The Hinterland Guide
Tent Camping
Edition

Get prepared with The Hinterland Guide and read more helpful tips below specific to Tent Camping.

Tent Camping at Hinterland is for all who bring their own tent and want to camp in a space free of all cars to be closer to their neighbors! Tent Camping is open-field, unmarked campsites and are first-come, first-serve basis, requiring campers to walk in with their gear.

GETTING HERE

Directions

Please view the directions to get to Hinterland

Check-in Times

Wednesday: 12 PM–8 PM

Thursday-Saturday: 9 AM–7 PM

Sunday: 9 AM–12 PM

You can NOT check in if you arrive (for the first time) outside of these hours.

Wednesday camping is encouraged! Food and drink vendors will be open.

Peak Traffic Times

9 AM on Thursday, 1 PM–6 PM each day, and exiting the festival each night.

Lot Entrances

Tent Camping Parking - Gate H

Tent Camping Gear Drop Zone - Gate I

When You Arrive

Parking pass window stickers and festival wristbands are required to enter the parking lots.

Place your parking sticker on the driver’s side front windshield before you arrive, and make sure everyone in your vehicle is wearing their wristband.

Tent Camping passes are digital tickets. Login to the AXS app to access. Have it ready to scan when you arrive in exchange for a tent bandana you’ll place on a visible

part of your tent at all times.

Don’t have a window sticker or wristband, or purchased after July 12th? Before going to the parking lot, head to the Box Office onsite (Gate C with temporary parking) or offsite (Tuesday only at Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines)

Reminder: Tent Camping passes do not include parking and must be purchased separately

ADA

ADA Parking, ADA Tent Camping, and ADA Car Camping is located west of the south entrance, please enter through Gate F. Show your valid DMV issued accessible parking placard or license plate and Hinterland parking or camping pass for access to these areas. Transportation is unavailable for General Parking, Tent Only, and Car Camping areas. If you have any accessibility related concerns, please reach out to us at access@hinterlandiowa.com

Tent Camping Gear Drop Zone

An optional gear drop off/pick-up zone is available at Gate I. Wagons are also recommended for easier transport.

Wednesday: 12 PM–8 PM

Thursday-Saturday: 9 AM–7 PM

Sunday: 9 AM–12 PM

Vehicle Re-Entry

Tent Camping Parking, Glamping Parking, RV Camping Companion Vehicles - re-entry ALLOWED during daylight hours

Car Camping, RV Camping - re-entry NOT ALLOWED

Leaving the Campgrounds

All campers must be packed out by Monday at Noon.

GETTING AROUND

Hiking Trails

The festival grounds span about 2 miles and are connected by hiking trails. We recommend wearing comfortable, closed-toe shoes. The trails will be lit at night, making it easy to get around throughout the festival weekend.

Always walk along the marked hiking trails. Walking along Highway G50 is NOT permitted for your safety.

Maps

View the festival maps.

Pedicabs

Skip the stroll and grab a ride! Coors Light will be offering pedicab rides throughout the grounds. Prices start at $15, payment is accepted via cash, card, Venmo, and PayPal. Ready to ride? Flag one down or head to a pedicab pickup spot. Pedicabs are first-come, first-serve.

GOOD TO KNOW

Group Size

Each tent can accommodate up to eight people; groups exceeding this size will need to purchase an additional Tent Camping ticket.

Canopy Tents

Canopy tents are permitted for shade but cannot be used as primary sleeping quarters.

Guest Services

Have questions while you are in campgrounds? Missing an item? Found a lost item? Visit the Guest Services Tent in Basecamp, open from 10 AM–9 PM. Guest Services staff members in Pink Vests will be stationed throughout the festival grounds. They are your best resource if you have any questions. 

There are three Info Booths located inside the venue that will be open from 12 PM–8 PM every day of the festival.

Lost & Found

Our primary Lost & Found is located at Guest Services by the South Entrance (see map). They will be open from daily from 11 AM-10 PM. 

First Aid

First Aid tents are located throughout the festival venue and campgrounds and staffed by trained personnel to provide any medical aid needed. In case of an emergency, notify any staff member or our security team.

The First Aid tent in the campgrounds is located next to the Tent Gear Drop Zone by Gate I.

Allowed/Not Allowed in Campgrounds

Avoid hassle by knowing what you can and cannot bring.

Food, Drink, Ice & Water

We’ve got it! Get all the food, drink, ice & water details here.

Restrooms

There will be port-a-potties throughout the campgrounds (view map). All bathrooms will be serviced daily. If you notice an issue, please let us know at Guest Services or email realperson@hinterlandiowa.com.

Showers

Showers will be available for purchase for $10 (credit card only). Showers are located just east of Dollar General.

