CAMPING OPTIONS
All campers must purchase a General Admission Festival Pass.
PREMIER LAKE VIEW
Car & Tent Camping Only
Set your camp atop the ridge of Mt. Ashwabay, get away from the crowds and soak in breathtaking views of the Apostle Islands and the vast expanse of Lake Superior while surrounded by incredible live music. This add-on includes (optional) early arrival - Thursday, September 11 at 12pm. Very limited availability. It is the perfect blend of nature, rhythm, and community under the open sky. All campers must purchase a GA Festival Pass. Car or tent camping only.
Arrival: Thursday, September 11, 2025 at 12 PM
Departure: Sunday, September 14, 2023 by 1 PM
Initial Availability: 20
Vehicle(s): 1 vehicle up to 20'
Dimensions: 20x20
Price: $250
RV/CAMPER ON-SITE
No water or electric
Park your RV in a prime spot on the festival grounds! While sites do not have electrical hookups or water, generators must be shut off in all camping areas from 2AM to 7AM. You will receive an RV sticker valid from Friday 8 AM to Sunday 1 PM. All campers must purchase a GA Festival Pass.
Arrival: Friday, September 12, 2025 at 8 AM
Departure: Sunday, September 14, 2023 by 1 PM
Vehicle(s): 1
Dimensions: 30’x50’
Price: $70
EARLY ARRIVAL (THURSDAY)
Kick off your festival experience early! Get the first pick of campsites plus an extra night of camping before the crowds arrive! This pass grants you tent access to the festival grounds on Thursday, giving you extra time to settle in before the music begins. Includes parking for one vehicle in the lot. All campers must purchase a GA Festival Pass.
Arrival: Thursday, September 11, 2025 at 12 PM
Departure: Sunday, September 14, 2023 by 1 PM
Price: $40 (per-person)
CAR CAMPING
Camp with your car in a festival spot! Limited car passes, this option lets you to camp in your vehicle or set up your campsite right next to your car—not just in a parking lot, but along a designated loop through our scenic ski hill trails. Settle in for the weekend and enjoy the perfect blend of convenience and nature. Spots are first come, first served, so don’t wait! All campers must purchase a GA Festival Pass.
Arrival: Friday, September 12, 2025 at 8 AM
Departure: Sunday, September 14, 2023 by 1 PM
Vehicle(s): 1
Dimensions: 20'x20'
Price: $50 (per-car)
QUIET CAMPING
Car & Tent Camping Only
Choose between this or General Admission camping. Perfect for those who want a little more peace and quiet after the shows. Located away from the GA camping area with a limited number of spots, this area observes longer quiet hours from 10PM to 8AM. There is limited space in Quiet Camping, first-come-first-serve - if you are interested in bringing your car for quiet-camping, please be sure to add car camping to your ticket as well. All campers must purchase a GA Festival Pass.
Price: FREE!
GENERAL ADMISSION CAMPING
Car & Tent Camping Only
Choose between this or Quiet Camping. Perfect for those looking to leave the glitz and glamour of civilization behind. These rustic sites are first-come-first-serve and they are FREE, so grab yours now before they're gone! All campers must purchase a GA Festival Pass.
Price: FREE!
Car & Tent Camping Only
Set your camp atop the ridge of Mt. Ashwabay, get away from the crowds and soak in breathtaking views of the Apostle Islands and the vast expanse of Lake Superior while surrounded by incredible live music. This add-on includes (optional) early arrival - Thursday, September 11 at 12pm. Very limited availability. It is the perfect blend of nature, rhythm, and community under the open sky. All campers must purchase a GA Festival Pass. Car or tent camping only.
Arrival: Thursday, September 11, 2025 at 12 PM
Departure: Sunday, September 14, 2023 by 1 PM
Initial Availability: 20
Vehicle(s): 1 vehicle up to 20'
Dimensions: 20x20
Price: $250
RV/CAMPER ON-SITE
No water or electric
Park your RV in a prime spot on the festival grounds! While sites do not have electrical hookups or water, generators must be shut off in all camping areas from 2AM to 7AM. You will receive an RV sticker valid from Friday 8 AM to Sunday 1 PM. All campers must purchase a GA Festival Pass.
