Music Festivals are a great way to experience a variety of performers, and they are social events in themselves which make them perfect for an RV. The most convenient and fun way to experience them is often by camping on-site in a tent or RV, allowing you to get the full festival experience and not worry about having too much to drink or missing your favorite performer because you’re stuck in traffic.
At many festivals, there are special gatherings to socialize, eat and drink before or after the day guests visit. This is a definite perk of staying on-site. Here are some tips to make attending a festival in an RV the best weekend ever.
Music Festival Ready RVs For Rent Near You
Festival tips for RVers
1. Pack well and thoroughly
First of all, these festivals are outside. And you’re camping. Prepare for bugs, sun, rain, heat, and whatever else you might encounter outdoors. So, your packing list should include bug spray and sunscreen. And you’ll probably want a raincoat or a poncho, comfortable clothes in layers, a great camping chair, and anything else you like having on hand when you’re hanging out outside. Think about bringing a flashlight or a headlamp too, to navigate back to your site in the dark. And at many festivals, if it rains, things will get muddy, so keep that in mind when you’re packing shoes. Pack well to set yourself up for success and comfort!
2. Make sure your RV is well-equipped for music festivals
Some festivals offer hookups on-site, or at least electric, but at most festivals, you’ll be dry camping (aka Boondocking). Stock up on propane and make sure your house batteries are fully charged. Check out our guide on everything you need to know for dry camping bliss.
Be sure to get groceries and some extra water before you come, and fill your tank with water before you arrive. If you haven’t boondocked much, consider a dry run in your driveway to make sure you’re ready to go! Are you worried about your vehicle battery over the weekend? Maybe a pair of jumper cables would be a good idea. Renting? Pick out a rig here, and be sure to ask the owner if you have any questions about living in the RV without hookups if that’s your plan.
3. Don’t bring any restricted items
Read the fine print on what is and isn’t allowed at the festival you’re attending. That could include weapons, glass bottles, fireworks, pets, and illegal substances. Do your homework before you leave so that you’re prepared to cook & socialize legally!
Find the right festivals
RV-friendly music festivals abound all over the United States. We have this page on our site that lists a ton of them out. The Music Festival Wizard is another great tool that’ll allow you to find your fest using all kinds of search filters.
And, here are a few of the most popular music festivals, with a few tips for attending them.
Country Thunder (Nationwide)
This is Country music’s Big Enchilada. It happens all over the U.S. and Canada throughout the year with most locations offering RV camping as far as the eyes can see. Expect it to be dry camping, however, man y locations do offer limited full-hookup sites for a higher price.
And the music you’ll see is all a who’s who of country, bluegrass, and folk. This is the fest you want to make if you want to see the absolute blockbuster acts in an RV-friendly space.
Bonnaroo (Manchester, Tennessee)
This is one of the United States’ largest music festivals, with about 140,000 people participating! There are a variety of camping areas acting as mini-cities, each with bathrooms and drinking water as well as LED lighting to help you find your way. Attendees love the sense of community here. Prepare for a long walk to the stage. Need power to get you through the festival? No problem, but it will cost you about three times the price!
Coachella (Coachella Valley, California)
You have twice the chance to experience this legendary lineup, because they offer it over two weekends in April.
Offerings include private showers, chair massages, wifi, phone charging lockers, and even fresh produce. Definitely read the rules about what you can and can’t bring in. No musical instruments, for instance, if you aren’t performing in the festival. On-site camping here is basically car camping. You can bring your RV if you can fit it, but it’s a small space. So you may prefer to stay off-site. However, if you’re compact, why not give it a go?
Rent Music Festival Friendly RVs
And we have a bunch of ’em near you:
Attending music festivals in your RV is a fantastic way to experience a weekend of music and community. Plan ahead, purchase early (to save money), prepare for everything, and you’ll have a wonderful experience. Need to rent an RV for your trip? Here’s where you can get started.
Not sure what festival you’d like to attend? Use our Event Guide to get you started!
