Heading to Bonnaroo this year? If you’re attending the music festival and camping, congratulations–you’re in for an unforgettable experience!
Now that you’ve started planning your epic weekend experience, it’s time to get serious about your Bonnaroo packing list. Before you can begin having fun, it’s important to think through the logistics of camping at Bonnaroo.
If you’re wondering what you should pack for Bonnaroo, this post is for you. If it’s your first time camping at a festival and confused about where to start? We’ve got you, too.
Here’s your essential Bonnaroo camping packing list to grant you the most fun and comfort from your 3-day experience!
This post may contain affiliate links. You won’t be paying a cent more, but in the event of a sale, the small affiliate commission I receive will help keep this blog running/pumping out useful and free content. Thanks a lot!
WHAT IS BONNAROO?
The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is a 3-day music festival held every year on a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee. Although it started with a focus on hippie bands and folk rock, it now draws headliners and musical performers from all genres.
The end product? A very impressive and diverse lineup each year! Bonnaroo features a lineup of 150+ musicians spread across 3 days and 10+ performance stages.
Their lineups have included Eminem, The Killers, Muse, Phish, Kaskade, Sidepiece, Illenium, Flume, Ludacris, Chris Lake, Nora En Pure and many more.
Beyond the music, there is drool-worthy food, arts and cultural experiences, various activities (like yoga and painting watercolors with local artists) and some truly fun camping. They also continue to strive to become the greenest festival there is!
WHAT TO EXPECT WHILE CAMPING AT BONNAROO
When you’re having this much fun with your friends and fellow festival-goers, can it really be called camping?
Camping at Bonnaroo is hardly “camping” by most definitions of the word! You can expect good vibes, partying with your neighbors, and a one-of-a-kind Bonnaroo experience.
Plazas are strategically located public places throughout the campgrounds for the community to gather, explore art & activities, as well as access amenities like info, medical or safety staff. Plazas host a whole variety of activities including secret shows, celebrity surprises, late-night post-festival parties, and unique art experiences!
More information on campground plazas can be found here.
Bonnaroo’s campgrounds are filled with amenities. They make it really comfortable to camp and have all the essentials you need so that you never really have to leave the premises for anything. From WiFi to general stores, late-night food vendors to charging stations, you’ll never have to walk too far to get what you need.
When you camp, you’ll have access to first-come, first-served phone charging stations along with a free WiFi network for use.
There will be two general stores on-site near the entrances, carrying everything from snacks to toiletries (though sold at a premium). If you happened to have forgotten a camping essential, chances are the general stores will carry it!
Don’t want to cook each and every meal during your stay? Food vendors will be available in the campground area! That way, you won’t need to trek out to Centeroo just for a quick bite.
Pro Tip: If you want to secure the best campsite on the festival grounds, go VIP. At Bonnaroo, this means you’ll be camping next to Centeroo and the Main Venue. You can’t get closer than this.
In order to camp during Bonnaroo, festival-goers must purchase a camping pass along with their ticket. Car camping, Bonnaroo’s most popular camping option, start at $70 plus fees.
CAMPING OPTIONS AT BONNAROO
Before we get into all the packing details, let’s start off with a quick breakdown of all the different camping styles that Bonnaroo offers. There are quite a few!
Car Camping
Car camping (primitive camping) is Bonnaroo’s most popular camping option by far.
Festival-goers with this type of camping can park their vehicle alongside their camping space. With this option, you can have your car nearby for easy access to personal items, food, and any other essentials.
- Car camping spaces are 20’X20.’
- While only one vehicle per car campsite is allowed, unlimited guests can dwell in your camping space.
- If you plan on bringing an additional vehicle, or want to expand your campsite to make an even larger campsite, simply purchase another camping pass for the additional spots.
- Once you arrive at the festival, a decal will be given to you to stick to your car’s windshield before you get into the festival.
RV Camping
All RVs (and any vehicle towing a camper or 5th wheel of any size), are required to have an RV Camping Pass in order to enter the festival.
- RV Camping spaces measure 20’X50′.
- While there are no water hookups, the festival will supply a mobile water refill and pump option. This service is available via United Site Services for a fee.
