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Rock lovers, unite! America’s largest rock music festival takes place each summer at the Daytona International Speedway and calls to lovers of iconic hard rock and heavy metal music for three days of headbanging and good times.
First-time festivalgoers may be wondering what to expect regarding camping, and we’ve got the answers you’re looking for. Below, find a comprehensive guide to camping at Rockville, an insider’s packing list, and top tips to ensure you have a wonderful weekend you’ll never forget.
Can You Camp at Rockville?
Yes, you can camp at Rockville. Welcome to Rockville is a camping music festival that encourages festivalgoers to purchase a camping pass alongside their general entry pass to see the music. The festival offers several on-site options, making it easy to switch between your campsite and the music all weekend long.
The Daytona International Speedway parking lots turn into various campgrounds for the festival weekend—some for tent and car camping and others for RVs with electric and water hookups.
Camping at the festival means you don’t have to worry about transportation to and from the event each day, keeps the party going even after the headliner closes out the night, and gives you a unique opportunity to camp outdoors in the heart of NASCAR country.
Whether you’re with a big group and want to avoid paying gouged hotel and resort pricing in the local area or simply prefer a more primitive accommodation, there’s something for everyone who wants to camp at Welcome to Rockville.
Camping Options at Rockville
You can drive into Rockville with your car packed with a tent and all the essentials or bring a home on wheels with RV camping. Several nearby off-site campgrounds provide additional accommodations if needed.
- Car and Tent Camping: Welcome to Rockville sells “Car + Tent” camping passes for attendees. Each pass includes five nights of camping at the Daytona International Speedway, an invitation to the Campground pre-party, automatic festival re-entry during event hours, “Pit Stops” (community centers) to meet or hang out with other campers, access to the campground general store, and complimentary campground showers, toilets, and water stations. Most Car + Tent campsites are 10/12’ x 35’.
- RV Camping: Festival attendees can also bring their RV. You must purchase an RV pass with the same included benefits as the Car + Tent passes. However, some RV spots also include 50 amp service. Water service may also be available for an additional fee.
- Offsite Camping: If you’d rather camp further away from the music, crowds, and noises of the festival, there are a few nearby campgrounds that may interest you. Cacklebery Campground offers tent sites and RV camping in nearby Port Orange, while closer RV parks like Daytona Racetrack RV offer RV parking for those who want to remain close to the action.
Campsites Near Rockville
Rockville’s campsites are designated with different colors. The prices of each lot correspond to how close and convenient the location is to the festival.
Silver Lot Camping
Silver Lot car and tent camping is the most expensive option, at $389 plus fees. It’s conveniently located on the east side of the festival grounds near bathrooms, merchandise tents, and a Pit Stop meeting area. It’s only a short walk to the festival’s entrance. Each pass provides a 12’ x 35’ space suitable for one car, one tent, and up to four campers.
Orange Lot Camping
Orange Lot camping is right across the way from the Silver lot. It’s a little further away from the festival, bringing the price down to $365 plus fees. The lower cost also reflects slightly smaller campsites at 10’ x 35’ for one car, tent, and four campers.
Turn 4 Camping
If you’re willing to be further out from the festival entrance and prefer a quieter camping experience, you may enjoy the Turn 4 car lot. Like the Orange Lot, it provides one 10’ x 35’ space for one car, one tent, and four campers. However, it’s only $350 plus fees for the camping pass.
Purple Lot Camping
The final option for car campers is the Purple Lot, located on the other end of the festival by Williamson Blvd. and Midway Ave. There’s a Pit Stop, showers, lost and found, and a general store nearby for convenience. The cost is $265, which reflects the more distant location and the 10’ x 35’ space. Note that the Purple Lot is located outside of the speedway in the West lot. While you can walk to and from the entry gate, a complimentary tram will also run during event hours to take campers to and from the festival.
Colored RV Camping Lots
RV camping is available at the festival grounds in similar color-coded lots, including Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, and Pink. Prices range from $470 (Pink) to $999 (Red), reflecting location and whether the spots offer full hookups. Most RV spaces are 20’ x 45’ for the RV, with up to six campers allowed per site. Some sites may be 20’ x 42’ or 25’ x 42’.
