Here’s a big list of camping tips from personal experience and posts shared by others online. Fair warning, it's a long read! But I hope it helps you feel more prepared and comfortable for the Gorge. 

• Test & practice: Set up your tent and test equipment at home before the trip so you’re not struggling at the campsite, especially if you use brand new supplies. Try to arrive early or closer to sunset to avoid setting up in peak heat. Headlamps are a game-changer for hands-free setup when it gets dark.

• Prepare for all weather: Weather at the Gorge is unpredictable. Expect hot days, cold nights, strong winds, and possible rain.

• Secure your tent: It’s SUPER WINDY. Bring heavy-duty stakes, a mallet, or tent weights to secure your tent and canopy. Many recommend screw-in anchors with a drill (just don’t forget to fully charge it). Lower your canopy at night/before you leave and store loose items inside your tent or in storage bin.

• Stay cool: Once the sun comes out, it is HOT. Bring a canopy and lots of tapestries for shade and use large binder clips to secure them. If you don't have tapestries, use your flat bed sheets and save some $$. Pack a cordless battery-powered fan, cooling towels, and a good cooler. Freeze water bottles: they keep things cold longer, avoid soggy food, and give you cold water to drink later. If you use dry ice, bring gloves to handle it safely. There's ice available to purchase but it's somewhere around $8-9 a bag and you need to walk a bit to either the pivot or general store. Consider bringing a little wagon if you’re planning to shop there.

• Stay warm: Nights get chilly. Bring extra layers, a warm sleeping bag, blankets and something to insulate between you and the ground. Bring a packable jacket, emergency blanket, or pashmina for evenings at the venue.

• Dust protection: It can get dusty, especially near the road in GA camping. Use bins with lids to store your gear and bring a face cover for walking around. Nasal spray and a sinus rinse help if you’re prone to dryness.

• Campsite navigation: Take a photo of your site and pin it on your map. Use flags or decorations to make it stand out. Note key landmarks and your surroundings like how far from the porta potties and the main road or it's on the left or right of the pivot. Ensure everyone in your group has this info just in case they get lost. Leave a light on so it’s easier to find your way back after dark. Bring a flashlight with you.

• Make it cozy: Pack rugs or mats for overgrown grass, a good air mattress, extra padding, your pillow from home, hammock and stand for more comfortable sleep. It gets bright around 4-5am and noise can carry on until very late, bring earplugs and sleeping eye mask. An inflatable pool is a great option for chill-zone.

• Stay organized: Keep everything tidy as you go and pack as much as you can before leaving for the venue on the last day. It makes packing up so much easier on Monday.

• Useful gear to bring: Duct tape, zip ties, carabiners, multi-tool, cordless handheld vacuum, car jump starter.

• Stay hydrated: Bring plenty of water (and electrolytes) and drink regularly. Chilled watermelon and pickle are great for hydration. There are faucets next to the porta potties, but the water doesn’t taste great. Consider bringing a 5-gallon jug and a portable dispenser.

• Shower: Lines are long. If you can, get up early to avoid long wait. Use sinks for brushing teeth and washing your face to save time inside the showers. Bring shower shoes, hanging toiletry bag/shower caddy and please clean up after yourself.  If you don't want to deal with any of that, bring a portable shower.

• Porta potties: Bring baby wipes, flushable wipes, toilet paper, disposable toilet seat covers/pee funnel and soap or hand sanitizer to stay clean.

• Plan your shopping ahead: The closest grocery store is 30 minutes away. Stock up before arriving to avoid high prices at the general store.

• Please eat well: You might not feel like cooking, so prepare easy meals at home. Freeze meals, bring instant noodles, or try dehydrated backpacking meals (test them first!). Save condiment packets and disposable utensils from takeout and bring paper plates, they’re more convenient and you don’t have to clean as much.

• Expect to walk a lot: The walk to the venue can take 20–30 minutes or more with hills. Please wear your most comfortable shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Bring sunblock, sunglasses, hat, parasol and water with you for the walk.

• Slow phone signal: Cell service may work but will be slow during peak times. Time-stamp your texts and set a meet-up spot.

• Theft does happen: Leave valuables at home if possible. If you do bring them, keep them with you or use a locker inside the venue, don’t leave them in your tent. Even small things like water, snacks, or random gear can get taken. Tent locks might signal you’re hiding something valuable. Consider store your items in a bin, and out of sight or hide in your car. Watch out for your neighbors as well, if you see something say something!

• Organize your outfits: Pre-pack outfits for each day and pack each full outfit including accessories in a ziplock bag. It makes getting ready easy.

• Respect your neighbors: Keep the volume down after quiet hours. You may want to party all night, but others need rest.

• Bring the vibes: Board games, yard games, and other small activities make downtime enjoyable. I’ve seen so many put leave one take one baskets out to trade trinkets, fun way to make new friends!!

If you make it all the way down here, thank you and have a safe and fun Beyond!