage during specific hours of the afternoon.

NO Late-Nighters

IF YOU WANT TO GO TO STREET DANCES IN THESE OVERNIGHT TOWNS, PLEASE DON'T SIGN UP FOR INDOOR SLEEPING. You would wake your fellow Porkers when you come in late. These offers are for folks who hit the hay early (before 10:00 PM), who can be quiet, and who clean up after themselves.

When You'll Have Access

We think indoor sleepers will be able to get into most of these spaces in the early afternoon--but we're still working on those details. Plan to check in with our front desk (our announcement boards) to find out when each venue opens on each day. 

COURTESY IS ESSENTIAL

Bear in mind the importance of courtesy to our hosts and to your fellow Porkers who will be sleeping indoors. Most people sleep quietly. Some snore lightly. Some snore...well, we all know someone. People do have to get up in the night. If you're concerned that you may be awakened by others, just bring earplugs, or we sell earplugs at our front desk.

After reports from indoor sleepers, we must say that if you know that you have an EXCEPTIONALLY LOUD SNORE, then we ask that you don't take any indoor sleeping options in common areas. You WILL see a couple of opportunities below, more expensive, for a cabin or a room to yourself. (If you have a normal or light snore, we don't intend this message for you. Please be honest with yourself!)

The only beverage that is appropriate in your sleeping room is a bottle of water with a lid. (Obviously, no alcohol in any indoor sleeping spaces.)

Bikes stay outside, locked (with your own lock) in camp or near the venue.

Properly dispose of any trash--don't leave it where you slept.

It's lights-out by 10:00. After 10:00 PM (and if you get up in the night), make an effort to be quiet and not disturb others. 

Say thanks to our hosts-- the volunteers, church members, whoever you meet in these nice buildings—for the privilege of sleeping inside. 

Don’t leave any mess in the restrooms—tidy up and use the trash barrels. 

If you're okay with these terms, we welcome you to write to kay@pkbelly.com for a reservation! 

Our 2026 Indoor Sleeping Opportunities

Generally a $25 donation per person per night

with some special higher-prices options, specified below

Friday, 7/17, Dubuque, Holy Trinity Catholic Church

• Please note: this is the Friday before RAGBRAI and is ONLY for those taking the E/W Shuttle on Saturday!
• $25 per person
• Air-Conditioned space and restrooms in the church basement, located a short drive from the shuttle staging area and the long-term parking

Saturday, 7/18

Onawa

• Nothing in Onawa yet, but we will update you if we are able to arrange something!

Sunday, 7/19

Harlan, Iowa Western Community College

• $25 per person
• Atrium portion in the college building, centrally-located in camp
• Donations benefit our hosts, IWCC

Monday, 7/20

Guthrie Center, Guthrie County Fairgrounds

• $25 per person
• 60'x100' Event Hall, centrally-located in camp
• Donations benefit the Guthrie County Fairgrounds

Tuesday, 7/21

Boone, Grace Community Church

• $25 per person
• Floor space in the church, centrally-located in camp
• Donations benefit our hosts, Grace Community Church

Wednesday, 7/22

Marshalltown Community College (2 options!)

MCC Gym Space

• $25 per person
• Floor space in an air-conditioned gym, centrally-located in camp
• Donations benefit our hosts, MCC

MCC Apartment-Style Dorms

• A more private indoor sleeping opportunity - including a real bed! (bring your own bedding) Get a good night's rest before the longest day of riding.
• $150 per bedroom (single occupancy $150, double occupancy $75)
• 2 twin beds per bedroom, 2 bedrooms per apartment unit (shared bathroom & living space)
• On the east side of camp
• Donations benefit our hosts, MCC

Thursday, 7/23

Independence Junior/ Senior High School

• Indee is rolling out the red carpet...er, wrestling mats for us!
• $30 per person
• A little extra cushion after your long day!
• Centrally-located in camp
• Donations benefit our hosts, Indee Junior/Senior High School Wrestling Program

Friday, 7/24, Dyersville

• Nothing in Dyersville yet, but we will update you if we are able to arrange something!

Thank you for supporting our hosts' fundraising efforts!

How to Reserve

Please read everything above before you write to request sleeping space. Only after you have read this information thoroughly and spoken with any friends, you may write to Kay with the nights you request and your name. You may give Kay the first/last name of a friend (who is on PBV Support), only if you’re sure of his or her plans and have permission to add this to their account. Please SPECIFY YOUR CHOICES ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY. Then Kay will put the corresponding charges, your $25 (or larger, as appropriate) donation for each night, on the application of your friend and yourself. Be certain before you write.

Having read this info and agreed to the terms, please feel free to write to Kay with the first and last name/s of those for whom you would like to reserve space, and the night/s you want. Here's an example...

To Kay@pkbelly.com

Kay, after speaking with my friend, Petunia Pig, I'm requesting indoor sleeping for both of us on these nights:

Tuesday - in the church ($25 ea)

Wednesday - we would like to share one dorm room ($75 ea)

Thursday - on the wrestling mats ($30 ea)

Thank you,

Porky Pig

We've been busy scouting overnight towns, getting green space measured, water hydrants and sewer lines identified, meals planned, indoor sleeping areas plotted out, and everything else that goes along with the RAGBRAI planning process. It ultimately results in a hand-drawn map showing the location of all 17 of our semis, the tent grid, and each piece of equipment we take with us across the state. Our next update (later this week) will be about the "Detail Form" - don't forget to fill that out (by June 1 if possible)!

We'll be in touch when we have more news to share, friends!

Cheers, from all of us here at Pork Belly Ventures!