2022 Updates In Progress

Current Headlines:

• CAMPING TICKETS ARE PER CAMPSITE FOR THE FULL WEEKEND (THURSDAY TO MONDAY),
  FOR 1 VEHICLE AND UP TO 6 PEOPLE, AND AS MANY TENTS AS YOU CAN FIT IN YOUR SITE SPACE

• Warehouse Presale:

Open Thursday, January 23, at 10 AM ET to Monday, February 3 at 3 PM ET

• Citi Presale: 
  Tuesday, February 18, at 10 AM to Thursday, February 20, at 10 PM local time
• Public Sale: 
  Friday, February 21, at 10 AM local time

• Really Great Interactive Map of The Gorge:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1WKiAfC7JUa2wXWSG50tASK3RBYycANAP&ll=47.101609442735196%2C-119.98656306858214&z=15 

(Thanks DMBboi81!!)

This document is locked to prevent accidental edits. Anyone can insert a comment by selecting Insert -> Comment at the top of this screen. The revision will be considered and added to the document if deemed appropriate. For edit access please PM deceit/russvodder/eliz on antsmarching.org.

This is a work in progress for the Gorge FAQ that is being assembled for the Gorge thread on antsmarching.org. Please paste any relevant Gorge information and be sure to source where the information came from (user name) so that if additional info is needed we can reach out to the user. Started by deceit (Austin) on 1/26/14. Special thanks to contributors from Vodderville, Camp Island of Awesome, Camp Motherfuckingfuckyeah and Camp NAFTA: russvodder (Russ), jenzzjetII (Jenn), Steady37 (April), daveshookme (Sean), ilikedmb12 (Becky), 98ants, m_dubb (Mike), eliz (Liz), and many more!

FAQs: (Click the link to jump to the answer)

General FAQs

Is it worth it?

How much is this all going to cost me?

Concerts

When and where can I get DMB 2020 Gorge Amphitheater concert tickets?

Where is the Gorge Amphitheater located?

How do I get to the Gorge Amphitheater?

What is parking like if I am not Camping?

Is any of the Pavilion Covered? NO. It is all open to the sky.

What is the weather like in the venue?

How do I keep my stuff safe when I’m in the concert?

Where can I find a venue seating chart?

What do I need to know if I want to get railed?

What can I bring into the venue?

Accommodations

Is there anyone to help me decide where to stay? FLOWCHART

Where do I stay when attending concerts at the Gorge?

I NEED PLUMBING. Where can I stay near the Amphitheater?

Camping

Where can I get 2018 DMB Labor Day Weekend  “Gorge Camping” tickets?

What is this new GOLD CAMPING?

What is this new OASIS CAMPING?

Where and when can I get “Wildhorse Campground” passes for the Labor Day Weekend?

Where can I rent camping equipment?

How do I fly with all this camping gear?

What do I do about food and supplies?

How do I keep my food and beer cold?

What are my options when staying at the Gorge Campground?

What is the infamous “District 9” I hear about?

What is Glamping?

How do you get from the Campground to the Amphitheater?

What is “Wildhorse Campround” that I hear about?

Are there other camping options besides Wildhorse or Gorge Campground?

What are the rules at the Gorge Campground?

The Park at Cave B RV Camping 

What will I need to take if I’m camping?

I can’t take all this camping gear on the airplane. What can I do with it?

3 - 2 - 1 Rule

Travel

I am flying in to Seattle/Spokane. What about renting a vehicle?

Park and Ride info

I am flying into Seattle. What hotels are recommended?

I am flying into Spokane, What hotels are recommended?

Why would I want to spend extra time in Seattle?

Are there any charter bus/travel options?

Activities

What camp games do people play for entertainment?

Are there any activities to engage in during the day?

Are there any near-by hiking locations?

New Washington State Marijuana Laws

TICKET INFORMATION

Both Concert and Gorge Camping Tickets are available from the Warehouse and Ticketmaster/Livenation (TM/LN) as indicated below (prices do not include fees or shipping):

2020 Pricing:

TICKETS: (Not including fees and shipping)

GA PIT STANDING: $120.75

RESERVED SEATING: $120.75

LAWN: $51.98

3-DAY LAWN PASS: $141.75

ON SITE CAMPING TICKETS: (All camping has +10% fees)

Terrace Camping: $659.00

Gold Camping: $360.00

Premier Camping: $215.00

Standard Camping: $119.50

Premium Packages (Warehouse exclusive): $350.00 per ticket, only sold in pairs

Ticketmaster/Livenation public on sale: Friday February 21 at 10AM local time

HOW MUCH IS THIS GOING TO COST ME? 

This is not only the most commonly asked question it may be the single most important part about your decision to make the Gorge trek. The Gorge is in incredible adventure and the costs reflect that. The trip to Heaven’s Amphitheater has a wildly varying range of costs. Do you have frequent flyer miles for the flight? Do you already own most of your own camping gear? Are you going to carpool/split costs for camping and other trip necessities? Assuming you are not a Washington resident and are planning to fly into either Seattle or Spokane for the trip, rent a car, and acquire some basic camping items it’s a safe budget assumption that your costs will range between $1000 and $1500 per person. Obviously there is a wide range of budgets for this trip but your basic costs will normally include airfare, rental car/RV, groceries, alcohol, camping pass, and tickets. The good news about the Gorge is that it occurs the same time every year - Labor Dave (Day) Weekend - which allows you plenty of time to budget for your Davecation.

However, before you plan all this, you may want to ask yourself…..

IS IT REALLY WORTH IT?

Who is anyone to say? However, “YES”. No further explanation is necessary here.

All of my friends think I’m crazy so I’m thinking about making the trek alone but I’m worried that I won’t have a good time by myself.

Get this thought out of your head right now. As cheesy as it may sound - you are never traveling to the Gorge “alone.” There are 15,000 of your greatest unknown best friends in the entire world waiting for you in Washington. “I can only speak from personal experience but as a first time traveler to the Gorge last year in a group of 3 we ended up leaving with 50 new best friends.” There will always be ‘casual’ fans at a DMB show but there’s something about a concert 100 miles away from civilization that usually draws in some pretty committed people. We came in late on the Thursday night “n0” before the show and were setting up camp in the dark. Less than 30 seconds after we parked we had half a dozen people asking if they could give us a hand with our setup. We had 9am drinking partners and we had all-day Cornhole competitors. Every night on the walk back from the concert we would sing songs, rave about the setlist, and get ready to party it up back at camp. There are age ranges from 13-70 - new fans and old fans alike. If you come to the Gorge with an open mind you will have a great time, guaranteed!

LOCATION & WEATHER

Geography

The Gorge Amphitheater is nestled in the hills above the Columbia River in central Washington State, nine miles west of the small town of George (Exit 149, I-90). Address is 754 Silica Rd. NW, Quincy, WA 98848.

George has a population of around 500 and there are little to no supply opportunities there. Quincy is the next closest town, about 17 miles NW. There are a few grocery shopping opportunities along with some hotels.

Venue Weather

Generally, it is HOT to VERY HOT during the day, and CHILLY to COLD at night.  Think high 80s into the 90s and intense sun during the day, and very windy; down into the 50s at night.  Gorge has experienced nighttime temperatures into the 40s.  Be prepared to layer up and snuggle up!  Many people wear shorts/skirts/dresses into the venue but bring long pants and sweatshirts to change into as the temperature drops during the show.  

Sunscreen is a MUST, as are things like moisturizer and lip balm, especially if you are from a more humid climate and aren’t used to such dry air.  

As you may have noticed in the image above, none of the venue seating is covered. It is all exposed to the open sky. This is a dryland farming region with an average precipitation for late August around 0.3” (point-3-inches). The Jul/Aug/Sep period only averages a one inch total.  It doesn’t rain much, but it can accumulate in a sudden downpour. That means thunderstorms are possible. Be prepared.