These spaces are assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis; however, you can also purchase two spots in one order to guarantee that you’ll be next to your group no matter when you arrive. Otherwise, you’ll need to plan to arrive at the same time as anyone you wish to camp next to. You must come in your RV to camp in these designated RV lots.
Driver/Owner Lot RV Camping
For $1,249, you can stay where the drivers and owners park their RVs during big NASCAR races. This is also the closest available RV space to the festival. These spaces are larger at 20’ x 50’, giving you a little extra space, plus a dedicated concrete pad, a shower and restroom area, and full hookups.
Truck Pad RV Camping
Finally, you can choose Truck Pad RV Camping for $699 plus fees. This central campground location has one 20’ x 42’ space per site. 50 amp service is also included, but there are no water connections. You can purchase pump and fill services for an additional fee.
What To Pack for Rockville Camping
What you pack matters. Here’s a music festival packing list to get you started:
Camping Basics
- Tent (with rain fly in case you’re camping in the rain)
- Sleeping bag
- Air mattress or sleeping pad
- EcoFlow WAVE 2 Portable Air Conditioner: Camping in summer in Florida means scorching temperatures, so keep your tent and campsite cool with this portable AC
- Flashlights or lanterns, plus extra batteries
- Folding chairs and table
- Camp stove
- Food
- Cooler
- Utensils/cooking equipment
- Hygiene items like a toothbrush, toothpaste, baby wipes, shower supplies
- First aid kit and medications
Power Solutions
- EcoFlow RAPID Power Bank: Pack a small, slim, portable power bank to keep your phone battery topped up during long festival days.
- EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus Portable Power Station: This power station is an excellent option for a four-person campsite. It can keep essential camp appliances and personal electronics running even without electric hookups.
- EcoFlow RIVER 3 Solar Generator (PV45W): If you’re camping with a large group or are bringing extensive appliances, this solar generator is a step up from the PPS. It allows you to continue creating energy to have enough to last five days.
Festival Essentials
- Hydration pack
- Festival pass
- Camping pass
- Portable fan
Tips for Camping at Rockville
- Check the rules: Review the festival guidelines for what items you can bring and what is prohibited. Remember that all vehicles are subject to search upon festival entry.
- Plan to arrive with friends: If you want to camp near your friends, arrive at the same time (ideally one after the other) and have your camping passes ready. Spots are designated on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- Prepare for the heat: Floridian summer heat is intense. To avoid dehydration or heat exhaustion, pack a canopy, sunscreen, light clothing, a portable fan or AC unit, and rain gear in case of summer rainstorms.
- Sleep comfortably: Sleep has a huge impact on how you’ll feel when camping at a music festival. Bring a quality sleeping bag, earplugs, and an eye mask to ensure you get quality rest.
- Mark your campsite: It can be challenging to find your campsite late at night with little lighting. Mark your tent with a flag or shine a light from your campsite to make it easy to locate.
- Protect your ears: Rockville gets loud. Wear earplugs during the festival and as you sleep to protect your hearing and get a good night’s sleep.
- Respect your neighbors: Be mindful of those around you at your campsite late at night and early in the morning. Keep the noise down and be respectful in shared spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Camping passes for Welcome to Rockville range from as low as $265 plus fees for car camping and as high as $1249 for RVs. The closer you are to the festival entrance, the more it will cost to camp. Other factors like campsite size and hookups may increase the cost.
Due to security risks, overnight parking or sleeping in your car in the Rockville parking section is prohibited. However, if you purchased a Car + Tent camping pass, you may sleep in your vehicle at your designated camping spot.
Final Thoughts
Welcome to Rockville is all about iconic heavy metal and rock music and the spirit of Daytona’s racecar culture. You can camp on-site in one of the many provided car or RV camping lots, but power hookups aren’t provided for every spot. If you want to avoid paying more for a camping pass but don’t want to give up access to power, pack a portable power station from the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Series to keep all your electronics running throughout the weekend.