- Power Passes are also available for purchase to provide varying strength power hookups to your RV. These are called ‘GA RV with Power Pass’.
- Need an extra vehicle? No problem, just buy a GA RV Companion Pass for the second vehicle.
- Tents can be set up if they are within this space, and any slides or awnings must fit within this designated space too.
Groop Camps
Groop camping in the GA Campground ensures that you and your friends are able to camp together, no matter when you arrive at Bonnaroo. Plus you’ll have a guaranteed spot in the Western Campgrounds.
- You’ll need to nominate a “Groop Leader” (or nominate yourself as one) a few months before the festival.
- Once you get a minimum of 24 people to join your group, everyone will then pay their ‘groopie fee’ by a certain date.
- During the festival, you’ll have a designated space over the course of the weekend where your guests can show up to whenever they choose to.
Themed Community Camping
If you’re looking to camp with other like-minded festival-goers, then Bonnaroo’s Community Camping option could be perfect for you.
Themed Community camping is similar to Groop Camps in that they accommodate large groups, but the difference is that each one has a specific theme.
These camps are led by Bonnaroo staff and festival vets who will show you the ropes and make you feel right at home! Each camp will also have designated special programming and activities. It can be a lot of fun!
Themes include:
- SoloROO Camp (for those attending the festival solo and looking to make new friends)
- SobeROO (for those living a sober lifestyle)
- SheROO (for women and nonbinary identifying individuals)
- FamilyROO camping (for those who are camping as a family and accompanied by their children.)
Other types of camping include luxury tent glamping, 2 person Souvenir Tent, and a spacious 2 or 4 person Darkroom Tent with an AC Unit.
Read about them all here.
GETTING INTO THE CAMPGROUNDS
Festival campers will start lining up to get into the campground as early as late Wednesday night, which is technically considered ‘Thursday morning’. If you plan to camp with your friends who have other car camping passes, you will need to coordinate with them to drive in together.
NOTE: Whichever cars are in front/behind yours will be the people you’re camping next to. If you have a group with two or more vehicles, you’re going to want to meet up and drive into the line together.
SETTING UP CAMP AT BONNAROO
Hopefully, you’ve practiced setting up your tent before arriving at Bonnaroo. If you are driving into the campground at night, be sure to pack some headlamps so you can see while you’re setting up camp!
But don’t just set up a tent, canopy, and chairs. Spice it up a little! Campsites become an expression of creativity and free speech at Bonnaroo! Expect to see everything from flags and posters to colorful tapestries, all serving as a marker of where your campsite is.
And definitely don’t forget a canopy! It’s Tennessee in June. That means it gets HOT.
Each day once the sun rises, it’s unlikely you’ll be getting much sleep inside your tent. You can do your best to escape the heat with a combination of tents, tapestries, outdoor seating areas, camping fans, and more.
BONNAROO CAMPING PACKING LIST: FOR THE CAMPSITE
Our packing list below contains things you should definitely bring for Bonnaroo camping.
1. Car camping pass
Seriously, don’t forget this. I have heard a lot of horror stories where groups have driven hours to get to Bonnaroo only to remember that they forgot to pack their festival wristbands and car camping passes. Big, catastrophic uh-oh.
2. Camping chairs
You’ll want somewhere to sit when you’re not in your tent. Camping chairs are perfect and simple, but make sure they have cup holders for your drinks!
Alternatively, you can bring tufted floor pillows if sitting on the ground is more your thing.
Another option for seating is to get an inflatable couch. In fact, you might want to bring both for yourself just so you have multiple seating options. These things provide even more relaxation because you’ll feel like you’re resting in a hammock (as opposed to sitting up straight in a camping chair).
The Chillbo Shwaggins Inflatable Couch comes with elastic anchor loops to allow you to stake down your portable hammock when it’s windy. It also has large side pockets to hold books, glasses, snacks and an ice cold beer! Plus, they come in a lot of fun, unique colors.
If you plan on sitting on the ground at any point, consider picking up an extra waterproof camping tarp to place on the floor so that the grass doesn’t poke your butt/make your legs itchy! You can then place extra rugs/blankets on top of the tarp to make things more comfortable.
