Budds Creek National 2026

martinlpz
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Melo, Cerro Largo, UY

I'll be going to Budds Creek in August for my first time at an AMA motocross event. I've been to several MXGP events, but this is my first time in the USA. I'll be staying in La Plata, MD.

Any recommendations? What's the best time to arrive on Saturday? Is there anything to do on Friday or Sunday? Amateur Day or something?

Thanks

3
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-MAVERICK-
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Ontario, CA
7/20/2026 2:19pm Edited Date/Time 7/20/2026 4:48pm

WMX races on Friday and Saturday. 

Edit: Media Activity = Pro riders on track for Press Day. 

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Sparkalounger
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7/20/2026 4:16pm

Welcome!

Looks like you should be to the track by noon on Friday and then I would say by 8am on Saturday!

Get a pitt pass and have fun!

SEEMEFIRST
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Arlington, TX, USA
7/20/2026 4:32pm
Welcome!Looks like you should be to the track by noon on Friday and then I would say by 8am on Saturday!Get a pitt pass and have...

Welcome!

Looks like you should be to the track by noon on Friday and then I would say by 8am on Saturday!

Get a pitt pass and have fun!

Maybe 9:00 on Friday to catch all the WMX qualis.

Moto Nomad
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7/20/2026 7:30pm

D.C. is nice around the monuments. Seems like it would be worth a trip if you are that close, but allow time for traffic.

The Shop

Airick
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Hollywood, MD, USA
7/20/2026 7:38pm

If you’re looking for something mellow, Leonardtown Square has been trying to be better, there’s a range of places from Smash House burgers to Sweet Bay “upscale dining”. Solomon’s Island is nice, Island Hideway is the best over there. Annapolis downtown is safe with good eats/drinks, but it’s a an hour or so drive. Watch out for the Amish buggies, they’re just honest people doing it differently.

2
Kelz87
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7/20/2026 8:45pm

If you mean outside of moto - Old Town Alexandria VA is a nice vibe on King St with mellow bars/restaurants near the Potomac River. You can water taxi to DC too 


 I don’t care for the Maryland side tbh. It’s a shit state with shit people, and terrible drivers 

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Airick
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7/20/2026 8:57pm
Kelz87 wrote:
If you mean outside of moto - Old Town Alexandria VA is a nice vibe on King St with mellow bars/restaurants near the Potomac River. You...

If you mean outside of moto - Old Town Alexandria VA is a nice vibe on King St with mellow bars/restaurants near the Potomac River. You can water taxi to DC too 


 I don’t care for the Maryland side tbh. It’s a shit state with shit people, and terrible drivers 

IMG 1167 5IMG 1166 6.jpeg?VersionId=EUJZHFfepA21oxD9arkUZT1Uqihkbrm

Fuck you, I’m an excellent driver. Can’t speak for the rest of these fucks thoug 😆

3
2
FroDiddy
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USA
7/20/2026 9:37pm
Kelz87 wrote:
If you mean outside of moto - Old Town Alexandria VA is a nice vibe on King St with mellow bars/restaurants near the Potomac River. You...

If you mean outside of moto - Old Town Alexandria VA is a nice vibe on King St with mellow bars/restaurants near the Potomac River. You can water taxi to DC too 


 I don’t care for the Maryland side tbh. It’s a shit state with shit people, and terrible drivers 

IMG 1167 5IMG 1166 6.jpeg?VersionId=EUJZHFfepA21oxD9arkUZT1Uqihkbrm

VA and D.C. have the worst drivers in the area.  

Have fun with your data centers and personal property taxes.  😉

2
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Moto Nomad
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7/21/2026 12:58am

Wow, a uniquely bitter DC area reaction to a simple post from a visitor.

If you can make time, go up to D.C. and visit the monuments on the downtown mall. Otherwise, enjoy Budds! I grew up there and it is a great spectator track. 

3
Airick
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7/21/2026 1:20am
Moto Nomad wrote:
Wow, a uniquely bitter DC area reaction to a simple post from a visitor.If you can make time, go up to D.C. and visit the monuments...

Wow, a uniquely bitter DC area reaction to a simple post from a visitor.

If you can make time, go up to D.C. and visit the monuments on the downtown mall. Otherwise, enjoy Budds! I grew up there and it is a great spectator track. 

Not really, homey who’s profile is AZ thought MD sux, in summary. I gave genuine answers. Double check your geography bitters. Or get fucked, either or.

7
7/21/2026 1:32am

I wouldn't even go north toward DC.  Stay south.  

If you want to see "old", go south down US301, over the bridge, and into Fredericksburg Virginia.  It's the only town that had a Civil War battle within city limits. There are tons of antique shops where you can pick up something old, and American.  

In La Plata,  there is a lot of good food. There's a restaurant over the water just outside La Plata called "Port Tobacco Restarant" that has good seafood and a view.  Hit that for dinner Friday.  Punch that into your navigation, it'll take you 5- 10 minutes from the intersection of 301 and hwy 6 which is probably where your hotel is, or roughly.  

If you want a good Amerixan breakfast Saturday morning before the race, on your way down 301, on the left hand side when you're going southbound, there's a crappy looking old biker bar called "Ape Hangers" that has awesome breakfast. 

Dont bother going north toward DC. You'll just spend the day in your car, pissed off. 

 

3
7/21/2026 4:13am

They usually have amateur supercross friday night which is fun to go and watch. idk if they will this year. highly recommend going to fredericksburg va and checking out the historic downtown. Its filled with shops and some pretty good restaurants. its about an hour away from budds

shortty761
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Newport News, VA, USA
7/21/2026 5:34am
Lentz197 wrote:
They usually have amateur supercross friday night which is fun to go and watch. idk if they will this year. highly recommend going to fredericksburg va...

They usually have amateur supercross friday night which is fun to go and watch. idk if they will this year. highly recommend going to fredericksburg va and checking out the historic downtown. Its filled with shops and some pretty good restaurants. its about an hour away from budds

I’ve never been to downtown Fredericksburg but I hear a lot of good things about it.


Only thing I know about Fredericksburg is the road where it’s a bunch of stop lights and hundreds of shopping centers and box corporate stores.


Guess I always drove through the bad route lol

7/21/2026 5:51am
Lentz197 wrote:
They usually have amateur supercross friday night which is fun to go and watch. idk if they will this year. highly recommend going to fredericksburg va...

They usually have amateur supercross friday night which is fun to go and watch. idk if they will this year. highly recommend going to fredericksburg va and checking out the historic downtown. Its filled with shops and some pretty good restaurants. its about an hour away from budds

shortty761 wrote:
I’ve never been to downtown Fredericksburg but I hear a lot of good things about it.Only thing I know about Fredericksburg is the road where it’s...

I’ve never been to downtown Fredericksburg but I hear a lot of good things about it.


Only thing I know about Fredericksburg is the road where it’s a bunch of stop lights and hundreds of shopping centers and box corporate stores.


Guess I always drove through the bad route lol

Yep thats central park for you lol

7/21/2026 7:07am
I wouldn't even go north toward DC.  Stay south.  If you want to see "old", go south down US301, over the bridge, and into Fredericksburg Virginia...

I wouldn't even go north toward DC.  Stay south.  

If you want to see "old", go south down US301, over the bridge, and into Fredericksburg Virginia.  It's the only town that had a Civil War battle within city limits. There are tons of antique shops where you can pick up something old, and American.  

In La Plata,  there is a lot of good food. There's a restaurant over the water just outside La Plata called "Port Tobacco Restarant" that has good seafood and a view.  Hit that for dinner Friday.  Punch that into your navigation, it'll take you 5- 10 minutes from the intersection of 301 and hwy 6 which is probably where your hotel is, or roughly.  

If you want a good Amerixan breakfast Saturday morning before the race, on your way down 301, on the left hand side when you're going southbound, there's a crappy looking old biker bar called "Ape Hangers" that has awesome breakfast. 

Dont bother going north toward DC. You'll just spend the day in your car, pissed off. 

 

That’s funny I always pass that ape hangers place and wonder about it. Will have to stop sometime. 

OP if this is the first time over you shouldn’t miss the national mall, museums and monuments, even if the traffic sucks.


And you will have a great time. Been going to Budds for 40 years since I was wadding up in the orange snow fence as a kid (and Jonathan came along to drag me out of it and bitch at me for messing up his fence lol). 

2
7/21/2026 9:20am
I wouldn't even go north toward DC.  Stay south.  If you want to see "old", go south down US301, over the bridge, and into Fredericksburg Virginia...

I wouldn't even go north toward DC.  Stay south.  

