Electric Forest 2026: Complete Camping & Packing Guide
Electric Forest isn't just a festival — it's a four-day alternate reality set in the woods of northern Michigan. June 25–28, 2026, at the Double JJ Resort in Rothbury. Seven stages, 100+ artists, thousands of acres of forest lit up with art installations and hidden stages. And 95% of the 45,000 attendees camp on-site.
If you're going to EF this year, your camping setup is your experience. Here's how to get it right.
The Basics
- Where: Double JJ Resort, Rothbury, MI (45 min from Grand Rapids, 3.5 hrs from Detroit, 5 hrs from Chicago)
- When: June 25–28, 2026
- Headliners: ILLENIUM, Excision, GRiZ, Chris Lake, Kaskade, The String Cheese Incident
- All ages event
- GA camping is included with your wristband — no separate camping pass needed
- Vehicle pass required for all cars entering the grounds
Camping Options
General Admission (GA)
The heart of Electric Forest. GA camping opens at 12:01 AM on Thursday, June 25. You'll be assigned a spot in order of arrival — arrive together to camp together, because saving spaces is not allowed.
New for 2026: GA campsites now include an extra 50 square feet of space.
Add a Wednesday Early Arrival add-on to get in starting 12:01 AM on Wednesday, June 24 — gives you a full extra day to set up and explore before the music starts.
Preferred Car Camping
Designated location close to the main venue entrance, ~20'×25' spots. More expensive, but you get proximity regardless of arrival time.
Enhanced Camping (Higher Love, Maplewoods, EFfortless)
Access-controlled campgrounds with complimentary showers and air-conditioned restrooms. Worth it if comfort matters to you — the communal showers in GA are... an experience.
Group Camping
For crews of 20+, including specialty camps: Wayfinder (solo travelers), Her Forest (femme-identifying), and Camp Traction (sober camping). Group camping includes Tuesday Early Arrival starting 7 PM on June 17.
Pre-Set Tents
Fly-in friendly option. Pre-erected tent in a dedicated neighborhood near Main Street. Comes with two sleeping bags and sleeping pads — and you get to take the tent home after. Opens Thursday.
RV Camping
RVs are welcome with an RV pass. Each RV gets one companion vehicle (must be under 16 feet and arrive together).
Michigan Weather: Expect Everything
This is not the desert. Michigan in late June means:
- Daytime highs in the 80s, sometimes 90s
- Nighttime lows in the 50s–60s
- Afternoon thunderstorms are common and can roll in fast
- Mud is a real possibility — it's rained at many past editions
- Humidity — you'll feel it
Layer everything. Light clothes for day, a hoodie for night, and rain gear you can throw on in 30 seconds. Waterproof boots or shoes that can handle mud are essential.
The Complete Packing List
Campsite Essentials
- Tent — test it before you go, make sure you have stakes for Michigan soil
- EZ-Up canopy — shade and rain cover for your communal area
- Tarp(s) — under your tent and as extra rain cover
- Sleeping bag or blankets — nights are cooler than you think
- Sleeping pad or air mattress + pump
- Camp chairs — one per person
- Headlamp or lantern — the campgrounds are dark
- Cooler with ice — block ice lasts longer
- Camp stove (check EF's rules on fuel types)
- Plates, cups, utensils — reusable
- Trash bags — leave no trace
- Tapestry, flag, or lights — helps you find your camp and builds community
For the Festival Grounds
- Comfortable shoes that can handle mud — break them in first
- Rain jacket or poncho — non-negotiable
- Reusable water bottle — refill stations throughout
- Portable charger (10,000+ mAh) — service is spotty, battery dies fast
- Fanny pack or small bag — keep it light
- Sunscreen + hat — the open fields get direct sun
- Earplugs — bass stages get loud
- Layers — flannel/hoodie for night
- Bandana — dust, sun, or just vibes
Don't Forget
- Extra socks — pack twice as many as you think you need. Wet socks ruin everything.
- Wet wipes / hand sanitizer — porta-potties are inevitable
- Toilet paper — bring your own backup
- Electrolyte packets
- Bug spray — you're in the Michigan woods
Coordinating a Group
Electric Forest's "arrive together, camp together" rule means your crew needs to be organized before you leave. If four cars show up at different times, you're camping in four different spots.
This is where a shared coordination tool makes a huge difference. With FestSquad, your crew can:
- Assign packing — use the Packing Registry so three people don't bring canopies while nobody brings a camp stove
- Coordinate carpools — figure out who's riding with who and plan arrival times
- Track who has tickets, camping passes, and vehicle passes
- Assign tents — know your sleeping situation before you're standing in a field at midnight
Create your Electric Forest squad for free →
Pro Tips
- Drop a pin when you park. The campgrounds are massive and everything looks different at 3 AM.
- Download the Electric Forest app before you arrive. The forest layout is confusing for newcomers — study the map beforehand.
- Explore Sherwood Forest. The art installations, hidden stages, and the famous "Giving Tree" are the soul of EF. Don't just run between main stages.
- Late-night is where the magic happens. Silent disco runs until 4 AM, art cars roam the campgrounds blasting beats, and campfire jams pop up everywhere.
- The Brainery offers workshops during the day — yoga, crafts, wellness. It's a great way to recharge between sets.
- Bring a wagon if you have a long walk from your car to your campsite. Your back will thank you.
- Be a good neighbor. The Forest Family community is real — share food, lend a hand, make friends. It's what makes EF different from every other festival.
The Forest is waiting. Get your crew together, pack smart, and leave room for the unexpected. That's where the best memories live.