Pro Tip: With a larger group, there’s a high possibility that not everything will fit under your canopies. Your tents, coolers, picnic table, and edible items should fit, but huddling all the camping chairs under there may not work (unless you’ve purchased 2+ campsites next to each other!). I’d recommend bringing camping chairs with built-in shade or picking up an adjustable shade umbrella that can clamp to anything you want!
That way, you can place your camping chairs outside of the canopied area and not feel so cramped at the campsite.
Versa-Brella Adjustable Shade:
Sport-Brella Shaded Camping Chair:
3. Foldable table
A large foldable table is a must-have for Bonnaroo camping. This is where you will place all your food and drinks.
If your group plans on playing games, it’s best to have a table to do it on so you’re not all straining your backs playing on the floor.
4. E-Z Up Canopy
You cannot think of camping at Bonnaroo without one or even two canopy shades. The canopy will essentially serve as the centerpiece of your campsite–it’s where everyone will come together during the day to shield themselves from the beating sun and heat.
What you’ll find is that most campsites will pair their E-Z UP canopies with tarps or tapestries hung up on the sides. This will allow for some privacy as well as some much-needed shade, but it will also allow for breezes to enter the area. Don’t forget to pack some clips to help hang these up!
5. Tapestries or tarps
As stated above, bring tapestries, extra tarp, or light blankets to hang up for shade. Tarps, bedsheets, and blankets from home will be your most affordable option, while colorful tapestries can be an affordable and really fun way to spice up the aesthetic of your campsite!
Consider some of these unique patterns/designs, or explore the expansive tapestry options here:
Pro Tip: If you’re looking to expand your campsite’s shaded area, you can create more shade between your car and your canopy. You’ll just need to bring extra sheets for this.
6. String lights
Spice up your campsite with some fun battery-powered string lights! Not only will string lights provide you with extra lighting at night, but they are so festive and will make your campsite easier to find in the dark.
String lights come in so many fun decorative shapes and sizes, so have fun with it! Here are a few that will help your campsite stand out from others:
7. Lanterns / headlamps
While it is usually really sunny and bright at Bonnaroo during the day, it gets pretty dark at night. If you need nighttime lighting for your campsite, bring something like this battery-powered LED camping lantern.
Bring a personal headlamp too in case you need to build your campsite late at night, look for something in your campsite at night, or if you need to use the bathroom at night. Being hands-free while doing these activities is crucial!
8. Tent
Some people swear by sleeping out in the open, but we recommend sleeping in a tent for privacy and protection against the elements (dust, dirt, bugs, etc.).
If you don’t already have one, we recommend getting something that is both affordable and easy to set up and takedown. The Coleman Cabin Tent was designed with a super cool feature in mind– instant setup within 60 seconds! If you want to share a tent with your friends, the 6-person tent offers enough room for two queen size air beds.
Having said that, it is important to note that the tents will become virtually useless by 8am. Due to the intense warmth during the day, what you’ll find is that a tent will block most breezes that come by. It will essentially turn into a sweatbox by each morning until nightfall.
We recommend getting out of there as soon as you feel hot because it’s only going to get hotter as time passes! That means if you need to change for the day, get it done early in the morning so you won’t need to crawl back in there until it’s cool again.
9. Air mattress / inflatable sleeping pad
For maximum comfort, go with an inflatable air mattress paired with a blanket or two. This is a good choice if you are not going to be camping with that many people and have more room for a larger tent.
For a more compact option, bring your sleeping bag paired with a lightweight sleeping pad.
Whichever option you choose, these will be good investments as you can often use them in your own home, on future camping trips or even backpacking trips.
10. Sleeping bag
Because it’s so warm in Manchester, Tennessee in June, you can get away with any type of sleeping bag in terms of warmth factor. Nothing fancy is needed.
Here are a few affordable options on the market:
- Coleman 30°F Palmetto Sleeping Bag
- Marmot Voyager 55 Mummy Sleeping Bag
- Double Sleeping Bag – sleeps 2 (and comes with 2 pillows)
I would also recommend bringing a thin blanket in case it gets too hot at night to be inside your sleeping bag.
