You could show up to Bonnaroo with just your wristband and your dance moves, but you’ll quickly become that person at the campsite constantly saying, “can I borrow that?”, which can get old for your friends and neighbors. We created the Bonnaroo: What To Bring – The Ultimate Packing List so you can avoid being that person.

WARNING: That person may end up being your new best friend if you pack all of this stuff.

Keep in mind, you can buy pretty much anything at Bonnaroo’s general stores or vendors, including everything from beer to hygiene products, but your experience will be better if you’re prepared. To make finding these products easier, some of these products conveniently link to highly-rated options on Amazon.

If you need to get your head around the Bonnaroo experience before you start packing, make sure to check out our Bonnaroo Guide.

BONNAROO PACKING LIST

The Must-Haves

Make sure you at least have this stuff before you head to Manchester. If you’re seeking a minimalist approach to Bonnaroo, this is for you. You may be uncomfortable, but you’ll probably survive.

• Wristband 
• Cash
• Sunscreen
• Full Tank of Gasoline
• A Good Attitude

Camping & Sleeping

When you arrive, get your campsite set up before anything else, so it’s done and you can enjoy yourself. You may spend a lot more time at the campsite than you expect, so be prepared for several hours of just chilling and sitting. If you can’t sleep after the sun rises at 5:30am, you have a long day ahead of you. Get comfy.

Campsite Necessities

• Water for drinking and washing (2-gallon recyclable jugs work well)
• Food (ideally nothing you have to cook)
• Sleeping Tent
• Shade Tent (14+ hours of TN sunshine is a long time without shade)
• Tarps (for under/over your tent to block moisture or rain)
• Camping Chairs
• Flash Lights / Lanterns / Headlamps
• Pillows
• Sleeping Bag / Air Mattress / Blankets
• Cooler
• Ice / Ice Packs (you can buy more ice inside Bonnaroo)
• Bug Spray

Campsite Recommendations

• Rope, Bungee Cords, Zip Ties (very handy)
• Scissors
• Table
• Portable, Wireless Speaker
• Lighter or Matches
• Forks, Spoons, Plates, Bowls
• Cups
• Plastic Zip-Lock Bags
• Trash Bags (campers receive 1 large trash bag and 1 large recycling bag)
• Reusable Water Bottle
• Alcohol, Beer, Mixers (no glass – they check your vehicle for it)
• Tapestries or Sheets (to hang and block sun, but allow airflow)
• Rubber Mallet (to nail stakes)
• Ear Plugs (you may end up near the late night karaoke lounge)
• Eye Mask (for sleeping during daylight hours)
• Lock (for your tent)
• Campsite Marker (flags, balloons, signs, etc – avoid getting lost at 3am)

Clothing

Obviously, pack your normal summer attire, but consider adding these extras. According to Weather.com, the average temperatures in Manchester are highs near 84 degrees and lows near 63 degrees. Tennessee also gets plenty of rain, so keep that in mind!

• Swimsuit
• Raincoat 
• Rain Boots
• Hat
• Sweatshirt / Long-Sleeved T-Shirt
• Jeans
• Socks and Comfortable Shoes (you will likely walk many miles per day, so avoid blisters!)
• Running Shoes (if you’re  a runner—yes, people run at Roo.)

Hygiene & First Aid

• Deodorant
• Toilet Paper (you’ll need this because it runs out quickly)
• Paper Towels 
• Wet Wipes
• Tissues (better than toilet paper to remove the dust from your nose)
• Facial Wipes
• Toothbrush & Toothpaste
• Towels
• Shampoo, Soap, Shower Supplies ($7 for a shower)
• Shower Caddy (showers have limited space and storage areas)
• Baby Powder / Gold Bond
• Hand Sanitizer
• Band-Aids & First Aid Kit
• Aloe and Lotion for Sunburns 
• Over-The-Counter Medications for: Heartburn, Nausea, Headaches

The Good-To-Haves

• Clear Backpack (normal backpacks aren’t allowed anymore, so make sure you have a transparent one!)
• Fanny Pack
• Bandana (Great for sweat and dust. The dust is intense!)
• Sunglasses
• Camera
• Umbrella (also good for blocking the sun)
• Blanket (to sit on at Centeroo)
• Pen and Paper / Dry Erase Board (to leave notes when your phone dies or doesn’t have service)
• Battery-Operated Fan
• Camp Shower
• Solar Charger, Extra Batteries, Battery Back-up for Cellphones
• Cellphone Car and Wall Charger (there are charging stations)
• Hydration Pack

The Fun-To-Haves

• Frisbee
• Hacky Sack
• Hula Hoop 
• Glowing Accessories 
• Costumes / SpiritHoods / Hats / Masks
• Guitar / Instrument (who needs the radio anyway?)
• Yoga Mat (if you plan to do any yoga)
• Chalk / Spray Paint (to decorate the walls)

Food Ideas

There are a lot of food vendors, so it’s best to let them handle heating things up (but you can bring a camping grill if you want).

• Bars 
• Trail Mix
• Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches 
• Fruit (apples, oranges, bananas)
• Nuts (almonds, cashews, peanuts)
• Cereal 

What to Leave at Home

• Glass
• Weapons
• Illegal Stuff
• Bikes and Motorized Vehicles
• Pets (your dog will hate the heat anyway)

Have Ideas? More Questions?

Let us know if we left something off! Leave a comment below with your best tips!

Learn more about the Bonnaroo experience in our Bonnaroo Guide.

Have fun. We’ll see ya there!

Here’s a taste of what to expect: