Camp Out Under The Rocky Mountain Stars

Camp out under the stars in the heart of the Rocky Mountains

The Telluride Jazz Festival is not just a music event, it’s a full blown experience and camping adds a unique layer to that adventure. Nestled in the San Juan Mountains, the festival grounds provide an extraordinary backdrop for a weekend filled with world-class music, relaxation, and camaraderie. Get your 4-day campground passes for $65 per person and secure the most amazing stay in town. Here’s our guide filled with everything you need to know about camping at the Telluride Jazz Festival.

Packing tips

Choose the Right Tent: Select a tent that is suitable for the weather conditions in Telluride. Telluride experiences variable weather, especially in late summer. Be prepared for sunny days, cool evenings, and occasional rain or thunderstorms.

Sleeping Gear: Pack a comfortable sleeping bag rated for cooler temperatures, as nights can get chilly. Consider a sleeping pad for added comfort and insulation from the ground.

Clothing Layers: Bring layers to adapt to changing weather. Include moisture-wicking clothes for daytime, warm layers for night, and a waterproof jacket for potential rain.

Camping Essentials: You are allowed to use the grills that are already in the campground, personal charcoal grills and propane grills in Town Park campground. Just don’t forget cooking utensils, reusable plates, and cutlery. A small cooler can help keep food and drinks fresh.

Hydration: Consider packing a refillable water bottle.There will be water stations available on the festival grounds.

Personal Items: It is advisable to bring a first-aid kit, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Portable chargers for your phone and other devices can be useful. For general campers, outlets and charging stations will be available. You can find charging stations located near the restrooms.

Include items like a headlamp or flashlight, camping chairs for comfort, and a tarp or ground cover to keep your tent clean and dry.

Trash Bags: Bring trash bags to keep your campsite clean. It’s important to leave no trace and respect the environment.

Camping info

Camping is communal. In other words, the campsites are not designated or numbered. You are welcome to put your tent up wherever you like. Festival camping is more of a social experience than a wilderness experience. Make friends and have fun!

Camping passes are sold per person and per vehicle - not per site.

Camping passes are valid for four nights, Thursday through Sunday of the festival. The campground opens at 2:00 pm on Thursday. Campground pass holders must load out by 11:00 am on Monday. You may camp in the campground before Thursday, but will need to have a pre-existing reservation and pay the town's campground fee. To see more town information or make a reservation, click here. The campground is open 24 hours a day. You may arrive and set up camp 24 hours a day. If you arrive late at night after hours, set up your site and check in with the camp host in the morning and visit the box office to pick up your credentials.

Single day camping passes are not available. You may camp for one day - however, the ticket price is still the price of four days.

Children 11 and under are free. Children must be accompanied by adult supervision.

Only festival passholders may purchase camping passes. In other words, you cannot camp in the campground unless you are attending the Festival. You must have both a camping pass in addition to a festival pass to enter the campground during the festival.

Restroom and shower facilities are available in the campground (flushing toilets and all).

Camping FAQs

Can I bring my Dog?

Unfortunately, dogs are not permitted in the campground.

Can I camp near my friends?

Camping is first-come-first-serve. If you would like to camp next to friends, you will have to arrange this as best as possible with the area available.

Will there be a host or security?

There is a host located in the main campground all weekend. There will be security provided 24 hours a day from Thursday-Monday in all campgrounds. Campground security and host will strictly enforce all rules including quiet hours.

Can I keep my valuables in the campground?

The festival is not responsible for any lost or stolen items. If you leave any valuables at your campsite, it is at your own risk.

Can I bring alcohol into the campground?

Yes, you are allowed to bring your own alcohol/food/beverages into your campsite. You are not allowed to walk into town with any open containers. You will not be allowed to bring any alcohol in to festival grounds either.

Can I give my camping pass to a friend?

No. Once you have exchanged your ticket for a camping wristband, it is non-transferable. Mutilated or torn wristbands will not be honored.

Can I bring friends into the campground?

No. Non-campers are not permitted into the campground for security reasons.

Is smoking allowed?

Smoking is permitted but we ask all of our campers to please be respectful of their neighbors. Marijuana may not be consumed openly or publicly. The best course of action is to be respectful to those around you at all times. Security will intervene if there are complaints.

Are there Showers/Bathrooms? ADA accessible?

Yes there are showers and bathrooms available and they are ADA accessible.

What hours can you use showers? Are they free? Where are they located?

Restroom and shower facilities are available in the campground (flushing toilets and all). There is a $4 charge to run a hot shower for 5 minutes and $1 for additional time. Shower tokens are needed, which can be obtained from a token machine outside the shower buildings that converts $1, $5, $10 and $20 bills only - no coins or credit cards. Each token is valued at $1.00 and provides 75 seconds of hot water (no minimum).

Are campsites designated?

No, all camping is first-come/first-serve with no designated sites being enforced. There are no campsites in the campground and it is communal camping. So get to know your neighbors.

Will there be a lost and found?

Lost and found is at the warming hut located underneath the big white tent at the festival entrance.

Will there be electrical outlets?

Yes, there are outlets but they are very limited and only at bathroom locations.

Can I bring a bicycle? Are there local places to rent a bicycle?

You are allowed to bring a bicycle into the campground but not the festival grounds. You must leave your bike at the designated bike parking area at the Box Office or locked at your campsite. There are no designated places to lock your bike within the campground. Bike rentals are also available from any of the various bike stores in Telluride.

How close are the campsites to the festival site?

Depending on your campsite all camping is within a 2-3 minute walk to the festival site.

Where do I park?

If you have purchased a campground parking pass, you will be able to park in the campground with a pass displayed in your windshield. If you have not purchased a campground parking pass, campground volunteers will direct you to free parking for campers elsewhere.

Will there be ice available for purchase?

No, however, ice can be purchased through the local grocery or liquor stores.

How long can I be in the campsite?

A majority of camping is located within the Town of Telluride campground. If you arrive prior to Thursday, you have to camp in a town designated campsite and pay the Town of Telluride fees. On Thursday morning at 2 pm, the Festival takes over the campground and all camping becomes first-come-first-serve - there no reserved or designated sites. You will be allowed to line up if you arrive early but will not be allowed to enter until 2 pm. All Festival campers must be out of the campground by Monday at 2 pm at which time control of the campground returns to the Town of Telluride. Camping areas (walk-in/tent only) are only available starting Thursday morning at 2 pm.

Can I camp in the campground without a Festival ticket?

Campers that do not hold tickets for the Festival will not be allowed in the campground.

Regional Camping

The two closest campgrounds are the Sunshine Campground and the Matterhorn Campground. Both are conveniently located within a short driving distance and are easily accessible without a 4-wheel drive vehicle.

Load In Details

Already purchased a Camping Pass for Telluride Jazz Festival? Campground load-in information can be found here.