First timer...

[hazed81]

Hey all...this is going to be my first Sasquatch this year. I've been to both Bonnaroo and Coachella several times but just recently moved up to Portland so i figured Id check out whats going down in my back yard!

Anyway just wondering what the camping situation is like. Ive checked out several picks on Flickr and it looks like Roo camping where you camp with your car. So a couple of questions how tight is the campground and whats the proximity to the "gates"? Are there water pumps, general stores, etc.? Does anyone have a map scanned in or anything like that...just trying to get a feel for it logistically. Also can you drink at your campsite or is it like Coach with no beverages allowed? Thanks for your help...lookin forward to Memorial Day!

[magmazing]

Camp next to your car on a giant field. Walk is between 10-20 minutes to the venue depending on where on the field your placed. There are sinks with running water by every porta-potty station (aka "Honey Buckets" as they're called at the Gorge). The warm water from the sinks do run out pretty quick though. There's a general store close to the venue entrance and also one closer to the campsite. There's also showers there. Bring as much booze as you want to the campsite. If you're coming from the West (ie. Seattle), then stop in Ellensburg for booze and food supplies.

One thing you can't have is camp fires or oil based tiki torches, but portable BBQs are fine. One year friends of mine brought a full-sized BBQ which was awesome.

Generally with it only being May, be aware that the temperature at The Gorge can go from insanely hot during the day to freezing your ass off at night.

[hazed81]

Sweet thanks Mag for the much needed info! Looks like the camping area is pretty good sized...how much space by your car would you say...can I fit an 8 person tent and sun shelter? Thanks again man...

[magmazing]

There isn't really any specific land plot restrictions. Our group had 9 people in 4 cars and about 5 tents and put up two 10X10 pop-up gazebo/canopies in the middle for shade during the day for lounging before going to the concerts.

If a group of you are going and peoplea are arriving late, you can tarp off some space.

The only thing they try to do is keep lanes open for cars to drive through to spots.

Basically, you can take up a lot of space with no problem.

[quartermass]

If you want a few extra privileges (like busing to the grounds 15 minutes before the gates open to the general public = getting to the merch tables before the huge lineups and scoring a sweet area on the rockface that is claimed by nothing more than putting towels down to mark your spot - the people beside us came, marked their territory and then didn't come back for like 8 hours but no one fucked with their spot - AMAZING), pony up for the Premier camping. I thought it was a WAY better experience than in the general clusterfuck.

[apeman]

I agree. The extra $$ for premier camping is worth every penny. After setting up camp in premier, and then walking through the regular campgrounds, I felt like a nobleman walking amongst the peasants.

[loyalfromlondon]

My premier camping pass was invaluable, if for no other reason than hot, clean showers, without much of a queue (I took 5 showers and I think waited just once).

[harps]

Hey, I'm a first timer here too...

So, what's the deal with Premier Camping? How much extra does it cost? Does it sell out pretty quickly?

[kerrbear2]

Last year (2007) Premier was 65 instead of 40. $15 dollars is worth a hot shower.
The website says you can't come & go, but you can. There is a grocery store, a restaurant and a True Value in Quincey. It's within 5 to 10 miles of camping.
Don't expect to sleep earlier than the end of the last show and 6 is the latest to sleep in. Its loud no matter which section your are in, but it is a riot. The best time you will ever had.
~cheers

[marko]

<-- 3 time Sasquatcher though I will miss this year unfortunately. The shower block needs a serious renovation and should be doubled in size. the camping vibe up there is great and people are very friendly but the amenities are lacking imo.

I'll be back in '09 hopefully.

[chalms04]

Another first-timer checking in... coming down from Calgary.

Looks like the Premier is worth my investment.

[sari3]

Hmmm looks like it will also be more of a convenience to drive, it's great that you can bring a BBQ.....something we were not allowed at Coachella (as well as booze)

Sweet.

[jcal]

Another question...

It states on the Gorge website that once you pull into the campsite you cannot leave with your car and come back again.

Is that true???

Were you guys able to drive out and back into the campground again throughout the weekend? Or are you pretty much stranded there.

Just worried about running low on booze or supplies.

[jo3c00l]

I'm pretty sure you can't come and go.

Besides it would be extremely hard getting your car back into your spot becuase even the lanes in the fields that cars used to pull in will be taken over by campers.

[jcal]

Okay. I guess we'll have to make sure we come well stocked. Thanks!

[bobbyrisigliano]

Been there the last three years and if your in the general camp area you can totally come and go. To get booze. Watch out with the whole sheba issue. Camp security is pretty strict. Saw a guy get kicked out Friday and taken away by the cops. Pretty sure he was selling.

[jcal]

Oh really?? That's pretty sweet because we are going for the premiere camping. At least I know we'll have the option if we need too. We'll try and stock up on the booze beforehand either way.

How much time do you usually spend in the campground? I'm thinking the only time we'll really be there is in the mornings and when we're sleeping.

What time do the shows usually last till?

[furlanitalia]

Oh man you spend a lot of time in the campgrounds. If i remember correctly we didn't head in to the show till around 4 or 5, and the concert lasted till about 11 or 12. But then you go back and party a bit, sleep, and up around 9 or 10 to start drinking again.
Absolutely wicked time. I heard (and I could be wrong) the premiere camping is mostly families and rv's. I'm going with the regular camping again. Everyone is so laid back, just sits and drinks, eats, chills.
For booze we just stocked up at the Walmart super centre (we come from Vancouver), and they're really good regarding booze in the campsite, just no beer bongs, or stuff like that. And nothing in the concert or they'll take it away.

[magmazing]

Shows go from noonish to midnight.

If your coming from the west (ie. from Seattle going east on the I-90) I tend to suggest stopping in Ellensburg. There's a liquor store there (if you want hard stuff), a Fred Meyer and some other grocery store

It's basically your last piece of sizeable civilization before the Gorge.

[marko]

jo3c00l said:

I'm pretty sure you can't come and go.

Besides it would be extremely hard getting your car back into your spot becuase even the lanes in the fields that cars used to pull in will be taken over by campers.

Not true, the lanes are kept pretty clear. I could only make it to one day in '06 and had no problem driving around the site and into an open spot that someone had vacated.