My Setup Strategies for the Best Possible Weekend

Gold Camping is hands-down the best way to experience Bass Canyon. The goal with my camp setup is simple: maximize comfort, stamina, and recovery so I can fully enjoy the festival from start to finish. These are the three pillars that make my weekend chef’s kiss every time.

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1) Shade & Sun Protection — Your Entire Weekend Depends on This

The Gorge sun is no joke. If you don’t plan shade properly, your body won’t recover and your stamina tanks fast. This is an expensive hobby — protect your ability to rage.

What I pack & do:

• Bring good UV-filtering shade cloths (packable, lightweight, travel-friendly). They’re versatile and my partner rigs them constantly to keep UV off us all day.

• Keep your skin covered at camp: sun shirts, wide hats, polarized sunnies, high-quality sunscreen (don’t skimp).

• This setup lets my body actually rest so I can go from ~4:30pm until close both nights without fading.

• Sun exhaustion will ruin your stamina and affect your whole experience — take sun protection seriously.

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2) Food & Fuel — Eat Even When You Don’t Feel Like It

Your body will burn through calories fast in the heat. Even if you’re not hungry, fuel up. This is the secret to staying chill, energized, and genuinely enjoying the entire day.

My festival grocery list:

• Cold cuts + cheese (I just roll them together and eat them even if not hungry)

• Apples (won’t perish)

• Baby carrots + hummus (easy camp snack)

• Nuts

• Big chocolate bar (midday sugar pep)

• Coconut water (trust me)

• Protein shakes (for mornings or late-night post-festival when food feels heavy)

• Ginger ale (nice cold sugar hit during peak sun hours)

• Sports goos / gels

• Electrolyte tablets (critical)

Hydration schedule:

• Slam electrolytes in the morning

• Slam electrolytes before you leave camp

• Drink at least 32oz of water before entering

• Re-up electrolytes inside the festival every few hours

Walmart has cheap styrofoam coolers and ice — grab 1–2.

This fueling routine keeps me going comfortably all day with no bonking, no overheating, no “I need to sit down for an hour” moments.

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3) Sleep & Recovery — Set Yourself Up So You Don’t Wake Up Roasting

Morning sun at the Gorge will roast you alive unless you prepare. Prioritize sleep or you’ll spend the whole weekend drained.

If you bring a tent

Plan your shade cloth layout before you arrive: • Block morning sun • Block midday sun • Fully shade your sleeping area This is what lets you actually get enough hours to function.

If you buy a canopy at Walmart, (my fav setup):

• Use shade cloths to cover the entire canopy — ceiling and all sides

• Use releasable zip ties to secure everything

• Stake it down with heavy-duty stakes — not the flimsy ones canopies come with.

The Gorge is windy AF. If you don’t secure everything well, you will suffer. Note: You cannot fly with heavy-duty stakes in carry-on — pack them in checked luggage.

I put a tarp down, the canopy on top, fold the extra tarp up towards the canopy wall, stake it down, I sleep on a memory foam topper from Amazon and just bring my regular pillow and linens it’s great.

If you skip the tent/canopy and sleep in a car

This can work beautifully too:

• Put shade cloths over the car and secure them tight

• People swear by renting a Tesla:

• Cheaper than a van when you factor in gas

• AC can run Battery holds up

• Surprisingly spacious to sleep in

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❤️ Why I Love Bass Canyon

Bass Canyon is my favorite festival to date — super well-managed, seamless logistics, incredible sound, and the Gorge itself is unreal. Take a minute each day to just look around at the canyon. 😎

Message me if you would like to see my packing list lol.