Arrival: Friday, September 12, 2025 at 8 AM
Departure: Sunday, September 14, 2023 by 1 PM
Vehicle(s): 1
Dimensions: 30’x50’
Price: $70
EARLY ARRIVAL (THURSDAY)
Kick off your festival experience early! Get the first pick of campsites plus an extra night of camping before the crowds arrive! This pass grants you tent access to the festival grounds on Thursday, giving you extra time to settle in before the music begins. Includes parking for one vehicle in the lot. All campers must purchase a GA Festival Pass.
Arrival: Thursday, September 11, 2025 at 12 PM
Departure: Sunday, September 14, 2023 by 1 PM
Price: $40 (per-person)
CAR CAMPING
Camp with your car in a festival spot! Limited car passes, this option lets you to camp in your vehicle or set up your campsite right next to your car—not just in a parking lot, but along a designated loop through our scenic ski hill trails. Settle in for the weekend and enjoy the perfect blend of convenience and nature. Spots are first come, first served, so don’t wait! All campers must purchase a GA Festival Pass.
Arrival: Friday, September 12, 2025 at 8 AM
Departure: Sunday, September 14, 2023 by 1 PM
Vehicle(s): 1
Dimensions: 20'x20'
Price: $50 (per-car)
QUIET CAMPING
Car & Tent Camping Only
Choose between this or General Admission camping. Perfect for those who want a little more peace and quiet after the shows. Located away from the GA camping area with a limited number of spots, this area observes longer quiet hours from 10PM to 8AM. There is limited space in Quiet Camping, first-come-first-serve - if you are interested in bringing your car for quiet-camping, please be sure to add car camping to your ticket as well. All campers must purchase a GA Festival Pass.
Price: FREE!
GENERAL ADMISSION CAMPING
Car & Tent Camping Only
Choose between this or Quiet Camping. Perfect for those looking to leave the glitz and glamour of civilization behind. These rustic sites are first-come-first-serve and they are FREE, so grab yours now before they're gone! All campers must purchase a GA Festival Pass.
Price: FREE!
RULES & POLICIES
Admission & check-in
Campground Check-In Times:
*The Campground will be CLOSED to all vehicle traffic at 10PM nightly (including car pass holders). If you arrive after 10PM then you will have to park in the free parking lot and cart/walk your belongings to your campsite. NO early arrivals will be admitted.
Thursday Night Camping
Check-in available between 12PM - 10PM for those with an Early-Arrival pass. Cars can line up at the guard gate and will be let in accordingly.
- Thursday: 12PM – 10PM (Early Arrival Add-On ONLY)
- Friday: 8AM – 10PM
- Saturday: 8AM – 5PM
*The Campground will be CLOSED to all vehicle traffic at 10PM nightly (including car pass holders). If you arrive after 10PM then you will have to park in the free parking lot and cart/walk your belongings to your campsite. NO early arrivals will be admitted.
Thursday Night Camping
Check-in available between 12PM - 10PM for those with an Early-Arrival pass. Cars can line up at the guard gate and will be let in accordingly.
CAR CAMPING
A Car Camping Pass allows you to park your car at your unreserved campsite or use your car as your sleeping unit. Upon arrival you will receive a car pass to keep in your car at all times. If you are camping in general admission unreserved tent camping you do not need a car camping pass:
- You may temporarily drop off your belongings at your campsite from 12PM until 10:00PM on Thursday (with an Early-Arrival Pass) and Friday. After unloading, you must move your car to a designated parking lot.
- After 10:00PM on Thursday and Friday, vehicles without a car camping pass must go directly to the parking area, and campers will need to carry or cart their belongings to their campsite.
- Q: What if I plan to arrive on Saturday?
