Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve compiled a list of questions and answers for your convenience. Please reference our FAQs as you prepare your journey for Telluride Bluegrass Festival.
If you have additional questions beyond our categorized answers below, please feel free to email us: planet@bluegrass.com.
We can’t wait to festivate with you!
Camping
The Festival operates several campgrounds from 0 to 10 miles from the Festival Grounds. Additionally, there are several Forest Service Campgrounds in the greater Telluride area. Please refer to the Forest Service’s website for up to date information on their nearby campgrounds.
NOTE: Sleeping in cars is prohibited in the Town of Telluride and there is very limited dispersed camping nearby.
We will have space for everyone to camp in the campground you purchased tickets to. Some of our campgrounds are so popular that we have very intensive lineup procedures in place to handle early arrivals. Please review the information page for the individual campgrounds for details.
CAMPING IS SOLD PER PERSON, NOT PER SITE. EVERY person 13 years and older in your group need to purchase a camping pass. A camping ticket is for TENT CAMPING ONLY.
EXCEPTION: Lawson Hill RV Passes DO NOT require additional camping passes, provided that all campers fit in the credentialed RV.
In Town Park (max 24ft.) and Mary E (max 22ft.) to camp with a vehicle, everyone in your party must have a camping pass for the respective campground and you must purchase an additional vehicle pass for your camper, car, or trailer of choice.
For Example: You and two friends want to camp in your sweet 1980’s Winnebago Camper Van. Nice! To do that, you must purchase either three Town Park or Mary E camping passes (4-Day Pass included) and one corresponding vehicle pass.
The Lawson Hill RV (max 28ft.) lot is located outside of the Lawson Hill Campground so camping passes are not required. You can have as many RV mates as you want but they all must have a 4-Day Pass to the Festival.
For Example: You and 3 friends want to camp is your retro 1970’s Airstream. Sweet! To do that, you must purchase four 4-Day Passes for the Festival and one Lawson Hill RV pass.
NOTE: The Warner Field Campground does not allow vehicles or RV’s. Be sure to check the campground details page to double check before purchase.
A vehicle is considered anything requiring a license plate, e.g. a camper, trailer, tow vehicle, etc. If you intend to have both your camper-trailer and tow vehicle in the campground, then you must have 2 vehicle passes or a vehicle pass and an RV pass, depending on the length of the camper trailer. (see above FAQ)
If you don’t need your vehicle in the campground - for sleeping or for storage - you don’t need a campground vehicle pass. Most Festivarians don’t purchase a vehicle pass. You can temporarily drive into the campground to unload your gear, and park your vehicle in our remote festival parking lots.
Our campgrounds all have porta-potties and some have permanent bathrooms for your use. Some campgrounds also have shower facilities. Check the info page for each campground to see what facilities are available.
Unfortunately, wood fires are not allowed in any campgrounds for everyone’s safety. This also means NO smokeless firepits — which are wood burning, and not allowed.
Propane fire pits are allowed as long as they are entirely under adult supervision and never left unattended.
Many campgrounds are within easy walking distance of the festival. Some also require shuttle bus access. Please refer to the individual campground page for access information.
Campgrounds are equipped with port-o-potties and fresh water. Town Park and Warner Field also have regular bathroom facilities. There are no hookups at any of the campgrounds.
Nope! All campgrounds close at noon on the Monday after the festival.
Ticketing
Our Box Office opens well before the festival and we generally open 1 hour prior to gates and close at the beginning of the headliner set.
2023 Box Office Hours:
Saturday 6/10: 12pm - 4pm
Sunday 6/11: 12pm - 4pm
Monday 6/12: 12pm - 4pm
Tuesday 6/13: 12pm - 6pm
Wednesday 6/14: 12pm - 9pm
Thursday 6/15: 9am - 10pm
Friday 6/16: 9am - 10:30pm
Saturday 6/17: 8am - 9pm
Sunday 6/18: 9am - 9pm
General Info
The festival runs daily from around 10 am to midnight. Check out the complete main stage schedule and Elks Park schedule.
Please come prepared for any weather conditions. This includes: intense sun, heat, rain, wind, sleet and yes, possibly snow. The show happens rain or shine! At an altitude of close to 9,000 feet the weather can change quickly, it does get chilly at night even if the temperature is in the 90s during the day. SUNSCREEN IS A MUST! Please remember to DRINK LOTS OF WATER and WATCH YOUR ALCOHOL consumption, especially if you’re coming from lower elevations.
NO, NO, NO. NO PETS OF ANY KIND ARE ALLOWED in the campgrounds, the show, or the parking lots. Be your dog’s best friend and do not bring them to the show.
If you need a place for your dog to stay, try the following options:
- Montrose Veterinary Clinic: 970-249-5469 (Sunday pick-up 5-6 only)
- Deleff Kennels (Delta): 970-874-4058 (Offers Sunday pick-up)
- Cottonwood Ranch & Kennel (Crawford): 970-921-7100 (Offers Sunday pick-up)
- Wag Resort (Grand Junction): 970-241-2949 (Offers Sunday pick-up/drop-off 9-11am & 4-5pm)
- Iron Will Dog Lodge (Montrose): 970-596-8709 (Offers Sunday pick-up/drop-off 8-10am & 4-6pm)
Please note: Most boarders require proof of current vaccinations, that your dog is spayed or neutered, well brushed, and that they play well with others.
Numerous lodging options are available in Telluride and nearby Mountain Village. For more info visit our Lodging Page or Camping Page.
ALCOHOL, GLASS and VIDEO CAMERAS ARE NOT ALLOWED on the festival grounds. You’re welcome to bring in your own food and soft drinks in appropriate containers. We serve beer and wine at the festival (don’t forget your ID!) and we have a wide assortment of vendors with reasonably priced YUMMY FOOD!
Seating is all general admission lawn seating so bring a tarp or chair. Only low-back lawn chairs are allowed in front of the sound booth. If we can roll a basketball under it, we’ll ask you nicely to move. Tarps are allowed to reserve space and to protect the grass. Umbrellas, shade tents and other view obstructing items are allowed along the back fence only. Due to many complaints and in the spirit of Festivarianism, if you see an empty tarp, feel free to sit until the owner returns. We hope this will cut down on the frustration that many of you have expressed to us that you feel upon seeing empty tarps during those killer morning and afternoon sets.
Audiotaping the music at the festival is permitted. Recording devices must be self-contained (we do not provide AC outlets or patches to the soundboard) and you may not obstruct the view of your fellow festivarians with your equipment. There is no designated area for taping.
CHILDREN 12 and under are FREE for the festival and camping, but must be accompanied by a paying adult. Check out the family tent daily for fun family activities! Please accompany your children at all times.
No, a 4-Day Pass will be one wristband that is fastened to one Festivarian for the entire 4 days of the festival. We sell single-day passes for individuals only attending one or more individual days.
Yes, you can. You can work 4 four-hour shifts in exchange for a four day pass. For more information and to fill out an online application visit our Volunteer page.
Our tarp run is unique to our festivating traditions.
It’s a way to get your blood rushing in the morning, and meet new Friendivarians!
We consider this part of our Planetary Codes.
The festival dates revolve around the weekend closest to the Summer Solstice.
Here are the next 2 years: June 20-23, 2024; June 19-22, 2025.
Parking & Transportation
You will not be able to drive into or park on the streets of Telluride from Tuesday, June 13 thru Sunday, June 18 unless you have a barricade pass, local county license plates or a handicap sticker. If you have a vehicle pass for Town Park you may drive through the barricade to the campground. In order to park in Telluride after Tuesday, June 13 you will need a Town Access sticker for your windshield. We do not have these; they are not for sale. They are distributed by the Parks and Recreation department of Telluride. If you are staying in a hotel or condo in town, the lodging company or hotel will supply you with this sticker. If you live in town, go to the department of Parks and Recreation to get the sticker. If you are coming for the festival, you may park in the festival parking lot in Mountain Village. You may not camp or sleep overnight in your vehicle in any of the parking lots. A free shuttle bus services the parking area and campgrounds. We encourage you to walk or bring your bike and use the beautiful bike path!
We aren’t currently aware of any road construction issues. But we will post any information here as it gets closer to the Festival.
The festival parking lot is just outside of Town at the Mountain Village parking garage. Parking overnight is free during the festival weekend. There are free shuttles from the parking lot to the gondola or you can walk to the gondola.
You can also find more information on parking at our Getting Here page.
Handicap parking is available at the festival with an authorized handicap sticker.
Yes, there is a small airport in Telluride.
Their number is (970) 728-5313.
The gondola stops running at 2 am.