Essential Camping Gear for Coachella Festival: Your Desert Survival Guide
Are you going to the desert for the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival? Many people wait until the last minute to think about the essential camping gear for Coachella festival. It is important to plan ahead for this.
We get it. The idea of seeing some of your favorite bands is a draw, but camping at Coachella takes planning. So you have an idea of costs, the Coachella camping pass starts at $325 + Fees. Keep reading for all my camping tips.
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Coachella Camping Options
- Coachella Camping Options
- Essential camping gear for Coachella festival
- Other Coachella Considerations
- FAQs about Essential camping gear for Coachella festival
- Conclusion
Coachella Camping Options
There are a few ways to approach camping at Coachella . One popular camping option is Coachella car camping , letting you build a home base around your vehicle. This is a great camping adventure.
This gives the benefit that cars and tents have separate locations. But everyone shares the main lot area so you can always go and be around friends in different sections.
Car Camping Explained
Car camping spots give you a 10-by-30-foot area. You can have anyone that you can comfortably fit within that camping spot . Arrive early to get setup.
Keep in mind, your Coachella car stays put for the entire weekend once it's parked. If you are arriving separately from friends that you are meeting up with to camp by, you will have to wait in a designated camping area to meet up. This allows for a smooth road trip. Camping at Coachella is almost like safari camping.
Tent Camping Specifics
Tent camping spots provide a 10-by-15-foot grassy space, plus one overnight parking spot in a lot nearby. You can again put as many tents and people into that 150 square foot section, but realistically it probably won't fit that much comfortably. Bringing a camping tent is a great idea.
Even without a car on-site, tent campers get full access to all the car camping amenities. You can be and hang out wherever, so this is why the meeting point exists. These are all factors of the Coachella campground.
Preferred Camping Perks
Want to camp closer to the festival grounds entrance? Preferred parking passes at Coachella put you in the first 15-20 rows of Lot 8. This is known as the Lake Eldorado area.
This also gives you the flexibility of when you'd like to come into the festival during the day. Currently the passes go for $199 plus fees.
Essential camping gear for Coachella festival
Beyond the basics like a tent and sleeping bags , it's those smaller, sometimes forgotten personal items that could have an impact your camping experience . Here’s a rundown of what many campers agree upon. These are key camping essentials .
Making it to this type of music festival should be a remarkable experience. Use this as a guide when you build out your plan, including these Coachella camping essentials. Use this as a Coachella camping checklist .
Shade Structures: A Desert Must-Have
A shade structure will likely be the centerpiece for hanging out at the Coachella campsite . Many use several EZ-up canopies. For extra shade and privacy, zip ties to attach tarps to three sides. This can be useful.
This can serve as an amazing area for breeze to blow through. Instead of a tent, the cabana itself can act as a sleeping area. You want to be able to stay cool .
Some find tents hot first thing in the morning as the temperatures rise quickly in Indio, California. The best festival tents give protection from the desert sun elements. TheCoachella Valley gets hot.
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Staying Cool and Comfortable
Keeping cool goes a long way. One of the ways to do that is with a battery powered fan that uses extra batteries . The O2 cool works great.
This model takes D batteries, and depending how often it is used, will probably last for the duration of the festival. Using a cooler with dry ice can be great for keeping items cold.
I also use this 5 gallon sun shower. It is helpful to have to stay cool.
Hygiene and Self-Care Essentials
With all of the dust particles that will inevitably accumulate, the need to be prepared is crucial. This camping gear , a 12-pack of super-soft deodorizing body wipes from Yuni, can give you some freedom to refresh while moving between different places.
Also, keep in mind you can never really over protect your skin enough with sunscreen. Bring sunscreen to protect yourself. One of the products to check out is Coola’s Liplux sunscreen with SPF 30.
Something worth considering, a festival canopy provides an area to hangout to make plans with friends. Don't forget toilet paper . Also bring makeup remover if you plan on applying makeup.
Tech and Power Solutions
Your phone is likely to run out of battery at Coachella, and you want to keep your phone charged . Many devices are essential so you don't lose track of friends and also to use the camera features for some moments. A fully charged phone battery is very useful.
If there’s one thing on this list to purchase, it’s a portable phone charger, sometimes known as a battery pack.
Recording memories should be captured, I use GoPro since it records for hours on end. It is good to look into getting a solar panel or maybe even multiple solar panels.
Belkin’s BoostCharge Pro compatible car charger will do wonders to give you access to fast charging capability. Having portable power can be quite useful.
Charging multiple devices might require an extension cord, a power strip like this one on Amazon, will give more outlets.
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Food, Drinks, and Hydration
It’s possible to bring your own drinks. Just be sure to remember to only use cans if choosing beer and not go above the equivalent of a 12 pack of cans, per person.
Be mindful that those 21 and over, do not make alcohol visible when arriving if anyone under 21 years of age are riding in your Coachella car as they may take away the items. Areusable water bottle is a great thing to bring. Be sure that you have a reusable water bottle that is empty before entering.
For foods, remember that no glass is allowed on premises. Consider items that will not perish quickly like trail mix. Bringing food will make things easier.
| Item | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Air mattress | Sleeping comfortably on ground. |
| Comfortable shoes | Essential to be on your feet all day. |
| Hand sanitizer | Restrooms will run out and not be stocked. |
| Pocket knife | Helpful in a variety of unexpected scenarios. |
| Credit Card | Many places take digital payments. |
Adding Pedialyte to water cool keeps you hydrated. A multi-vitamin might also be a solid purchase. Pack extra supplies. Also consider bringing a camping stove if you have room. Pack items wisely.
Other Coachella Considerations
Think of travel eating utensils for saving waste with reusability. You'll want a hassle-free experience.
The event has quiet hours that start at 1:30 am. Keep the peace with neighbors, the festival takes respect and noise seriously with defined hours. All campers are expected to follow a conduct that is within the spirit of Coachella. It is important for a great time during day night.
If planning to leave the area to run any errands or explore, think ahead of traffic that may hold you up. Friday through Sunday there are lockdown periods that do not permit any vehicles out, usually from 9 pm to 2 am local time.
FAQs about Essential camping gear for Coachella festival
What to bring for camping at a music festival?
The essential items include a tent, sleeping bag, and comfortable seating. Remember basics like sunscreen, a hat, and refillable water bottles. Snacks are crucial.
Can you bring alcohol to Coachella camping?
You can bring alcohol. Those 21 and up can have 1 case of beer cans or a box of wine.
Make sure you follow this strictly, as you can get into trouble or denied at entry for not following Coachella's conduct policy.
Do people sleep in tents at Coachella?
Many sleep in tents, but there are different options. Some like to put up canopy to make an oasis that permits air flow to keep things a lot cooler.
The desert temperatures make being inside an enclosed area brutal.
What is not allowed at Coachella?
Glass is forbidden for food. No amplified sound is allowed.
Large Speakers, DJ Equipment, Non Factory installed Car Audio , and this also applies to animals (however, see guidelines if it is a service animal). No compressed gas, drones, drugs, flammables, or weapons.
Conclusion
Desert festivals create the setting to give long term joy and build bonds. With music festivals being planned, be sure to think of things that make the outdoors functional for camping so your event can go seamlessly.
Having the essential camping gear for Coachella festival can contribute to an awesome experience. By following this, your camping festival experience should be a lot better.
