How to Prepare for Lollapalooza: Essential Gear & Power Solutions in 2025

Thousands of music lovers flock to the heart of Chicago each year to attend Lollapalooza in Grant Park. The music festival has called the Windy City home for 20 years, featuring huge artists like Pearl Jam, Blink-182, Lady Gaga, Chance the Rapper, Kendrick Lamar, LCD Soundsystem, and so much more. 

If you’re attending this year’s festival, you’re probably thinking about camping and what to bring to ensure you have the best time. We’re covering all of your lodging options, including nearby camping, a comprehensive packing list, and top tips to make the experience one to remember.

Can You Camp at Lollapalooza?

No, camping is not allowed on festival grounds at Lollapalooza. While many music festivals offer attendees the chance to set up within walking distance of the main stages, Lollapalooza doesn’t have the space to provide that kind of accommodation because it takes place in the heart of downtown Chicago at Grant Park. And, because of this location, you’ll need to venture beyond the festival and even the central downtown district to find a tent or RV campground. However, it’s certainly not impossible.

Just a bit beyond city limits, you’ll find plenty of great camping options with useful facilities like bathrooms, water and power hookups, picnic tables, fire pits, helpful staff, and more. Luckily, Lake Michigan is nearby, so amazing camp views won’t be hard to come by. 

If camping off-site for Lollapalooza, make sure you have a transportation plan. You won’t be able to park your RV at the festival grounds, so you’ll need a way to get to the festival and back to your campsite each day. Ubers and taxis are great options.

Camping Options at Lollapalooza

• RV Camping: RV camping is a comfortable option for those who prefer to bring their own lodging and set it up nearby. There’s no parking space for RVs at the festival location, so you’ll need to find an RV park nearby to set up for the weekend. Some may offer power and water hookups, while others will provide dry camping sites requiring you to bring your own power source, such as the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Solar Generator (PV45W). A solar generator is excellent for creating new energy all weekend, but a portable power station would also work.

• Tent Camping: Tent camping is another, more primitive choice. You will need to drive outside the city area to find a campground with tent sites. While this may require a longer drive, it will also provide a more scenic environment to set up camp.

• Cabins: Cabins may also be available at some campgrounds close to the city or in the Chicago suburbs. Cabins can elevate the comfort of the camping experience, but they’re more expensive to reserve than tent or RV sites.

• Resorts or Hotels: Resorts and hotels are popular for those who don’t want to travel far from the festival grounds to camp. The festival is located close to dozens of hotels of all kinds. There are places for luxury travelers as well as budget attendees. They also allow you to enjoy air conditioning, indoor showers, and comfortable beds throughout the festival weekend. Some also feature amenities like pools or spas.

• Vacation Rental: Vacation rentals like Airbnb are another popular choice, especially if you want to cook during the weekend or bring a larger group.

Campsites Near Lollapalooza

McCormick Place

If you’re driving an RV to the event and don’t mind camping in a dry camping parking lot, you won’t have to go far. McCormick Place is a coveted RV parking area less than two miles from the park, with quick transportation to and from the festival via taxi, rideshare, or bus ride. The best part? You’ll only be out $30 per day to use the lot. It also has security to give you peace of mind while jamming to music all day. Since there are no electric hookups, prepare to boondock and bring a full water tank, propane tank, and generator or portable power station.

Camp Bullfrog Lake

Camp Bullfrog Lake is about 30 minutes outside downtown Chicago in Willow Springs, IL. Set along a picturesque lake and the rolling plains of the Midwest, this campground offers camping all year and water-based recreation activities like fishing and kayak rentals. Before you hit the festival each day, you can check out the hilly Palos Preservers and fill your day with nature via hiking, mountain biking, or birdwatching. 

Camp Bullfrog Lake offers tent and RV campsites and large and small cabins for rent. Tent sites feature a mulched tent pad, picnic table, fire ring, and six-person capacity. RV sites have electricity hookups and are available in various sizes. They come with the same additional features and amenities as the tent sites. Large cabins sleep 10 people, and small cabins sleep eight, making them an excellent option for festival-going groups.

