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Coachella Camping Guide: The 10 Best Campsites Near Coachella
Festivals, How-To's & Resources
Between its lively festivals, thriving art scene, serene desert landscapes, and world-class golf courses, the Coachella Valley truly has something for every kind of vacationer. But with nine cities to choose from, deciding where to stay can be overwhelming.
Luckily, we’ve compiled the best Coachella camping options all throughout the valley. Whether you’re attending a music festival or just looking to enjoy a desert escape, we’ve got you covered!
In this blog, we’ll share the best campsites near Coachella. We’ll also explain how you can camp at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival. Keep reading to plan the desert getaway of a lifetime!
Can You Camp at Coachella?
If you’re one of the 125,000 concertgoers attending the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival this April, you might be wondering, “Can I camp at Coachella?” The quick answer to this question is yes!
There are onsite and offsite accommodation options for festival attendees, and we’ll share options for both!
How to Camp at Coachella
There are five options for camping onsite on the Coachella Music Festival grounds. Here’s a quick overview of each option.
Car Camping: Car camping is the most popular overnight option at Coachella. Car campers can park one vehicle, including a camper van, per site and enjoy convenient access to the festival starting at $149 (plus fees) for the whole weekend.
Tent Camping: Tent camping is the most budget-friendly Coachella camping option. For $149 (plus fees), you’ll have access to a 15’x10’ campsite for the whole festival weekend.
Lake Eldorado: Lake Eldorado is home to ready-to-go 2-person lodges and 4-person tents. Lake Eldorado guests have access to shared showers and toilets in a nearby area.
Reservations at Lake Eldorado start at $2,798 (plus fees) and include lodging for the whole weekend plus two festival passes.
Safari Campground: The Safari Campground is a comfortable escape tucked away from the main venue area. It provides luxury glamping tents and cabanas that are fully furnished and air-conditioned. These safari tents and cabanas start at $9,000 for a four-day stay and also include two festival passes.
The Resort at Coachella: For a truly luxurious experience, you can stay at one of the fully-furnished yurts or residences at the Resort at Coachella. These accommodation options come with tons of amenities and perks. Pricing for the Resort at Coachella can be requested by emailing Valley Music Travel.
Campsites Near Coachella
There are also numerous off-site camping options in the Coachella Valley, including campgrounds and RV resorts.
Read on to discover the best campsites near Coachella by city!
Campgrounds in Indio
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival takes place in Indio, California. So, if you’re looking to be close to the action, these campgrounds in Indio are excellent off-site camping options!
Indian Waters RV Resort: Indian Waters is a lovely RV resort that’s just a short 8-minute drive from the Coachella Music Festival. The resort features 266 RV sites and 8 cabins. The property is open year-round and offers exceptional facilities, including two pools, a laundry room, a fitness center, fire pits, a pickleball court, and more!
RV sites start at $66 per night.
Shadow Hills RV Resort: Shadow Hills RV Resort provides several camping options and tons of amenities, including a pool and a fitness center. Guests can choose between RV sites, tent sites, teepees, and glamping cabins. This resort is about a 15-minute drive from Coachella’s festival grounds.
Tent sites start at $29 per night.
Campgrounds in Coachella
The city of Coachella is located southeast of Indio. It’s a great place to stay if you’d like to be close to the Coachella Music Festival and other nearby attractions, including the Salton Sea, Salvation Mountain, and Slab City.
Rancho 51 Festival Campgrounds: The Rancho 51 Festival Campgrounds are located just 2 miles away from Coachella’s festival grounds, making this the ultimate Coachella campground. This campground has options for basic tent camping and deluxe glamping in fully furnished tents.
The Ranch has an upbeat party vibe and provides plenty of perks, including a pool, a beauty bar, bathrooms, shower rooms, and optional festival shuttle passes. You can also enjoy yoga classes, massages, and food trucks on the property.
Tent sites start at $250 per night. Please note that this pop-up resort is only open in April during Coachella’s festival season.
Coachella Lakes RV Resort: The Coachella Lakes RV Resort is the newest luxury RV resort in the valley, and its modern property includes 300+ spacious RV sites. This resort is also home to several fully furnished cabins with one and two-bedroom options. Additionally, the Coachella Lakes RV Resort is a short 16-minute drive from the Coachella Music Festival.
RV sites start at $50 per night.
Campgrounds in La Quinta
La Quinta is located in the southwest part of the Coachella Valley, which is not far from the Coachella Music Festival. La Quinta also offers amazing golf courses and tons of outdoor recreation options.
Lake Cahuilla Campground: Located on a beautiful 710-acre park, the Lake Cahuilla Campground is home to 96 campsites for tent and RV camping. This scenic campground is next to the stunning Lake Cahuilla and near the Santa Rosa Mountains, making it an ideal option for outdoor enthusiasts. It is also just a 15-minute drive from the Coachella Music Festival.
Sites start at $70 per night, and reservations can be made on the Riverside County Parks website.
Campgrounds in Palm Desert
Located in the heart of the Coachella Valley, Palm Desert is another popular area for Coachella attendees and valley vacationers alike. Known for its picturesque trails, shopping, top-notch resorts, and vibrant art community, Palm Desert is also home to several campgrounds.
Thousand Trails Palm Springs: Thousand Trails Palm Springs has hundreds of RV sites and cozy cabins on its 25-acre property. The campground offers convenient amenities, including a spacious pool, restrooms, shower facilities, a laundry room, and access to plenty of recreational activities. It’s about a 20-minute drive from the Coachella Music Festival.
Full hookup RV sites start at $81 per night. Reservations are required and can be made online.
Emerald Desert RV Resort: Located on 33 acres of land surrounded by desert and mountain views, Emerald Desert RV Resort is a serene escape within the valley. Its property features 255 spacious RV sites and 12 fully equipped villas with up to three bedrooms. Its luxurious amenities include an impressive gym, a huge pool with poolside cabanas, a laundry room, pickleball courts, and more. Emerald Desert RV Resort is about 20 minutes away from the Coachella Music Festival by car.
RV sites start at $90 per night.
Campgrounds in Cathedral City
Cathedral City is the second most populated city in the Coachella Valley. It’s located in the northeast section of the valley and is home to many resorts and family-centered recreational activities. That being said, it’s still close to some of the valley’s hottest attractions, making it a nice place to camp near Coachella.
Encore Palm Springs Oasis: Encore Palm Springs Oasis features 140 RV sites that include access to restrooms, shower facilities, a swimming pool, wifi, and more. Guests at the Encore Palm Springs Oasis also have free access to the nearby Date Palm Country Club, which has an exercise room, a driving range, and tennis courts. This property is about a 30-minute drive from the Coachella Music Festival.
RV sites start at $68 per night.
Campgrounds in Palm Springs
Palm Springs is a beautiful resort town that’s known for its mid-century modern architecture, trendy downtown area, and art scene. It’s situated in the northern part of the Coachella Valley, so it’s not the closest place to stay if you want to be near the Coachella Music Festival. However, there is still a lot to see and do in Palm Springs!
Palm Springs/Joshua Tree KOA: Conveniently located near both Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park, this KOA campground offers tent sites, RV sites, cabins, and glamping tents. Its property features a swimming pool, three hot tubs, mini golf, a laundry room, pickleball courts, and many other unique amenities. Palm Springs/Joshua Tree KOA is about a 40-minute drive from the Coachella Music Festival.
Tent sites start at $49 per night.
Whitewater Preserve: Just north of Palm Springs is the Whitewater Preserve, a nature preserve that allows up to three consecutive nights of free camping! The campground features spacious tent camping areas, restroom facilities, potable water, and picnic tables. Trailers of up to 20 feet in length are also welcome here. The Whitewater Preserve is about a 50-minute drive from the Coachella Music Festival.
Although it is free to camp here for up to three consecutive nights per month, reservations are still recommended and should be made at least 48 hours before your stay. Walk-ins are welcome but will only be accepted if there are available campsites.
Pro Tip: If you’d like to be surrounded by desert landscapes and have access to a wide range of outdoor activities, we recommend that you check out Joshua Tree National Park! Joshua Tree is home to nearly 500 campsites and is just an hour away from Palm Springs, so it’s a great place to camp near the Coachella Valley.
Tips for Camping in the Coachella Valley
Now that you know where to stay near Coachella, it’s time to start planning the trip of a lifetime! Here are some of our top tips for camping in the Coachella Valley.
First, if you’re hoping to stay at one of the best campsites near Coachella, it’s important to make reservations early! Campgrounds book up months before festival season each spring, so it’s best to book campsites as early as possible.
Before heading to the valley, you’ll want to stock up on sunscreen and water. Comfortable shoes and lightweight clothes are also essential. For a full list of things to bring if you’re attending the Coachella Music Festival, check out our music festival packing guide!
Last, it’s important to be aware of the weather in the Coachella Valley. Summers are brutally hot and outdoor activities are unsafe at this time, so we highly advise against visiting in the summer. During the other seasons, the temperature usually drops significantly at nighttime, so make sure to plan accordingly and pack a jacket or two!
Why Rent a Camper Van for Your Trip to Coachella?
A trip to the Coachella Valley is all about adventure, and there’s no better adventure vehicle than a camper van! A camper van combines the freedom and flexibility of tent camping with the comfort of RV camping.
Compared to a traditional RV, camper vans provide several advantages. Here are just a few of the perks of renting a camper van for a trip to Coachella!
Ease of Use: Let’s face it- RVs are huge and intimidating to drive. Luckily, our camper vans are compact and user-friendly! Plus, you can drive places where RVs can’t go and park without any stress in a camper van.
More Camping Options: In a camper van, you can park in both tent and RV sites, which means you’ll have more camping options! Additionally, in a camper van, you can try dispersed camping and camp for free on federal and BLM land. The possibilities are endless with a camper van!
Unmatched Comfort: Exploring the Coachella Valley can be tiring, especially if you’re at a music festival all day. Therefore, it’s important to have a comfortable place to rest and recharge! With a camper van from Escape, you can kick back in your van’s cozy queen bed, get a great night’s sleep, and say goodbye to the discomforts of tent camping!
Equipped for Adventure: Our camper vans are adventure-ready and full of convenient amenities, including a kitchenette and a bed. We also have plenty of extras you can choose from, including a door canopy to protect yourself from the desert’s elements. With one of our decked-out vans, you won’t have to worry about planning all the little details.
Reserve With Escape Camper Vans for Your Coachella Valley Trip
A camper van is the ultimate way to elevate your Coachella experience! With its unparalleled comfort and flexibility, you’ll be able to roam the desert freely and make the most out of the campsites near Coachella.
Pick up your camper van from the Escape Camper Vans Los Angeles hub or the San Francisco hub and embark on the desert getaway you’ve always dreamed of!