Welcome Telluride Jazz Festival Campers!
We're looking forward to a festival full of fun in the fresh Rocky Mountain air! Festival camping is a dynamic and unique experience! We've compiled a guide to help you make the most of your stay. To ensure that you have the best experience possible, please read the following information carefully.
Important Load-In Instructions
Beginning at 11:00 am on Thursday, August 12, one person from a group or as an individual may begin lining up on foot at the Tennis Courts in Telluride Town Park. Absolutely no overnight camping in queue lines.
Do not line up with your vehicle on Main Street Prior to receiving a temporary “unloading” parking pass or RV/Vehicle Pass
11:15 am - entry queue cards will be distributed to everyone in line on a first-come-first-serve basis. No need to remain in line. There will be separate lines for RV/Vehicle. Each line will be receiving their own queue card.
12:30 pm - you may begin lining up ON FOOT with your assigned queue number.
2:00 pm - queue-holders will be allowed to place a tarp/tent down to claim a site of their choice, in a slow, orderly fashion.
After a campsite has been claimed...
Campers will go to the Camp Host to pick up a temporary parking pass
Leave the park and bring your vehicle in to unload
Do not line up with your vehicle on Main Street prior to receiving a temporary "unloading" parking pass.
Tent Camping vehicles must be quickly unloaded at campsites. Camper Vehicles will then be directed by parking staff to nearby parking for the duration of the festival.
Upon returning to the festival site, all campers must visit the box office to collect their camping wristbands.
Keep In Mind
Other members of your group may wait elsewhere in the park but they may not be in the campground. This is to avoid crowding or attempts to stake claims on campsites.
Camping vehicles are not allowed to arrive at Town Park prior to 11 am on Thursday, August 12. Camping vehicles will be denied entry to park until they have a pass issued by a camp host. They must wait in a legal parking space in town. There will be no lining up on the roadways.
Be advised that sleeping in cars is not allowed in the Town of Telluride.
If you have a Town Park campground site reserved for Wednesday, August 11, please identify yourself to Telluride Jazz camp hosts on the morning of August 12.
If purchased, vehicle and RV passes must be easily seen by Camp Hosts throughout the weekend.
RV/Vehicle
RV's will collect a tag at the site they want and bring it to the Camp Host site to exchange for a RV Hang Tag to display in your windshield for the duration of the festival. Please bring proof of purchase.
Vehicles - Please bring proof of purchase of Vehicle Pass to exchange for Weekend Hang Tag.
Festival Camping Info
Camping passes are valid for four nights: Thursday, August 11 at 11 am - Monday, August 15 at 11 am
The campground opens to campground pass-holders at 11 am on Thursday. Campground pass holders must load out by 11 am on Monday. You may camp in the campground before Thursday, but will need to have a pre-existing reservation and pay the town's campground fee.
The campground is open 24 hours a day. You may arrive and set up camp 24 hours a day.
A campground host will be on duty throughout the festival to answer questions and provide assistance when needed.
Campsites are first-come, first-serve. You cannot reserve a specific site. Please note that festival camping is more of a social experience than a wilderness experience. Expect camping to be close to your neighbors. A campground host will be on duty to help you find an available campsite and to answer any questions. Please respect your neighbors.
Camping passes are sold per person and per vehicle - not per site.
Single day camping passes are not available. You may camp for one day - however, the cost is still the price of four days.
Children 11 and under are free. Children must be accompanied by adult supervision.
Only Festival Pass-holders may purchase Camping Passes. In other words, you cannot camp in the campground unless you are attending the Festival. You must have both a camping pass and Festival pass to enter the campground during the Festival.
Restroom and shower facilities are available in the campground (flushing toilets and all). There is a $3 charge to run a hot shower for 5 minutes and $1 for additional time. Shower tokens are needed, which can be obtained from a token machine outside the shower buildings that converts $1, $5, $10 and $20 bills only - no coins or credit cards
Campground FAQs
Can I bring my Dog?
Unfortunately, dogs are not permitted in the campground.
Can I camp near my friends?
Camping is first-come-first-serve. If you would like to camp next to friends, you will have to arrange this as best as possible with the area available.
Will there be a host or security?