11. Eye Mask
Absolutely necessary to shield your sleeping eyes from the bright sunrises of Tennessee! An eye mask is also great if you are rooming with others and you like your privacy when you sleep.
12. Earplugs
Very, very necessary. Do you know how many people you’ll be camping with? Thousands! There will be so much noise all throughout the night (due to late-night partiers) and in the morning (hello, early risers). A good set of earplugs will grant you a decent if not a good night’s sleep!
These earplugs by Mack’s are my absolute favorite.
Pro Tip: Earplugs are also good to bring into the actual festival because the music can be LOUD. Wearing earplugs is better for your ears.
13. Reusable Water Bottle
There will be lots of water refill stations inside the campsite and festival.
For something more durable that keeps your water cold for hours upon hours, Hydroflasks are my favorite for everyday use. These will probably be your best option because you will most definitely crave ice-cold water!
14. Battery-powered fan
If I had to bring just five top essentials to Bonnaroo camping, this would hands-down be at the top of the list.
As a matter of fact, bring 2-3 of these battery-powered fans, because everyone will want to plop themselves down in front of a fan during the day. One is never enough! (Especially if you are with a group of individuals who need to apply a lot of makeup for the festival!)
15. Floor mirror
Speaking of applying makeup, don’t forget to bring a floor mirror! This will come in handy when the girls need to do their makeup or when everyone is getting dressed for the festival.
Any cheap, college student floor mirror from Target or IKEA will do!
16. Propane Stove or Camping Griddle
Cooking your own food is part of the camaraderie and fun of Bonnaroo camping! It’s always a good idea to cook at least 2 or 3 meals during your music festival camping experience. Planning the menu with your friends can be really fun, not to mention it’ll help the group save a ton of money collectively.
For a simple 2 burner option, go with the Coleman Triton Gas Camping Stove.
If your group is serious about meal-making, go with something more standalone such as the Camp Chef Explorer which comes with detachable steel legs and a 3-sided windscreen.
Along with your propane stove, you’ll also need to bring along any pots and pans you plan on using.
Don’t feel like cooking? You can always head to the food stands in the common campground area. Here, you’ll find lots of really great food options such as burritos, pizza, sandwiches, gyros, and even vegetarian options.
17. Cooler
For the heat of Bonnaroo, you’ll really want something with the power to really keep things cool. For us, this is the YETI Tundra 35 Cooler.
This cooler is an item that many outdoor enthusiasts yearn for in their lives, but not many pull the trigger on due to its heftier price tag. Bue one thing is for sure, with this cooler, your drinks and food will stay cold for days no matter where you are. It will most definitely hold up in the Tennesee heat and save you money on having to replace the ice.
How expensive can ice be, you might think. Think $10 per bag expensive! A Yeti Cooler might be expensive, but they are so worth the investment. Plus, given their durability and high-quality build, you’ll be able to use them in your everyday life for many years to come.
The best things to stock your cooler with are as follows:
- Fruits – pre-cut watermelon, tangerines, frozen grapes
- Pasta salads
- Vietnamese sandwiches – our personal go-to lunch meals
- Coconut waters
- Frozen water bottles – to keep cooler cold for longer
- Water
- Beers / Hard seltzers – make sure it’s all in plastic containers, no glass is allowed at the campgrounds
- Any perishable foods you plan on cooking up (butter, eggs, meat, etc)
18. Snacks
Aside from the food you’re planning on cooking, don’t forget to pack some snacks for midday munching! Some of the best snacks to bring to your campsite are chips, cookies, crackers, trail mix, King’s Hawaiian rolls, Rice Crispies bars, etc.
Basically, anything that won’t melt from the warmth of the sun. Not the healthiest, but it sure will be nice when you’re drinking and relaxing during the day!
19. Things to eat with
Utensils, paper towels, napkins, cups, etc.
Most people go with plastic and disposable-everything, but if you’re really looking to make a difference in the world, you can bring reusable utensils to lessen your plastic waste and carbon footprint!