It also can get very windy. Average wind speeds for August are about 10 MPH sustained with gusts much higher. Tie your tarps and tents down. Winds tend to pick up in the afternoon and many shelters have been destroyed. Be aware of this if you leave your camp for the venue early in the day.

Tie your tarps and tents down!!

The elevation is 1,365’ (at pivot in Gorge Campground). The stage is at an elevation of ~1,175’ while the top of the Amphitheater lawn is ~1,300’.  

Bring your own shade.

Bring at least ½-gallon water per person per day just for drinking.

Drinking alcoholic beverages all day in the wind and the sun will dehydrate a person much faster than normal. There is access to potable water at the Gorge campgrounds via a water fountain and garden hose connection. Many bring one large potable water container and refill it during the weekend to make sure they have plenty of water.

Daytime highs at the end of August average 83F/29C with the record high for that period reaching ~105F/40C. Overnight lows will average ~54F/12C, however the record low for the end of August was just above freezing at 32F/0C. In other words, plan for everything, including RAIN. When it rains this time of year it typically will be over a short duration, but may be heavy in volume. They call ‘em “gully washers”. They don’t occur so much in August.

TRAVEL

The Gorge Amphitheater is located in central Washington State along the Columbia River near the town of George. Address is 754 Silica Rd. NW, Quincy, WA 98848. It is approximately 155 miles East of Seattle and 137 miles West of Spokane. If you look at a map you will notice that this is out in the middle of, well… nowhere.

There is no direct public transportation to the Gorge Amphitheater. While there have been reports of individuals hiring taxi cabs/limos from Seattle, those should be verified.

The nearest taxi company is in Moses Lake and it cost about $100 from Moses Lake to Gorge (personal experience from bnaryle).

Airports

The venue is accessible by two major airports along with a smaller airport a little closer.

• Seattle (SEATAC - Airport code SEA) is 155 miles from the Gorge Amphitheater.
• Spokane (Airport code GEG) is 137 miles from the Gorge. Both are great flying options if you are traveling in for the Gorge from out of state/country.
• Tri-Cities Airport (PSC) may be an option for you. It is a smaller airport 90 miles and  about 1:45 hour drive away in the town of Pasco. It is serviced by Delta (operated by SkyWest), Alaska Air/Horizon Air and United (operated by SkyWest)(as of 2014). This may be a prefered choice if renting an RV in Yakima.

If you are looking for affordable flight options consider searching kayak.com which will compare multiple Airline options for you. Southwest Airline is not listed on Kayak, so be sure to check all your sources.

Driving

• For your GPS, address is 754 Silica Rd. NW, Quincy, WA 98848.
• From Seattle Eastbound I-90 - Exit 143. Follow signs to Amphitheater (~6 miles). Drive time around 3-hours. Snoqualmie Pass is only 3,000 foot elevation and fairly easy grade. Drop down into Columbia River/Vantage area is about 2,000 feet. It is not so bad Eastbound, but be careful going Westbound if you are loaded down. It can boil over a cooling system on the hot days.
• From Spokane Westbound I-90 - Exit 149. Follow signs to the Amphitheater (~7 miles).  Drive time; a little over 2-hours. This drive is flat with long stretches of straightness.
• From Portland - Follow I-84 East out of Portland to US-97 North (~100 miles). Follow US-97 North (~107 miles) to I-90 East. Join I-90 East and follow to Exit 143. Follow signs to Amphitheater (~6 miles). Drive time ~4-¼ hours.

CHARTER BUS OPTIONS

Gorge 2018 Charter Bus - Seattle to Ephrata, WA  

Mason (bonesmcgee) on Antsmarching.org is coordinating a charter bus again for 2018.  Check out the Facebook page for details:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/319834178208743/about/

Rally Bus

From their website: https://rally.co/dave-matthews-band-george-sep5

Rally Rideshare

Let's get there together

Book your seat for travel on a high-end bus to Gorge Amphitheater on Saturday, September 5, 2020 without the hassles of driving, parking, or navigating traffic.

Every Dave Matthews Band show is serviced by Rally!

Transit / Taxi / Uber

• Really… nonexistent.  I have not heard of taxis or Uber that will get you to and from the Gorge Amphitheater, so don’t count on that being an option.
• There is Greyhound service from Seattle to George and Moses Lake, but you’re still a ways away from the venue with no way to get there….  This option may work for meeting up with your group.  

PARKING AT GORGE AMPHITHEATER

The Gorge Amphitheatre has two parking options; Regular or STAR Parking. Designated parking area for physically challenged patrons is available at the front gate. Please follow the signs or parking staff direction upon entering the main lot. The parking lot gate opens normally opens at 12:00pm. Times may vary depending on the event. Sorry, no overnight parking.

STAR PARKING: $45 per Vehicle

Upgrade to STAR Parking for convenient parking. Benefit from the easy access and exit to and from this reserved parking lot. You will be guaranteed a spot within easy reach of the main gates. Sorry, no overnight parking. For overnight stays please see the camping section.

There is also a section called “Plaza Parking” with a separate entrance to the venue. No information is available on where this is located, pricing, or how to purchase.  

PARK AND RIDE INFO:

Often, groups of friends trying to meet up at The Gorge will have varying arrival times and multiple vehicles for only 1 camping pass. There is a Park and Ride lot in George with 36 (!) parking spaces, and two more lots in Moses Lake, where you could potentially leave a vehicle over the weekend.

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/choices/parkride.htm#Grant

CAR / VAN / RV RENTALS

What about my rental car?

I’m ok with a compact, right? WRONG! If you are traveling in for the shows and not camping (i.e. staying in a hotel in Moses lake, or just driving in for a night of the shows) then you are probably OK with cramming your crew into a compact car. If you are camping at the Gorge be advised you will need a car with plenty of space. Our crew of three flew in with all of our camping gear across the country and still managed to completely fill a mini-van. Remember you will have to pack all of your gear, food, drinks, clothing, and people into this car. 4x4 or off-road capability is not necessary. The drive to the Gorge from Seattle is through the mountains but on major highways 99% of the way. The campgrounds themselves are very car friendly.

Trailers are allowed, and do not require extra $ or passes, so renting an SUV or van that can tow a U-haul trailer is also a great option to accommodate a larger group with all your supplies.

What about renting an RV? 

The most commonly used place to rent an RV is www.cruiseamerica.com You can fly into Seattle and rent through them out of Everett or Tacoma both of which are about 25 - 35 miles from the airport.  You can also fly into Spokane and rent from them out of Mead which is about 17 miles from the airport.  It’s going to cost you about $1200-$1500 to rent the RV and it comes EMPTY so you need to either pack or purchase all of your supplies/utensils/bedding etc.  I rented through the Spokane/Mead location,  rented a car from the airport and left the car at the CruiseAmerica location for a $5per day charge so we didn’t have to get a taxi to and from the airport.  There are no hook ups at the Gorge campgrounds and only electrical at Wildhorse Campground.  You are responsible for dumping the RV before you return it or you can pay extra to have them do it.  When you rent through CruiseAmerica you need to figure in an extra day because they are closed on Labor Day so you can’t return the RV until Tuesday.  They book fast so if you are thinking of going this route make your plans now.  Here is another rental company I have heard good things about  www.tacomarv.com.
RV Town in Everett www.rvtown.com provided a great experience last year, and they even allowed for return of the vehicle on the holiday Monday (something to keep in mind when you book your rental!).

Rental RV Delivery to the Gorge

These rental companies in Washington State have been reported to offer on-site delivery for camping vehicles. There is a FaceBook “Pilgrimage to the Gorge” group thread that talks about this topic. There is confirmation that if you are renting a Trailer for delivery(not motorized RV) then you only need ONE CAMPING PASS.  If you tow your own trailer in you only need one pass, too.

If towing a passenger vehicle on the back of a motorized RV you may need TWO passes.

