Camping

General Camping Information

The Philadelphia Folk Festival Campground is situated on a large farmer’s field and has been home to thousands of Campers over the years.  Camping spots are first come first served but the Camping Committee time-releases reserved areas as needed.  Campers are asked to keep their site footprint minimal especially in prime areas so everyone can find a good spot.  Don’t forget to bring sturdy footwear, Water bottle, flashlight and essential food/medicines and of course your guitar. 

For more information visit Camping HQ once onsite or contact the Camping committee at PFFCAMPING@COMCAST.NET

Campground Gates: Gates open for “All-Festival with Camping” ticket holders at 10am on Thursday of Festival and close at Noon on Monday Post-Fest.   Ticketholders with Wednesday Early entry may enter at 2PM

Entrance to the campground is by wristlet and everyone, even children, must have a wristlet.  Day trippers without a camping ticket are not permitted in the Campground.

Tent/RV Camping: The Campground is designed with separate areas for Tent and RV camping.    This is a farmer’s field and as such there is no water/electric provided to your site. Water is provided by well stations situated around the Campground.  Generators are permitted to run in Heavy Camping areas only from 9am-9pm.

• Light Tent Camping is included with your “All-Festival with Camping” ticket.
  • Plan to park your vehicle in either the paid or free parking lots and utilize our Gear Shuttles
  • No Vehicles or Generators in Light camping.
  • Light camping has a “quieter” camping area for families and others who want a little more peace and quiet.
  • See additional Campground rules for more information.

• Heavy/RV Camping requires an “All-Festival with Camping” tickets and an additional RV ticket.
  • Only one (1) RV ticket is required per vehicle.
  • During heavy arrival periods you may be directed to stage your RV in a satellite lot for vehicle tagging and then you will be directed to the Campground where Volunteers will assist you with parking your RV.  Festival Signage will be updated as necessary.
  • Please move your tow vehicle to a parking lot ASAP
  • NO Ground Tents in Heavy Camping 
  • RV camping requires 10 feet of sleeping space in vehicle.
  • Wheels must be chocked to prevent movement.
  • Engine must remain OFF and Vehicle remain parked.  Vehicles removed from Campground will be denied reentry.
  • See additional Campground rules for more information.

• VIP (previously FOF) Camping  
  • The VIP ticket allows for Camping in our prime VIP areas in both Light and Heavy Camping. 
  • You are not required to camp in these VIP areas to enjoy the other amenities included with the VIP ticket.

General Campground Rules

NO pets of any kind (except service animals with current rabies vaccination)

NO motorized conveyances except for folks with mobility, circulatory, respiratory, or neurological disabilities.  One-wheels, skateboards, hoverboards, bicycles, Segway’s, and other non—traditional mobility devices cannot be accommodated due to safety issues.

NO firearms, dangerous weapons, or fireworks are permitted as specified by local authorities. Failure to comply will result in expulsion from the campground without refund and possible prosecution may ensue.

NO illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia.

NO glass containers.

NO amplified sound systems/large speaker systems or excessive noise.   USB powered personal portable speakers allowed.  Festival Management reserves the right to remove sound systems/ instruments that do not follow these guidelines.

NO laser pointers, drones, Chinese Lanterns, remote-operated, and/or autonomous vehicles of any kind

NO ground fires. Campfires only permitted in above ground appropriate fire pits. 

— The Fire Marshall or Festival Management or may restrict fires at any time for any reason.

NO unauthorized vending of any kind.

NO vehicles permitted in the tent camping area.

NO camping in FIRE LANES

Parking for motorcycles (and bicycles) is located inside the Camping Gate.  You may be required to have a paid parking pass.

RV- Vehicular Camping-Heavy Camping Rules

NO campfires near or between RVs or Camping Vehicles.  Campfires must be at the end of the row and have appropriate space clearances and be always attended.  The Festival Management or the Fire Marshall may restrict fires at any time for any reason.

RV Must remain in Campground.  If RV removed, Re-entry to Campground restricted.

Philadelphia Folk Festival provides camping area only.  There are no water or electric hook-ups or dump stations. Wastewater removal may be available for an additional fee.

