Get Your Festie On: Guide to Festival Travel in a Campervan

by Shilo Urban

Magic happens at outdoor festivals. Colorful camping villages spring up and create communities full of new friends. Everybody is ready to dance, explore, and have a good time. But no matter how far you roam at a festival, you’ll need a home base to stash your stuff, grab some nosh, and maybe even sleep. Campervan rentals offer some sweet benefits at outdoor festivals:

• No set-up. You’re ready to dive into the fun as soon as you turn off your engine. Head to the nearest stage instead of fussing with tent poles, tarps and air mattresses.
   
• Eating is easier with a kitchen. Campervans have a propane stove, a battery/solar powered fridge so they are always one, and a sink with running water (pumped from a storage tank). A basic kitchen like this is a straight-up luxury at a festival. Unfortunately there is no dishwasher.
   
• Walls protect you from the elements. Don’t underestimate the power of the wind, dirt, and dust storms at festivals like Burning Man. After hours of dancing in the dust, shutting a sturdy door between you and the wind creates a little piece of heaven. Bonus: unlike tents, campervans won’t blow away (it happens).
   
• Crash on a real mattress with real sheets, pillows, and a comforter. So much better than a sleeping bag on the ground!

Campervans can park in car camping areas instead of RV areas at many festivals. Car camping areas are usually less expensive and closer to the stages, concessions, and tent camping (where all your friends are).

Campervan with Your Crew to America’s Craziest Camping Festivals

Ready to roll? Check out some of our favorite festies:

Burning Man – Travel to another planet in Black Rock City, Nevada (late August/early September). Click on the following to get more info and quotes for: San Francisco campervan rentals (360 miles/579 kilometers), Las Vegas Campervan Rentals (462 miles/744 kilometers), or Los Angeles campervan rentals (545 miles/877 kilometers).

Coachella: So Cal playground for die-hard music fans in Indio, California (two weekends in April). Most popular are Los Angeles campervan hires (133 miles/214 kilometers) but you can rent from Las Vegas too (just a further drive) and return to Vegas or take a one-way ride to LA.

Lightning in a Bottle– Diverse music, underground vibes, and giant art installations in Bradley, California (last weekend in May). Rent your campervan in San Francisco (189 miles/304 kilometers) or Los Angeles (241 miles/388 kilometers).

Electric Daisy Carnival – Neon-colored rave with pyrotechnics and carnival rides in Las Vegas, Nevada (late May). Las Vegas campervan rentals (10 miles/16 kilometers).

Shambhala – Magical, anti-corporate EDM festival in nature with themed stages at Salmo River Ranch, British Columbia, Canada (early August). Get more information on Seattle campervan rentals (380 miles/612 kilometers).

Sasquatch – EDM, hip hop, and indie rock in the spectacular Columbia River Gorge in George, Washington (last weekend in May). Get more information on Seattle campervan rentals (177 miles/285 kilometers).

Firefly Festival< – New kid on the East Coast block with big-name performers in Dover, Delaware (mid-June). Get more information on New York campervan rentals (162 miles/261 kilometers).

Camp Bisco – Hybrid musical styles in a surreal setting at a ski resort and water park in Scranton, Pennsylvania (mid-July). Get more information on New York campervan rentals (120 miles/193 kilometers).

Need help with your campervan rental? Contact Bakpak Dave for expert advice!