Hit the Road
9 favorite RV-friendly music festivals across Texas
One of the best reasons to go RV camping in Texas is the wealth of world-class music festivals. Around Austin and beyond, there’s a festival taking shape almost year-round, so pack your festival gear, choose your genre, and head for the Lone Star State to hear great music in amazing outdoor settings. Here’s a handful of RV-friendly fests.
SXSW, Austin
The most comprehensive music festival ever in terms of venues and genres, SXSW winds its way across the city’s bars, churches, public gathering places, and just about anywhere else music can be performed. There’s no official camping venue for the festival, but local options for RV camping include McKinney Falls State Park, Emma Long Metropolitan Park, and a number of private Austin-area campgrounds. Check out SXSW shuttles to keep festival travel simple.
SXSW music runs March 13-19
Euphoria, Carson Creek Ranch in Austin
Come to the pecan grove on the banks of the Colorado River in South Austin to hear an eclectic blend of artists, from Wiz Khalifa to the Disco Biscuits. Camping? You bet, with everything from electric RV campsites to upscale tent "glamping" experiences.
April 6-9
Larry Joe Taylor’s Texas Music Festival, Melody Mountain Ranch in Stephenville
Fifty-thousand fans and more than four dozen performers come together each April for this venerable celebration of Texas music. Come hear bands like Asleep at the Wheel, Randy Rogers Band, and Whiskey Myers as you camp adjacent to the action.
April 24-29
Old Settler’s Music Festival, Driftwood
For 30 years, this Hill Country festival has celebrated the best in Americana and roots music. Salt Lick Pavilion and Camp Ben McCullough in Driftwood host this family-friendly, RV-welcoming music fest with scenic campsites, a stellar lineup of musical guests, and a special youth competition.
April 20-23
Middlelands, Texas Renaissance Festival Grounds in Todd Mission
On the grounds of the Texas Renaissance Festival, two hours straight east of Austin in Todd Mission, a brand-new, multi-day festival is cranking up this May. Middlelands, a combination of dance and hip-hop artists, futuristic castles, spectacular visual displays, and roving performers will welcome hip campers. This Medieval-themed fest offers several levels of camping, including premium RV sites.
May 5-7
Crude Fest, Midland
Country and Red Dirt fans gather each May just outside Midland for one of the largest country music and camping festivals in the state. Book one of the dry camping sites and plan to stay all weekend. Eli Young Band, Cody Johnson, and Wade Bowen are just three of the nearly two dozen acts that will keep things smoking at Crude Fest.
May 18-20
Kerrville Folk Festival, Quiet Valley Ranch in Kerrville
Since the 1970s, music fans have been gathering at this Hill Country campground to spend 18 days listening, learning, and communing with folk, country, blues, bluegrass, and Americana music greats. The music doesn’t stop, it simply shifts toward the campfires each evening, so plan to camp and stay as long as you can.
May 25-June 11
Trans-Pecos Festival of Music + Love, El Cosmico in Marfa
Alt-country, indie, and roots rock performers come together in September at the funkiest campground in far West Texas. El Cosmico hosts both tent and RV campers for this laid-back fest, but you’ll need to reserve your space early.
Dates coming soon
Utopia Fest, Four Sisters Ranch in Utopia
If the thought of an intimate fest limited to 2,000 music-loving souls in a stunning Texas setting appeals, get your tickets now. The lineup includes rock, indie, folk, and more, played on two stages in a natural amphitheater. Dry camping sites for tents and RVs are available.
September 29-October 2
These are a few of our favorites among the great Texas camping and music festivals each year. Choose at least one and immerse yourself in Texas outdoor beauty and the diverse music scene that is the Lone Star State.
The weather was brutal, but the lineup was great.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Fresh off a pitstop at Austin’s iconic La Barbecue, Dua Lipa made the first of her only two U.S. appearances this year. She brought her arena-level production to the American Express stage on Saturday night.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Blink-182 closed out the first night of this year’s ACL Fest with a 24-song mix of new songs and old classics as they dirty-joked their way through the set. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Sunday’s headlining slots offered a different taste for those who stuck around. While Tyler, the Creator was out east on the American Express stage, Sturgill Simpson was closing out the Honda stage, reminding folks why the Kentucky native was worthy of headlining ACL Fest.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The Texas son and Fort Worth native Leon Bridges played right in the path of a setting sun, opening his Friday set with “Texas Sun," a collboration with Saturday artists Khruangbin.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
ACL has been and always will be a family affair.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Although Kehlani's set started right as Chappell Roan's was ending, the crowd at the Miller Lite stage was solid. it was a tough spot to fill, sandwiched between Roan and Tyler, the Creator, but the pop singer held her own and was able to pack in the fans.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
It’s been quite a year for Stephen Sanchez, who was seen on stage with Lana Del Rey in late June when the star sold out Fenway Park. The 21-year-old Nashville based singer-songwriter brought the nostalgia.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Mannequin Pussy have been hitting the road hard this year, making appearances at larger festivals like Primavera Sound in Barcelona while rocking mid-sized outings like Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago. The band showed off their festival chops in the hot sun Friday afternoon on the Miller Lite stage.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
You can hear music pretty much anywhere in the park, which means you can dance...pretty much anywhere in the park.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Legend has it that country crooner Orville Peck once graced the inside stage at The Mohawk to a hundred or so early investors of his music. In just a few years, Peck was making his entrance on the Honda stage to thousands screaming his name.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Girl group The Beaches always put on a fun show, leaning into their all-female niche as part of the stage banter. But anyone can enjoy the tunes; the catchy riffs speak for themselves.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Khruangbin are known for their infectious instrumental jams, but it’s hard not to marvel at bassist Laura Lee’s incredible outfits, which change from show to show — a true fashion icon in the making.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Dancing in the hot sun was the M.O. this weekend.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
If you are a Marjorie Taylor Green fan, Reneé Rapp’s set may not have been for you. The pop star had some choice words for the Georgia politician.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The Marias released their second album, Submarine, in June of 2024, so it was fitting that the LA band’s opening sound was a sonar pinging in cue with blue spotlights. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Zella Day and Jesse Woods joined forces as Chaparelle in 2023 as their romantic partnership was taking shape. The duo performed with four other touring musicians on Friday with a vintage country sound and a little pink tambourine.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Hometown blues machine Zach Person brought his two-piece sonic force to the Tito’s stage Saturday afternoon, playing to a completely packed tent. Whether it was the reprieve from the intense heat or the good music, the Tito’s tent at 2:05 pm was THE place to be.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
A late addition to this year’s ACL 2024 lineup, Hudson Westbrook took time off from his college courses at Texas Tech to play for a few thousand people Saturday afternoon on the Honda stage.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
This is the feeling we're aiming for.Photo by Daniel Cavazos