THE ULTIMATE GUIDE FOR CAMPING AT A MUSICAL FESTIVAL

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The 2019 music festival season is quickly approaching. This is the right place for you if you have decided to camp at a festival. When it comes to celebrations, I am a type-A planner. When I went to Coachella 2017, I was naturally nervous. What do I need to bring? What should I get? What is the cost of this trip? What should I bring? These questions flooded my mind, and I’m sure yours. Camping at festivals is easy and can make your festival experience more enjoyable. Camping at festivals is a great way to meet new people, have fun and enjoy the facilities. It’ll be easy to find the best camping experiences for you.

PREPARATION

The first step is to get any camping passes that you may need. Coachella requires you to buy a separate camping ticket. This can be split into a group. Electric Forest only includes camping if you wish to spend more for VIP camping areas. You can arrive at festivals a day earlier if you purchase an early arrival pass. This allows you to set up your camp, so you are ready for the festival.

You can find all the information you need about camping at this festival on their website. These will include information such as when you can access and exit the campgrounds, security, and how large your camping area will be. Festivals have different rules, so make sure you check the website. You should also check the shower conditions, such as whether they charge for the use of the showers and when it is usually busy. I go at least an hour before I enter the gates because it takes me so long to get ready.

Collaborate with friends to coordinate your trip to the campgrounds. Some festivals require that you enter campgrounds together if you wish to have campsites next to one another (except for Lightning in a Bottle, where all areas are available). It is possible to decide with your group what you will bring and how much.

If you plan to fly, I recommend finding a Walmart near the festival. Pre-ordered camping gear for Electric Forest was available for pickup when we arrived. It was easy to rent a car to store all our stuff.

WHAT TO BRING

This list was found in Festival Survival Guide. I have added some (don’t feel you HAVE TO bring everything). I will also add a ** to indicate “helpful but not mandatory.” Check the festival website to see what is allowed.

Camping supplies

  • Tent – This eight-person Coleman Rocks
    • 2-person was my choice for EF 2019. It was a great choice.
  • Sleeping bag – I use this sleeping bag.
  • Blankets & Pillows (a Walmart could sell one for a fraction of the price)
  • ** Air mattress If you pack this, include a pump or additional batteries, a repair kit, and sheets to cover it.
    • sleeping pad can be purchased so that you inflate yourself without the use of a pump.
  • **Headlamps and Flashlights
  • Lantern
  • Tarp
  • Mallet or Rubber Hammer
  • **Pocket knife
  • Extra toilet paper
  • At least one bath towel per person, plus an additional.
  • Chairs
  • Coolers (it is a brilliant idea to bring a large one to drink and to use as a table and a smaller one to eat at the table)
  • Water jugs
  • If necessary, a small speaker with extra batteries and an aux cord.
  • ** Car Inverter For Electronics CAUTION: This can drain your car battery, so be careful.
  • Jumper cables
  • Additional car keys (if camping with friends, give them extra keys or keyless entry devices to allow them to store valuables and still have access to the car if they get separated).
  • ** Flag (to identify your campsite and make it easy to find)
  • **Fold out the table
  • ** Hammock
  • The EZ UP-Small shade umbrellas can help block the sun and rain.
  • Tapestries to hang for decoration
  • Trash bags
  • Stakes for Tents ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO ENSURE YOUR TENT DOES NOT FLY AWAY
  • Earplugs if you have noisy camp neighbors
  • Portable charger
  • Insect repellent

Food & Cooking Supplies

  • ** Camping stove: While you can live without one, it is better to have one.
  • ** Extra gas canisters
  • ** Biodegradable dish soap
  • Hand sanitizer
  • ** Pots, pans and pot holders, spatulas. Silverware, plates, napkins. A good rule of thumb: Figure out the type of food you’re bringing, and ensure you have all the equipment you need to prepare it.
  • Cups
  • Ice (put as much as possible into the coolers. Make sure to save half of the bag for drinks. Ice will be available for sale on festival grounds, but it will cost twice as much as in the real world. So make sure to stock up before you go.
  • **Condiments (butter, ketchup, mustard, etc.)
  • You can bring gallon jugs of water or get a reusable bottle or jar for filling up during the weekend at the campsite.

Food

Make it easy to prepare and have something to snack on. Before I head to the festival, I always have breakfast, such as bananas and PB&J. I also have protein bars and snacks ready. I will usually eat 1-2 meals at the festival gates. This is so that I can also enjoy the food at the festival.

Toiletries & Personal Products

  • Travel shampoo/conditioner
  • Use face wipes
  • Baby wipes
  • Toothpaste/Toothbrush, Mouthwash
  • First aid kit (Band-Aids, Neosporin, etc.)
  • Pain medicine
  • Pepto and anti-anxiety pills. Anything you take (birth control, anti-anxiety drugs, motion sickness medication, etc.).
  • Vitamins
  • Emergen-c
  • Sunscreen
  • Lotion
  • Razors
  • Safe sex can be done with condoms.
  • Clips, hair clips, bobby pins, and headbands

Clothes & Gear

It’s your choice what clothes to bring. You should pack clothes you feel comfortable in, and you will be fine if they get dirty—pack for all weather conditions. Pack extra clothes, especially if it rains. Evenings can be cold at night so make sure you have enough clothing.

  • Shoes: Bring at least one pair of walking shoes and flip-flops or sandals for showers.
  • Rain shoes
  • Socks
  • You should wear festival outfits.
  • You can wear your clothes to the campsites.
  • Bedding clothes
  • If necessary, a bathing suit.
  • Bandanas can be used for many purposes, as well as fashion.
  • Hats
  • Sunglasses
  • Bras and undies
  • Scarves, gloves
  • Raincoat
  • Hydration Pack or Backpack

You can bring fun things to do at the campsite such as glow sticks, Frisbees and Frisbees, or playing cards.

HOW TO PACK

I made a video specifically to help you pack for Electric Forest. I flew from Austin, Texas, to Michigan with two suitcases plus a backpack. One suitcase contained clothes and toiletries, while the other had my tent, sleeping bag, and blanket.

My Coachella trip was a weekend Coachella. I packed everything I needed into a duffel and brought a pillow and snooze bag. We packed everything in our cars and camped together. We hope you have enough space in your car to store your camping gear, food, and other supplies.

COSTS

Prices can vary depending on how many camping passes you purchase, what you have to share with others, and how much. Coachella cost me less than $200 to pitch for food and my share of the pass. Electric Forest cost me around $300, as it was split between Peyton and myself. I also included the rental car price. You want quality camping equipment, but they should be compact enough that you can reuse them over and over again. Since I will attend two camping festivals this year, I am considering buying an EZ Up and Tent.

GENERAL TIPS

  • Security is different for each festival, so double-check that you do not have prohibited items. They will be kind to you as long as you are pleasant to security. They usually take about 10 minutes to go through your car unless you catch them noticing that they might have something hidden. In those cases, they will look deeper.
  • After setting up camp, walk around the campgrounds looking for bathrooms and other amenities.
  • Make use of all the facilities offered by campgrounds. You’ll find vendors, seminars, interactive gaming, and many other activities to keep you entertained.
  • A general store is available at most festivals.
  • Ice prices vary depending on whether you need to take it to the general store or if someone is driving with it. Cash is always a good idea!

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