Local guide · Game weekends
Where to Stay for App State Football Weekends (and Graduation)
If you're figuring out where to stay for an App State game, here's a calmer option than a Boone hotel on game weekend. The Jungle House is our 3-bedroom, 3-bath condo inside Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock, and it sleeps seven. Kidd Brewer Stadium is about a 15-minute drive away. After the game you come back to a quiet resort, a stone fireplace and a Jacuzzi tub, not a packed hotel hallway. Have your dates? Book direct and save 7% on the nightly rate.
App State home games left in 2026
These are the Mountaineers' last two home games of the 2026 season at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone, according to App State Athletics:
| Date | Opponent | Theme | Kickoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Nov 7, 2026 | Georgia State (Sun Belt) | Heroes Day | TBD |
| Sat, Nov 21, 2026 | ULM (Sun Belt) | Senior Day, the last home game of 2026 | TBD |
App State hasn't announced kickoff times for either game yet. Check appstatesports.com for kickoff, tickets and the fan guide before you plan your day.
Graduating this fall? App State's fall 2026 commencement is on Friday, December 11, 2026, at the Holmes Convocation Center. More on that below.
How far is Kidd Brewer Stadium from Blowing Rock?
From our condo at Chetola Resort, Kidd Brewer Stadium is about a 15-minute drive (roughly 9 miles). Most of the drive is up US 321 into Boone. On game day, expect heavier traffic near campus and leave extra time.
Parking and buses on game day:
- App State says all lots near Kidd Brewer Stadium and all campus parking decks switch to Game Day Permit parking on home game days, and vehicles parked there without a permit are towed at the owner's expense.
- AppalCART runs game-day bus routes. The routes are linked from App State's Parking and Transportation game-day page.
- Sort out parking (or a ride) before you leave the condo. That's the simplest way to make kickoff.
Why stay in Blowing Rock for an App State game
- Room for the whole group. Three bedrooms and three full baths sleep up to seven: a king suite plus two rooms with twin beds, and one of the upstairs twin rooms also has a twin sleeper sofa. Parents, siblings and friends can share one place instead of splitting across hotel rooms.
- Close to Boone without the game-day crowds. You're about 15 minutes from the stadium, and downtown Blowing Rock is a 4-minute drive for dinner on Main Street.
- A quiet place to come back to. The condo has a private balcony over the woods, and a trail starts about 30 seconds from the front door. Follow it about 3 minutes on foot and you reach the Bass Lake loop in Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, part of the Blue Ridge Parkway, a unit of the National Park System. It's an easy Sunday-morning walk before the drive home.
- Tailgate food, made at home. Prep the cooler in a fully equipped kitchen, then get everyone around the dining table for breakfast the next morning.
- Recovery mode. After a cold afternoon in the stands, there's a 2-person Jacuzzi tub upstairs and downstairs, one in each suite's bathroom, plus a stone wood-burning fireplace. Please bring your own firewood if you'd like a fire; it isn't supplied.
Plan a two-night game weekend
There's a 2-night minimum, which works well for a Saturday game:
- Friday: Check in from 4 PM. Head downtown for dinner (it's a 4-minute drive), then stock the fridge for the tailgate.
- Saturday: Game day. Once App State posts kickoff, plan around it, and give yourself extra time for traffic and parking in Boone. Afterward, come back for a Jacuzzi soak.
- Sunday: Walk the trail to Bass Lake, then check out by 11 AM.
Coming for a Thursday or Friday visit to campus? Any two nights works. Pick yours on the booking page.
App State graduation: Friday, December 11, 2026
Fall 2026 commencement is on Friday, December 11, 2026, at the Holmes Convocation Center (111 Rivers Street, Boone). App State lists three ceremonies, and each graduate attends the one for their college:
- 9 AM: College of Arts and Sciences; University College
- 1 PM: Hayes School of Music; College of Fine and Applied Arts; Beaver College of Health Sciences
- 5 PM: Reich College of Education; Walker College of Business
App State says tickets aren't required, graduates can invite as many guests as they like, and each ceremony lasts about two hours. The Holmes Center has a bag policy, so check the commencement site before you go.
The Holmes Center is a similar drive from the condo, about 8 miles (allow extra time on graduation day). A Thursday-to-Saturday stay gives the family an unhurried ceremony day and a celebration dinner afterward. December in Blowing Rock is also the season for the free Chetola Festival of Lights on the same resort, and the downtown Holiday Stroll falls on December 11. Our Christmas in Blowing Rock 2026 guide has the details.
Planning ahead for spring? App State's calendar lists spring 2027 commencement ceremonies starting Thursday, May 6, 2027.
App State football lodging FAQ
How far is Kidd Brewer Stadium from Blowing Rock?
From The Jungle House at Chetola Resort, it's about a 15-minute drive (roughly 9 miles). On game day, leave extra time for traffic and parking.
When are App State's remaining 2026 home games?
Saturday, November 7, 2026, against Georgia State (Heroes Day), and Saturday, November 21, 2026, against ULM (Senior Day). App State lists kickoff times for both as TBD.
Is there a minimum stay for game weekends?
Yes. The Jungle House has a 2-night minimum, so a Friday-to-Sunday stay covers a Saturday game. Check-in is 4 PM and checkout is 11 AM.
How many people can stay?
Up to seven, in three bedrooms with three full baths: a king suite plus two rooms with twin beds, and one of the upstairs twin rooms also has a twin sleeper sofa.
When is App State's fall 2026 graduation?
Friday, December 11, 2026, at the Holmes Convocation Center in Boone, with ceremonies at 9 AM, 1 PM and 5 PM depending on the college.
Can we host a tailgate or watch party at the condo?
The Jungle House doesn't allow parties or events, and it's a non-smoking, pet-free home. It's a relaxed place for your group to stay and eat together before and after the game.
How do I book?
Book online on our booking page; direct bookings include a 7% direct-booking discount.
Exploring the area while you're here? Read about our location inside Chetola Resort, see the home, or browse our guides. House rules are on the FAQ and policies page.
Book your App State weekend
Game weekends and graduation are when groups need room, so lock in your two nights early. Check-in is 4 PM and checkout is 11 AM. The condo is non-smoking and pet-free, with no parties or events.
Book direct and save 7% on the nightly rate.
The Jungle House is a privately owned vacation rental and is not affiliated with Appalachian State University.
Ready for the mountains?
Book direct and save 7% on the nightly rate, or send us your dates and we'll reply personally.