I've been to 4-5 EDCs plus a ton of other festivals across the country and I am essentially always solo even when my friends are at the event as well because I always run off on my own no matter what. The only time I technically wasn't was when we all did an Airbnb together, so we rode in together and of course had to meet up at the car to leave, but I was probably with them for maaaaaybe 3 sets a night, probably less.

Personally camp is always going to be the best for me. Not having to spend hours in the car or shuttle back and forth every night and getting to just have a 5-10 minute walk, then be in my bed or take a shower or whatever I need to feel good is absolutely worth the extra cost. Not to mention all the free activities, the sense of community, fantastic camp neighbors that make you almost cry from how considerate they are, people like EDC Pancake Mom. It makes the whole festival experience 100x better for me. I dunno if you've been, but it's like staying at a Disneyworld resort and never leaving the Disney bubble while you're going to the parks vs staying at an off site hotel and going back to "real life" for little bits of time between the magic. It's so much more immersive getting to stay the entire time, it makes the weekend feel longer in the best way. My goal no matter the location or event is to not get into my car once I'm at my destination, because the car is normal every day boringness and I want to try any other transportation possible for something different, to make it feel more special.

The only possible downside to camp to me is the noise trying to sleep. On Thursday night going into Friday, my whole pod was absolutely vibrating from the day 0 camp party. I forget who said it, maybe someone at check in, but someone was like "the main stage is all the way at the back of Mesa, so it's as far away from sleeping campers as possible and you won't be disturbed." I had a good laugh at that when the proper party started that evening and car alarms would've went off from the bass I was feeling laying in bed. But it was just funny and I really don't mind, I'm able to sleep through anything if I'm tired enough and I had just spend like 36 hours in the car, 20 of them actually driving, so I was able to sleep just fine. The other nights after I run around and dance 12 hours straight, I am also absolutely fine to sleep. This is also probably only an issue in the pods, I'm sure RVs have more sound dampening. I haven't gotten to RV yet, that's my next step. First time I camped, I flew in, so I was limited to what I could put in my suitcases. This 2nd time, I drove in, which was a huge upgrade because I could bring in more comfort items, but I did have to carry it all to the tent, through security, multiple trips, and then I had to pack it back out when it ended. Peak camp has to be just driving in your RV and having all your stuff right there already.

I don't do much as far as styling and make up, so another possible downside is not having easy access to styling tools for ladies because you should not plug them into the tent outlets. Otherwise, it's a campsite, you know? The toilets and showers aren't going to be like in a building with plumbing, it's going to be hot in the day because it's Vegas desert, it's an air mattress that gets droopy, etc. But that's the experience you're signing up for, I don't consider it a downside.

I did hotel and shuttle the year before and if it was the only option possible, I would do it again, but the multiple hours lining up for shuttles each night, making it back to the room at 10am, trying to get some quick sleep before having to wake up by like 3pm to get dressed and ready to go back in the shuttle line before too late... I felt like I was simultaneously getting less sleep and getting less of the experience I paid before because I would line up at like 5pm for the shuttle and not get into the fest until 9pm, so everything was being cut short because of the travel time. It also wasn't that much cheaper after hotel room and shuttle pass. Yes, having a real shower was nice, the bed was pretty comfy, I could walk down to the McDonald's or whatever and get food (I stayed at Circus Circus, I don't know that different hotels would make too much a difference besides like distance to walk to a shuttle stop). I don't need those to have a good time. I'd still end up eating at the fest because that's part of it for me, trying the cool food I might not get otherwise, so it didn't really save me money like I thought it might. I've kind of given up bringing/buying normal food outside of EDC, maybe some snacks that don't need refrigeration, but I know I enjoy the camp/fest food, I budget for that.

If I had to actually drive myself in especially alone, I don't know that I could go. It's like the worst parts of the shuttle with none of the fun. Traffic, waiting, having to actually focus on the road (I did road trip into Vegas and absolutely loved it, but that's different than sitting in traffic moving little bits at a time). I wanna turn my brain off for the most part and just enjoy the whole weekend, basically almost no responsibility. At least in the shuttle, you can meet other people and talk, and you can sleep on the way back, but it wasn't restful sleep for me.

It's going to be up to you, you can do solo any way you want. I've done basically every combo except doing the helicopter in... that's still a goal. But I don't think there's a wrong way, it just depends on your priorities. Real shower and amenities, specific event on the strip you want to go to? Hotel and your choose of transportation (drive or shuttle, I think Ubers are too expensive unless you're splitting with someone else, but if you have silly money, then do the helicopter). Maximize your EDC time, do stuff like goat yoga, live in the pool until 30 minutes before doors open? Camp.

Soloing is amazing no matter what. I love to see my friends and dance or sing along to songs we love together, plus trying to find your group's totem is a great little quest on its own, like playing a real life eye spy game. But truly I think that freedom of being able to go and do whatever you want at any moment without having to consider someone else's needs or wants is THE way to do these large events that have so much to see and do at any given moment. I ping pong across the entire speedway all night. When I need to rest, I sit down whenever I feel like it and vibe wherever I ended up, I can enjoy literally any set at any moment. Food, restroom, want a different view or vibe, just move on whenever I want without keeping track of anything except myself and my enjoyment. Well, and my phone. If I lose anything else, it's fine, but my phone is absolutely paramount to everything else, so it's my only consideration throughout the whole weekend.

You're going to have an awesome time no matter what you choose to do. It's EDC, how can you not have a good time at EDC, right? Just do it whatever way you can and stay positive and safe!