- 1-day Saturday pass holders will NOT be able to drive your car to your unreserved campsite to drop off camping gear. You must park your car in one of our free parking areas and cart/walk your camping gear to your campsite. If you are arriving on Saturday, it is likely that our onsite parking lot will be full, there is an offsite lot a half mile from the campgrounds. A free shuttle will be running to and from the offsite lot regularly from 8AM until 12AM.
unreserved camping
Unreserved tent camping and on-site parking (included with your admission ticket) is first come first serve. The Campground will be CLOSED to all vehicle traffic at 10PM Thursday and Friday and until 5PM Saturday. If you arrive after then you will have to park in the parking lot and cart/walk your belongings to your campsite. Later arrivals may have to park in our offsite lot half a mile from the campgrounds. A free shuttle will be running to and from the offsite lot regularly from 8AM until 12AM.
- Access: You MUST have festival admission that matches the day of your arrival to enter the campground (kids 13 and under are free with a ticketed guardian).
- Camping Space: Please only take the space that you need. NO roping off or saving additional space for friends that have not yet arrived.
- Those with a Car Camping pass: This pass allows you to park your vehicle at your unreserved campsite or use your vehicle as your sleeping unit.
- Those without a Car Camping Pass: If you do not have a car camping pass then you can drop off your belongings at your campsite in unreserved camping until 10PM on Thursday* and Friday but then must move your car to one of our parking lots after unloading.
- If you arrive after 10:00 PM on Thursday*/Friday then you will be directed to one of our parking lots and will have to cart/walk your belongings to your campsite. *Must have an Early-Arrival Pass.
- All tent campers will be able to drive back to their site on Sunday to pack up. The campgrounds will close at 1:30PM on Sunday.
- Parking Lots:
- Free daily/overnight parking is located onsite and offsite, half a mile down the road. A free shuttle will be running to and from the offsite lot regularly from 8AM until 12AM.
- All cars will be able to come and go from either parking lot as needed. We encourage you to experience Bayfield!
- NO PETS ALLOWED in concert areas, festival grounds, parking lots, or campgrounds. Service animals are welcome as long as they are leashed at all times. Campgrounds are located in the woods, please be aware that there are wild animals in the area including: foxes, bears, fishers, otters, mink, coyotes, martins and ticks.
REserved rv & tent camping
If you plan to bring an RV you will need to purchase a RESERVED campsite.
- Access: You MUST have festival admission that matches the day of your arrival to enter the campground (kids 13 and under are free with a ticketed guardian). Those arriving with an RV, pull-behind, trailer, pop-up camper/teardrop MUST have a reserved campsite ticket for us to scan at the gate to gain access. The above units are NOT allowed in any unreserved area.
- Camping Space:
- Only (1) RV/Camper/Pull-behind/tear-drop allowed per site. RVs must be parked in a RESERVED campsite in our RV camping site.
- Be Prepared for uneven ground: Some helpful tools for leveling your RV or camper unit include jacks, a shovel and leveling blocks or larger lumber.
- Generator Use: Is permitted in all reserved campsite areas (excluding Prairie Tent/Tear-drop reserved) but must be turned off from 2AM-7AM.
- NO WATER HOOKUPS OR ELECTRIC AVAILABLE ON-SITE
- NO PETS ALLOWED in concert area, festival grounds, parking lots, or campgrounds. Service animals are welcome as long as they are leashed. Campgrounds are located in the woods, please be aware that there are wild animals in the area including: foxes, bears, fishers, otters, mink, coyotes, martins and ticks.
RULES & POLICIES
Allowed Items in Campground:
- Food and Drink, including Alcohol
- Portable Camping Grill - must be small and self-contained - gas propane and charcoal acceptable
- Wagons
- No Vending
- No Pets, even small ones
- No Glass containers
- No Fireworks, Tiki Torches, Kegs or Drones
- No Golf Carts, ATVs, boats or otherwise power sporting transportation
- No Illegal substances
- No Chainsaws
- No Firearms or weapons of any kind with or without a permit
CAMPFIRES & FIREWOOD
Please help us continue the responsible stewardship of our land and the enviorment by following the guidelines below:
The following guidelines apply to open burning during special events per DNR Administrative Codes and Wisconsin Statutes:
- NO individual campfires will be permitted.