Alternatively, you can go with a compostable meal kit as it’s better than all the plasticky options out there.
20. Portable speakers
You will want to bring a high-quality pair of portable speakers. Everyone else will be playing music, so you’ll want something that will be loud enough so other campsites’ music doesn’t drown your music out.
We like the JBL Charge 5. Its long-lasting battery delivers up to 20 hours of playtime and the built-in power bank lets you charge your devices without taking a break!
Pro Tip: If you do plan on listening to music at night after the festival ends, do remember to lower the volume to respect your neighbors. Not everyone likes to stay up until 3am, so turn the music down and allow others to get a good night’s rest.
21. Power strip
It can be a really good idea to bring a power strip so that you can charge multiple devices at the campground charging station instead of having to wait for a bunch of them to open up.
22. Solar shower
If you are camping at Bonnaroo with a large group and the majority of the group has decided that showering every day is a must, it may be worth it to invest in a solar shower. With a personal camping shower, all of you can skip the crazy lines at the shower facilities and ultimately shower any time, any day!
The Advanced Elements Summer Solar Shower is an affordable option that has a large 5-gallon capacity and is designed to heat water fast in the warm sun. You can even fill up the shower with the melted water from your cooler for an extra refreshing shower!
For something that provides a bit more privacy, invest in the Green Elephant Camping Shower Tent to pair with your solar shower. Your group can even use this when not showering for changing purposes! While this is not a camping essential (more like a luxury!), it does provide added privacy and comfort.
23. Baby wipes / body wipes
Baby wipes will come in handy for a lot of reasons. First, they are great for wiping excess dust off your body at the end of each festival night. Secondly, they can also be used for post-poop purposes!
If you want a body wipe that’s actually meant to replace a shower, we highly recommend Goodwipes Really Big Body Wipes. While obviously, it won’t completely replace a real shower, I always feel way cleaner after using these. Plus, unlike baby wipes, you won’t smell like a baby’s bottom after using them!
For the body and butt, DUDE Wipes Flushable Wipes are great for both guys and gals.
24. Shower supplies
If you plan on showering at Bonnaroo (yes, some people can go days without showering, only relying on body wipe showers), bring along some travel-size toiletries.
Don’t forget to pack them in a waterproof bag or container so that it’s able to get wet in the shower (there is often no dry rack to put your stuff inside the shower).
25. Shower slippers / casual slides
Bringing a pair of waterproof slides or sandals is smart because you’ll be able to wear them around the campsite when you want to skip the shoes as well as get them wet in case you plan to shower.
The Birkenstock Arizona EVA Sandals are our favorite because they’re stylish enough to wear in your everyday life too.
26. Other Toiletries
Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, makeup, deodorant, dry shampoo, hair ties, etc. Don’t forget to pack deodorant if you tend to smell when sweating! Because you WILL sweat at Bonnaroo!
Here are some not-so-ordinary toiletries that can help you make your Bonnaroo camping experience more tolerable:
- Evian Facial Spray – Cool your face off pre-festival; use before moisturizer for an extra boost of hydration or use throughout the day to refresh and revive makeup.
- Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo – Absorbs oils and adds lift at the roots. Works great as a pick-me-up when the sun’s been beating down on your scalp all day!
- boscia Blotting Linens – Stay photo-ready by keeping the face oils at bay with some oil blotting linens.
- Neutrogena Makeup Remover Towelette Singles – Remember, Bonnaroo can be dusty. These are great even for guys who don’t wear makeup because they’re great for removing dirt! And because they’re individually wrapped; you can leave them in a communal area to share among all your campmates.
Some fun things you can consider getting to spice up your Bonnaroo look:
- Face and hair glitter – spice up that look with some shimmery glitter (don’t worry, it stays on all day but comes off easily when you want it to.)
- Face jewels – another way to spice up your look under the shining sun!
27. Hand sanitizer
At the campgrounds, it’s nearly impossible to find a sink with clean running water. Even at the portapotties, there are bottles of hand sanitizers in place of portable sinks. Bring one large bottle of hand sanitizer for the group to share. This can be left on the communal table so that everyone has access to it at all times.
Since you’ll be using hand sanitizer so much, it’s best to get a non-drying natural hand sanitizer to prevent flaky, dried-up hands. We love the following:
28. First aid kit
Always necessary for any type of traveling or camping! You can either make your own or buy one that’s premade.
Either way, you’ll for sure want to have ibuprofen (for hangovers or other mishaps), bandaids, alcohol wipes, allergy pills, Immodium, Pepto-Bismol chews, AZO for the ladies (due to the lowered hygienic conditions, UTI’s are not uncommon at festival camping), eye drops, lip balm, a sharpie, tape, and extra contact lenses (if applicable).
Think about the ailments you typically suffer from and have to deal with on a regular basis and adjust the contents of the bag as needed!
29. Rolls of toilet paper
The #1 rule of festival camping–never assume there will be toilet paper in your portapotty. Always bring some with you when you go! You don’t want to be that guy who realizes there is no toilet paper when it’s already way too late.
30. Trash bags
You will generate trash, so be sure to bring something to hold it all.
31. Quick-drying towel
Travel towels are probably one of the best inventions for efficient travelers and campers. They are light, super packable, and quick-drying. Definitely very useful if you plan on showering! This one is a great option if you’re in the market for one.
32. Electrolyte Packets
Emergen-C packets or Liquid I.V. Hydration Packets are a must for camping. These are a great way to support your immune system and overall health on a trip. They are light, take up no space, and are very easy to pack!
Adding Pedialyte or Liquid I.V. powder packets to a water bottle will keep you hydrated and replace your body with electrolytes.
33. Powdered Greens
I’ve gone to enough music festivals in my life to tell you that you probably won’t be eating too many greens during this weekend. Don’t let that stop you from getting the proper nutrients!
I’d recommend bringing Amazing Grass’ Greens Superfood Blend or Nutra Champ’s Super Greens Powder Premium Superfood to make sure you get the nutrition you need while camping and partying.
34. Massage ball
A massage ball is a music festival camping packing list essential if you know your body gets tired or achy from prolonged standing or walking.
They are great for rolling your feet, legs, or back on after a long day of dancing! If you’re serious about getting that tension relief, you can even consider bringing a travel-sized foam roller!
Trust us, these are clutch items to have at your campsite. Even if you don’t end up using it, someone in your group will!
35. Board games
You’ll have a lot of time to kill while camping, which is half the fun of it! Bring board games to keep yourselves entertained. We recommend the following:
- These Cards Will Get You Drunk
- Cards Against Humanity
- Sequence
- Blockus
- A deck of cards
If you have more space in your cars, you can even bring things like:
- Cornhole (this one has LED lights for nighttime use)
- BucketBall (life-sized beer pong)
- Ladder Toss
- A simple football to throw around
BONNAROO CAMPING PACKING LIST: FOR THE FESTIVAL
36. Tickets / wristbands
Just like the car camping passes, DO NOT forget these before you leave the house for Bonnaroo.
37. Hydration Pack
A dedicated hydration pack can actually save you a ton of money inside the festival. There will be water stations all throughout the festival, meaning you can refill your water for free all night long. CamelBak backpacks are our favorite–these backpacks usually will have secure zippered pockets too, perfect for keys, phone, or other essentials.
Alternatively, you can also buy water at many food and alcohol stands. The drawback of this: not only will you have to wait in line, but you’ll also have to spend money on water, of all things!
38. Sunscreen
90+ degree weather and the hot desert sun–sunburns are calling your name. Protect your skin with both body sunscreen and face sunscreen.
For the face, we are absolutely obsessed with the magical Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen. No white-cast, no greasy film!
39. Fanny Packs
I love using fanny packs at music festivals because of how hands-free they are. They won’t weigh you down at all and because you wear them in the front, it’s a lot harder for thieves to get to. These fanny packs by Vibe Festival Gear were literally made for music festivals–they come in a bunch of unique patterns so find the one that fits your style the best.
If fanny packs are not your thing, good alternatives to the fanny pack are:
- small crossbody bag
- anti-theft backpack
- hydration backpack
- shoulder sling – (we personally love our Bellroy slings!)
40. Neck pouch / wallet
If you’re a savvy festival goer, then you already know that music festivals are a pickpocketer’s wonderland. Hundreds if not thousands of people get their stuff stolen all the time at festivals. You don’t want to be that person.
If you think any of the above bags are too risky to keep your important possessions in (money, ID, credit cards), get yourself a neck pouch. These can be easily tucked and concealed under your shirt so even if your main bag gets stolen for any reason, you’ll still have your most important items with you.
We recommend Zero Grid’s Travel Neck Wallet because it also has RFID blocking which is crucial to protect against unwanted credit card scans and personal information theft.
41. Portable phone charger
Three to four days of camping at Bonnaroo means your phone will inevitably run out of battery at some point. While the campsite area does have charging stations where you can re-up your phone on battery life, these charging stations are not so ample in the actual festival itself.
You don’t want to get lost and/or deal with a dead phone while trying to find your friends, so consider a portable phone charger an absolute essential and bring one along with you!
For a solar charging option, the Anker PowerCore Solar 20000 is great. It charges two devices simultaneously, and though it’s recommended to fully recharge the power bank before heading out on a trip, you can always recharge with the solar panels as a backup.
Anker’s ultra-light, ultra-portable power bank is tried and true by so many campers, festival-goers, and travelers alike! This one’s made for newer phones and can charge the iPhone 12 five times (or more than 4 full charges for Samsung Galaxy S10).
42. Sunhat / Sun Visor
If sunglasses are more your thing, too bad, we still recommend wearing a hat! Sunglasses won’t protect your skin from UV rays, but hats will.
For the ladies who want to show off their elaborate hairstyles, we’ve got you covered. Go with a straw sun visor or a roll-up sun hat.
Want your whole squad to match while protecting your faces from the harsh sun? Check out this multi-pack of colorful visors–they come in a lot of other unique colors too!
43. Cooling towels
Cooling towels are amazing because they can be used in so many ways–as a neck cooler, as a cooling bandana, or a chilled headband. Once, I’ve even had to put it over my head and eyes because the heat was too much for my eyeballs while walking into the festival!
They work so well because the towel regulates the water inside to ensure water retention, acting almost like an air-conditioner. And just like sweat on your skin, when water evaporates, it cools. It’s one of the best things you can bring with you to Bonnaroo if you can’t tolerate heat as well as others.
While I’ve loved the ChillPal for years because of how affordable it is, I recently discovered the Mission Cooling Hoodie Towel which is even more awesome as it acts as a cooling towel and as some sun protection (UPF 50, much needed at this festival). What I love about this is that you can tuck the edges into your shirt and make it look like just a hood!
If you don’t want to invest in an actual cooling towel, you can always bring a regular towel and soak it with cold water to get that cool towel effect (though it won’t stay cool as long as an actual cooling towel).
44. Personal neck fan
These things have saved my life at multiple summer music festivals throughout the year. If you are not one that copes well with stifling heat like me, pack a battery-powered portable neck fan!
The O2Cool necklace fan works well, but another good option is the bladeless neck fan.
45. Face mask or Buff
For the inevitable dust. By day, more than 100,000 feet scurry across the dusty grounds of Bonnaroo, trampling over grass and dirt all weekend long. This paired with the extremely dry weather means that a lot of dust will form.
Expect your legs and even your face to be covered in dust particles. You’ll definitely want to wipe yourself down with body wipes and face wipes by the end of the night!
A face mask can help alleviate some of the dustiness and prevent you from breathing it all in. (Yes, you can expect dark boogers by the end of the night.) We like bringing our Buffs because they can be used for so many things other than as a face mask. Definitely a good investment.
46. Light long sleeve shirt / sweater
If you’re the type to run colder, you should consider bringing along a long sleeve, sweater, or flannel that can easily be tied around your waist.
Bonnaroo may be stifling hot during the day, but it can still get chilly at night. I will almost always bring an extra layer into the festival with me just in case.
47. Comfortable shoes
Comfortable shoes are a must–I cannot stress this enough. You can expect to be on your feet all day, walking miles upon miles getting between stages. Because of this, you’ll want to do it all in comfortable shoes.