If you want to see "old", go south down US301, over the bridge, and into Fredericksburg Virginia.  It's the only town that had a Civil War battle within city limits. There are tons of antique shops where you can pick up something old, and American.  

In La Plata,  there is a lot of good food. There's a restaurant over the water just outside La Plata called "Port Tobacco Restarant" that has good seafood and a view.  Hit that for dinner Friday.  Punch that into your navigation, it'll take you 5- 10 minutes from the intersection of 301 and hwy 6 which is probably where your hotel is, or roughly.  

If you want a good Amerixan breakfast Saturday morning before the race, on your way down 301, on the left hand side when you're going southbound, there's a crappy looking old biker bar called "Ape Hangers" that has awesome breakfast. 

Dont bother going north toward DC. You'll just spend the day in your car, pissed off. 

 

That’s funny I always pass that ape hangers place and wonder about it. Will have to stop sometime. OP if this is the first time over you...

That’s funny I always pass that ape hangers place and wonder about it. Will have to stop sometime. 

OP if this is the first time over you shouldn’t miss the national mall, museums and monuments, even if the traffic sucks.


And you will have a great time. Been going to Budds for 40 years since I was wadding up in the orange snow fence as a kid (and Jonathan came along to drag me out of it and bitch at me for messing up his fence lol). 

I can only speak to breakfast/brunch.  The trim is just this side of haggard. 

 

1
Moto Nomad
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7/21/2026 10:28am
Kelz87 wrote:
If you mean outside of moto - Old Town Alexandria VA is a nice vibe on King St with mellow bars/restaurants near the Potomac River. You...

If you mean outside of moto - Old Town Alexandria VA is a nice vibe on King St with mellow bars/restaurants near the Potomac River. You can water taxi to DC too 


 I don’t care for the Maryland side tbh. It’s a shit state with shit people, and terrible drivers 

IMG 1167 5IMG 1166 6.jpeg?VersionId=EUJZHFfepA21oxD9arkUZT1Uqihkbrm
Airick wrote:

Fuck you, I’m an excellent driver. Can’t speak for the rest of these fucks thoug 😆

DC/MD drivers are literally insane. I spent years commuting from Annapolis to D.C. Nice mix of idiots going 45 mph and idiots going 100 mph. One day on my commute home I was held up at four different accidents. It got so bad I emailed the state police asking why there is literally no speed enforcement on Route 50. He said he had two troopers for the whole county and to write my elected representative. The Beltway is pure hell and I'm glad I only have to drive it once a year now.

1
DMJ232
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Gaithersburg, MD, USA
Fantasy
7/21/2026 11:14am
Kelz87 wrote:
If you mean outside of moto - Old Town Alexandria VA is a nice vibe on King St with mellow bars/restaurants near the Potomac River. You...

If you mean outside of moto - Old Town Alexandria VA is a nice vibe on King St with mellow bars/restaurants near the Potomac River. You can water taxi to DC too 


 I don’t care for the Maryland side tbh. It’s a shit state with shit people, and terrible drivers 

IMG 1167 5IMG 1166 6.jpeg?VersionId=EUJZHFfepA21oxD9arkUZT1Uqihkbrm
Airick wrote:

Fuck you, I’m an excellent driver. Can’t speak for the rest of these fucks thoug 😆

Moto Nomad wrote:
DC/MD drivers are literally insane. I spent years commuting from Annapolis to D.C. Nice mix of idiots going 45 mph and idiots going 100 mph. One...

DC/MD drivers are literally insane. I spent years commuting from Annapolis to D.C. Nice mix of idiots going 45 mph and idiots going 100 mph. One day on my commute home I was held up at four different accidents. It got so bad I emailed the state police asking why there is literally no speed enforcement on Route 50. He said he had two troopers for the whole county and to write my elected representative. The Beltway is pure hell and I'm glad I only have to drive it once a year now.

That’s funny, we say the same thing about VA drivers. 

1
7/21/2026 11:24am Edited Date/Time 7/21/2026 11:32am
martinlpz wrote:
I'll be going to Budds Creek in August for my first time at an AMA motocross event. I've been to several MXGP events, but this is...

I'll be going to Budds Creek in August for my first time at an AMA motocross event. I've been to several MXGP events, but this is my first time in the USA. I'll be staying in La Plata, MD.

Any recommendations? What's the best time to arrive on Saturday? Is there anything to do on Friday or Sunday? Amateur Day or something?

