Image of Girl Dancing at Camping Festival

Camping Festival Checklist For All First-Time Campers

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If you’re anything like us, the thought of camping at a music festival makes you feel all kinds of emotions: excitement, intrigue, and a rush at the thought of going on a three day adventure with your closest friends. But again, if you’re anything like how we were at our first camping rave, you could also be feeling one other, less desirable emotion: a bit of anxiety. We get it, packing for a three day camping trip can seem daunting, but you don’t need to worry! We have experience and research on our side to teach you about the most important and critical items to bring to an overnight festival. So if you need a little coaching to get you comfortable with all of the essentials, check out our camping festival checklist and get ready to rave.

Note: If you plan on attending the EDC campsite, check out this list for the do’s and don’ts of what to bring to Camp EDC!

1. The Campsite

These are the most necessary items on your checklist.

Tents By a Lake
  • Tent
  • Tent Stakes and Hammer 
  • Tent Poles 
  • Tent Locks
  • Sleeping Bags or Air Mattresses 
  • Pillows 
  • Flashlights 
  • Battery Powered Lantern
  • Folding Chairs
  • Coolers
  • Small Propane or Grill Stoves 
  • Disposable plates, cups, utensils 

2. Just-In-Case Items

These items are great to have around in the event of anything breaking or getting damaged unexpectedly:

Image of Bungee Chords
  • Zip Ties
  • Duct Tape
  • Bungee Cords 
  • A Tarp

3. Cleaning Supplies

Probably now more than ever, you are going to need these things to have a safe and healthy experience at your first camping festival: 

Image of Hand Sanitizer and Hands
  • Toilet paper
  • Paper towels 
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Bath towels 
  • Lysol spray 
  • Disinfectant wipes 
  • Water Jugs
  • Trash Bags

4. Electronics

You absolutely do not want to be that person with a dead phone at the rave (#PicsOrItDidntHappen) so check this list and check it twice to ensure that you have all the different electronics and their power outlets necessary to survive the weekend:

Image of Phone and Speaker
  • Solar Powered Phone Charger
  • Car Inverter to Charge Electronic Items
  • Jumper Cables 
  • Hand-Held Speaker

5. Decorations

Go absolutely insane with your decorations! This helps you clearly identify your campsite in the sea of tarps and tents, so be sure to bring items that you can recognize from a distance: 

Image of Disco Ball
  • Hammock 
  • Tapestries 
  • Inflatable Lawn Decorations 
  • Glow in the Dark Items 
  • Glow Sticks 
  • Mini Disco Balls 
  • Fairy Lights
  • Hanging Glowing Lanterns 
  • Hula Hoops
  • Flags/Banners/Totems to Distinguish Your Tent 

6. Personal Items:

These  items are more of a friendly reminder. You have probably already thought of them but just in case…

Image of Person Playing Guitar
  • Earplugs 
  • Eye Masks 
  • Refillable Water Bottle
  • Hand warmers 
  • Towels and Sandals for Shower Use 
  • Acoustic Instruments
  • Sealed Gum  
  • Sealed Lip Gloss
  • Makeup 

Other Important Suggestions:

  • Do your research! Not all camping festivals have the same guidelines, so make sure to look up what your festival prohibits and what it allows. It’s never fun having to throw out items you paid for ahead of time.
  • Check to see if your campsite allows carside parking. This means that the venue allows you to set up camp right next to your car, giving you extra storage space and an optional extra space to sleep in. If your camp does not have campside seating, pack lightly so that you do not have to carry loads of stuff to and from your campsite.
  • Bring a wagon to transport your items to and from the campsite. This is good in the case of having to park your car in a lot separate from the music festival.

We hope this list has helped, and if it did, don’t be afraid to copy it and make it your official festival camping checklist. However, if you are looking for tips and tricks that are less about what to bring to a camping festival  and more about what to expect when you get there, check out this guide that will break it down for you and make you the most prepared Rave Rookie in the whole venue.