I made the mistake one year of wearing cute sandals that I had not tested out before, and by the second hour of constantly walking in them (forming some blisters along the way), I had to head back to the campsite to change out of them!
If you need to pick up a new pair, some tried and true options include:
- On Cloud Running Shoes (men and women)
- ECCO Soft 7 Sneaker (men and women)
- adidas Ultraboost 22 Running Shoe (men and women)
A few weeks before the festival, you should start going on long walks, or at the very least, do some cardio to get used to standing/walking for prolonged periods of time. This helps your legs get used to movement, so they don’t get completely fatigued after the first day of the festival.
If you plan on bringing some new shoes to Bonnaroo, walking in them ahead of time will help to break them in if they aren’t already.
BONNAROO: WHAT TO WEAR
LADIES: BONNAROO FASHION INSPIRATION
GUYS: BONNAROO FASHION INSPIRATION
BONNAROO CAMPING ESSENTIAL TIPS
- Put your wristband into your wallet/purse before leaving. That way, you know you won’t forget it at home.
- Many festivalgoers start lining up to get into the campground by late Wednesday night, technically allowed Thursday morning. If you’re looking to adjoin campsites with additional friends, you’ll need to meet up with them ahead of time and drive in together.
- To extend the life of your ice, get dry ice. From there, wrap it in a towel, cover it with some regular ice, ice packs, or frozen water bottles. This will help keep your perishables and drinks cold all weekend! And save you some money on those exorbitantly expensive bags of ice the campground sells.
- Become friends with your neighbors–you’re going to be living next to each other for the next few days, might as well get friendly and party together!
- Bring and drink plenty of water. For an extra boost in hydration, bring hydration packets or even bottles of coconut water (it’s such a refreshing taste when hot).
- Buy water in large bottles. Don’t just buy a ton of the smaller 12oz bottles of water. You can save money and reduce waste by buying large gallon jugs and some smaller bottles as well.
- Keep your ice chest (and snacks) in the shade. Why try to melt your ice faster than it needs to?
- Create a little pantry system with a cardboard box. The pantry is where you can keep all your non-perishable food stuff that doesn’t need to go in the cooler. This includes stuff like bread, peanut butter, granola bars, chips, cookies, etc. This will keep your campsite clean, and you’ll know exactly where to find the food.
- Bring at least one set of warm clothes. It gets really hot during the day, but surprisingly cold at night on the farm. Always bring something warm for the nighttime. At the very least, bring one hoody and a pair of sweats or leggings for the campsite.
- Know what your camping spot address is, especially if you don’t have a campsite that stands out. It will be dark at night, meaning it will be harder to find your friends and your campsite. Taking a picture of your surroundings never hurts.
- Have one of the following: an air mattress, a camping pad, or an inflatable pool raft. You will sleep much better than lying directly on the hard floor.
- If you have to go #2, try to go in the morning as soon as possible after the portapotties have been cleaned, re-stocked with toilet paper, and haven’t turned into a complete hotbox under the sun.
- Don’t forget your portable charger! You don’t want to be one of those people stuck in front of the scarce charging stations for hours at a time.
- Prepare a music playlist for the campsite jams a few days ahead. Then at the campsite, you can have this list on autoplay–no need for someone to play ‘DJ’ and pick songs as they come on.
- Bring cash! Not just to buy things inside the festival, but also to save your poor legs after the festival ends. If you have cash on you and really can’t want anymore, you can pay for one of the pedicabs and get back to your camping spot in no time.
And that wraps up your ultimate Bonnaroo camping packing list. We hope this has better prepared you for your ultimate music festival camping experience!
Remember, Bonnaroo is more than just a music experience! There are many art installations, food vendors, comedy shows, small businesses, and interactive elements at CenterRoo and at the festival.
Explore the campgrounds to your heart’s content, meet other festival-goers, catch a few artists you’re unfamiliar with, and discover all the pop-up parties at the camp left and right!
And with that, stay cool, drink lots of water, make memories, and have an experience of a lifetime! Oh yeah, and don’t forget your wristbands and camping passes!