All camping vehicles must be leveled and have their wheels chocked to prevent movement.

Tents are not permitted on the ground in the RV or Vehicular Camping area.

Tow vehicles are not permitted to remain in the camping area and must be moved to a parking lot.

CO or Carbon Monoxide/Propane Detectors and Fire Extinguishers are required for your safety.

• Gear Shuttles:
• The free Gear Shuttle runs during normal ticket office/volunteer committee hours.
• Unauthorized vehicles are not permitted in the campground so plan to utilize the gear shuttles.The Shuttle trucks will operate around a prescribed route from both the paid (Point lot) and free (Wolford lot) parking lots to the campground.   Weather/ground conditions permitting the Shuttles will get you as close to your site as possible.
• Be sure to pack and label all gear appropriately for transport from your car into the shuttle truck.   Our trucks have cab space available so you can stay with your gear.  No riders are permitted to travel in the bed of the truck.  The festival is not responsible for loss or damage to equipment.
• The Shuttle team will issue ticketholders their wristband and take Volunteers to secure their badge and wristband. 
•  Sunday, the Gear Shuttle will be available in the campground to assist campers to get their gear out of the campground.   
• Monday morning, weather and ground condition permitting campers may be allowed to bring their vehicle into the campground to pack up their gear.  This is dependent on the Ground Conditions.
•  Please check back or visit the Camping Committee Facebook page for Schedule updates as we get closer to the festival.

ADA Access: The festival attempts to accommodate all patrons. It should be noted, however, that we are a temporary site, created just for the weekend. The ground is rough – it is a working farm the rest of the year, and our space is limited.  The Camping committee provides several areas reserved for ADA camping and ADA parking is available inside Camping Gate.  Please contact PFFCAMPING@COMCAST.NET for more information.

Campground Amenities– Purchase tickets at General Store in Campground

• ICE
• Showers
• Tram Cart- Purchase in advance on PFS.ORG. 
  • Trams run on prescribed route within campground over to Concert side and back.
  • Trams begin running when Concert side is open and run each day until ½ hour after evening concert.
• We regret to announce that we will not be providing Instrument Check Services this year.

Recycling / Cleanup  

• Trash and Recycling are picked up daily about 10am Fri-Sun.  Please separate and place on camp road.
• NO GLASS- If glass is found in bags, it may not be picked up.  If you must–Pack in pack out!
• Going to say it again—NO GLASS–Be nice and keep our volunteers safe!
• Black Trash and Clear Recycling bags are distributed by the cleanup team during pickups
• Additional Bags may be requested at Camping HQ
• Leave the Farm like you found it- pickup everything and put in trash bags before you leave.

Camping Committee HQ

• Camping HQ is located at top of hill. 
• Our volunteers are trained to help answer questions and assist you in any way possible.
• Lost and Found (Concert side L&F located at info booth)
  • Hot tip- Put ID on all your keys and your phone, make your home screen to show contact information.

For more information visit Camping HQ once onsite or contact the Camping committee at PFFCAMPING@COMCAST.NET

Generators Rules:

The festival reserves the right to shut down any generator for ANY REASON for the health, safety, and welfare of everyone at the Philadelphia Folk Festival.

Exhaust must be expelled in a safe manner and must not pose a health issue.

Generators may only be operated from 9AM to 9PM.

Generators are permitted in Vehicular Camping only. No generators permitted in Tent Camping.

Please bring the smallest and quietest generator possible that will meet your actual needs.

Generators must not be left unattended while running.

Fuel MUST be stored away from any potential source of combustion (heat sources, vehicles or generators in service or fires or grills of any sort)

Please adhere to all manufacturer guidelines to ensure proper usage and safety.

Please be aware that carbon monoxide is dangerous and can be harmful and potentially fatal to you and other campers. Vehicle and generator exhaust MUST be expelled safely, and not into adjacent campsites or other campers in order to lessen the dangers of carbon monoxide.   In addition to the health concerns, we want to be sure that you and your Vehicular Camping neighbors can enjoy the festival and your time in the campground and not be concerned with exhaust odors.

Frequently Asked Questions: Download FAQ Sheet