Chicago KOA

The Chicago Northwest KOA Holiday is a bit further out than Camp Bullfrog Lake, but it’s close to O’Hare airport, making it a potential option for those flying in to attend the festival. You can bring your RV, park your car, or set up a tent in a shady spot and quiet country setting. Cabins are also available. Other helpful amenities include free WiFi, mini golf, pool, playground, gem mine, and more. It’s also close to the Metra train, giving you a streamlined journey in and out of downtown Chicago.

Blackwell Family Campground

Blackwell Family Campground is in a lush green oasis about 45 minutes west of the city. It’s a peaceful setting that will give you respite between busy and loud festival days, with gently rolling terrain, hickory woodlands, and wetlands attracting native wildlife like deer, bald eagles, red foxes, and muskrats. You can reserve a campsite for tents, trailers, or RVs on Friday and Saturday nights from May through September, making it an available choice for weekend warriors attending the festival. Each campsite has electricity, a gravel parking pad, a picnic table, and a fire ring. Just note that sewage and water hookups are not available.

What To Pack for Lollapalooza Camping

Here’s your master music festival packing guide:

Essentials:

• Tent and stakes
• Sleeping bag and pad
• Pillow
• Portable power station like the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus
• Portable AC unit like the EcoFlow WAVE 2 Portable Air Conditioner
• Flashlight/headlamp with extra batteries
• Multi-tool or pocket knife
• First aid kit and medications
• Hand sanitizer and wet wipes

Clothes and Accessories:

• Weather-appropriate clothing (check forecast)
• Extra socks and underwear
• Light jacket/raincoat
• Hat for sun protection
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Rain boots
• Flip-flops for shower

Food & Cooking:

• Cooler with ice or portable refrigerator
• Reusable water bottle
• Snacks and easy-to-prepare meals
• Cooking supplies
• Utensils, plates, and cups

Festival Gear:

• Festival tickets/wristbands
• Small backpack for festival grounds
• Hydration pack
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Earplugs
• Cash and ID
• Phone charger like the EcoFlow RAPID Power Bank
• Portable fan

Hygiene:

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Shower supplies
• Towel
• Toilet paper
• Deodorant
• Biodegradable soap

Other:

• Camping chairs
• Bluetooth speaker
• Bug spray
• Hand towels
• Trash bags
• Lock or safe for valuables

Tips for Camping at Lollapalooza

• Book Your Campsite Early: Chicago-area campgrounds will fill up fast for Lollapalooza weekend. Check for spots and try to reserve a site as early as possible.
• Plan for Transit: You won’t want to drive in and out of the city each day for the festival, and most campgrounds will not be within walking distance. Check the Metra, verify that Uber runs in the area of your campsite, or find a taxi company that can get you back and forth.
• Stay Dry: The weather can be unpredictable when camping in the summer, and it’s been known to rain on the festival weekend, so come prepared with a waterproof tent (with a rainfly), a rain jacket, rain boots, and extra tarps to avoid water damage to your items or getting soaked.
• Secure Your Belongings: Don’t leave your campsite unattended with valuables where they’re accessible. Bring a lock, a safe, or lock important items in your car to avoid theft.
• Prepare for All Temperatures: As we said, Chicago weather in the summer can go all sorts of ways, including chilly. Plan for cold nights with warm layers and blankets.
• Use Public Transit: Use public trains or buses to avoid rideshare surge pricing.
• Hydrate and Stay Protected: Grant Park has minimal shade, so bring a hydration pack and plenty of sunscreen to keep yourself safe and healthy on long, hot days.
• Pick a Meeting Spot: If you get separated, choose a spot at the festival where your group will meet, as cell service can be unreliable with so many people packed into a small area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Lollapalooza is fun, energetic, and filled with music and good vibes—but it’s not a camping festival. While you won’t be able to tent, car, or RV camp at the festival grounds, you can still enjoy a camping experience by reserving a site at a nearby campground or RV park. Just know that not all of these locations have electric hookups, so you may need to come prepared with a portable power station from the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Series to ensure you keep your phone and other essential electronics charged up all weekend.