Town Park question

[markyoung]

First time in TP after 3 years at Ilium.  If i show up with my camper ( i do have a vehicle pass for town park) on the 15th, early afternoon, will the camper/vehicle spots be available?  Will i have to move the truck to carhenge or mountain village on Saturday, or can that wait a few days?  Any expert advice will be appreciated.

Thanks,
Mark

[TellurideTom]

Be aware that with the Bear Creek Preserve land rush happening that morning Town Park will be a madhouse. Getting into Town Park and trying to figure out where you can park your trailer is going to be a real chore.
I would suggest you have someone that will be there earlier scout for a place before you arrive so you're not simply driving in circles while other people are trying to unload.
By that time most of the actual Park & Rec vehicle sites will be taken, but limited space along side those sites may be available as long as you don't block the road.
Once you've located your place to set up camp with your trailer you will need to unhook your car and park it where the volunteers direct you.
All vehicles without a pass must be removed from Town Park that day.
Good Luck.

[markyoung]

Thanks for the info.  Doesn't my vehicle pass reserve me a park and rec vehicle site?

[TellurideTom]

Thanks for the info.  Doesn't my vehicle pass reserve me a park and rec vehicle site?

If all the dedicated sites have been purchased before Planet Bluegrass takes over Saturday morning then those sites are basically taken. Their rules only allow two vehicles and two tents per site, but Planet Bluegrass doesn't have that stipulation, so if you can work with someone that has room then you're free to do so.

[markyoung]

So it sounds like the earlier the better on Saturday.  Glad i asked the question!

[TellurideTom]

My advice for first time Town Park campers is to do so without a vehicle pass and arrive early Saturday morning when Planet Bluegrass takes over so you can get a better idea just how crazy it becomes.
Trying to get over 1000 people in cars in and out of Town Park to unload gear is a nightmare.
That's why most of the people with vehicle passes get there a week in advance and pay Park & Rec to camp.
It seems to never fail that they let so many cars in that those trying to get out can't move and a major traffic jam evolves.
It's best to alleviate the headache and take more time off to get there early.
 

[markyoung]

Tom,

Thanks again for the clarification.  It sounds like getting in there  Friday afternoon and trying to squeeze in a place would be a better option for me. 

[Tikiboy80]

I was a little frustrated to learn about this. We’re noobs, with 4 kids, driving cross-country in a small RV. I’ve dreamt of this festival for 15 years. We miracled a vehicle pass, but didn’t realize people arrived days/a week early. We won’t arrive until the afternoon of the 19th. I called PB, and they begrudgingly said there would be a spot for us if we have a vehicle pass, but that we should arrive as early as possible, which is out of our control (we have a budget, jobs, etc.). Fingers crossed we arrive after most of the traffic is gone, and they don’t stick us on the outskirts next to the toilets. 

[ToddG]

I was a little frustrated to learn about this. We’re noobs, with 4 kids, driving cross-country in a small RV. I’ve dreamt of this festival for 15 years. We miracled a vehicle pass, but didn’t realize people arrived days/a week early. We won’t arrive until the afternoon of the 19th. I called PB, and they begrudgingly said there would be a spot for us if we have a vehicle pass, but that we should arrive as early as possible, which is out of our control (we have a budget, jobs, etc.). Fingers crossed we arrive after most of the traffic is gone, and they don’t stick us on the outskirts next to the toilets. 

By the 19th even the tent camping will be pretty packed in TP. The area of TP where vehicles can access and RV's can park is closest to the bathhouse (not porta-johns). You may want to make a post offering gifts and services to someone willing to lay a tarp out and reserve you space for your little RV. There no doubt will be some kinda space you could slip into, but probably not where you'd choose if you could. If at all possible best scenario would be to at least get there 2 days earlier. You'll be missing out on a lot of the TP fun, and there's so much to do around Telluride before the music starts!

[Tikiboy80]

Thanks for the quick reply and advice! Sadly, arriving earlier isn’t an option. We’re already high-tailing it from Ohio, leaving Sunday early morning. With 4 little ones in tow, we’ll only be able to move so fast.

That said, what sorts of gifts and services usually do the trick? I mean, beer? Cash? A guarantee of a few home-cooked breakfasts? I like to think we’re a pretty cool family - wouldn’t that be enough?!? 

[Pass Port]

Hi Tikiboy and welcome!

You sound like a pretty cool family! Todd is NOT talking about cash, rather sharing food or drink with your neighbors. The TP community is one of the things that has hooked us. You will be hard pressed to find a more loving and sharing community! Yeah sure the actual music is great, the town, the canyon and surrounding mountains create an unbelievable backdrop to the best festival around!! But what gets many of us thinking, planning, taking our main vacation time from work, and spending $$ to go to this canyon every June is the people we meet and continue to get to know every year!  

It is true that those of us who set up the bigger traditional camps in the Bear Creek Preserve need to be there by 8 am on Saturday when the Planet takes over. We set up bigger community tents to give a place for picking and really just festivating! Many host events leading up to Thursday, Folks with a VP do try to get in early because it does get crowded. But just be flexible, talk to the volunteers as you first pull into Town Park. Get some help, most of us really want others to experience what we have. I'd probably park out at the front by the pool and walk in and scout out a spot. Again, get others involved  to help you find a spot and get parked. If you pull a trailer, you will need to unhooked and get the car/truck up to mountain village.

Once you get settled, meet more of your neighbors, they won't steer you wrong. Todd and I camp up in Bear Creek  with a group called Kamp Duk Tape. Come say hi! Also don't miss the First Grass concert up at the top of the gondola. Same place you need to park your tow vehicle at. It  kinda kicks off the official start of the festival, is family friendly, free, and a great way to start. But then again, your neighbors won't steer you wrong!!

FESTIVAL!!!
 

[Tikiboy80]

Thanks, Pass Port! I will definitely take heed of your advice! And this is one reason we’ve been so OUT OF OUR MINDS EXCITED about this trip - the TBF family has always seemed like such a beautiful thing to be a part of.

I think I’ll post for help and see what happens. We are happy to share food, drink, and conversation. Honestly, I really just want the older kids (our 3 boys) to have a good time. I’m not worried about myself. I can’t imagine there are many “bad” camp spots, but we always hope for the best.