Music Festival Guide: Top 10 Camping Fests (United States)

4. Gathering of the Vibes
When: July 25-28, 2013
Where: Bridgeport, Connecticut

Photo Credit: GOTV

One of the largest festivals in the Northeast also boasts some of the best camping smack dab on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. The annual Gathering of the Vibes, a jam-centric fest, puts in stakes at the aptly named Seaside Park. Campers have a choice of gladed woods or sandy beaches. Still not sold? Two word: Flushable toilets.

5. WE Fest
When: August 1-3,2013
Where: Detroit Lakes,Minnesota

There’s plenty of room for you RV at We Fest — Canadian girls not included.

80,000 rowdy country fans descend on the tiny town of Detroit Lakes for a weekend of good tunes and good times. There’s ten campgrounds to stake out your territory with different areas for different lifestyles. For instance, younger folks are steered to the Eagle/Hilltop section. And better leave the kids at home for this one — as the website states: “…we do not recommend that you bring your children.”

6. Summer Camp
When: May 24-26, 2013
Where: Chillicothe, Illinois

From chilled out late night campfire jams to beat busting dance shows, the party at Summer Camp goes long past the end of “scheduled” performances. “Scampers” can apply to become camp counselors which means free tickets, free camping, and free beer in exchanged for being an official party ambassador to the other attendees. Our resident festival expert calls Summer Camp — “The best festival of the Memorial Day Weekend.”

7. Camp Bisco
When: July 11-13, 2013
Where: Mariaville, New York

Best seats in the house at Camp Bisco.c

The Indian Lookout Country Club may sound all fancypants, but the venue for Camp Bisco isn’t white linen suits and croquet. Campers have an option of gladed sites set among the 200 acres of the venue. And while the organizers have expanded everything else, they actually decreased capacity in 2012 to keep everyone cozy and content.