It is recommended that you contact both the rental company and the campground (Gorge or Wildhorse) as to their policy on rental deliveries. More info will be posted as it comes available. The following is a link to a privat

Wenatchee RV Rental

http://www.wenatcheervrental.com/

https://www.facebook.com/RVrentalWenatchee?ref=br_tf

Apple Capitol RV Rentals

http://acrvrentals.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Apple-Capital-RV-Rentals/370390823074789

This was pulled from the LiveNation website in regards to Gorge Camping.

For more information on The Gorge Campground - visit GORGECAMPING.COM.

There is a strict limit of 6 people per campsite. If you're party is larger than 6 people, please purchase the proper number of campsites. Vehicles entering campground can not be larger than 40 feet. For Campground hours, please review the EVENT INFO tab.

If you wish to tow an additional vehicle, you may be required to purchase an additional  campsite. 

CAMPING GEAR RENTAL

How am I supposed to bring all of my camping gear on an airplane?

Camping across the country is never easy. A lot of folks choose to rent camping gear from various outfitters in Seattle. If you are planning on doing this you should contact them early as equipment may be limited and a lot of repeat visitors use this method.  

REI        http://www.rei.com/stores/rentals.html#Washington

REI Seattle (15 miles from SEATAC in downtown Seattle)

Address: 222 Yale Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, United States

Phone:+1 206-223-1944

REI Southcenter (3.5 miles from SEATAC Airport)

Address: 240 Andover Park W, Tukwila, WA 98188,  United States

Phone: +1 206-248-1938

REI Spokane (7.5 miles from Spokane International)

Address:1125 N Monroe St, Spokane, WA 99201, United States

Phone: +1 509-328-9900

Back 40 Outfitters (Seattle based; online only)

www.back40outfitters.com Phone: 206-414-8407

Back 40 rents full concert/festival camping kits with all the essentials

Feedback from folks who used Back 40 Outfitters in 2015 is very positive.  In 2015 a full camping kit included tent, air mattress and pump, pillows, sleeping bags, shade canopy, camp stove, dishes, pots and pans, camp chairs, flashlight, and a blanket, all for under $300.  The owner is considering doing delivery direct to the Gorge for 2016, so make sure you ask about this if you contact them!

Olympic Camping Rentals

http://www.olympiccampingrentals.com/

If you’re willing to make the drive way out of the way, this gear rental outfit has a wide selection of camping supply packages.  Pick up and drop off location is about 2 hours from Sea-Tac airport, in the wrong direction of The Gorge.

Kaf Adventures

http://www.kafadventures.com/about/rental-equipment/

Kaf is about 15 minutes away from Sea-Tac airport.

Other lists of camping gear suppliers

http://www.wta.org/signpost/where-to-rent-or-borrow-gear

CAMPING GEAR PACKING TIPS

If you are one of those that owns your own equipment or will be borrowing others it is possible to fly your camping gear to the Gorge. Hint: choose an airline with free or limited baggage fees and check all of your gear. Please remember to adhere to TSA guidelines - you cannot check propane canisters or fuel of any kind. Additionally, many airlines have size and weight restrictions that you should take into account when preparing your packed camp gear for the trip. For example: Southwest airlines, which does allow two (2) free checked bags per person, has a weight restriction of 50lbs and a dimension restriction of 62 total inches (length + width + height) per checked piece of luggage. You can check over 50lbs or over the total dimension restrictions just be prepared to get hit with a fee at the airline check-in counter.

A lot of us will pack our camping gear in coolers or heavy duty duffle bags for the trip across the states. During the winter months coolers are traditionally 50%-75% off. We purchased this Coleman 70qt cooler which just barely met the airline checked bag restrictions. We packed the cooler with our inflatable mattress, tent, lighting, and other campground needs and then used luggage straps to keep the lid closed in transit. A cooler is a GREAT way to act as a piece of luggage and provide you with cold beer/food storage once you arrive in Washington. If you DO decided to use a cooler as one of your checked pieces of luggage make sure you do NOT duct tape the lid closed BEFORE you go through check-in. Most airlines will make you open the lid of the cooler to make sure you are not transporting dry ice or other chemicals. Additionally, most airlines will require you to sign a waiver stating that they are not responsible for damage to your cooler.

Most airlines have a 50lb max weight restriction on checked luggage so minimal is the name of the game. Try using some heavy duty duffle bags to pack your remaining camping gear. We purchased several of these inexpensive high quality duffel bags from Amazon prior to the trip and were so impressed with the quality that we bought two more after the Gorge. A heavy duty duffle bag will take up minimum weight and provide maximum storage space for your remaining supplies and camp gear.

Compression bags are your friend! You can pick them up at your local outdoor store (REI or the like) or online at amazon. I use one for my sleeping bag and one for my tent cuz ain't nobody got time to fit that stuff back in it's original packaging.

http://www.backcountry.com/outdoor-r...FZSSfgod0EkA8Q

And here's a plug for one my most favorite sites for cheap gear.

http://www.steepandcheap.com/?CMP_ID...teep_and_cheap

The items offered are constantly changing, but with a bit of persistence you can get some steals on outdoor gear.

Also, set up your equipment at home first. HUGE thing! You need to make sure all of the parts are present! I also recommend waterproofing all of your seams as well.

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&key...l_5s6sgm0ej6_b

FOOD & SUPPLIES

What do I do about food and drinks? 

You can acquire all of your perishable goods at a number of locations between your arrival city and George, WA. Issaquah and Ellensburg are major city on the I-90 corridor on the way to the Gorge. SeaTac Airport is near the cities of Tukwila and Renton. Here are a couple of recommendations for where to shop with easy access on your way to the Gorge.

Tip for keeping your stuff cold: DRY ICE

Camping hack- dry ice at the bottom of the cooler.

Where does one find dry ice around the Gorge area? 

Most Grocery Stores. Put it in the bottom and cover with a layer of paper (paper bag or newspaper) and put the items you want coldest or are going to use last (as in Sunday) on the bottom and fill up from there and pour regular ice over top when finished loading.

So just layer the bottom of the cooler with dry ice and dump regular ice on top and it will stay cold all weekend?

It sure will. Dry ice, then foods and drinks than regular ice. Of course cooler quality and cooler maintenance come in to play, but yes. As in, keep your cooler in the shade whenever possible, drain any excess water, and make the lid stays shut when not in use. LOL You may have to add a bag or two of ice, but not nearly as much as without. I have a couple of Coleman Xtreme coolers that will keep items cold between 5 to 7 days.

http://www.airgasdryice.net/pdfs/penguin/packingacooler.pdf

Shopping for Supplies

PRO TIP: Most grocery stores do online orders so you can prep your whole list ahead of time and just pick it up.  This is a HUGE time saver if you’ve just stepped off a long flight and are jet-lagged and exhausted.  Guaranteed to prevent a meltdown in the paper towel aisle of Fred Meyer.  

Seattle Arrival

If traveling from SeaTac directly to the Gorge, you will pass through the Tukwila, Renton area before hitting I-90 East. The next stops would be Issaquah, North Bend and Ellensburg.

• Costco‎ Wholesale (Membership Required)

400 Costco Dr #150, Tukwila, WA 98188

*Costco is a good inexpensive place to buy your bulk food and alcohol (including liquor) enroute to the Gorge. It is conveniently located right outside of Renton on your drive from the airport in Seattle. Note: Any Costco membership (including Canadian Costco Memberships) will work at this location.

• REI

        240 Andover Park W, Tukwila, WA 98188

• Safeway Grocery Store (very near SeaTac Airport)

4011 S 164th St., Seattle, WA 98188

• Fred Meyer

365 Renton Center Way SW, Renton, WA 98057

        201 S Water St, Ellensburg, WA

*this is right off of I-90 between Seattle and the Gorge and has everything you need (groceries / liquor / supplies / camping gear)

• Super 1 Foods

        200 E Mountain View Ave, Ellensburg, WA 98926

• Walmart Super Center

743 Rainier Ave S, Renton, WA 98057

Spokane Arrival

When traveling to the Gorge from Spokane there are very few options for supplies once you leave Spokane. First you will come across Ritzville (pop.~1,600) and then Moses Lake (pop. ~20,000+), with the latter being the best option.

