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.

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!

• Wristband 
• Sunscreen
• Full Tank of Gasoline
• A Little Emergency Cash
• 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
• Bug Spray

Campsite Recommendations

• Rope, Bungee Cords, Zip Ties (very handy)
• Scissors
• Table
• Portable, Wireless Speaker
• Matches
• Forks, Spoons, Plates, Bowls
• Cups
• Plastic Zip-Lock Bags
• Trash Bags
• Reusable Water Bottle
• Alcohol, Beer, Mixers (no glass—they check your vehicle for it)
• Sheets (to hang and block the sun, but allow airflow)
• Rubber Mallet (to nail stakes)
• Ear Plugs
• Eye Mask (for sleeping during daylight hours)
• Lock (for your tent)
• Campsite Marker (flags, balloons, signs, etc—avoid getting lost at 3:00am)

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
• Paper Towels 
• Wet Wipes
• Tissues (better than toilet paper to remove the dust from your nose)
• Facial Wipes
• Toothbrush & Toothpaste
• Towels
• Shampoo, Soap, and Shower Supplies
• 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)
• 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
• Cellphone Car and Wall Charger (there are charging stations)

Food Ideas

There are a lot of food vendors, so it’s best to let them handle heating things up, but definitely should have snacks on hand!

• Bars 
• Trail Mix
• Fruit
• 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!

Have fun. We’ll see ya there!

Here’s a taste of what to expect: