Now that socially distanced days are mostly behind us, summer music festivals are back in full swing. RVing and music festivals go together like campfires and s’mores, so it makes sense to consider a music fest as part of your summer camping itinerary.
The U.S. has a rich history of music festivals dating back to the earliest days of our country. That heritage has morphed into a coast-to-coast web of concerts that could easily keep you bumping from January 1 to December 31 every year.
We took to the streets to figure out five can’t-miss music festivals for you this year. We picked these five festivals in particular because they offer stunning music in locales that are made for the RVing lifestyle. Here are the festivals you won’t want to miss for summer 2022:
- Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (June 23-25, June 30-July 2, and July 7-9) — Billing itself as the world’s largest music festival, Summerfest happens across several stages in a city park that features sweeping views of Lake Michigan. This festival has something for everyone with acts ranging from classic rock icons to today’s hip-hop megastars.
Summerfest is so big it needs three summer weekends to accommodate headliners like Rod Stewart, Wiz Khalifa, and Thomas Rhett.
While Summerfest’s urban setting doesn’t lend itself to on-site camping, the Milwaukee area boasts a plethora of campgrounds in beautiful natural surroundings. - Under The Big Sky Fest in Whitefish, Montana (July 15-17) — This epic festival set in the glacial mountains of Montana features some of the best acts in Americana, folk, alt-country, and rock. The organizers are well-known for their ability to feature emerging voices alongside musical icons.
Under The Big Sky is just 20 minutes outside Glacier National Park and a stone’s throw from Flathead Lake — two of Montana’s most popular attractions. RV parks, national forests, and state campgrounds abound in this outdoor mecca. - Floatfest in Gonzales, Texas (July 23-24) — What could be better than beating the concert heat by floating down a river? That’s what Floatfest is all about. Floatfest features a range of music from indie-pop and electronica to hip-hop and progressive rock all along the San Marcos River.
Concertgoers can literally float along the river as they enjoy music and take a break from the heat. Floatfest may happen in small-town Texas, but it’s also close to the ocean, San Antonio, Austin, and much more — making this summer festival a must-see for any adventuring explorer. - Country Thunder in Iowa, Wisconsin, Tennessee, and more (multiple dates) — Country Thunder is the premier country music event in the U.S. and Canada featuring the most popular country acts across several stages. Summer 2022 features concerts in Wisconsin, Tennessee, and Canada.
Country Thunder festivals are generally located near enough to major attractions but far enough away that they can host pop-up campgrounds that become home to thousands of RVs during the festival. - Telluride Blues and Brews Festival in Telluride, Colorado (September 16-18) — What could be better than a blues fest combined with beer tastings from over 150 of the best breweries in the country? That’s exactly what you’ll get at this summer music festival in one of Colorado’s most iconic towns.
Camping opportunities abound in Colorado and Telluride is no exception. Act fast as spots fill quickly, but once you park it in Telluride for this festival, you’ll be within spitting distance of epic hikes, stellar music, tasty brews, and a hip small-town vibe.
Summer music festivals are back in full swing. You could create an unforgettable experience by adding one of the concerts above to your RVing itinerary. No matter what flavor of music you like, there’s something out there for everyone in the wide range of summer music festivals that happen throughout the U.S. and Canada.