• Costco

        5601 E Sprague Ave, Spokane, WA 99212

• REI

        1125 N Monroe St, Spokane, WA 99201

When should I get to the Gorge?

If you have purchased a camping pass from the Gorge itself  (general, premier, or terrace) your pass allows you access to the campgrounds the day before the first show on Thursday (or as will be more commonly referenced - N0) at 3pm. A lot of Gorge fans will come in the day before to get their camp setup and to be able to rest and tailgate a full 24hrs before the first show. Although, there are still plenty of people who don’t choose to travel in until the morning/afternoon of N1 on Friday. You will have to be packed up and OUT of the Gorge campgrounds by noon on the Labour Day Monday after N3.

HOTELS IN SEATTLE

Staying in Seattle before or after your trip to the Gorge? There are plenty of options to use for hotels near the airport. Those of you flying back on Tuesday will probably elect to stay in a hotel on Monday night in Seattle. The following is a list of hotel recommendations close to the SEATAC airport.

• Red Roof Inn - This is where the Toups Town group stays. Right across from the airport and the chartered bus heads to the Wildhorse Campground. Right up the hill from Costco, too.
• Seattle Airport Marriott - If you book far enough in advance this is a great hotel option as it is directly across the street from the airport and has a free daily shuttle to/from SEATAC to get you to the airport for your flight home.

HOTELS IN SPOKANE

The Davenport- Downtown Spokane, about 15 mins away from airport but very nice.

The rest are very close to airport, some more expensive than others:

Hilton

Wingate By Wyndam *My personal favorite (josh101prf)

Ramada

Holiday Inn

I (josh101prf) still think a person flying to the gorge is better off flying into Spokane, much smaller airport, no traffic, easy in and out of the city.

WHAT TO DO IN SEATTLE

Many who choose to venture to the Gorge Amphitheater will spend some extra time in Seattle either before or after the concert weekend. What can you do while in town? Here are some regional specific attractions you may want to check out.

Museum of Flight

Pike Place Market 

Ride the Ducks 

The NFL Champs Seattle Seahawks are riding the Ducks. So should you.

Travelers and local Seattle-ites of all ages love to Ride the Ducks! Our hilarious, Coast Guard-certified maritime captains will take you on an adventure tour of Seattle while they narrate historical information and local folklore, dance to funky music and QUACK you up with jokes and comedy! Then, SPLASH into the water to cruise on Lake Union and enjoy a breath-taking view of the Seattle skyline!

Seattle Underground

Don’t miss the evening Adult tour, with cocktails served.

Experience Music Project (map)

Jimi Hendrix Memorial (map)

Bring paper and crayons/charcoals. They make for a great art project. There's some really beautiful work on that memorial, and doing a rubbing of it is pretty rad for some DIY art.

Seattle Great Wheel

Space Needle (map)

Seattle Aquarium

Seattle Beer Fest (August 22 - 24)

Seattle Hempfest (August 14 - 16, 2015) (just cuz)

National Parks in Washington

Mount Rainier        

Olympic National Park

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

What are my accommodation options when attending a three day event out in the middle of nowhere? There are many pros and cons to every option there is. Let’s just leave it at it being a personal preference. Most will camp at the adjacent Gorge Campground in various tents/tarps/RVs/Trailers/etc, where there are a few different areas of varying amenities. There is also a smaller private campground called Wildhorse Campground that has bus transportation (with donuts) to and from the Amphitheater Main Gate. You can also find other camping locations along the river or in the vicinity, however they will require driving to and from the venue. Hotel accommodations are available, but these are over 20 miles distant. Labor Day Weekend is also the time the Ellensburg Rodeo is held. This is one of the top 10 professional Rodeos in the country and makes a large draw to the Ellensburg area during the weekend. Hotels will fill up early. There are private residents that rent out their property that are within a short drive to the venue as well.

Here is a helpful Campgrounds-At-A-Glance comparison chart of the various amenities and options for each campground.  

Here is a helpful FLOWCHART m_dubb created for assisting you in your camping options.

GORGE CAMPING

Southeasterly view in early afternoon. Amphitheater stage is upper left. Premier Camping is the upper left quarter of circle. General camping is the rest. Terrace is out of view below the Premier area. (Actual photo date undocumented)

DO PEOPLE REALLY CAMP OUT THERE?  

I don’t camp. My wife/husband/SO doesn’t camp. I think camping is weird. Yes, yes, yes!!! Some of us really do camp out at the Gorge and we think you  should really think twice about it as well. Camping at the Gorge is part of the experience and allure of traveling all the way across the country to see your favorite band. There’s just something to be said about being outdoors with ~15,000 of your closest DMB family. There are people from all ages and walks of life camping at the Gorge and in the words of our community, “you are NEVER coming to the Gorge alone.” A lot of things make the Gorge different from that camping trip you took with mom and dad 20 years ago that left a bad taste in your mouth.

Site Amenities

#1 - Bathrooms. Depending on where you camp you have access to port-o-potties (Honey Buckets) at the very least, nearly everywhere. Additionally, if you camp in Premier or Terrace you have access to real life flushable toilets just like you use at home.

#2 - Food vendors and a general store. There are a lot of people that bring minimal food or cooking equipment and just survive off of the food vendors at the Gorge. You can find hamburgers, gyros, tacos, etc, from one of the many food truck vendors that park at the Pivot at the Gorge campgrounds. Sometimes you can even find pizza. Additionally there is a general store on the grounds that you can walk to that will sell you ice, water, beer, snacks, medical supplies, etc. (at a serious premium-so unless you like to overpay for things, bring your own).

#3 - YOU CAN WALK TO/FROM THE SHOWS EVERY NIGHT. Yes, you read that correctly! Why would you want to sit in one lane of car traffic trying to get out of the show evernight to drive back to your hotel ~30mins away at normal traffic when you can take the “majestic” 0.8 mile walk from the top of the hill in the venue back to the gate into the campground? (1.3 miles from the rail to the Campground Quad). If the walk doesn’t interest you (even though you should do it at least once) premier campground offers a shuttle that will take you to near the entrance of the venue, and terrace has private vans that will take you to a closer entrance).

#4 - Tailgating. It’s a weird sensation to wake up every morning and to be able to immediately start tailgating for that night’s show. It’s always 4:20/5:00/quittin’ time at the Gorge campgrounds, if you know what we mean.

OK, you convinced me, so where do we camp? General? Premier? Terrace? Wildhorse? Other? And what is this Gold Camping that is new to DMB this year?

Each of the campground options offers a different unique “experience” for the Gorge traveler. We will try to break down your options with reviews from participants in each camping level below. The Gorge amphitheater (now managed by LiveNation - ugh) manages the three main on-property camping options - General, Premier, and the newest option Terrace. These camping options can be purchased via a Warehouse request or by TicketMaster during one of the many ticket releases.

TERRACE CAMPING

Terrace is the most expensive at $300+ (per vehicle, for the weekend) and fastest sellout of the options while camping at the Gorge. Terrace will offer its camper’s private (from the other campgrounds) toilets and showers as well as some of the most scenic views of heaven’s amphitheater. Terrace camping also provides a private shuttle for transfer to/from the venue (yes, you can still walk, this is just a premium option for those who would rather be shuttled.) Some other benefits of Terrace camping include this testimonial from AntsMarching user dmbolp, “a few things make Terrace worth the extra price for us. You can’t beat that view. My wife doesn't go to the shows so she stays with a few other folks and watches the sunset, personal vans to/from the venue on call with no waiting is nice. Van/Terrace access drops us off at a more forward point than any other so we have a 200 yard head start to grab a good spot on the lawn or get railed on the pit. Coffee and donuts are provided every morning for no charge, there is never a line at the restrooms or showers that are provided for us. Easy in/out vehicle access because terrace is closest to the campground entrance. Quietest campground at night but just a 2min walk from the party in general/premier campgrounds. Private picnic table provided at every camp spot and a short walk to the general store.”^[1] 

PREMIER CAMPING

Premier campgrounds have become the happy medium for those Gorgers that don't want to spend the extra money on Terrace/want the party atmosphere of General camping/want to still be able to go to bed feeling safe every night. Premier is affordable at $160 (per vehicle, for the weekend) and will give you more camping “space” to spread out compared to General camping. Premier camping, like the other two Gorge offered camping plans, is charged per car entering the campgrounds. Premier camping is conveniently located to access the amphitheatre, has superior views across the Gorge and has easy egress. Access to clean, private restrooms and free shower facilities.These campsites are extra roomy and easily accessible to accommodate larger vehicles i.e. SUVs, RVs or travel trailers.

Sorry, NO HOOK UPS. Occupancy is limited to six persons per site (this is very loosely enforced).

You can access any campgrounds at a lower level than yours with your wristband but you cannot access any campgrounds at a higher level that the campgrounds you selected. I.e. if you purchased Premier camping access you can walk into the General camping area (affectionately referred to by many as ‘District 9’) but you cannot access the Terrace campground area. Experienced staff are on hand to provide assistance as needed and to monitor sites for unauthorized guests. Premier camping also includes access to a special shuttle service to & from the amphitheatre is provided that drops you off right at the gate if you would rather take a shuttle then walk to/from the concerts.

GOLD CAMPING

Gold Camping is new for DMB 2015:

• Oversized spaces (25’x50’).

• Close to the Amphitheatre.

• Not in the main campground.

• Short walk to the main gates.

• Private restrooms.

• Free shower facilities.

• Sorry, no RV hookups available.

http://www.gorgecamping.com/Gold--Camping.html

Pros: Close to gate, each site is staked out so each ticket holder has the same amount of space.

Cons: Lots of RVs with loud generators, day parking is next to the campground and lots of people walk through the camp, lax security.

GLAMPING

There are 4 “Glamping” tents that are sold out for 2018.  There is a standing reservation for these tents, they are essentially impossible to book.

GORGE OASIS

Oasis Camping is now sold online:

http://www.gorgecamping.com/gorge-oasis

All GORGE OASIS experiences include bag service, furnished canvas tent, 24/7 concierge service and access to the Cliff House, which is located inside the concert venue. The campground also has 2 large grills and complimentary light breakfast exclusively for Oasis Guests to use. Please see the Oasis FAQ page below for more details on what to expect while staying at The Oasis.

Oasis Camping is only sold via Ticketmaster.com, Universe.com or directly through a Live Nation sales representative. The Gorge Amphitheatre will not honor Oasis Camping sold from secondary market websites.

GENERAL CAMPING A.K.A. “DISTRICT 9”

You do not need to buy your general camping pass ahead of time, should you wish to save on fees, etc. You can roll up and buy at the gate, it will never sell out. They will find you a place. General camping is a bit more wook-filled than the fenced in and exclusive lands of premier and terrace camping. It can be a bit of a free-for-all party central. Sleep is not in abundance, neither is space. It can be a GREAT time, however, so don’t let us scare you (there are plenty of people, who will camp nowhere but D9). There are plenty of comfort stations (porto-potties & sinks) around the campgrounds. There’s not usually a quiet time enforced, but in the last few years security has put a kibosh on the super loud DJ/Rave/Live Metal bands/Huge speaker type parties that have gone on in years prior.  At the end of the day at least 99% of those in general are there for the same reason you are, so you’ll get along just fine if you missed the boat on anything more “civilized” as far as camping goes.

New for 2018: “Easy Camping” Double Occupancy, $819/ticket: Pull into The Gorge Campground and have your campsite all set up and waiting for you! Easy Camping (in General Camping) includes the following items that are yours to keep: -1 Gorge-branded tent for 2 -2 Single Sized Air Mattresses -2 Gorge-branded Sleeping Bags -2 Pillows with Pillowcases -1 Lock for the tent - A Parking spot close to your vehicle - Based on Double Occupancy - 24/7 On-site Staff - General Showers- $3 per shower. - No additional Camping pass required. Concert ticket is required.

GORGE CAMPGROUND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS

Can I bring my dog to the Gorge Campgrounds? 

No. Do not bring any pet whatsoever, not because we don't like them - we are all animal lovers here - but it is cruel and unfair to the pet to leave it alone in the campground or parking lot, locked up or in a car or tent where it may suffer from extreme heat. When we see a pet in a car or running around the camp ground unattended, we will alert the authorities and your vehicle may be entered and the pet taken to a shelter for its own welfare. You may be subject to prosecution for cruelty to animals.

* Service Animals are permitted however.^[2]

Are there showers at the Gorge campgrounds? 

Hot & cold showers are available. For Regular camping the showers can be found at the "Pivot" and there will be a $3.00 charge. In Premier and Terraces Camping showers are provided free of charge.

I want to camp with/next to my friends. Can you reserve a spot? 

Camping sites in Regular & Premier camping are allocated as you arrive, spaces cannot be held or reserved, so if you want to camp in groups, you must show up at the same time.

3 - 2 - 1 Rule

Desert 3-2-1 rule

3 hours sleep a day

2 solid meals

1 gallon of water

These are minimums, people

Everything in the desert is trying to kill you - it's all sharp pointy things, temperature extremes, and bad intentions.  The campground is a nice rubber room oasis to protect us in the middle of nowhere, but we're still outdoors.

We usually get a somewhat mild weekend, even so a mud soak in lawn is preferably to becoming leather in uppers. A hot day which will throw you off your game if you didn't follow 3-2-1. Think - raging headache from the heat and lack of sleep, weakness without food and especially water will amplify that headache a thousand times (she said).

3am-6am is usually pretty slow - grab something or someone warm and take a little snooze until the smell of pancakes and a pressing bladder wake you. Losing control of your shitter or pisser because you flooded the system with corn dogs and arena "margaritas" is a poor way to go out early in the game.

I didn't mention shower or deodorant, but it's personal decision to wook out or not. The water is much more important in you than on you. However - those breaking the deal of hygiene in post-op party social settings will be banished to the outskirts of D9 and Bordertown - they are likely more comfortable in those environments anyway.

Questions?

source:TommydCat on Ants.org

What are the rules at the campgrounds run by the Gorge Campground for General, Premier, Terrace, and Gold?

1. Quiet time is strictly enforced from 2:00 am to 8:00 am. (or not)
2. Check out time is 10:00am on your departure date
3. Underage use or possession of alcohol will not be tolerated.
4. No illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia. *
5. No firearms or weapons of any kind.
6. No binge drinking devices (dizzy bats, beer bongs, etc)**
7. No fireworks, camp or open fires.
8. No large parties, kegs or binge drinking devices.
9. Unauthorized vending of food or merchandise, including alcohol, is prohibited under WA state law.
10. You must possess a concert ticket to be in the campground. ***
11. Obey all posted "No Trespassing" signs.

*Discretionary this is WA... Just don’t be flagrant and you will be fine.

**They seriously took our dizzy bat when it wasn’t even in use, just SITTING on a table outside.

***We were never asked to provide proof of concert tickets and know of several people who came to camp and party but did not go to the concerts themselves. ^[3]

Is there WiFi at the Gorge? Cell Coverage?

Seriously? OK, there is no WiFi at the Gorge or any of it’s campgrounds (as of 2014). There is EXCELLENT cell/4g connection with Verizon at the Gorge and its surrounding campgrounds. The AT&T service was spotty depending on how many people were using their network at any given time. The Sprint service is spotty at best as well.

What do I do with all this camping gear now? 

So, I’ve had a great time and need to go home now. Trouble is I flew in from England and I bought all this camping equipment when I got to Seattle. I can’t take it back over the pond. What am I going to do with it all?

This is a very common scenario at the Gorge. The most recommended solution is to check with the neighbors you had the past four plus days. Often “locals” will relieve you of your burdens and may even offer to bring everything back for you next year.

Another option is to drop it off at a local charity on your return to the airport. There are a few options close to SeaTac. Goodwill has drop stations in Tukwila and Burien, both about 5 miles from the airport.

WILDHORSE CAMPGROUND                                                                    

Wildhorse Passes on sale on Wednesday January 22, $250.00 - SOLD OUT

Phone: 509-398-0543

Email: scott@wildhorsecampground.com

Official Campground of the TOUPSTOWN crew

NOTE: THERE IS NO WEDNESDAY OPENING OR PIG ROAST AT WILDHORSE THIS YEAR

This is a rather small privately owned and operated campground. It has historically sold all of its available space very quickly and recently within the first day of offering. In 2014 it sold out in about 15 minutes. New rule for 2016 is a limit of 2 camping passes per household.

Anyone can visit Wildhorse with a $10 per day per person pass. Check their website for further information. For anyone considering traveling between the main Gorge Campground and Wildhorse, you should be aware that the walk between the two  is 1.5 miles and is along a heavily used road. The Grant County Sheriff is not fond of pedestrians on the road.

Vehicles are parked next to each other along the roads and your camping spot/area is behind the cars creating a great communal area in the middle. There is nice fluffy green grass that was once described as a "long-haired golf course" (when you see and feel it, this will make a lot more sense). A few trees are scattered around providing some morning and afternoon shade.  Wildhorse is a private campground run by Scott and Cindi and has been in operation since 1999.  The staff is welcoming and works hard to ensure you have a great stay.

• Check in time is any time after 9 AM the day before the event (N0) and check out time is noon the day after the event.
• The past couple of years they have opened up the campground on the Wednesday before the weekend (N-1) for an additional fee of around $40-50, which included a pig roast.  If you follow Wildhorse Campground on Facebook you can keep up-to-date if they are doing this again this year.
• Free continual shuttles are provided to take you to and from the shows.  The shuttles start approximately two hours before gates open and run until an hour after the show (or until there is no one left at the pick up spot. No man or woman is left behind)
• Ice is available at the front entrance for a reasonable price.
• Quiet time begins at midnight and is enforced by the staff.
• The CORRAL CAFE is awesome and not expensive. The breakfast burritos and free coffee are a godsend for hangover mornings. They serve burgers, wraps, sandwiches, salads, etc. all day and they're open after the show for midnight hunger. It is pretty awesome food. Most people usually plan on eating most of their meals there so they don't have to buy groceries, pack, and cook their meals.
• There are 8 private showers that are open to the sky. The hot water usually lasts all day. The only thing is the wait can be kind of long. Don't forget to bring your flip-flops for showering. And, girls... yes, there are electrical outlets. If the wait is too long and you can handle cold water, there are several outdoor showers out in the open that some people use.
• Wildhorse has a large grassy open space for all to use.  If you are so inclined you can bring lawn games (cornhole, washers, bocce ball, kube) to pass the time.  They also have a volleyball net set up.
• The Wild Stage is covered and equipped with power.  If you are a performer, solo or band, and would like to play a set contact scott@wildhorsecampground.com to make arrangements.

If you want to stay at WildHorse, you should buy a camping pass as soon as the dates are confirmed. It will sell out and it will sell out fast. The price for the camping pass for DMB weekend is $160 per vehicle for 4 nights for up to 4 persons. Each additional person is $10 each per night. RV and tent trailer passes are available at a higher rate. If for some reason you end up not being able to go, you can sell your pass. If you do sell/buy a pass, you will need to provide the buyer with a copy of the drivers license of the name of the person who originally purchased the pass.^[4]

The Park at Cave B RV Camping

https://www.theparkatcaveb.com/about

Under separate management from Cave B Winery and Cave B Resort, The Park at Cave B offers a few spots for RV camping only.  $150 for the weekend.  

• These are RV spots.  Unfortunately, we do not take reservations for tent or car camping.​
• The Park is independently owned, we are not apart of either the Winery or the Inn.  
• There is a two-vehicle limit per site included in the nightly fee.  There is a $25 dollar a night for each additional vehicle.
• One tent is allowed in addition to the Recreational Vehicle.
• The Park is only open on Event Weekends.  There is no long term or midweek camping.
• At this time the sites are still dry sites; no power, water, or waste hookups.  There are porta-potties, outdoor showers, and a garbage drop off location.
• The sites are numbered and at the time of reserving your spot, you will pick your site and location based on availability.  Upon arrival, you will be guided to your reserved spot.  Neither the Winery or the Inn has anything to do with checking you in.
• Pods (large spaces surrounded by apple trees, are now only available to group reservations.)  
• All dogs must be on a leash or in a portable container when outside of RV or Vehicle​.  Please pick-up after your dog.  If your dog is considered to be aggressive and/or barks excessively we will ask you to keep it inside your RV.
• No wood fires.
• Please be respectful and responsible for your actions and noise level.  While you don't have to go to bed at 12 am, please enjoy the early morning quietly!
• Generators are always permitted but ask that they are shut off between 12 am and 7 am and also make sure they are locked up.

  ---

DIRECTIONS

From Seattle: Take I-90 East, Take exit 143, Gorge Amphitheatre. Take left on Silica road and follow Gorge Amphitheatre signs approximately 6 miles, the entrance to Cave B Estate Winery & Resort will be on your left hand side

From Spokane: Take I-90 West, take exit 149. Follow signs to the Gorge Amphitheatre, approximately 6 miles, turn right on Silica Road, the entrance to Cave B Estate Winery & Resort will be on your left hand side

From Quincy: Take highway 281 South, Beverly-Burke road to Baseline, turn right and go approximately 6 miles, turn right on Silica Road, the entrance to Cave B Estate Winery & Resort will be on your left hand side

From Portland: Take I-84 East, Highway 97 North, I-90 East, then to exit 143 the Gorge Amphitheatre. Follow Gorge Amphitheatre signs approximately 6 miles, the entrance to Cave B Estate Winery & Resort will be on your left hand side

From Vancouver, BC: Take I-5 South to I-90 Eastbound. Follow I-90 to exit 143, Gorge Amphitheatre. Follow Gorge Amphitheatre signs approximately 6 miles, the entrance to Cave B Estate Winery & Resort will be on your left hand side.

HOTELS NEAR GORGE AMPHITHEATER

Staying in a hotel near the Gorge instead of camping? Yes, you can stay in a hotel if you are absolutely opposed to camping under the stars. Be aware - hotels near the Gorge are few and far between and you should book as early as you can to guarantee availability. The closest “larger” city to George, WA is Moses Lake (37 miles to venue). Some of the other cities to look at include Vantage (15 miles), Quincy (17 miles), Ellensburg (43 miles) and Wenatchee (48 miles). Crescent Bar is also a community with resort facilities or private rentals.

Remember that the Ellensburg Rodeo is Labor Day Weekend as well. Ellensburg accommodations fill up early due to that.

