A music festival is a weekend to remember. See your favorite artists in person and enjoy the excitement of thousands of fans around you. Of course, you’ll be heading to a new city or even a new state, which means you’ll need a way to get to the festival and a place to spend the night. Sure, you could fork over the high costs of a plane ticket and a hotel room. Or you can save money while traveling in comfort in your RV.
It’s easy to enjoy a fun and safe time in your RV, but there are some logistical details you will want to be aware of. That’s why we here at Athens RV have created the following guide to planning your RV music festival trip below.
What to Pack
Any overnight trip is going to require some basic supplies. First, you need to bring the right clothing. Since a music festival will be outside, you’ll want to be prepared for a variety of weather scenarios. Bring along layers in case the temperatures dip, waterproof outerwear in case it starts to drizzle, breathable clothing in case it gets hot, and so on. You’ll have no problem fitting lots of items in your RV. While you don’t need to bring along your entire wardrobe, it’s good to have options.
Then you’ll want to pack toiletries, any medications, and chargers to keep your phone charged so you can take photos and videos of your favorite acts. For food, you’ll want to bring plenty of snacks. You’ll have access to your RV kitchen, so you could bring food to make meals, which will save money compared to eating out.
The beauty of an RV is that you’ll have plenty of space, so you can bring along items that aren’t crucial, but do make your trip more comfortable. These items can include bug spray, a camping chair, a flashlight or headlight for walking back in the dark, shoes that can handle the mud if it rains, and so on.
Finally, think about what you’ll need at the festival. You’ll want some way to keep track of your phone, ticket, wallet, and so on. Some people prefer getting a concealed wallet or purse that slips on underneath your clothing to prevent pickpocketing. Don’t forget cash so you can avoid the pesky ATM fees!
Knowing what not to pack is just as important as knowing what to pack. Always check the music festival’s restricted items list. These can include anything from pets to glass bottles. Leave these items at home.
Finding a Campsite
Some music festivals offer RV parking nearby the site. This will be more expensive, but also much more convenient as it will be close to the venue. You can also search for parking options nearby, such as other campsites or a Walmart parking lot. If you book a campsite, try to do it in advance. There will be a large influx of tourists to the area for the festival and sites will get full quickly. Plus, reserving in advance may earn you an early bird discount!
Making the Trek
Some travelers prefer getting to their destination as soon as possible, which gives them more time to explore the area. Others enjoy making the journey part of the trip and building in plenty of pit stops and detours. Both strategies work great! Just be sure that you have enough fuel to get there. Aim for more fuel than you think you’ll need. That way, you’ll be covered if you end up needing to take a detour.
It’s also a good idea to spend a few minutes checking your route the day of departure. Look for any unexpected delays, such as a car crash or construction, that might be worth rerouting around.
Before you hit the road, check that your RV is capable of making that journey. Do a pre-ride inspection! Inspect your fluid levels and top off if needed. Check your tires to ensure they have enough tread and air pressure. Go for a quick test ride to check brakes, acceleration, and turning. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, bring it to a service department before your trip.
You can also use your drive as a way to build up excitement for the music festival. Make a playlist of the artists you are about to see for the ride there. Once you set up camp, you’ll be ready to enjoy the performances!
We hope you found this guide helpful! For all your RV needs, visit our Athens dealership, where we have a full stock of new and used RVs for sale. Athens RV proudly serves the cities of Tyler, Longview, Lufkin, Nacogdoches, Houston and Dallas, TX.
