The ULTIMATE Camping Festival Packing List

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Putting together the perfect camping festival packing list can feel a little overwhelming, especially if it’s your first festival. Between camping gear, outfits, toiletries, food, and all the little extras that make the weekend more comfortable, it’s easy to either overpack or forget something important.

After attending some camping festivals myself with seasoned pros (shout out to my crew!), I’ve learned that a little preparation goes a long way. There are definitely a few items I never leave home without, along with a handful of things I wish someone had told me to pack before my first festival. Trust me, having the right gear can make the difference between just surviving the weekend and actually enjoying every minute of it.

Whether you’re heading to your very first camping festival or you’re a seasoned festival-goer looking to fine-tune your camping festival packing list, this guide has you covered.

Camping Festival Packing List

Camping Festival Must-Haves

These are the items I wouldn’t go to a camping festival without. Some of them seem obvious, but they’re also the things people forget most often.

• Flashlight or headlamp: Once the sun goes down, your campsite gets dark fast. Bring at least one flashlight or headlamp for your group to share. I personally prefer a headlamp because it keeps your hands free, especially for those late-night trips to the porta potty when the last thing you want is to be juggling your phone flashlight.
• Bug Spray: Trust me, the mosquitoes do not care that you’re trying to have a good time. Throw a bottle in your bag and thank yourself later.
• Sunscreen: You’ll likely be spending hours outside every day, so don’t forget to reapply. A hat and sunglasses are a good idea too!
• Mirror: Most camping festivals don’t allow glass, so skip the full-length mirror unless you can find a lightweight acrylic one. We usually just bring a couple of light-up makeup mirrors, and they’ve worked perfectly for getting ready.
• First Aid Kit: Hopefully you won’t need it, but it’s one of those things you’ll be really glad you packed if you do.
• Car Inverter: This is one of those things you don’t think about until you need it. It’s great for charging larger electronics or anything that can’t plug into a standard USB charger.
• Duct Tape: I honestly can’t even remember everything we used it for, but somehow it came in handy multiple times throughout the weekend. Just toss a roll in your car.
• Portable Phone Charger: Between taking photos, recording videos, and trying to find your friends, your phone battery disappears fast. A portable charger is an absolute must.
• Bluetooth Speaker: Perfect for getting ready at camp, hanging out before heading into the festival, or winding down after a long day of dancing.
• Battery-Powered Fan with a mister: No explanation needed.
• Portable Car Battery Starter: This is one of those items you hope you never need, but it’s worth having. Since everyone ends up using their car to charge devices, cool off, or listen to music, dead batteries are surprisingly common at camping festivals. I love this one because you don’t need another vehicle to jump-start your car.

Campsite Common Area

One of my favorite parts of camping festivals is hanging out at camp before and after the festival. With a little planning, you can turn your campsite into a comfortable place to relax, eat, play games, and recharge before doing it all again the next day.

• Canopies: Absolutely essential for staying cool during the day. We had 16 people in our group and used four canopies to create one large shaded common area.
• Tapestries: These are one of the easiest ways to level up your campsite. They add color, help your camp stand out, provide privacy, and block out some of the sun during the day. We probably packed 10 tapestries, and I don’t think we had a single one left unused.
• Changing Tent: If your tent isn’t tall enough to comfortably stand in, a changing tent is a game changer. It’s perfect for getting dressed and changing in.
• Inflatable Loungers: These are so fun! We used ours both around the campsite and inside the festival. They’re lightweight, pack down small, and are surprisingly comfortable.
• Camp Chairs: You’ll definitely want somewhere comfortable to sit while eating, hanging out with friends, or relaxing after a full day at the festival.
• Giant Clips + Zip Ties: These might not seem exciting, but they’re some of the most useful things you can pack. We used ours to hang tapestries, secure lights, attach trash bags, and fix all kinds of random campsite problems.
• Hammock: We packed both lightweight travel hammocks for relaxing around the festival grounds and a larger hammock for our campsite.
• Trash Bags: We went through these so quick! They’re also handy for storing dirty clothes or protecting gear if it rains.
• String Lights or Lanterns: Not only do they make your campsite look cozy, but they’re also incredibly helpful when you’re trying to find your tent after dark.
• Folding Tables: These ended up being one of our most-used items on this camping festival packing list. We used them for cooking, food prep, drinks, games, and just about everything else. If you’re camping with a larger group, I recommend bringing more than one.

Sleeping Arrangements

• Tent: This is one area where I wouldn’t go too small if you can avoid it. We used a 2-person tent, and while it got the job done, I was definitely jealous of the people with larger tents where they could actually stand up, change comfortably, and store all of their gear. If I did it again, I’d absolutely size up.
• Sleeping Bag: Even if the daytime temperatures are warm, nights can cool off depending on the festival and the time of year. Bring a sleeping bag that’s appropriate for the weather you’ll be camping in.
• Pillow: Bringing a good pillow makes a huge difference when you’re trying to get a good night’s sleep.
• Air Mattress with Built-In Pump: Sleeping directly on the ground after standing and dancing all day doesn’t sound very appealing. An air mattress makes your tent so much more comfortable. If you have room in your budget, I highly recommend one with a built-in electric pump since it makes setup incredibly easy.
• Sheets + Extra Blankets: A fitted sheet will keep your air mattress from feeling sticky, and it’s always nice to have an extra blanket if temperatures drop overnight.
• Reflective Film: This might be my favorite camping festival hack. We clipped and duct-taped reflective film over the top of our tent to help reflect the morning sun, and it actually worked! I genuinely think it bought me at least an extra hour of sleep, which is priceless at a camping festival. It’s inexpensive, easy to set up, and something I’ll never camp without again.

Clothing + Accessories

Festival fashion is half the fun! I always recommend planning your outfits ahead of time so you’re not scrambling the night before you leave (which I have also done). At the same time, remember that comfort is key, you’ll likely be walking, dancing, and spending hours outside each day.

• Festival Outfits: Pack one outfit for each festival day, plus an extra outfit or two just in case.
• Comfy Camp Clothes: Once you’re back at camp, you’ll probably want to change into something more comfortable while you relax with your friends.
• Swimsuit: Some camping festivals have lakes, rivers, or water activities, and you’ll definitely want one if your festival has showers.
• Light Jacket or Hoodie: Even if it’s hot during the day, temperatures can cool off once the sun goes down.
• Poncho: Festival weather is unpredictable. I’d much rather pack one and not need it than get caught in a downpour.
• Pajamas: Don’t forget something comfortable to sleep in after a long day.
• Undergarments + Socks: Pack more than you think you’ll need.
• Sunglasses: A must-have for long days in the sun.
• Festival Bag: I recommend bringing something to carry your phone, wallet, sunscreen, lip balm, and any other essentials you’ll want inside the festival.
• Pashmina: These are surprisingly versatile. Wear one as an accessory, use it for a little extra warmth at night, or pull it over your face if the festival gets dusty.
• Earplugs: Whether you’re trying to get some sleep back at camp or want to protect your hearing during the festival, a good pair of earplugs is always worth packing.

A few of my favorite places to get festival outfits are Dolls Kill, iHeartRaves, Rave Wonderland, and Badinka. If I’m shopping last minute or just looking for fun accessories without spending a ton, I usually turn to Amazon. I’ve rounded up some of my favorite Amazon festival finds here!

Toiletries

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Shampoo + Conditioner
• Body Wash
• Deodorant
• Hair Brush
• Skincare
• Makeup
• Makeup Remover
• Dry Shampoo
• Lip Balm with SPF
• Hand Sanitizer: You’ll use this constantly, especially before eating or after using the portable restrooms.
• Towels: I love these microfiber ones because they pack up compactly and help dry quickly.
• Body Wipes + Wet Wipes: These are some of the most important things on this list. Body wipes are a lifesaver when you get back to camp exhausted, and I always keep a pack of wet wipes in my festival bag because bathrooms almost always run out of toilet paper later in the night.

Food + Water

I recommend packing easy grab-and-go snacks along with a few simple meals you can make back at camp.

• Easy Bites: Think protein bars, trail mix, beef jerky, nuts, dried fruit, chips, crackers, and other non-perishable snacks that you can quickly grab before heading into the festival. Instant meals that only require boiling water are also great!
• Cooler: A cooler is one of the most important things you’ll pack. We actually brought two, one large cooler that stayed at our campsite and a smaller cooler for transporting drinks and food around camp. I’ll be honest, I never understood the hype around Yeti coolers until this trip. It kept ice cold an entire day longer than our other coolers! That said, if you’re traveling on a budget, don’t worry. A standard cooler will absolutely get the job done too.
• Reusable Water Bottle: Staying hydrated is so important. If you don’t plan on bringing a hydration pack into the festival, you can usually bring in an empty reusable water bottle and fill it up at the free water refill stations inside.
• Hydration Pack (CamelBak): It’s so much easier than carrying a water bottle around all day, and you’ll be much more likely to stay hydrated.
• Portable Camp Stove: This was SO clutch to have! We used it to boil water for hot meals every morning and evening. And don’t forget butane for it!
• Camping Cookware: If you’re planning to cook at camp, don’t forget a compact set of pots and pans. This camping set packs down really small, making it perfect for festivals.
• Plastic Utensils, Paper Plates, Napkins, + Cups: These are easy to overlook, but you’ll definitely need them once it’s time to eat.

Capturing the Memories

Your phone is honestly all you need to capture amazing memories at a camping festival, so don’t feel like you need to go out and buy any extra gear. That said, we brought a few fun extras that made documenting the weekend even more memorable.

• Phone: Don’t underestimate your phone! Most smartphones take incredible photos and videos, and it’s what I use to capture a lot of my favorite memories.
• Polaroid Camera + Film: This ended up being one of my favorite things we packed. We brought plenty of film and had so much fun taking instant photos around our campsite and throughout the festival. It’s such a fun keepsake to look back on after the weekend is over.
• GoPro: Someone in our group brought a GoPro, and it was perfect for capturing all of the little moments that happened throughout the festival. They put together a montage afterward, and it’s still one of my favorite ways to relive the trip.
• Portable Tripod: If you’re camping with friends or want to take group photos without asking strangers, a small tripod is definitely worth tossing in your bag.

These extras definitely aren’t necessary, but they can make it even more fun to look back on all the memories once the festival is over.

Are you feeling prepped for your camping festival?!

I hope this camping festival packing list helps you feel more prepared and takes some of the stress out of packing. Now all that’s left to do is load up the car, meet your friends, and get ready for an unforgettable weekend.

Pack smart, stay hydrated, and enjoy every second. I’ve rounded up all of my favorite camping festival gear in my Camping Festival Packing List ShopMy Collection, so you can easily browse everything in one place. Happy camping!

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

Level8 Luggage Review

Tips for Moving to a New City Alone

Travel Tips for Beginners