The Not-So-Obvious Festival Packing Guide

Keeping Organized

With so much going on over the course of the weekend it’s easy to lose sight of making sure your camp is organized. A well maintained and organized camp can make all the difference when it comes to being comfortable. Having the ability to know where things are and have them easily accessible goes a long way. Taking a few extra steps in both packing and on-site organization can seriously up your festival game.

• Storage Bins – This may not be an option for all festival but we promise it’s the way to go if you’re driving and can accommodate the space. Having separate bins for both clothing and camp needs make sure they stay separated and all in one place. You can go a step further by picking up a few smaller bins to keep things like batteries, duct tape, and lights or cooking supplies together. Plus they’ll protect whatever’s inside from the weather.
• Packing Cubes – These things help compress down all your clothing into manageable cubes. Trust us when we say they make a massive difference in packing in or out.
• Shoe Rack/Organizer – We’ve seen this idea floating around the internet and decided to give it a shot. For a few bucks, you can pick up a closet shoe organizer and help keep all your essentials in neat, little pockets. We found it was best used for things we always needed like sunscreen, utensils, headlamps or toiletries.
• Collapsible Laundry Basket – A collapsible laundry basket can be used for a number of things at camp. Whether it’s intended purpose of keeping all your dirty clothes together or a trash bin. They work great and keeping camp both clean and organized.

The Essentials

A good portion of things you may need to pack is based on personal preference or what festival you’re attending. But amongst all our suggested items these are the ones you shouldn’t leave home without.

• Day bag – A day bag that doubles as a hydration pack is perfect for storing your essentials and keeping you hydrated. You can easily throw in a Cliff bar or two, wallet, phone, or sunglasses – and have no need to return to camp until you’re ready for a nap or sitting down for lunch.
• Bandana – Trust us on this, you’re going to want one. They have multiple uses and can come in handy. Wear them around your face to keep out the dust, or soak them in water to wrap around your neck and keep you cool.
• Baby wipes – Showering may not always be an option, and if lines are too long, a quick wipe down can freshen you up. Get some wipes with aloe to help our your skin against the sun.
• Safety pins and duct tape – You are guaranteed to use both of these items at least once all weekend. Once people know you have them, you’ll likely be a day-saver for them as well.
• More underwear > extra shorts – Pack twice as many pairs of clean underwear or socks you may think you need and fewer pairs of shorts. Nothing really beats the feeling of clean undies…, especially after a baby wipe shower.
• Wagon – Some festival campgrounds are separate from where you’ll be parking. A collapsable wagon will save your back from lugging all your gear in and out.
• Weather changes – Be prepared for a sudden change in weather like rain. Even more important is being prepared for cold nights. Pack a jacket and pants just incase it gets chilly at night and you’ll be plenty warm.
• Garbage AND Recycling – Bring bags to both recycle and dispose of trash. Festivals generate a lot of waste and some do a great job of handling the task. Do them a favor by helping them separate your trash before they pick it up.
• Setup camp at home – We suggest setting up your tent/shelter before leaving home to make sure you have everything you need. Setting up at home ensures you know how to pitch your tent, there aren’t any holes and you have all your poles.
• ID & Ticket – Certainly and obvious thing to remember but in some cases, it’s forgotten. Pack a copy of your ID away in a small zippered bag along with your ticket, Passport (If needed), and spending cash. Keep these in your glove box if your driving or in an easy to reach compartment in your backpack if you’re arriving by plane/bus/carrier pigeon.
• C.R.E.A.M – “Cash rules everything around me” may certainly not be true for us here at DMNW, it’s certainly a necessity at any festival. Taking out cash before hand will be cheaper than using an ATM once you’ve arrived (if one is even available). Don’t go assuming vendors will be accepting card.

Photo: Zipporah

Last But Not Least

Beyond the camping supplies, toiletries and clothing you should be sure to pack there is a short list of things to help make your festival experience the best it possibly can. At the end of the day, you can prepare all you want but there’s always going to be something that comes up you may not have been prepared for.

• Open heart – Bring yourself and leave your worries behind. You are preparing to spend a weekend away from your everyday life and surrounding by like-minded people. Be prepared to make new friends and create lasting memories
• Open mind – Within our great community comes an incredibly diverse group of individuals. Be prepared to encounter things you may not experience in your normal day to day life. Don’t pass judgement on those you don’t know, accept people for who they are. Also be ready to be put out of your comfort area. Know when to say no, but don’t be afraid to say yes either.
• Sense of community – Remember that we’re one big family joined together for a weekend of celebrating that community and music. Keep an eye on one another and help a friend in need.
• Dancing shoes – Be ready to dance until the early morning. Dancing is an expression of how music makes you feel, cut loose and let your body take control!

Most of our favorite festival lineups have been released, and we’ve already purchased our tickets. Now comes the hardest part of all which is the waiting game. Help cure the anxiety with a little preparation and research into your festival. Check out what they restrict in their campsite and start picking up camp essentials now. Preparing early can go a long way and will help from scrambling last minute. Most major retailers have caught on to the festival wave and stock up on camping gear ahead of time. But don’t be caught looking for last minute items when stores sell out.

Looking forward to seeing you all around the PNW this year. We have an extensive list of festivals we’ll be seeing you at all throughout Washington and British Columbia. Be on the lookout for our team at Paradiso, EDC Las Vegas, Shambhala, Bass Coast, FVDED in the Park, Bumbershoot and more!

As always be sure to give us a follow on Instagram and Twitter and like us on Facebook to find out where we’ll be next!