- Cooking is allowed in all campgrounds as long as the fire is contained within a small metal or freestanding grill. This may be subject to change according to local burning bans during the festival.
- Tiki Torches, fireworks and other open flames will not be allowed in campgrounds.
- ABSOLUTELY NO BONFIRES OF ANY TYPE. There will be community bonfires staffed by Lake Effect Music Festival in each camping area.
- Please DO NOT bring in your own wood scraps/wood from home. SAFE WOOD WILL BE PROVIDED.
The following guidelines apply to open burning during special events per DNR Administrative Codes and Wisconsin Statutes:
- The local fire department requires that each campfire have a visible container of water near the campfire —1 gallon minimum requirement.
- No outdoor fires if weather conditions make fires potentially hazardous.
- SS 941.10 Individuals who handle burning material in a highly negligent manner will be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. Highly negligent is defined as a situation where a person puts another person’s property in danger.
- SS 26.21 Any person who starts a fire may be liable for double the amount of damages done by a fire started by an individual due to negligence. Persons starting the fire will also be held responsible for the costs to the county or town of suppressing such a fire.
- Ashes must be disposed of by thoroughly wetting them or by placing them in a covered metal container.
- ABSOLUTELY NO FIREWORKS OF ANY KIND – including sparklers and firecrackers.
- Violators will be issued citations on-site by the Bayfield County Sheriff's Department.
- Fire Patrol will be conducted by event security.
- Fire or medical emergency will be handled by EMS Services
TRASH DISPOSAL
Please leave your campsite in the same condition as you found it. Leave No Trace.
- Clean-up of campsites is required. Remember to bring your own garbage bags for your camp trash. All trash should be placed in dumpsters or along camp roads before exiting the campground. Recycling should be placed in appropriate containers.
- You will be responsible for recycling and garbage disposal. There will be bins throughout the campground.
curfew & generator use
Amplified music after 2AM is not allowed, acoustic jams are allowed and encouraged!
- A 2:00 AM curfew on loud music, parties and anything that disturbs neighbors will be enforced in all Lake Effect Festival Campgrounds. We do not expect total quiet; however, please respect your fellow campers. A 10PM curfew is in place in our quiet camping area.
- Generators must be shut off in all camping areas from 2AM to 7AM.
- Security officers have the authority to ask any person or groups of people who are abusing the noise curfew to leave the grounds and not return to the festival. No refund of admission or camping will be given to anyone asked to leave.
- All state and local laws will be enforced by law enforcement personnel in the campgrounds and festival grounds.
security
- 24-hour security will be provided in all camping areas, but you are responsible to protect your belongings by securing your campsite.
- Security is provided by Bayfield County Sheriff’s Department and Lake Effect Music Festival
- Cruising in vehicles in the campgrounds will not be tolerated. The Sheriff’s Department will enforce this for safety reasons.
- No weapons, fireworks or illegal substances will be allowed in the campgrounds or Stomping Grounds.
- Citations will be issued for any violations of local ordinances.
- The Drinking Age is 21+ and will be enforced.
rights for eviction
We reserve the right to eject any patron because of, but not limited to the following:
- Counterfeit or incorrect credentials
- Tampering of campsite
- Drinking and driving
- Excessive drinking
- Bad behavior and/or excessive noise
- Unauthorized sale of food, beverage or merchandise on site
- Conduct that is deemed illegal, disorderly or offensive by management
emergencies
- In the event of severe weather, a warning will be issued by Event Staff. Please follow the instructions given. Your cooperation will ensure the safety of you and others.
- Cell reception can be unreliable at the venue and camping sites. If you need to be notified by family/friends during for an off-site emergency while attending, your family must contact the Bayfield County Sheriff’s Department. Present security or law enforcement will notify the individual as soon as possible.
REFUND POLICY
ALL SALES ARE FINAL
- There will be no refunds or exchanges permitted.
