Ultimate Watershed Music Festival Guide & Packing List (2024)
Watershed music festival is a country music festival at the Gorge Amphitheatre in Washington state. It is one of the best country music festivals in the country at one of the best music venues in the country, so it cannot be missed! Follow this Watershed music festival guide to learn how to plan your trip, what to expect, what to wear, and other helpful tips.
I’ve grown up loving country music. Some of my favorite artists are Thomas Rhett, Chris Lane, and Kenny Chesney. Since 2016, I have gone to almost every Watershed festival and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. By visiting the festival, I have seen nearly all my favorite artists and have made countless memories.
I just got back from Watershed 2023 (shoutout Keith Urban) and figured I’d take another pass at updating this guide with the latest information. If you’re visiting in 2024, this guide will be super helpful in planning your trip.
If you are thinking of going to Watershed, planning can be a bit overwhelming. From buying tickets and camping six months in advance to coordinating supplies and food, there is a lot to learn as a beginner. As a seasoned ‘shedder, I will pass on all my knowledge so your first watershed experience can be easy and fun.
At the very bottom of this guide, I include a packing checklist with all the camping, food and clothing items to bring.
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Why Go to Watershed Music Festival
Traveling for a music festival is a great way to travel as a group and see your favorite artists. If you haven’t been to a major music festival, and any of the reasons below pique your interest, Watershed is a great place to start.
- You love country music– Watershed is one of the best country music festivals in the world. Every year, the lineup is made up of three incredible headliners, popular openers, and a stage full of up-and-comers. For reference, my favorite artists at Watershed 2021 were Tim Mcgraw, Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett, Kelsey Ballerini, Randy Houser, Billy Currington, and John Pardy.
- You want to visit one of the top music venues in the world– The Gorge Amphitheatre in George Washington is truly one of the best venues in the world. The venue sits along the Colombia river gorge and is surrounded by views of the river, canyons, and farmland. The pictures don’t even do it justice, you need to see it for yourself.
- If you are not already convinced to go to Watershed, then go for the friendship! Traveling with a large group can be difficult, but a music festival is a great place for it. Last year, my group was 20+ people and it was great! There is never a shortage of stories, laughs, and entertainment.
Now that I’ve convinced you to go to Watershed, keep reading this Watershed Music Festival guide to learn how to plan for it!
General Tips for Watershed Music Festival
This Watershed music festival guide will explain everything about planning for Watershed and what to expect once you are there. First, these general tips are some things you may not consider that I have learned over the years.
Bring more water than you think– Hydration will be key to a great Watershed trip. Summer temperatures at the Gorge are typically between 80 and 100 degrees. You will be hot and you will get dehydrated. To help this, pack extra water and drink up. You can even bring one sealed water bottle into the venue each day.
Remember a clear bag– As of 2021, only clear bags are allowed into the venue. Be sure to research the latest requirements and bring a compliant bag. I love this fanny pack because its clear, fits my phone, wallet, and keys, and keeps my hands free.
Comfort > Fashion for shoes- You may be tempted to break out your cowboy boots or strappy sandals. However, comfort is essential for footwear at watershed. The walk to and from camp is around a mile each way and you will be on your feet all day. I recommend comfy sandals or sneakers that you have already broken in.
Take Monday off– At watershed, music runs Friday through Sunday. For this reason, most people take Friday off work. In addition, be sure to take Monday off too. You will be exhausted after the long weekend and will thank yourself for this extra day of rest.
Planning for Watershed Country Music Festival
Getting Tickets for Watershed
Tickets for Watershed Festival typically go on sale in February. Follow Watershed on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to get updates on the exact sale date.
Before tickets go on sale, get your group together to plan how many campsites to purchase. Campsite capacity is the number of people who can legally fit in a car (typically 5-8 depending on the car size). However, I find it more comfortable to fit 2-4 people.
On the day of ticket sales, be ready to purchase at the exact time they open. Often, tickets or certain levels of camping will sell out immediately. Trust me, you don’t want the stress of trying to find a bunch of passes later.
