What to Expect

Think of this as summer camp. It’s rustic, communal, and mostly outdoors.

While there are other accommodation options, we highly recommend camping onsite!

The festival goes late, and having your "home base" nearby for quick outfit changes or a midday nap is a game-changer. Most importantly, we want to share the unique "campground culture" that makes this place so special to us. (You need to experience 2am zydeco at least once in your life!)

Pros of staying on site:

  • Commute: No need to worry about driving. (You’re not likely to find an Uber in these parts.)

  • Culture: The best of Heron happens at 2:00 am in the dance tent or around a campfire (yes, real wood fires are allowed—a treat for our Colorado friends!).

  • Convenience: Pop back to your campsite anytime to change shoes, grab a snack, get a jacket or hat, or take a power nap.

Cons of staying on site:

  • Off-the-Grid: You’ll be relying on battery packs and coolers.

  • The Noise: The festival goes late. If you’re a light sleeper, bring earplugs or head to the Purple Lot (more info below).

  • Weather: It’s Western NY in July—it could be a 80°F heatwave or a muddy rainstorm.

Ways to Camp:

Camp next to (or in) your car,

Or tent camp in the woods (without your car),

Or bring/rent an RV.

Choosing Your Neighborhood

Each lot has a different "vibe." Think about how much sleep you want and how much you like to walk. Green, Orange, and Purple Lots are Vehicle Lots. This allows you to camp next to (or in) your car. The Woods offer a non-vehicle, traditional tent camping option.

Green Lot (The Heart of the Action)

  • The Vibe: High energy, loud, and very close to the stages. This is where Nick & Teagan will have their RV.

  • Best For: People who want to be in the middle of it all and don't mind noise (especially close to the stage).

Orange Lot (The Happy Medium)

  • The Vibe: Grassy fields and some shaded wooded areas. A slightly longer but easy walk to the stages.

  • Best For: People who want a mix of "party" and "chill." Great if you plan on hanging out at your campsite during the day.

Purple Lot (The Quiet Retreat)

  • The Vibe: Located on the "Heron Overlook" hill across from the fest. It’s more spacious, significantly quieter, and has plenty of trees, but a 10-15 minute walk to the main stage.

  • Best For: Light sleepers, or those who want a view. It’s a bit more of a walk, but much more peaceful.

The Woods (Tent Camping Only - No Vehicles)

  • The Vibe: This is the thick of it. No cars allowed; just you, your tent, and the festival's heartbeat. This is for the "crazier" guests who want the 24/7 festival experience. It’s rugged, it’s a party, and you will hear everything. If you’re choosing this, we salute your bravery.

  • Note: Many of our friends camp together near the entrance to the woods, which we affectionately call “Skilletation Nation.” They’ll have a campfire, hammocks, and too many jokes all weekend long. It will be a common place to find Wedstival guests if you want to pitch your tent nearby.

  • The Logistics: Park your car in a separate lot (Red Lot) and haul your gear into the woods (there are shuttles and friends to help with the heavy lifting). There are no designated spots, just plenty of flat forest to pitch a tent.

Onsite Amenities

You won't be totally "roughing it" out there. The Heron is a well-oiled machine when it comes to supporting thousands of campers, and we’re adding a few extra perks just for our Wedstival guests.

The Essentials

  • The Bathhouse: A brand-new facility featuring 4 hot showers and flushing toilets. It’s a legitimate festival luxury, so if you need a refresh to feel human again, this is your spot. (Or opt for a “hippie bath” in the lake onsite).

  • Water Stations: There are several stations throughout the grounds providing safe, chlorinated drinking water. Bring a reusable bottle (or three)—staying hydrated is the #1 rule of the weekend.

  • Porta-Johns: There are ample facilities located near every camping lot. They are serviced regularly throughout the weekend to keep things as civilized as possible.

Food & Fuel

  • Festival Vendors (Fri–Sun): There is a wide variety of onsite vendors serving everything from breakfast burritos to Thai food. There’s also a keg room, and the Heron Farm Store with a small selection of fresh meat and produce from the land.

  • The "Bring Your Own" Approach: While vendors are great, experienced Heron-goers usually bring a stash of their own favorite snacks and easy meals to keep at their campsite in coolers.

  • Fire & Ice: Ice for coolers and campfire wood are sold onsite during the whole festival.

The "Wedstival Basecamp”

We’re setting up a dedicated hangout spot near the main stage so we can stay connected throughout the weekend. Think of this as the wedstival guests’ "home base" within the festival. If you lose your friends or just need a place to sit and regroup, head to Basecamp.

  • The Beacon: Look for our orange and green bandanas—that’s the signal for our group!

  • Communal Comforts: We’ll have a stash of extra snacks, cold beverages, and plenty of chairs and blankets — feel free to take/share drinks and snacks throughout the weekend.

Getting Around

  • Shuttles: There are golf cart shuttles available to help you haul your heavy gear from your car to your chosen forest nook. You can usually hitchhike where you need to go.

  • Accessibility: Shuttles are also available for those who need a little extra support getting between the stages and the camping lots.

Other Tips

  • First-Come, First-Served: There are no reservations. Getting there early (Thursday for the Barnapalooza!) is the best way to snag a prime spot.

  • Group Camping: We encourage you to "merge" spaces with other friends! It’s common for many people to share a few adjacent spots to create one big "living room." Let us know on your RSVP form if you’re looking for a camp to join.

Traveling from Out of Town?

We know that flying and camping don’t mix, and nobody expects you to put a camp chair in your carry-on. If you want to camp but can’t bring the gear, we’ve got your back.

Gear Swap

We’ll be managing a "Gear Swap" spreadsheet to connect out-of-towners with our local friends who have extra gear to spare. Please let us know on your RSVP if you’re looking to borrow gear. There will be communal camp chairs and coolers, but you may want to think about borrowing a sleeping setup (tent, pad, pillow, and sleeping bag, etc.)

Build In Some Travel Buffer

If you’re considering flying in, food shopping, driving to Heron, and setting up camp all in time for the Barnapalooza on Thursday, that sounds positively exhausting. Consider flying on Wednesday and booking a hotel near the airport for a night, then using Thursday to get all set up.

If for some reason you want to set up camp before Thursday, just let us know.