The ULTIMATE Camping Festival Packing List

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Ready to camp, dance, and make unforgettable memories? This ultimate camping festival packing list has your back! Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned festival pro, packing the right gear is key to a fun, stress-free weekend. From essentials to creature comforts, this list will have you prepped for a smooth and exciting experience.

Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t worry! If you’re camping with a crew, split the packing duties. This list isn’t just for you—it’s for your whole squad. Just make sure to communicate who’s bringing what, and you’ll be good to go.

Camping Festival Packing List

The Essentials

Don’t overlook the basics! It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement, but these must-haves are the foundation of a successful camping festival experience. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later!

• Flashlight: Bring at least one flashlight or headlamp for everyone in your group, as well as extra batteries.
• Bug Repellent: Bugs can put a damper on any outdoor experience, so make sure to pack bug spray to keep them away.
• Sunscreen: Sunburns are no fun, so don’t forget to pack sunscreen and hats to keep you protected from the sun’s rays.
• Mirror: You cannot bring glass to most camping festivals so if you can find a cheap plexiglass full-length mirror that would be ideal. We just brought in these light-up makeup mirrors to do our makeup during the day.
• First Aid Kit: You never know when you’ll need it, so make sure to pack a first aid kit in case of an emergency.
• Car Inverter:
• Duct Tape: Always good to have around. I can’t even remember what we used it for, but it came in handy multiple times.
• Portable Phone Charger: A portable phone charger is essential for keeping your phone charged throughout the festival. Choose a charger that is lightweight and can hold enough charge to last the duration of the festival.
• Speaker: A must for pre and post-festival shenanigans at the campsite!
• Mister Spray Bottle or Battery Powered Fan: Just trust me, at least one of these are necessary.
• Car Battery Starter: Because everyone is using their cars to charge things, cool down, etc they can often die. This car starter is great because it doesn’t require another car. You just hook the car to the battery and are able to jump-start it.

Campsite Common Area

If you want to create a comfy and relaxing space for you and the crew for your downtime from the festival, make sure to add these items to your camping festival packing list!

• Canopies: Necessary for beating the heat. We had 16 people camping and used 4 of these for our common area.
• Tapestries: One great way to make your campsite stand out is to bring along some bright and vibrant tapestries or blankets. Not only will it make your campsite stand out, it also helps keep the heat out during the day, and give your crew privacy at night. We honestly probably brought at least 10 tapestries and used every last one of them.
• Changing Tent: If you don’t bring a large tent that has space and standing room, this changing tent can be
• Inflatable Loungers: We used these at our campsite and the festival. Super convenient and compactable seating.
• Camp Chairs: Bring along a few camp chairs to provide seating around the campfire or while you’re enjoying the music.
• Giant Clips and Zip Ties: We used these to hold up the tapestries, garbage bags, lights, and more.
• Hammock: We brought packable hammocks to set up on trees around the campsite and in the festival, as well as an actual hammock with a portable carrying bag to set up in the common area for lounging.
• Trash Bags: Keep your campsite clean by bringing along some garbage bags for trash and recycling.
• String lights or lanterns: These were perfect for when we came back to relax at the campsite at night.
• Tables: We used tables for our stove, food, etc. Also great if you plan on playing pong. We had 3-4.

Sleeping Arrangements

Festival days are long, and getting decent rest is a must. A well-thought-out sleeping setup can be the difference between waking up refreshed or dragging yourself out of your tent. Make sure you add these items to your camping festival packing list:

• Tent: A tent is one of the most important things to bring with you to the festival. Make sure that your tent is large enough to accommodate everyone it needs to, as well as all of your belongings. We did a small two-person tent, however, I was very envious of those who brought the larger tents and will definitely be going that route next time.
• Sleeping Bag: Don’t forget to bring a good sleeping bag for yourself and anyone else in your group. Choose a sleeping bag that’s appropriate for the season and weather conditions you’ll be dealing with.
• Pillow: Bring a comfortable pillow or two, so you can get a good night’s rest while camping.
• Air Mattress and Air Mattress Pump: If you don’t want to sleep directly on the ground, an air mattress can provide a comfortable option for sleeping. There’s this inexpensive queen-sized air mattress or this option which is a little comfier and includes an internal electric pump.
• Blankets and Sheets: Make sure to bring a few extra blankets in case it gets chilly during the night, and a sheet set for your air mattress.
• Reflective Film: We clipped and duct-taped this film to the top of our tents to reflect some of the morning sun, and it totally worked! I feel like I was able to get at least an extra hour of sleep thanks to this inexpensive hack.