Here are a few personal reviews about some hotel options near the Gorge (in no particular order or ranking):

• Comprehensive list of accessible hotels by Toupstown.com 
• Wenatchee Holiday Inn Express
  “If you're interested in a hotel the wenatchee holiday inn express was decent enough, well priced, and had decent availability. It's also close to some fun stuff to do away from the gorge (Leavenworth, farmers market, great restaurants) but you're gonna drive about an hour and a half there and back. Fly into Wenatchee and it's about 10 minutes to the hotel. We did this last year and had a lot of fun. If you do the hotel thing id try to score a VIP parking pass, you get in and out without hassle which was nice with such a long three night drive.”^[5]
• Crescent Bar Resort
  “Check out Crescent Bar Resort. It’s only 25 minutes from venue and is a beautiful island on the mighty Columbia. They have condos to rent as well as homes.”^[6]

OTHER CAMPING OPTIONS

Vantage - Vantage Riverstone

509-856-2800 Located at 551 Main St., Vantage, WA 98950

Come stay in a peaceful environment for a night or for a season with a close up view of the Columbia River out your front door. We have large, grassy sites, some are well shaded, some pull-through sites with full hookups, mostly 30/20 amp, some back in sites have 50 amp. We have no extra charge hot showers, laundry facilities, playground, basketball court, soccer, volleyball, gas and diesel available at the stations, marina and boat launch. Museums, wineries, golf courses, ORV parks, fishing, and all outdoor fun available nearby. Conference, meeting, and reunion indoor facilities available. Tenting in areas, responsible pets allowed. Summer prices for 2014 non-concert dates are around $27.27 plus tax for full hookup RV, and $19.19 for tents, plus tax. Both rates cover two people, with kids in the family free. Good Sam, and military discount honored, except on holiday and concert weekends. Concert and event pricing may apply. Call 509 856-2800 Monday-Friday between 10am-3pm for specifics or email vantagedesk@gmail.com. An $11.00 non-refundable reservation fee is required  per camping site, per room, or per house (Visa/MC only).^[7]

Feathers

This is a more primitive camping experience. No website info, no reservations. From a rock climbing website I gathered the following info: Hop off I-90 at exit 143 - also labeled as the exit for the Gorge Amphitheatre - the Silica Road exit, and follow the road to the first left (Vantage Road), and head down the canyon for about 1.2 miles. You can't miss the Feathers and climbing/camping following these directions and continuing all the way to the end of the road, passed the climbing and camping sites will get you to a large parking lot-and boat ramp to the river. This is where a lot of folks go hang for the day. Grab a large inflatable raft (or not), some adult beverages and sunscreen and enjoy the day. You may also have some good results if you google “Feathers Campground Vantage”.

Wanapum State Park

See notes about Columbia River water level here.

https://washington.goingtocamp.com/WanapumStatePark

Located right along I-90 in the rest-area town of Vantage, the campground has access to the river, is very DMB-fan friendly, and is a popular spot. The sites are on lush grass but are exposed to sun and wind. Also, you will hear the roar of traffic on nearby I-90 24 hours a day.

Potholes State Park

http://www.stateparks.com/potholes.html

This State Park also has nice facilities, however it's about an hour drive to and from the venue. It's on Potholes Reservoir, has a boat launch, a nice swimming beach, and some nice grassy campsites. It also has some not so nice campsites with lots of gravel and snake-infested tall grass, weeds and shrubs.

WHAT CAMPING / GENERAL SUPPLIES WILL I NEED?

The excellent information below was posted by Dmbfan17 on Antsmarching.org.

Shelter/Bedding:

• Tent (some kind of shelter/hut)
• Sleeping Bag, maybe an extra blanket or quilt or something, it does get really chilly at night
• Air Mattress (with pump and batteries)
• Blankets and Pillows
• Canopy or some kind of tarp set-up for shade during the day, this really is a must-have!
• Tarp (to put under the tent)
• Seam Sealer
• Something to pound stakes into the ground for tent
• Rope
• Floor Mats (use at tent entrance)

Food Related/Cooking:

• Water (at least 1/2 gallon per person/day)
• Cutting Board/Knife
• Beer (or the like)
• Beer cozies (gotta keep those beers cold in that hot sun)
• Dish Towels
• Grill  (propane)
• Lighter Fluid
• Grill Lighter (great in case it's wet out)
• Coolers to keep food and other things cold
• Pans (for cooking) and spatula/large spoons
• Bottle opener
• Can opener
• Tongs
• Pot holders
• Garbage Bags
• Ice
• Dishes
• Reusable Plate - Partition tray/plate is nice,
• Plastic/glass cup Knife, Fork, Spoon, Spatula,Tupperware

Consumables:

• Paper towels & napkins
• Paper plates, cups, bowls, etc.
• Plastic knives, forks, spoons
• Ziplock Bags
• Aluminum Foil
• Dish soap
• Don’t forget the food

Lighting:

• Flashlight
• Headlamps
• Lanterns
• Matches/Lighter

Clothing:

• Hat
• Bandanna
• Jacket
• Poncho
• Pants (don't have all shorts)
• Underwear
• Socks
• Sandals to wear in showers (for those that have them)
• Swim suit
• Sunglasses
• Shoes
• Laundry Bag
• Extra Clothing (a must, don't go on the bare minimum. If it rains a change of clothes is essential. Also gets very cold on windy and/or rainy nights)

Medical:

• First Aid kit
• Sunscreen
• Bug Spray (Don't want to be distracted by annoying as hell bug bites during the concert)
• Tylenol, Advil, Aspirin,Tums
• Tweezers
• Sinus Tablets
• Allergy Eye Drops
• Pocket pack of Tissues
• Prescriptions
• Cough drops

Cleaning/Personal Items:

• Soap
• Antibacterial Hand gel.
• Baby wipes (good, fast cleanup of hands, face, and pits)
• Deodorant
• Washcloths
• Shampoo
• Toothpaste and toothbrush
• Comb/hair brush/clips/bands
• Make-up (lol)
• Towel
• Toilet Paper
• Contact solution and extra pair of contacts
• "feminine" supplies

Miscellaneous:

• Money, credit card, ID
• Walkie Talkies
• Cell phone (with extra battery or car charger)
• Camera (with batteries)
• Camcorder
• Cards/Games
• Small table
• Watch/clock of some kind
• Chairs
• Basic tools (screwdriver, hammer)
• Frisbee, Hacky Sack, Football, Soccer Ball, etc.
• Stereo
• Extra Batteries (for stereo and/or flashlights)
• Rubber Bands
• Guitar
• Earplugs (if you need quiet when you sleep)
• Condoms
• Rope
• Jumper cables
• Spray bottle (with cold water for hot days)
• Heavy duty tape (fixes holes in tents or other problems)

Also if you get anything new, tent, grill, cooler, etc. (anything important) be sure to try it out before you take it. Make sure it works, make sure all the parts are there,  and that there are no problems.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR STUFF SAFE

This year there will be lockers available to use (2014 news. unverified for 2015)

https://guestmanager.com/FestivalLockers-DaveMatthews2014

At the campgrounds, be sure to lock your valuables in your vehicle when you’re leaving your campsite for the concerts, especially in General Camping, and take your car keys with you.  This should include any electronics, extra cash, tickets, your coolers, and anything else you would be devasatated to part with.  Unfortunately, there have been thefts reported, with people even slashing locked tents to get to personal items.

TICKET OPTIONS

SEATING CHARTS

Official Ticketmaster Gorge Amphitheater Seating Chart

Interactive Seating Chart

Seating Chart (image)

Seating Chart (image little blurry, but rows are defined)

VIP and Box Seat tickets can be obtained directly through a Live Nation Rep, and are generally very expensive. These tickets give you access to the Cliff House bar which has food, booze, a nice seating area and great views, as well as real flushing toilets.  (Note: Oasis patrons also have Cliff House access.)

• The first row of seats behind the Pit is Row 16. The pit takes up the front half of Sections 101, 102 and 103. Section 102 is right behind pit and is only eight (8) rows deep.
• Seat numbers run right to left as you are facing the stage. If you are sitting in the middle of any row and facing the stage, seat #1 is to the right, Seat #40 is to your left.