Making a Packing and Grocery List
Around one month before the festival, get together with your group to create a packing list and grocery list. Then, delegate who will bring which items. We typically create a google sheet to keep track of all the shared items and list owner’s names next to them. Some shared items are canopies, tables, and camping grills. Keep reading below for a comprehensive packing list.
Packing the Car & Arriving at Camp
You can either arrive at Watershed around noon on Thursday or anytime on Friday. If you can get the work off, arrive Thursday for extra time. Most people arrive Friday morning since they choose to work on Thursday.
Since you need to drive to the Gorge, set up camp, and pregame all before the concert, plan to get an early start. To do this, pack the car the night before. Fitting all the supplies into the car can be tight, so I like to lay out all the items and strategically load them from largest to smallest.
This year, we fit four adults and all our stuff into my small SUV. This would have been impossible without this roof carrier. It works for vehicles with and without a roof rack, so it’s pretty versatile.
If you want to be extra festive, decorate your car for the drive with washable paint. On the drive to the Gorge, you will see a bunch of packed cars and trucks with Watershed signs or drawings on the vehicles. It’s fun to wave or honk at fellow ‘shedders on the drive.
Security at the Entrance
The Gorge camping has recently updated their security due to some unfortunate events. When you arrive at the campground, you will have to pass security each time.
The security is primarily covered by a K9 unit that will search for firearms and illegal drugs. Prior to the search, you will have the opportunity to relinquish any contraband. Then, you will have to leave the car for a body scan with a wand while the dogs search.
If you have a roof carrier, like I mentioned above, you will required a secondary screening where they search each bag in the carrier since the dogs cannot reach it.
Overall, the increased security will make the entrance a bit slower, but is very worth it in the end.
Camping at the Gorge Amphitheatre
During the Watershed festival, most people camp onsite at the gorge. For first timers, it can be a bit confusing how it works. For starters, campsite capacity is equal to how many people can legally fit into your vehicle. However, I recommend limiting it to 4 people per site for the most comfort.
Camping at the gorge in not like a typical campsite. Camping attendants line cars up in rows in a giant field, and your campsite is the width of your car and the depth from your car to the road. For a bit of extra space, turn a little wider than they tell you too (but be sneaky about it).
If you are camping with a group, be sure to arrive in a caravan so your spots will be next to each other. They do not allow you to save space for cars arriving later.
Gorge Amphitheatre Camping Options
There are a few different levels of camping at the Gorge, ranging in price based on the level of amenities.
General – General is the biggest, cheapest, and loudest. I recommend staying in general if you are a college student or are on a budget. I exclusively camped in GA in college, but now find myself annoyed by the underage drinking and constant noise.
Premier – This is my favorite level of camping. It’s more expensive than general but significantly less than the more luxurious options. Premier includes nicer bathrooms, a shuttle to the venue and bigger sites. I recommend this level for most people.
Big Rig – This options is if you have an RV or motorhome. However, there are no hookups. RVs are also allowed in general and premier, so do some research if you are bringing one to determine the best option.
Luxury Options – If you want to be fancy, book Oasis or Terrance which have dedicated seating in the venue, nice bathrooms, and complimentary breakfast. I personally don’t think the perks are worth the cost beyond the premier level.
If you’re a fan of country music, consider planning a trip to Nashville!
Other Places to Stay for the Watershed Music Festival
If the camping described above isn’t your style, there are a few other options for where to stay for Watershed.
Crescent Bar vacation rental– Crescent bar is a small town 30 minutes from the Gorge. It is a popular vacation destination, so there are a few options to choose from. There is also a paid shuttle you can reserve to get to the venue. This is the best option if you prefer to stay in a house vs camp.
Camping at Wild Horse– Camping at Wild Horse is more traditional camping with dedicated sites for tents and RVs, compared to the open field at the Gorge. This is a great option for those who want to camp but in a more relaxed environment than the Gorge. There is also a complimentary shuttle to the venue.