There is a host located in the main campground all weekend. There will be security provided 24 hours a day from Thursday-Monday in all campgrounds. Campground security and host will strictly enforce all rules including quiet hours.
Can I keep my valuables in the campground?
Yes but please be aware the festival is not responsible for any lost or stolen items. If you leave any valuables at your campsite, it is at your own risk.
Will I be able to charge my phone?
For general campers, there will be outlets and charging stations provided. Charging stations may be found by the bathrooms.
Can I bring alcohol into the campground?
Yes, you are allowed to bring your own alcohol/food/beverages into your campsite. You are not allowed to walk into town with any open containers. You will not be allowed to bring any alcohol in to festival grounds either.
Can I have a grill or small stoves for cooking?
You are allowed to use the grills that are already in the campground, personal charcoal grills and propane grills in Town Park campground.
Can I give my camping pass to a friend?
Once you have exchanged your ticket for a camping wristband, it is non-transferable. Mutilated or torn wristbands will not be honored.
Can I bring friends into the campground?
Non-campers are not permitted into the campground for security reasons.
Is smoking allowed?
Smoking is permitted but we ask all of our campers to please be respectful of their neighbors. Marijuana may not be consumed openly or publicly. The best course of action is to be respectful to those around you at all times. Security will intervene if there are complaints.
Are there Showers/Bathrooms? ADA accessible?
Yes there are showers and bathrooms available and they are ADA accessible.
What hours can you use showers? Are they free? Where are they located?
Restroom and shower facilities are available in the campground (flushing toilets and all). There is a $3 charge to run a hot shower for 5 minutes and $1 for additional time. Shower tokens are needed, which can be obtained from a token machine outside the shower buildings that converts $1, $5, $10 and $20 bills only - no coins or credit cards.
Are campsites designated?
No, all camping is first-come/first-serve with no designated sites being enforced. There are no campsites in the campground and it is communal camping. So get to know your neighbors.
Will there be a lost and found?
Lost and found is at the warming hut located underneath the big white tent at the festival entrance.
Will there be electrical outlets?
Yes, there are outlets but they are very limited and only at bathroom locations.
Can I bring a bicycle? Are there local places to rent a bicycle?
You are allowed to bring a bicycle into the campground but not the festival grounds. You must leave your bike at the designated bike parking area at the Box Office or locked at your campsite. There are no designated places to lock your bike within the campground. Bike rentals are also available from any of the various bike stores in Telluride.
How close are the campsites to the festival site?
Depending on your campsite all camping is within a 2-3 minute walk to the festival site.
Where do I park?
If you have not purchased a campground parking pass, festival volunteers will direct you to free nearby parking for campers.
Will there be ice available for purchase?
No, however, ice can be purchased through the local grocery or liquor stores.
Can I camp in the campground without a Festival ticket?
Campers that do not hold tickets for the Festival will not be allowed in the campground.
Insider's Guide To Telluride Jazz Festival
The 45th Telluride Jazz Festival is almost here and we have everything you need to know to get ready! There are special events to complement the world-class music and fun opportunities to make life-long friends and memories. Telluride also offers outstanding dining, shopping, outdoor recreation and sightseeing opportunities to make the most out of your time here.
To ensure that you have the best experience possible, our staff has put together a comprehensive festival guide of pro tips, tricks, and how-to’s for the most epic weekend ever.
Packing for the Festival
During the daytime, weather in Telluride can be mild and perfect for tee shirts, sandals and shorts. UV rays can be higher than you’re accustomed to and the air is dry, so we recommend that you bring sunscreen and a water bottle to fill at free water stations located throughout the festival grounds.
We also recommend that you bring waterproof, quick-dry and insulating layers in case of precipitation. The Telluride Town Park field can become muddy with rain or snow so wearing waterproof boots and wool or synthetic moisture-wicking socks is also encouraged.
Sunsets during this time of year typically happen around 8:20 pm and can be stunning; however, be prepared for the quick drop in temperatures. Even on a warm day, temperatures can swing more than twenty degrees in a matter of hours. We recommended that you bring a change of clothing layers for this evening shift. Hats and long underwear are all great items to bring to the show in a backpack. We’ll have sweatshirts and beanies for sale in the merchandise booth if you need extra layers.
Explore all the information in our Insider’s Guide below.