Your weekend in the California desert is just around the corner! To help you prep for the experience, we thought we’d give you a rundown of our top tips for camping at Coachella. Whether you’re camping in a tent, in a car or glamping, these tips will help you have the most hassle-free and fun camping adventure at Coachella.
1. Read the Campground Rules Before Packing
Watching security rustle through your bag and dispose of prohibited items as soon as you arrive probably isn’t how you want to kickstart your Coachella weekend. There’s a whole list of items that are forbidden from the campgrounds, so before you start packing put in the time to read over the camping guidelines on the festival’s website.
2. Brace Yourself for Long Security Lines
Guards at the entrance turn cars inside out to make sure that the campsite guidelines are upheld and that no prohibited items are taken into the festival grounds, so expect long security lines upon arrival. To help pass the time bring some games you can play with your festival squad, or make friends with other campers waiting in line!
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3. Put Up Some Shade
Temperatures during the festival regularly exceed 90 degrees, you’re going to want to retreat back to your campsite for some shade at some point. It’s super important to bring items you can use to build your own canopy, like sheets or a tarp, that way you’ve always got a nice spot to come back to when you need to cool off a little.
4. Whatever You Do, Stake Your Camping Area
The desert wind can ruin everything! The area is infamous for its dust storms, so make sure you stake down your tent and canopy. Only bring plastic stakes to the campgrounds, metal ones are prohibited and will get confiscated. And don’t forget a rubber mallet! If you want to be extra cautious, take any of your tarps or tents down before heading into the festival just in case the wind picks up while you’re away.
5. Get Creative and Decorate Your Campsite
The campgrounds get super crowded which makes it easy to get lost and not find your way back to your campsite, particularly at night when you’re tired and it all starts to look the same. Bring string lights, inflatable toys and flags to decorate your area with, anything that will help you find your way back more easily.
6. Bring What You Need for Good Shut Eye
Sleep won’t be the first thing on your mind but trust me on this one, you’re going to want to recharge between days. After hours in the blazing heat and dancing to your favorite artists, you’ll be craving a comfortable space to crash in. Go for comfort, bring an air mattress or sleeping pad, sleeping bag, pillow, earplugs and an eye mask!
7. Pack a Cooler With All Your Faves
You’re allowed to bring your own food and drinks to the campgrounds so pack a big cooler with plenty of ice and your fave snacks/beverages to last you all weekend long. If you’re not into the idea of bringing your own supplies don’t worry, there’s a huge food court selling everything you could ever need, you’re sure to find something you love to eat!
8. Bring Your Own Source of Power
The festival will be filled with Insta-worthy moments so you’re going to be using your phone a lot and your battery is likely to run out quickly. An external battery will give you the flexibility to charge your phone whenever you want to, rather than needing to plan your day around finding a charging station and standing in line for it. Bring at least 2 power banks to last you the whole festival.
9. Don’t Forget to Bring Water and Lots of It
Bring a case of water to keep at your campsite so you always have water available. You’ll seriously be thanking yourself, particularly in the mornings when you wake up in the blazing heat and don’t feel like walking around in the sun to find a water station!
10. First Come First Served
Always try to shower before 8 AM. It may sound too early for you but honestly, once the sun is up you’ll be awake anyway so you may as well get up to beat those long shower lines. Start your day right: get up, go shower before everyone else, then come back to your campsite for a nap while everyone waits in line for a shower in the sun!
Still finalizing your Coachella outfits? We’re always updating our massive range of rave fashion, check out our new arrivals and start planning your Coachella ‘fits now. We can’t wait to see how you style your rave looks, be sure to tag us on Instagram @iheartraves!