Condos at Cave B Winery– I cant give you this Watershed music festival guide as a luxury traveler without explaining how to visit in luxury. The condos at Cave B winery are the most luxe option for accommodations near the gorge. The condos hold 4 people, have beautiful furnishings, and great views. Cave B has a dedicated, walkable entrance to the venue. While luxurious, you will miss out on some of the Watershed culture by not staying at the campground.
Daytime Activities Near the Gorge
Concerts start daily around 2 PM, but bigger artists start around 5. I recommend spending the day away from the campground so you can cool down, have a change of scenery, and change of pace. The below activities are a great way to spend your day at watershed, but the river is my favorite.
River at Crescent Bar– As mentioned above, Crescent Bar is a riverside town 30 minutes from the venue. Their large public park is perfect for a day of swimming and games. I recommend packing a picnic lunch, river floaties, a canopy for shade, and lots of cold drinks.
Golfing at the Colockum Ridge Golf Course– If you’re a fan of golf, spend your day on the course! This golf course is near the Gorge, affordable, and the staff is super nice.
Wine Tasting at Cave B– Cave B winery is next to the Gorge Amphitheatre. Spend your day tasting their locally made wines and learning about their winery.
What to Wear to Watershed Country Music Festival
As you know, people don’t wear normal street clothes for a music festival. Music festivals are an excuse to dress up in your best cowboy inspired or American outfits.
Since Watershed is a country music festival, expect to see a lot of red, white, and blue, denim, and cowboy hats. Also expect to see girls in bikinis and topless men because it’s so hot.
Anything goes when deciding what to wear for watershed, but some of my top picks are in this collage, shoppable here. Dress like you would for the fourth of July – think denim, American flags, beer, etc.
I love overalls or jean shorts with a bikini top to stay cool. These short cowboy boots are great if you want to look cute without getting too hot. There’s also no shame in sneakers or flip flops.
Shop these Watershed outfit ideas
Watershed Packing List
If you are wondering what to bring to Watershed, this packing list is for you. Below, I provide a simple Watershed packing list that includes all the essentials you will need for camping and for the festival itself.
Camping Supplies
- Tent (this tall tent is a gamechanger)
- Popup Canopy
- Camping Chairs
- Tables
- Camp Stove + Extra Propane
- Air Mattress + Pump
- Battery Powered Fan
- Electric Lantern / Flashlight
- Beach Towels
- Floaties (if you plan to visit the river)
Clothes and Toiletries
- 3x concert outfits
- Pajamas
- Sweatshirt + sweatpants
- Swimsuit
- Socks + underwear
- Sneakers
- Flip Flops
- Cowboy Hat
- Fanny Pack
- Toothbrush + toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Hair Brush
- Shampoo + conditioner
- Sunscreen
- Bug Spray
- Baby wipes
- Makeup
- Makeup Remover
Three Key Takeaways of this Watershed Music Festival Guide
- Prioritize comfort and safety: wear good shoes, drink a lot of water, and drink booze responsibly
- The river is your friend: the days are long and hot, spending the day at the river will help refresh your group, plus it’s a ton of fun
- You are there for the music, don’t lose sight of that: it’s easy to be caught up in the drinking and partying but the main reason to go to watershed is for the music. Get enough rest and take care of yourself so you can enjoy (and remember) all the amazing artists.
Watershed FAQ
The best way to prepare for Watershed is by planning ahead and packing strategically. Be sure you have all of your camping essentials, food and alcohol, and outfits. The above Watershed packing list will ensure you have everything you need.
There are showers in the Watershed camping area. The shower trailers have personal shower stalls, but the water is often cold. Since the festival is three days long, you will need to shower at the festival. I recommend showering when you are overheated so the cool water feels refreshing.
You need to drink a lot of water at a musical festival, especially when it is hot and you are consuming alcohol. Aim to drink one at least 64 oz of water each day.
You can bring sealed plastic water bottles into Watershed festival at the Gorge. Alternatively, you can bring in any empty bottles to refill inside.
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