Shower Hours (Thursday-Sunday): 6 AM–12 PM and 3 PM–9 PM

Power Access

Power is not provided, please plan accordingly.

Lockers

If you’d like to lock up any items, you can reserve a festival venue charging locker. These are only accessible during venue hours.

Dollar General

Forgot something? A Dollar General store is located on festival grounds.

CAMP HAPPENINGS

Campfire Stage

The music keeps going after the headliners! The Campfire Stage is located on the north side of Tent Camping. Please note the nearest restrooms to the Campfire Stage are by Gate I, just west of Basecamp (see map). There is not a bar by the Campfire Stage, feel free to BYOB or head over to Basecamp.

Basecamp

Basecamp is the new central hub in the campgrounds. Located just off the Wild Turkey Way and Goldfinch Trails and west of Dollar General.

  • 24/7 Food Vendors - Space Fruit, Pizza Nova, Iowah Noodz, Big Acai Bowl, Tropical Sno
  • Full Service Bar - Open Wednesday 4 PM–Midnight; Thursday-Saturday 9 AM–1 PM and 9 PM–1 AM; Sunday 9 AM–1 PM and 9 PM-Midnight
  • Vinyl DJ Sets - Plus playlists curated by Billy B. Well Weathers.
  • Vinyl Cup Record Store - Shop records & more from Vinyl Cup.
  • Hinterland Throwback Merch - Gear up with a wide assortment of merch from Hinterland’s past year stock. Open Wednesday 12 PM–11 PM; Thursday-Sunday 10 AM–4 PM and 9 PM–1 AM.
  • Market Vendors - Shop cool finds from Wander & Co., Then Now Always, and Sunny Life Hats. Open Wednesday 12 PM–11 PM; Thursday-Sunday 9 AM–Midnight.
  • SolFarm Organic Farm Stand - A sustainable, beyond-organic produce farm and homestead located just east of the Hinterland festival grounds. Their Basecamp farm stand will be selling fresh produce including tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, potatoes, onions, garlic, zucchini and more. Open Thursday-Sunday 10 AM–2 PM.
  • Subaru Outpost - Check out the new Outback Wilderness, often-forgotten camp items, games, and giveaway. Open Wednesday 1 PM–6 PM and Thursday-Sunday 9 AM–3 PM.
  • B.WELL Foundation - A Des Moines non-profit with a mission to develop and expand young minds and lift them to a place of prosperity through mentorship and education.
  • Disc Golf Course - Play a round at our mini disc golf course just west of Basecamp. Discs will be available for rent from the Freak Disc Golf tent, along with other goodies to buy. Open Wednesday 12 PM–Midnight; Thursday-Sunday 10 AM–Midnight. 
  • Water and Ice Stations - Bring your refillable containers to stock up.
  • Plus, be on the lookout for surprise and delight moments from our partners throughout the weekend! Including Happy Thursday, Yerba Madre, Four Loko, Too Far Media, Peta2.

Hiking Trails

Explore our new hiking trails throughout the campgrounds (view map). With nearly 3.5 miles of beautifully wooded paths, the trails are more than just a way to get where you’re going; they're a destination all their own.

Along the way, you’ll find plenty of surprises, including covered bridges, art installations, lemonade carts, and more. The trails will be lit at night, making them easy to enjoy throughout the festival weekend. After Hinterland, the trails will remain open year-round for locals and visitors to enjoy.

We recommend wearing comfortable, closed-toe shoes so you’re ready to explore!

Sunflower Field

New this year! Come out and take some enviable social media photos or just enjoy the view of the sunflower field in our car camping area.

Yoga & Sound Bath

Join us for yoga daily (Thursday-Sunday) at 9 AM at the Campfire Stage. These Vinyasa yoga classes led by Mayce at Mindful Healing Co. will focus on connecting body with breath, relaxation, mindfulness, and letting go. After the flow, there will be a 10-15 minute sound bath during savasana to bring awareness inwards and fully immerse in the soothing sounds. All levels welcome, just bring a mat/towel & water.

Silent Disco

Dance it out in the woods at our Silent Disco. Located on the north side of the campgrounds by the Raccoon Run and Dragonfly Trails. It’s free for all ticket holders to participate. Open Wednesday-Sunday 12 PM–7 PM and 11 PM–3 AM.

Insider Tip: hit up the nearby face glitter stand and lemonade cart while you are there!

White Claw Hammock Hangout

Come relax in the shaded White Claw Hammock Hangout in the Tent Camping area. Bring your own hammock or use one of ours. All ticket holders are welcome!

Insider Tips

Get camping tips from experienced Hinterlanders and check out our packing list.

Have more questions?

View our full FAQs.