- Lake Effect Festival and the Ashwabay Alliance will not be responsible for lost or stolen items nor damage to person or property while attending the festival.
- All admission passes are valid for ONE person only, trading credentials is grounds for ejection.
- Refunds will not be provided for anyone asked to leave the festival.
- Please protect your wristband; you will not receive a replacement band if lost, stolen, or tampered with.
- Disorderly conduct and destroying of property will not be tolerated and is grounds for ejection.
FESTIVAL GROUNDS RULES
Allowed in the Stomping Ground:
Prohibited in Stomping Ground:
- (Empty Water Bottles / Hydration Packs - Water stations are located within the perimeter so bring an empty container to fill
- Backpacks / Purse / Fanny Pack - subject to search at the door
- Blankets (NOT allowed in standing area in front of sound tent by stage)
- Chairs (allowed in designated areas outside of the tent)
- Wagons & Kids Strollers
- Service animals - must be leashed at all times
Prohibited in Stomping Ground:
- No Carry-in food and beverage, including alcohol
- No Large EZ ups/shade tents of any size
- No Pets, even small ones
- No Glass containers
- No Fireworks, Tiki Torches, Kegs or Drones
- No Golf Carts, ATVs, Boats, Power Scooters or Dirt Bikes
- No Illegal substances
- No Firearms or weapons of any kind with or without a permit
FREE PARKING
EARLY ARRIVAL
You may temporarily drop off your belongings at your campsite from 12PM until 10:00PM on Thursday (with an Early-Arrival Pass) and Friday. After unloading, you must move your car to a designated parking lot.
After 10:00PM on Thursday and Friday, vehicles without a car camping pass must go directly to the parking area, and campers will need to carry or cart their belongings to their campsite.
SATURDAY ARRIVAL
1-day Saturday pass holders will NOT be able to drive your car to your unreserved campsite to drop off camping gear. You must park your car in one of our free parking areas and cart/walk your camping gear to your campsite. If you are arriving on Saturday, it is likely that our onsite parking lot will be full, there is an offsite lot a half mile from the campgrounds. A free shuttle will be running to and from the offsite lot regularly from 8AM until 12AM.
GENERAL
FREE on-site parking is first come first serve. The Campground will be CLOSED to all vehicle traffic at 10PM Thursday and Friday and until 5PM Saturday. If you arrive after then you will have to park in the parking lot and cart/walk your belongings to your campsite.
FREE daily/overnight parking is located on-site and off-site, half a mile down the road. A FREE shuttle will be running to and from the off-site lot regularly from 8AM until 12AM.
All cars will be able to come and go from either parking lot as needed. We encourage you to explore Bayfield!
NO PETS ALLOWED in parking lots.
You may temporarily drop off your belongings at your campsite from 12PM until 10:00PM on Thursday (with an Early-Arrival Pass) and Friday. After unloading, you must move your car to a designated parking lot.
After 10:00PM on Thursday and Friday, vehicles without a car camping pass must go directly to the parking area, and campers will need to carry or cart their belongings to their campsite.
SATURDAY ARRIVAL
1-day Saturday pass holders will NOT be able to drive your car to your unreserved campsite to drop off camping gear. You must park your car in one of our free parking areas and cart/walk your camping gear to your campsite. If you are arriving on Saturday, it is likely that our onsite parking lot will be full, there is an offsite lot a half mile from the campgrounds. A free shuttle will be running to and from the offsite lot regularly from 8AM until 12AM.
GENERAL
FREE on-site parking is first come first serve. The Campground will be CLOSED to all vehicle traffic at 10PM Thursday and Friday and until 5PM Saturday. If you arrive after then you will have to park in the parking lot and cart/walk your belongings to your campsite.
FREE daily/overnight parking is located on-site and off-site, half a mile down the road. A FREE shuttle will be running to and from the off-site lot regularly from 8AM until 12AM.
All cars will be able to come and go from either parking lot as needed. We encourage you to explore Bayfield!
NO PETS ALLOWED in parking lots.
