DW and I have been RVing for 33 years in state parks, but mostly private campgrounds. We just purchased passes and a Premium RV pass for the 3-day Taste of Country Music Festival this June at Hunter Mountain in upstate NY in the Catskills.I’m curious to hear from others and their experiences with RV camping at multi-day music festivals. Any suggestions on what to be aware of with so many people who are not everyday RVer’s?

gcloss wrote:I’m curious to hear from others and their experiences with RV camping at multi-day music festivals. It might not help but we've always chosen to stay at a nearby campground and just buy a ticket for one day. If we feel the performances are good we'll buy a second day ticket. We've never had a desire to go 3 days or more.By staying at a cg that's not directly connected to the festival we avoid some of the partiers who stay up late. Wife and I go to bed early. This way the partiers can continue to party and we get our sleep...everyone's happy :W

We've been going to the Wheatland Music Festival (variety of Americana music) in central Michigan, Remus, MI, for 16 or 17 years now. We've always taken our RV during that time. It's also a 3-day event the first weekend after Labor Day. We've also gone to a few bluegrass festivals of the 2 or 3 day variety. Generally these festivals do not have electric or water, much less sewer hookups. At Wheatland they do not want generators operating either. I volunteer at this festival and haven't had to enforce the generator rule though. They usually do not allow campfires, although you can grill. They often have food vendors at these events if you don't want to spend time preparing food and cleaning up. Other festival goers sometimes decorate their site with flags or things related to type of music played at the festival. Getting a good seat at the main stage can be a priority for many and sometimes set up their lawnchairs before setting up their campsite. Expect a fair amount of drinking, but festival organizers generally make sure it's toned down or they may have some form of security there to keep the event pleasureable for everyone.Knowing when to get there and where to place your camper can be an important issue. One reason I began volunteering for the job I do is because we get in the night before the event and have the ability to pick out our campsite. Otherwise there is usually a long line of festival goers that have been going for years and know when to get there and where to set up camp. The line can take hours and getting there late can mean you get what's left over campsite-wise. Generally RV's are placed in an area where there are other RV's, but often tent campers are in the same area with a variety of set-ups, some well thought out while others are as basic as it gets. Sometimes people will play music are their campsite with instruments of their own or CD's on a battery operated box. If you're concerned about going to bed early you might have a bit of noise in your area. It may be fun and entertaining or it could be less so. I'd say keep an open mind. Relax and have fun because that's what other festival goers have in mind. Try to find out from either the organizers or someone else that may have gone before what to expect. Organizers want their guests to have a pleasant experience. Have Fun!!!PS: I just noticed that you have a "premium" RV pass. This is likely a positive thing. You may have a great camping area, possibly with electric, which can come in handy on a hot weekend. You may enjoy your experience so much that you'll go for years to come. That's what happened to us.

Last year we attended Merlefest in NC. The festival is on a college campus with a small number of very expensive RV spaces in the parking lot.We camped nearby like most attendees. We had a great time at the festival and while camping. Music and musicians were everywhere with several jam sessions taking place at the same time.It was fun visiting with some of the campers that only camp at festivals. Many were unskilled as RVers but a great bunch of people.

If you like REAL country music check out:http://www.bluegrassfestivalguide.com/index.html

Thanks to everyone for some very helpful information. I did find out that the premiun RV sites are located at the top of the mountain overlooking the festival with ourstanding views of the Catskill Mountains.I was about one year too young to attend the 1969 Woodstock Music Festival (I remember it well because I wasn't there), which is near Hunter Mountain, so we are looking forward to our first music festival.

Taste of Country Music Festival at Hunter Mountain NY

hstechteacher
Explorer
Nov 22, 2013
I am considering this festival this year. Anyone have any pictures showing the riverside RV area? I am a regular Long Island outer beach camper so I understand tight spots, but I will be bringing my 3 kids all under 7 and want to make sure it will be ok for them

Thanks
gcloss
Explorer
Jun 17, 2013
Skimombeach wrote:
We're headed to the Taste of Country Music Festival, also for the first time. Looking forward to some great music. We were hoping to camp some place close the night before the festival started, but cannot find anything. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Skimombeach ..... Too bad I didn't see your post last week. We stayed Wednesday night in a Jellystone at Lazy River in Gardiner NY about 35 miles away from Hunter Mountain. It gave us some time to prepare the trailer, fill the water tanks etc. We arrived at Hunter Mountain at about 7am and got on the massive line into the festival. It probably took us to about noon to get our trailer onto our site.

We had the Premium RV sites up on the ski slopes. There were two inexperienced campers with rented Class C's that got stuck on the dirt road going up the mountain. When it rains for 26 hours you get lots of mud. I'm so thankful I had a 4x4. I'm so happy we had an RV as opposed to the tent or car campers. The Premium RV sites gave us a great view of the stage with great sound.

I have to say overall it was a real experience. With Brad Paisley being the first announced headliner for 2014, we will be going back as long as they still have Premium RV camping.
Skimombeach
Explorer
Jun 06, 2013
We're headed to the Taste of Country Music Festival, also for the first time. Looking forward to some great music. We were hoping to camp some place close the night before the festival started, but cannot find anything. Does anyone have any suggestions?
kenbert
Explorer
Jan 31, 2013
gcloss wrote:
kenbert wrote:
I don't know if I will get an answer because of the date of post. I went to the website for the festival and a premium rv site and admisson for 2 people comes to $779.00 for three days, seems like alot for what you get. JMHO.

Ken

Actually it was $825.85 for Premium RV Pass and two people.

As the old saying goes there is a ass for every seat.

:B
Ken
gcloss
Explorer
Jan 31, 2013
magnusfide wrote:
gcloss wrote:

Actually it was $825.85 for Premium RV Pass and two people.

:E :E
Would you adopt me? At least put me in your will?:R :B

Everything in the Northeast is expensive including camping. We are used to paying anywhere from $67 to $75 a night for a decent private campground. Trailer sites in NYS Parks are $30+ per night. Don't even ask about our income, property and sales taxes, utilities or car insurance .... all sky high
magnusfide
Explorer II
Jan 31, 2013
gcloss wrote:

Actually it was $825.85 for Premium RV Pass and two people.

:E :E
Would you adopt me? At least put me in your will?:R :B
gcloss
Explorer
Jan 31, 2013
kenbert wrote:
I don't know if I will get an answer because of the date of post. I went to the website for the festival and a premium rv site and admisson for 2 people comes to $779.00 for three days, seems like alot for what you get. JMHO.

Ken

Actually it was $825.85 for Premium RV Pass and two people.
kenbert
Explorer
Jan 30, 2013
I don't know if I will get an answer because of the date of post. I went to the website for the festival and a premium rv site and admisson for 2 people comes to $779.00 for three days, seems like alot for what you get. JMHO.

Ken
gcloss
Explorer
Jan 30, 2013
Thanks to everyone for some very helpful information.

I did find out that the premiun RV sites are located at the top of the mountain overlooking the festival with ourstanding views of the Catskill Mountains.

I was about one year too young to attend the 1969 Woodstock Music Festival (I remember it well because I wasn't there), which is near Hunter Mountain, so we are looking forward to our first music festival.
Finally_Fulltim
Explorer
Jan 29, 2013
If you like REAL country music check out:

http://www.bluegrassfestivalguide.com/index.html

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