Lawn

The last couple of years Live Nation has offered a three day lawn pass for $120 which gives you three separate lawn tickets to each night of the Gorge three-night run. A lot of people will scoff at Lawn seats but this isn’t your shanty amphitheater in your hometown full of pissed off highschool kids on a weekend night. This is the Gorge, baby, and a lot of us repeat visitors will tell you that the Lawn at the Gorge is a magical place. The Gorge, or Heaven’s Amphitheater, is a venue literally carved into the earth of a canyon. The acoustics are incredible ANYWHERE you sit but the lawn in particular has great sound. Be advised, however, the lawn is very steep (inclined) and you will feel those legs burning after three hours of dancing! It’s worth the views though, trust us!

“The upper two-thirds of the amphitheatre is the lawn and general admission. The lawn seating is steeply sloped, so sightlines are good. It's a long way from the top of the bowl to the stage, so bring binoculars if you want to see what's going on down on the stage from the top of GA. I've experienced some instances where the sound system for the upper bowl has failed, resulting in horrible sound quality. As always the light show is best from up high, as is the view of the river, sunset and the surrounding terrain; which as mentioned before is simply spectacular. You can only see unspoiled wilderness and rangeland from the amphitheatre. You are truly in the middle of nowhere, which is part of the draw of the Gorge.”^[8]

Reserved / Pavilion 

The reserved/pavilion seats are below the lawn but before the PIT area. They are rows of folding chairs that the venue zip ties together to keep in place. The reserved seating is in the lower third of the amphitheatre. It has a concrete floor and folding chairs that are sometimes tied together to create seating rows. Often these chairs are not attached to each other so they can be folded up and stacked to the side if you and your neighbors would rather stand and dance during the show. Seats on the side of the reserved section can have poor sight lines and sound quality. Try to avoid seats with low numbers in section 101 or 201 and seats with high numbers in section 103 or 205. Anything in the middle will have excellent sightlines and sound (secs.102, 202, 203, 204), with the best sound (naturally) near the soundboard (sec 203). There is sometimes a taper's section just to the right of the sound board.^[9]

Front row of Section 102 center behind pit starts at Row 16.

Pit Tickets

How early do I need to get in line to get “railed” in the Pit at the Gorge?

Traditionally, in order to get railed it’s recommended you be in line NO LATER than noon.  If this is your first trip to the Gorge, DO NOT DO THIS NIGHT 1! Even that’s cutting it mighty close.   There are a few factors which should be considered that will help you get railed, as well.  First is Star Parking.  You’re provided with your own parking lot, which is capped at a low number of cars (I feel like around 150-200 is a safe guess) making the line a lot closer to your car.  The line is also let in closer to the venue than regular lines, meaning you have a MUCH shorter run to the rail.  If this is your first trip to the Gorge, DO NOT DO THIS NIGHT 1!  Second, as Warehouse tickets are allowed in 15 minutes before ticketmaster tickets, it’s recommended you find a Warehouse ticket.  If this is your first trip to the Gorge, DO NOT DO THIS NIGHT 1!  Really. We can’t stress this enough.  You’ll feel rushed and won’t get to enjoy your first views of Heaven’s Amphitheater.

WHAT CAN I BRING INTO THE CONCERT WITH ME?

• You can bring a disposable camera (lol!)
• You can bring a small camera with no zoom lens or flash
• You can bring a stroller if you have small children
• You can bring a low profile lawn chair (as a guide, the seat should not be more than 9" off the ground, we want you to be able to see the show and we want the people behind you to see the show also)
• You can bring in one 20oz factory sealed bottle of water (per venue rules. Your mileage may vary)
• You can bring a small bag or backpack
• You can bring in a small (1 gallon) clear bag of snacks

WHAT CAN’T I BRING INTO THE CONCERT WITH ME?

• Alcohol (consider using one of THESE instead)
• Glass Bottles or Cans
• Cameras with detachable lenses
• Coolers
• Illegal Substances
• Laser Pointers
• Animals (except service animals)
• Recorders (Video)
• Weapons
• Fireworks

WHAT DO YOU DO DURING THE DAY?!

I suppose the obvious answer (if camping) is hang at camp and enjoy adult beverages, playing games, roam around and meet new people, etc.

True American (Drinking Game) Rules

Cornhole (plans to make set)

Euchre Card Game (rules)

Settlers of Catan (rules)

Cards Against Humanity (here)

Giant Jenga (instructions)

Ladder Golf

Horse Balls

Kubb

Beer Pong

Flip Cup

Dizzybat

Relay

Quarters

FRISBEE DISC CHUG

Cribbage

Mexican Train

Frisbee

“Never have I ever done something inappropriate in a church” rules

and don't forget the oh so hippie game of hacky sack

Not everyone is into this, and those coming from out of town may feel the need to explore more of the area. For those people, we present the following ideas:

Wine tasting at Cave B:

http://www.caveb.com/

For our standard wine tasting at our Quincy Tasting Room we sell you a Cave B glass for $7.00 and we pour you a selection of our fabulous wines, 1 oz per wine, for free, no appointment necessary. We also have other Tasting Options available including our Winery a la Carte activities: a great option for couples & groups.

Hours adjust seasonally. Please call the Quincy tasting room at (509) 785-3500 to hear the recorded current hours of operation.

Hang out on the Columbia River: 

Follow the directions for the feathers climbing/camping:

From Silica road, turn west (towards the river) on Vantage Road and follow for a few miles. The road will end in a large parking lot and boat ramp area. Bring a big floating raft, some adult beverages, lots of sunscreen and enjoy!

WASHINGTON STATE MARIJUANA LAWS

As you may be aware, Washington State has decriminalized marijuana possession for quantities up to one ounce. Yes, retail outlets are open and operating. Pricing is around $15-$20/gram. More info in the near future will follow here about locations.

All that being said, if you are searching, you should have no difficulty locating what you seek in the Gorge Campground and where other ‘fans’ are located.

HIKING

Frenchman Coulee Trail: http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/frenchman-coulee

From Ellensburg, drive east on Interstate 90 to exit 143. After exiting, turn left under the freeway. At 0.8 mile, turn left onto Vantage Road. Drive 2.7 miles to the parking area on the right (north) side of the road. Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife permit required.

Dusty Lake Trail: http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/dusty-lake

From Ellensburg, drive east on Interstate 90 to exit 149 for George. After exiting, turn left and drive north on State Route 281 toward Quincy. After 5.6 miles turn left onto White Trail Road. Continue 7.8 miles on White Trail Road, then turn left onto Road 9-NW. Continue 5.9 miles on this road (pavement ends at 2.0 miles) as it winds steeply down onto Babcock Bench to the road's end. Seven or eight vehicles can park here. Do not block the gate or the road on the right (marked with a "Snake X-ing" sign): This is a private driveway and not open to the public. Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife permit required.

Ancient Lakes Trail: http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/ancient-lakes

From Ellensburg, drive east on Interstate 90 to exit 149 for George. After exiting, turn left and drive north on State Route 281 toward Quincy. After 5.6 miles turn left onto White Trail Road. Continue 7.8 miles on White Trail Road, then turn left onto Road 9-NW. Continue 5.9 miles on this road (pavement ends at 2.0 miles) as it winds steeply down onto Babcock Bench to the road's end. Seven to eight vehicles can park here. Do not block the gate or the road on the right (marked with a "Snake X-ing" sign): This is a private driveway and not open to the public. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife permit required.

Beezley Hills Preserve: http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/beezley-hills-preserve

From Ellensburg, drive east on Interstate 90 to exit 149 for George. After exiting, turn left and drive north on State Route 281 to Quincy. In town, turn right onto SR 28 toward Ephrata. Drive 0.8 mile and turn left onto P-NW Road (also known as Monument Road on some maps). Drive up P-NW Road for 3.1 miles, to where it turns to gravel. At 7.1 miles from SR 28, look for the entry through the fence at a gate marked "Nature Preserve--Foot Travel Only" immediately across from a side road that leads off to the radio towers 200 feet away.

For other trails in the area, go to wta.org, mouse over “Find a Hike” and click on “Hike Finder Map” you can zoom in and click on the symbols for details on hikes in the surrounding areas.