Camping is a big part of the festival experience for most festival patrons. Often time, the camping arrangements are primitive, at best, with campsites lacking running water and electric hookups. Most, however, will provide a water spigot somewhere within the camping area. Many are without shower facilities and modern bathroom accommodations and thus, you are reliant on porta-johns and sun warmed shower bags. Yet, despite the primitive accommodations, the camping areas of festivals sell out year after year.

Once you get to the festival camping area, the first thing you want to do is find a good spot to set up your camp. If you are part of a group, you will need to stake out an area large enough for everyone to pitch their tents. When you have been to a particular festival in the past, you may already know the layout and have an ideal spot in mind. In that case, be sure to arrive early enough to be able to claim your favorite spot.

While most festival patrons are honest and neighborly, camping is essentially unsecured, so leave your valuables at home where they belong. Keep your money and credit cards with you at all times. Security measures are usually in place at most festivals but incidents can and do happen, so don't leave yourself vulnerable and don't make your campsite an attractive target. Getting to know your neighboring campers fosters a familial cooperation, whereby the group members will keep an eye out for each other's camping space. Quite honestly, community spirit is generally widespread throughout a festival ground's camping area and it is that sense of community that brings festival patrons back year after year.

While we all have specialized needs to fulfill, there are some basic essentials that need to be considered in packing up to go. The first and most important things to pack are the tickets; without them you don't get through the gate. Give careful consideration to your clothing. Make sure you have the appropriate clothing for the weather conditions expected. Don't forget to pack your personal toiletries such as toothpaste and toothbrush, soap, comb and brush, etc.

Here is a list of some basic things you will need:
Water
Tent, poles and stakes
Rope
Rubber Mallet
Duct Tape
Sleeping Bag and extra blankets
Flashlight
Rain Gear for heavy rains
Rain Poncho for light rain
Chairs
Propane or charcoal camp stove (unless you plan to live on vendor food)
Lighter or matches
Food and drinks
Ice
Eating utensils and paper plates and paper cups
Cooking Utensils
Trash bags
Wet wipes and extra toilet paper for when the porta johns are out
Shower unit – sun heated or Zodiac Unit
Towels

Lastly pack a happy attitude and outlook for a fun weekend of festivities.