Camping at Coachella Is the Ultimate Festival Experience. Here’s What to Pack.

Coachella Camping Layout(Photo: Teaghan Skulszki)

If you’ve been alive the past two decades, you’ve probably heard of Coachella. The famous California music festival takes place in the desert haven of Palm Springs (first home of the Cahuilla Native Americans) amid theSan Jacinto, Santa Rosa, and Little San Bernardino Mountains. The festival comes at the beginning of every April and runs over two weekends. The catch? Because people flock from around the world to the bask in Coachella’s revelry, the prices of accommodations can soar. The best way to avoid these hurdles but still make the most out of Coachella is to pay homage to the originalfestival lodgings: tents.

I’ve camped all over the country, butCoachella campingstands as one of my most favorite experiences. It offers a secret portal into the festival amenities and experiences that are inaccessible once inside the venue. In fact, I’ve opted to pitch a tent and camp every time I’ve gone. Want to give it a try? Here’s what you need to know.

Why Camp at Coachella

One of the truly memorable parts of Coachella (and most festivals) is the people you encounter, and there’s no doubt that the close camping quarters is a fast pass to long-lasting friendships. Camping means sharinggear, cooking breakfast with strangers, and sharing midnight mirth with someone you met days ago. That tends to lead to deeper connections.

At my first Coachella, my friendly Canadian neighbors cooked me an egg every day forbreakfastafter I told them I love to take Instagram videos of splitting egg yolks. Several acquaintances from Los Angeles became close friends of mine after we camped near each other and danced under the lights of the silent disco until 4:00 AM. Yes, there is magic at every single festival, but there’s something different about the divine spirit and community that is found under the lights of Coachella’s silent disco.

There’s also the practical element. With your home for the weekend being so close to the venue, you can be more flexible. We often ran back to camp between sets to grab supplies we needed, moresnacks, or outfit changes. Having resources so close helped us save on typically expensive festival food. Our morning breakfast routine included huddling around the cooler and rehashing the previous night over coffee. Camping didn’t limit us, it allowed us to personalize our experience to our taste and preferences.

All that said, it’s not always easy. The desert heat is real, and if you’re not used to roughing it, sleeping in a tent might come with a little bit of a learning curve. However, I find that camping turns the festival into a richer and more immersive experience. Plus, it’s only $150—hundreds less than you might spend at a hotel. Give it a try, discover a profound sense of community, and dance all night under the silent disco lights. If you’ve been car camping before, you’re more than capable of camping at Coachella.

Coachella’s Campground

The amenities at the campground are so far and wide that it has a site map separate from that of the venue. At the general store, you can buy that one item you completely forgot about despite swearing not to (i.e., earplugs). There’s also an activity tent where you can play pickleball, have a water balloon fight, or win a VIP upgrade. You can enjoy a meal hosted by Treetop Journey, a farm-to-table outdoor dining experience to break bread and connect with new friends.

If your legs are tired from the endless dancing, wrap yourself in a cozy hammock and cool off at the camp lounge, where no one will give you a second look if you decide to nod off for a mid-day nap. If you haven’t found a partner through your localrun clubyet, consider running the Coachella X Electrolit 5K and get some extra miles in.

For a spiritual experience, visit the Desert Sky truss tent, where you can relax with a yoga class or catch a guest speaker. Return to the Desert Sky later at night after the festival ends for a Kafakesuqe silent disco—for me, a non-negotiable experience.

Looking to heal your childlike wonder? Head to the Field of Dreams, where you can have a field day playing dodgeball and other fun games. If you’re a thrifter at heart, enjoy an exclusive shopping experience of vintage Coachella merchandise. And honestly, this still doesn’t even scratch the surface of everything the campground offers—it’s just my personal greatest hits. One more can’t-miss? The Coachella Art Studio.

The Art Studio is a creative summer camp. Last year, I was able to redecorate my cowboy hat with a new fringe and patches at one booth, and unwind by crafting a collage at another. Over the years, I’ve made air fresheners, perfumes, bracelets, earrings, and more.

The Ultimate Coachella Packing List

This festival packing list was gifted to me by a friend years ago. It still guides me today.

Camp Kitchen

• Water bottles • Silverware & plates (we did disposable for easier cleanup) • Cups • Paper Towels • Electrolytes • Cooler • Trash bags

Toiletries

• Wet wipes • Towels (shower) • Toothbrush/paste • Shampoo/conditioner/body wash • Toilet Paper • Ear plugs • Skincare products • Sunscreen

Camping Gear

• Tents • Camping chairs • Air mattress & pump • Plastic storage bin for our food • Speakers • Portable charger • Pillows • Blankets & Bedding • Tapestries, tarps, or sheets to block the sunlight and create shade • Clips to hang up your tapestries, etc. • Pop Up • Folding table • Bluetooth speaker

Other Essentials

• Fan • Hats • Wristbands • ID • Credit Cards and cash for shower tokens • Power bank • Eye Mask