Festival Camping Essentials

Sets may end at midnight, but that doesn’t mean the party has to end.

Festival style isn’t just for our outfits. When we roll up to the campground for the weekend, we deck out our site to the nines, too. It may not be coastal cowgirl (or whatever is trending this year), but it does have the perfect blend of functional and vibrant pieces. Check off everything from your Festival Camping Checklist with these Gearhead approved picks.

DoD Outdoors Kinoko Mushroom Tent

Up late still means sleeping in, but that doesn’t mean you need an ordinary tent. The Kinoko tent is not like other shelters for a few obvious reasons. Its hexagonal shape and vertical side walls make it easy to invite in a few new friends to hang, and the gargantuan entrance makes it easy to chill indoors without feeling disconnected from the rest of the party. Mesh windows let in a breeze, and did we mention the rain fly’s a mushroom?

Rumpl Sherpa Puffy Blanket

Don’t let daytime highs lead you astray. Even in the middle of summer it can get chilly at night. This blanket’s cozy sherpa fleece interior feels divine against bare shoulders, and its tough outer shell sheds water and sand so we can lay it down anywhere. Filled with synthetic insulation, it’ll still keep you warm in case of a sudden rain or spill.

Snow Peak Takibi Fire & Grill

When your campground is just a big open field, you can’t exactly expect a fire ring ten paces from your tent. That’s where this super-portable unit comes in. After dancing the day (and night) away, we like to gather around Snow Peak’s mini fire pit to recap all the highlights. And in the mornings, we’ll restoke the coals and cook breakfast on the detachable grill plate.

Kelty Low Loveseat

Nothing beats making memories with new friends and old, and this double camp chair knows it. Half as high and twice as wide, the Low Loveseat brings you and someone from the crew closer to the fire—and each other. So when the day’s over but you’re not ready to hit the hay, this chair is the spot to be.

ENO DoubleNest Print Hammock

How’s it hanging? Between two trees, of course. (Or vans in a pinch!) Laze away the morning hours in a hammock as carefree as your vibes for the weekend. This one is made from abrasion-resistant 70D nylon for year-after-year use, and it comes with two carabiners for easy set up. A built-in cupholder/phone pouch doesn’t hurt, either.

Hydro Flask All Around Travel Tumbler

Each festival has its own rules for what you can bring into the venue, but most encourage bringing your own reusable water bottle. Staying hydrated is key to enjoying the day, rather than ending up with heat stroke in the med tent. That’s why our refillable vessel of choice is 40oz—and double walled to keep our water cold, too.

Camp Chef Pro 90X 3-Burner Stove

When you need coffee, you need it stat, not when your buddy is done using the Jetboil. This triple burner lets a few camp cooks prep food simultaneously—or one chef really get a chance to flex. A grill-style surface helps keep pots and pans in place, and a triple windscreen protects your meal from dust when a breeze picks up.

ROAM Rolling Rugged Cooler

This 43.5L hardshell rolling cooler was basically designed with a weekend festival in mind. Not only does it fit dozens of drinks (including wine bottles standing up if you’re feeling bubbly) plus groceries, it also has a bottle opener and two built-in cupholders. And when the party drifts to some other campsite, the telescoping handle makes it easy to tag along.