Complete Newbie and need some advice

[Marla_Neuerburg]

Complete newbie and I've been reading different posts but still have some questions.

We are flying in to attend one day of the festival. We would like to camp with our vehicle if possible.
We won't have a tarp and we won't have low back camp chairs...

Can you please tell me where the best place is to camp?

Will we be completely at a disadvantage if we don't have a tarp or a low back camp chair?

Your advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you, Marla

 Listening to: Blackhawks playoff game

[RockyMtnGuy]

As for the camping with vehicle, you won't be able to do that at/in Telluride, but there are many campgrounds within a reasonable distance in which you could do that.  None of the sanctioned festival campgrounds allow it, tho.

You don't need a tarp.  We've never had a problem finding an area next to or on a part of a fellow festivarian's tarp behind the low-back chairs area.  A regular camp chair (non-low-back) can be placed anywhere behind the low-back chairs area. 

There is no disadvantage to not being in the front portion (low-back chairs) because there is not a bad seat to be had in the entire canyon (TBF takes place in a box canyon).  No matter where you sit, you will have a good view of the stage and the sound is excellent across the venue.

Hope that helps.

v/r
  Kevin
 

[Skubes]

There is still camping available Mary E, one of the official Festival campgrounds. You can camp with your vehicle there, but you'll need to buy a vehicle pass in addition to the camping pass. Vehicle pass is also still available (see link below). It's a free shuttle ride into Telluride from there, but it is very beautiful.

http://www.bluegrass.com/telluride/tickets.html

[petefrane]

Mary E requires a 4 day pass or singles to each day.

[TellurideTom]

The only Planet Bluegrass campground that does not require a 4 day pass is Lawson.
The problem there is that if you're only going to be there for one day then the camping pass would be wasted on the other three days that someone else may need, and you would still need a vehicle pass.
You would probably be better off trying to find someone willing to share lodging for one night or driving a little farther to get close to town. Even at that you'll have to park outside of town and take a shuttle to the festival as the town is shut off except for local traffic.
 

[FaceOnMars]

The only Planet Bluegrass campground that does not require a 4 day pass is Lawson.
The problem there is that if you're only going to be there for one day then the camping pass would be wasted on the other three days that someone else may need, and you would still need a vehicle pass.

I'm with you Tom in the same sense that it's always a shame to see an empty seat on a chairlift go by during a powder day.  By the same token, I believe it's important to allow those who might not be able to attend the festival for all four days to have an opportunity to camp and perhaps stick their toes in the water so as they can jump in entirely the next go-around.

But yeah, the car would still be an issue if insistant on at least quasi car-camping.  Vehicle pass or park it up in the TMV and use Gondola & bus to get back to Lawson.

[BillyBeru]

http://www.bluegrass.com/telluride/camping.html#L

LAWSON HILL CAMPGROUND
REQUIRES 4-DAY OR SINGLE-DAY FESTIVAL PASS
Tent Camping Only
Location: Ball field located about 4 miles from the festival grounds
Opens: 8 am on Tuesday, June 17
Closes: noon on Monday, June 23
Metal pans must be used under stoves to protect grass.
Charcoal grills are not allowed.
Tent stakes longer than 6" are prohibited to protect irrigation systems.
Quiet hours are 2am-7am.
Serviced by free shuttle.
No vehicles are allowed on the field.
Free parking nearby.
Tickets: $55
Does NOT include a festival pass.
Lawson Hill is a baseball field located several miles west of the town of Telluride, just to the west of the Valley Floor preservation area. As this is a large open field, there is little shade, so plan to bring your own. Bring along a bike - the Telluride bike path provides a gently rolling, paved path from Lawson Hill to the town of Telluride and the festival grounds.

[Hot Sugar]

I'll second what RockyMtnGuy said about tarps. The first three years I attended this festival I was part of a group of three people and we never ran a tarp. We would walk around and find a tarp that wasn't being used, plant our chairs and hang out until the owners returned. Occasionally, when the owners returned, there wouldn't be room for us on the tarp any more, but 9 times out of 10 we were able to stay and hang out. Tarps are really only necessary if you have a large group or absolutely desire a home base.

 Listening to: Taj Weekes

[schwettina]

Agreed!  If you're just a couple people there's always a place to sit!  When it got really hot a few years back, my daughter and I just went to the back area where all the folks had set up shade tents and we took a rest there.  People are just so cool and laid back.  Don't worry about this tarp rush thing... you'll see and hear from anywhere!

[Dewstar]

There are several festival 'sections' of seating on the grand lawn. Upfront, a little further back, soundbooth, behind the walkway (higher back chairs), fence-line and Famliland (think big old sunshades, strollers playpens, nursing blinds (just kidding).

There are speakers strategically placed and is like HD sound, so that's not a problem.

You will get your groove early on and its not rocket science. Everything you need is there. Camaraderie, hula hoops, hacky sack, food, beer and Whine, and more toilets you can use in a day. There's free, cold, bountiful mountain water, ice creme and tunes. There's even a parade or two on one of the 4 days. It don't matter. You paid, now all you have to do is show. There are plenty of rules but TBF and TRide are great partners (they can't function without one another) and have a firm but fair altitude. 

You need basic camping gear and clothes for hot and cold. Mebbe rain. Its windy at times and can blow camp to kingdom come. You'll need some food and a flashlight and I'll add: HAT, SCARF, LIGHT GLOVES. There are many other things you could bring. But don't do what I do and bring the kitchen sink! You'll get by, like those did before you and those who follow in your footsteps. You can do the whole festiVAL! without going to the show. (there's a whole nother sub culture too, that will keep you entertained and happy. In fact, most are happy.

Hands down, this is one of the world's greatest shows, year after year (and I been coming since '89).

Granted its not for everyone, but I know people who have come once from all over the world and do nothing but pine for a return, desperate in fact. This show is expensive no matter how you slice it. It's expensive in time, effort and hard cash. But! The music flows long and hard, the musicians are top notch and people are rarely disappointed overall. Its worth the money and the effort.

Enjoy, you will probably be back... with bells on! 

[nfire]

Its worth the money and the effort.

[Dewstar]

                                                             
                                                             

[sdmjake]

you will get your groove early on and its not rocket science. Everything you need is there. Camaraderie, hula hoops, hacky sack, food, beer and Whine, and more toilets you can use in a day. There's free mountain water, ice creme and tunes. There's even a parade or two on one of the 4 days. It don't matter. You paid, now all you have to do is show. There are plenty of rules but TBF and TRide are great partners (they can't function without one another) and have a firm but fair altitude. 

"You need basic camping gear and clothes for hot and cold. Mebbe rain. Its windy at times and can blow camp to kingdom come. You'll need some food and a flashlight. There are many other things you could bring. But don't do what I do and bring the kitchen sink! You'll get by, like those did before you and follow in your footsteps. You can do the whole festiVAL! without going to the show. (there's a whole nother sub culture too that will keep you entertained and happy.

Hands down, this is one of the world's greatest shows, year after year (been coming since '89).

Granted its not for everyone, but I know people who have come once from all over the world and do nothing but pine for a return, desperate, in fact. This show is expensive no matter how you slice it. But the music flows long and hard, the musicians are top notch and people are rarely disappointed overall. Its worth the money and the effort.

Enjoy, you will probably be back... with bells on!"  - Dewstar

That pretty much sums it up as well as I have seen it put. Hell, reading it gets me even MORE excited to get there...15 days left to wait...

 Listening to: Talking Heads - Uh-Oh Love comes to town

[Dewstar]

 

 :thumbsupthat was VERY kind of you to say Jakey