Clothing

When it comes to packing for a camping music festival, be sure to bring plenty of clothing options. You want to make sure that you are prepared for whatever weather conditions the festival brings. Consider bringing layers of clothing such as t-shirts, tank tops, and light jackets, so you can take off or add layers as needed.

Check out my comfort favorites as well as festival favorites when it comes to clothing!

Toiletries

No matter how long you plan on being at the camping music festival, staying fresh is non-negotiable. Bring along the right toiletries so you can keep clean and feel great all weekend long.

• Toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss: These should be pretty obvious! Make sure to have enough to last the duration of your trip.
• Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash: These will come in handy if you want to take a shower or freshen up during the event.
• Towels: Bring towels for showering and swimming.
• Deodorant: There’s nothing worse than an unpleasant odor while camping and attending concerts. Be sure to pack your favorite deodorant!
• Body wipes and Wet wipes: Body wipes are necessary when coming back from the fest as you are most likely going to be at least somewhat dirty and probably not in a state to shower. Festivals almost always run out of toilet paper later in the night so I always keep wet wipes handy.
• Facial cleanser and moisturizer: Keep your skin looking its best by bringing along facial cleanser and moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated and free of dirt and debris.
• Brush or comb: You’ll definitely need these for keeping your hair looking presentable.
• Makeup: If you wear makeup, don’t forget to bring it along! You may want to wear a light look for the day or touch up for the night.
• Nail clippers, tweezers, and other small grooming items: Bring along these small items for taking care of any grooming needs that may arise.

By having all of these items packed and ready to go, you’ll be able to keep clean, comfortable, and refreshed while camping at the music festival!

Food and Water

Fueling up is just as important as vibing out! Stock up on easy snacks and plan for plenty of hydration. Pre-packaged goodies and campsite-friendly options will keep you energized.

Some great ideas are nuts, dried fruit, beef jerky, protein bars, and trail mix. There is usually somewhere around the campground where you can buy ice.

• Cooler: A cooler is essential to keep your food and drinks cold throughout the festival. Choose a cooler that is large enough to hold all your food and drinks, and is easy to transport. We actually took a large cooler for the campsite and a smaller one to transport if we wanted to. I have never understood the hype behind a Yeti cooler until camping. It kept ice cold an entire day longer than the other coolers did! If you’re traveling on a budget though, I get it! This cooler should also suffice.
• Water bottles: Staying hydrated is crucial during camping festivals. Bring water bottles that are durable and can hold enough water for the duration of the festival. Also, if you don’t take a camelback you can take your empty reusable water bottle into the festival as well and refill it at refill stations.
• Portable gas stove: This was SO clutch to have! We were able to boil water and make some hot meals. It’s pretty inexpensive, and the one linked comes with four cans of butane already which should be plenty for a weekend camping festival. These noodle dishes came in clutch!
• Pots and pans: This set is made for camping. It’s super compact and lightweight.

Also be sure to bring plasticware, paper plates, napkins, and cups!

Capturing the Memories

We brought a Polaroid camera with plenty of film and had so much fun capturing the moments at our campsite and the festival! Someone in our crew also had a GoPro they were using to take fun footage to create a montage at the end of the festival.

These items aren’t necessary for having a great time at a camping music festival, but they can definitely add a touch of fun to your camping experience!

Are you feeling prepped for your camping festival?!

And that’s a wrap on your ultimate camping festival packing list! With all these essentials in tow, you’re ready to conquer the festival weekend like a pro. From setting up your cozy campsite to rocking your favorite outfits, you’ve got everything you need to have an unforgettable experience.

Pack smart, stay hydrated, and enjoy every second. All the items mentioned in this list will be linked in my Amazon storefront, making it easier for you to purchase them.

Before you go, be sure to follow me on Insta @guidedbydestiny and check out some of my other blog posts:

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