How to Have the Best (and Safest) Coachella Camping Experience

Updates for 2023 coming soon!

Coachella, the land of flower crowns, delicious food, unforgettable memories, and amazing music. And if you decided to REALLY go for it, you’re Coachella camping. Here’s how to have the best and safest Coachella experience!

The campgrounds are a walk and a skip away from the festival and you’ll be with your friends, which makes it extra fun. To ensure you have a blast, here are 8 tips for the best and safest Coachella camping experience!

Don’t Forget Your Charger

Take it from the many people who get stuck at the scarce charging stations around the camping and festival grounds, you do NOT want to forget portable chargers! Yes, you can technically charge your phone in your car if you’re car camping, but how many hours can you leave your car running and how many phones can you efficiently charge while at camp? Bring those portable chargers and life will be a breeze as you walk around AND charge your phone.

Drink Lots of Water

Please don’t be the person to pass out from dehydration. It’s dangerous to get rushed to the medical tent because you forgot to drink water in between those beer bongs. Have fun, drink those margs and chug that beer, but don’t forget to drink plenty of bottles of water. You’ll thank yourself later!

Bring a Hat

Hopefully, your cute Coachella outfit has some sort of hat included to protect you from the sun. If your arms or legs are exposed though, you’ll need sunblock. Bring a high SPF with you so you can protect that beautiful skin of yours from those harsh desert sun rays.

Protect Yourself From The Dust

Think you’re too cool for a bandana? Or maybe you don’t want to be one of “those” people? BE one of them and bring it with you! With some luck, the wind will be minimal and the grounds won’t be too dusty. But if the wind picks up, having a bandana will prevent you from breathing in dust all weekend.

Keep Track Of Your Camping Spot

When you arrive at your spot, whether it be tent camping or car camping, make a note of where you are! There are “street” numbers to help you, but taking a picture of your surroundings never hurts. Finding your camping spot in the dark is never fun and should be avoided at all costs.

Bring Cash

Now imagine, it’s the end of Day 2, you’re walking back and you are TIRED. If you bring cash you can pay one of the jump in a pedicabs and get back to your camping spot in no time! This is why tip 5 is so important!

Pack Baby Wipes

Coachella camping has showers. Are they functional? Yes. Sanitary? Relatively. If you bring flip flops and wake up early, you won’t have to wait too long and it’ll be smooth sailing. But maybe that first night is colder or dustier than expected. Tip number 7: baby wipes are a Coachella MUST. They don’t have to be a substitute for a shower but they are a savior if it’s too cold for wet hair before bed!

No Glass On The Camp Grounds

You’re almost ready for an amazing Coachella camping experience! But wait, you are planning to pack food and possibly alcohol, right? Of course! Don’t forget a big rule when heading into the Coachella campgrounds: they search all vehicles and do NOT allow glass. Whether it’s a bottle of alcohol or a jelly jar, sorry it’s a no-go. Security doesn’t care and will make you toss it. Save yourself some time and money and transfer whatever things you may need into plastic containers. (Bonus Tip: Pack beer cans instead of bottles!)

Now go get that cute photo in front of the Ferris wheel and don’t forget to tag @thelagirl in your photos!

Coachella Camping Packing List

If you’ve never camped before, it’s best to do a “practice” run before you go. You should know how to set up your tent and make sure you have all your pieces so you don’t get into an annoying situation when you’re already in the middle of the desert.

Tent
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping Pad
Cooler
Water
Ice
Scissors
Chairs
Led string lights and tapestries to hang (for a vibe)

Pro tip: Get a pump spray from home depot or Amazon for under $10 and fill a gallon of water to act as a mister with a drop of peppermint essential oil or eucalyptus essential oil to create a spa water mister.