Thanks

Hey there. You will love this part of Maryland, it's gorgeous down there this time of year. Budds is a great place to go to watch the stuff on Friday. Very good vibe there. I'll be going down and catching a Orioles Game the day before and then head to the race early. That section of Baltimore is fine. But as others have mentioned there's some really nice places all around that area of Budds Creek with good food and the area you are staying is great and close. I'd try to be settled at the track by 8 to watch qualifying if you are really into the sport. Safe travels

lumpy790
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Location
York, SC, USA
7/21/2026 2:03pm
Airick wrote:

Fuck you, I’m an excellent driver. Can’t speak for the rest of these fucks thoug 😆

Moto Nomad wrote:
DC/MD drivers are literally insane. I spent years commuting from Annapolis to D.C. Nice mix of idiots going 45 mph and idiots going 100 mph. One...

DC/MD drivers are literally insane. I spent years commuting from Annapolis to D.C. Nice mix of idiots going 45 mph and idiots going 100 mph. One day on my commute home I was held up at four different accidents. It got so bad I emailed the state police asking why there is literally no speed enforcement on Route 50. He said he had two troopers for the whole county and to write my elected representative. The Beltway is pure hell and I'm glad I only have to drive it once a year now.

DMJ232 wrote:

That’s funny, we say the same thing about VA drivers. 

You can Add Indiana drivers to that list. 😅

The beltway is a race track and everyone got a bad start and is jockeying for position trying to catch up .

When I turn on my turn signal I am telling you I am coming over not asking for your permission.

 

7/21/2026 2:07pm

Maryland just adopted the Super Speeder law just like Florida.  Which is cool.  

I hope when I die my tombstone says 

"Husband. Father. Superspeeder" 

lumpy790
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York, SC, USA
7/21/2026 2:07pm
martinlpz wrote:
I'll be going to Budds Creek in August for my first time at an AMA motocross event. I've been to several MXGP events, but this is...

I'll be going to Budds Creek in August for my first time at an AMA motocross event. I've been to several MXGP events, but this is my first time in the USA. I'll be staying in La Plata, MD.

Any recommendations? What's the best time to arrive on Saturday? Is there anything to do on Friday or Sunday? Amateur Day or something?

Thanks

Hey there. You will love this part of Maryland, it's gorgeous down there this time of year. Budds is a great place to go to watch...

Hey there. You will love this part of Maryland, it's gorgeous down there this time of year. Budds is a great place to go to watch the stuff on Friday. Very good vibe there. I'll be going down and catching a Orioles Game the day before and then head to the race early. That section of Baltimore is fine. But as others have mentioned there's some really nice places all around that area of Budds Creek with good food and the area you are staying is great and close. I'd try to be settled at the track by 8 to watch qualifying if you are really into the sport. Safe travels

The earlier  the better and parking will get hectic going in and out.

Another great place to see is Colonial Beach VA just over the bridge. We stayed at a campground there and I never knew how many USA presidents were from there!

7/21/2026 5:09pm

one of the best tracks for spectating period… get there early and find a spot on one of the hills but bring you a small garden shovel to dig out a spot for the back legs so the chair sits flat, it’s usually hot as balls and the track is in a hole with little windflow so bring that H2O, other than that have fun!

1
BikePilot
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Location
Golden, CO, USA
7/22/2026 4:39am

It's an amazing track both to spectate and race.  I used to live in the region and generally would race amateur day on Friday and work at the race on Saturday.  That area in August is often really hot and humid.  DC is an amazing city to visit but it really depends on what you like. It has history and exceptional fine dining.  

1
7/22/2026 3:46pm Edited Date/Time 7/22/2026 3:50pm

Check out Captain Billy's Crab House for a true local restaurant experience. You'll meet real, friendly Americans and you'll feel welcomed. 

If you order Maryland Blue Crabs, you'll probably have to have a local show you how to dissect them. All the seafood there is good, though.

Welcome to my home state, friend. 

3
JMCR250
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Location
Chesterfield, MO, USA
7/22/2026 3:56pm

Some good suggestions here, but if you're only going to be in the area for the weekend, I'd forego trying to get to DC.  Traffic is horrible in the area in and around DC, even on weekends.  

Budds is a great track and fun to attend.  If it's going to be hot Saturday and you're at all sensitive to heat, I'd recommend getting there early to set up your "home base" in one of the shaded areas on the side of the hill.

Have a great time.

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