8. Wakarusa
When: May 30-June 3, 2013
Where: Ozark, Arkansas
Flying high at Wakarusa. Photo Credit: Wakarusa Facebook
We had to pull Wakarusa off the list of the Top 10 Best Camping Festivals to add it this one. Coco, our resident festival expert, fought to include it calling Wakarusa “a large festival with an intimate feel.” The central location in the rolling Ozark mountains of Arkansas places Wakarusa squarely as an easy festival weekend roadtrip.
9. Outside Lands
When: August 9-11, 2013
Where: San Francisco, California
Outside Lands in Golden Gate Park.
A bike valet, wine tasting tent, and local organic food vendors are just a couple of signs that you’re in San Francisco at Outside Lands, a relative newcomer to the large scale music festival scene. That hasn’t stopped mascot Ranger Dave and OL from quickly becoming a signature event in the City on the Bay. The cozy venue of Golden Gate Park allows plenty of options for those of you that need a breather from large crowds.
10. Bumbershoot
When: August 31-September 2, 2013
Where: Seattle, Washington
Checking out Bumbershoot from a different angle. Photo Credit: Bumbershoot Facebook Page/ Christopher Nelson
Now in it’s 43rd year, Bumbershoot (a oldie time word for umbrella) is more of an institution than a music festival. There’s so much happening here that you’ll need all three days to sort through all the live music, art shows, speakers, and exhibitions happening under the Bumbershoot. With budget friendly (and children under ten are FREE), this fest is one of the most affordable and family friendly of the season.
No love for Oregon- Country Fair and how do you leave off the Burners?
We usually don’t cover fairs on here…
No mention of Electric Daisy Carnival?
“three to four days of the wildest parties on the planet” Try eleven days. Summerfest. Inexcusable omission
What!?!?! Summer Camp in Chillicothe IL. isn’t on here….. because it should be!!!
Trying to spread out the love. See Summer Camp in: Top 10 Camping Festivals 2012
http://www.musicfestivaljunkies.com/2012-music-festival-guide-top-10-camping
How the heck are Electric Forest and Electric Daisy missing from here?!
@Chris — EDC definitely was in the short list. I’m going to have to expand it to 15 for next year. We love Electric Forest as well, but at the time of writing, they only had one season under their belt.
What about lightning in a bottle? or Hornings Hideout? Outside Lands doesn’t deserve to be on that list, you can’t camp at it, which to me is a vital part of the festival experience.
Both awesome festivals, but not really “mega-festivals” although those could definitely be considered for a Top Ten DIY Fest.
To me, camping out is certainly vital for the festival experience, but that’s a personal preference. Big city festivals have their own flavor and throwing down on a super nice hotel in Chicago or New York can be just as fun plus there’s always after hours events happening around the city.
Lol you can tell the creators of this website don’t know there arse from there elbows and are Americans.
probably haven’t even left the states to go to a festival in there lives. they actually believe that the top ten “mega” festivals are all in America… Jokers
Hangout!!…great artists on the beach…enough said!!