Festivals are a unique way to experience a variety of niches, from popular music and arts to counterculture and renaissance interests. As these festivals gain popularity, the ways of experiencing them shift. For music and cultural festivals in particular, it’s become the norm to camp overnight, putting attendees right in the center of the events. Camping at a festival eliminates the need to commute, opens you up to new experiences and people, and extends the time you’re given to enjoy the festivities.
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But camping at a festival is a bit different from a traditional camping trip. There are many factors to consider to create a comfortable, safe, and successful campsite, starting with where and how you set up camp. How you plan, prepare, and execute your campsite can easily make or break your festival experience. Read on for the top tips on creating the best festival campsite, from what to research, how to pick a good site, and things to remember when setting up your tent. Let’s dive in!
Research Early On
Successful festival camping starts with researching early on. The reality is, every festival is different. Each one will have different rules, regulations, and instructions when it comes to camping at their event. The best thing you can do to ensure a good experience is to read and understand the information put out by the event organizers.
Most festivals will have an in-depth FAQ section posted on their website. FAQ pages will usually give you vital information regarding camping, parking, and other important details related to the festival. Some good-to-know information to get before arriving at camp includes details about whether or not cars are allowed at camp, if there are designated parking lots, and the times you’ll be allowed to enter and exit the campground. Understanding this information will ensure a smooth and efficient experience upon arrival and departure from the festival.
When it comes to securing a great campsite at a festival, your best bet is to purchase tickets early. The earlier you’re able to secure your spot, the cheaper your tickets will be, and sometimes, you’ll be offered a better campsite selection. It’s important to note that camping tickets are often sold separately from the festival tickets themselves. Make sure you have all of the relevant reservations and tickets needed to camp and attend the event!
How To Pick The Best Festival Campsite
We can’t stress enough that every festival operates differently, and your experience camping at one festival may be completely different from the next. Smaller festivals may only have one designated campground, while larger ones may have 5 or more. More often than not, when there’s more than one campground option, their prices will vary based on how desirable they are. To get the best campsite, you may have to pay more.
Whether there’s 1 campground or 5, how campsites are assigned falls into 3 categories: random assignment, first-come first-served, and camper’s choice. The latter is the rarest of them all, so unfortunately, you may end up having little to no say in where your campsite is.
If you are allowed to pick a campground, take a look at festival maps to get an understanding of the layout of the event. Look for where notable places are located, like the festival entrance, water stations, food booths, bathrooms, general stores, footpaths, and main roads. How close you want to be to any of these places comes down to personal preference. Some campers may value the convenience of being next to a main footpath and bathrooms, while others would prefer to walk farther for a quieter and less smelly campsite.
If your campground is filled on a first-come, first-served basis, plan to get there as early as possible. Some festivals may offer early bird tickets where you can arrive earlier than the rest of the attendees to secure a better spot and set up camp ahead of time. This will likely cost you extra but may be worth it to have a better chance at a good site, plus more time to get settled in.
Just like any other camping trip, you’ll want to pitch your tent on clear, even ground for the most comfortable setup. If you can secure a spot on higher ground, this can also help reduce moisture buildup at the bottom of your tent.
Tips for Setting Up Your Festival Tent
Your work isn’t done once you’ve done your research and secured the perfect spot. You still need to pick out and set up a tent!
How To Pick the Right Tent
The best type of festival tent will depend largely on the type of festival you’re attending, the number of people in your group, and the season and weather during your event. For example, if you’re attending an intricate Renaissance festival, a medieval tent style like a bell tent may suit your aesthetic best without compromising functionality. If, on the other hand, you’re only staying one night at a music festival where warm weather is forecasted, a lightweight, easy-to-set-up dome tent with plenty of mesh might be a better option. No matter what your plans look like, prioritize capacity, user-friendliness, and seasonality to ensure you pick the best tent for your unique needs.
Important Tent Accessories for Festivals
Once your perfect tent is picked out, you’ll need to pack a few tent accessories to maximize the effectiveness of your shelter. Whether you went with a luxury glamping tent or a bare-bones backpacking tent, all shelters need the following essential accessories:
- A poly tarp/groundsheet to protect the bottom of your tent and keep it dry
- A rain fly sheet to protect your tent from rain or other forecasted precipitation
- Stakes to secure your tent and a mallet to drive them into the ground
- Sleeping bags or bed linens
- Bed or travel pillows
- A sleeping pad, cot, or air mattress (optional but recommended)
- Battery-powered fans or a portable A/C unit to keep your tent cool (optional but recommended)
Extra Tips for a Successful Festival Camp Setup
- Weather is unpredictable, no matter where or why you’re camping. Always come prepared with all of the gear necessary to combat whatever weather is possible at your destination. For example, rain and thunderstorms are always possible during East Coast summers, whether or not the forecast calls for it. Come prepared with a tent rain fly and groundsheet as well as rain gear for yourself.
- Consider the security of your tent. Festivals can get busy, and you likely don’t know your campground neighbors very well. To avoid any of your items going missing, make an effort to secure your tent. Start by always taking valuables with you when you leave, or lock them away in your car. If you want to be extra cautious, invest in camping padlocks to secure the zippers of your tent.
- With lots of festival goers comes lots of tents! In an ocean of colorful tents, it can be difficult to find yours at the end of a long day. To combat this, secure a recognizable flag to the top of your camping tent to make your shelter easy to locate.
Final Thoughts
Camping at a festival is an immersive and fun way to experience your event, but it poses a few unique challenges that you won’t find when planning a traditional camping trip. Every festival is different, making researching your specific event a crucial first step in your preparation. From there, follow the steps above to secure the best campsite available, pick the perfect shelter, and set your tent up to succeed in a festival environment. By understanding what’s important to consider during each of these steps, you’ll be prepared to create a comfortable campsite that’s the perfect retreat after an unforgettable day.
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