Where to Pick Up Your RV or Campervan for Coachella
Los Angeles is the practical pickup city for most Coachella travellers, though depots sit in different directions from the airport and each other, worth factoring into your first-day plan.
| Operator | LA depot address | Distance from LAX |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise America | 2233 East 223rd Street, Carson, CA 90810 | About 18 miles |
| El Monte RV | 12818 Firestone Boulevard, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 | About 24 miles |
| Road Bear RV | 28404 Roadside Drive, Agoura Hills, CA 91301 | About 35 miles |
Road Bear RV’s Agoura Hills depot sits northwest of LA, in the opposite direction from Indio, so factor in extra backtracking time on pickup day compared with Cruise America or El Monte RV. Travellers Autobarn and Mighty USA also serve the Los Angeles market; use the search widget above to confirm current depot details and live availability. Palm Springs is a closer but smaller alternative pickup point, about 40 minutes from the venue, with more limited operator choice.
Coachella weekend is one of the busiest RV rental periods in the Southwest. Book at least three to six months ahead, and confirm your vehicle meets the specific requirements for whichever camping option you’re planning, on-site Car Camping or a nearby RV resort, before locking in your reservation.
On-Site Camping (Car Camping)
On-site camping is on adjacent polo fields, a short walk from the festival entrance. All camping options require a separate camping pass purchased in addition to the festival wristband, sold via the official Coachella site, and check-in opens Thursday at 9am.
What’s allowed on-site. Car camping zones accept passenger cars, trucks and vans only. Each spot is 30 by 10 feet, park the vehicle and set up camp beside it, fitting as many people as the space allows. A small campervan without plumbing can work in a car camping spot, provided it meets the rules below.
What’s not allowed on-site. No RVs, motorhomes, trailers, buses or U-Haul trucks. No vehicles with running water or toilets, even if disconnected or tanks emptied. No cooking inside vehicles, factory-installed stoves are allowed to exist but not to be used. No vehicle re-entry once parked, the vehicle stays until Monday, and an early departure requires an escort arranged through an Info Kiosk.
Camping types and 2027 pricing. Car Camping (standard, 30 by 10 feet, no hookups) runs USD 40 a night, USD 160 for the weekend. Preferred Car Camping, closer to the entrance, runs USD 105 a night, USD 420 for the weekend. Preferred Front Row Car Camping runs USD 130 a night, USD 520 for the weekend. Powered Car Camping, a newer tier adding a power outlet plus upgraded restroom and shower access, runs USD 155 a night, USD 620 for the weekend, the first time an official powered option has existed within Car Camping itself, worth checking if a small campervan’s battery life is a concern. Group Car Camping offers a reserved plot in Lot 5A for groups of 10-20 arriving separately, each spot 10 by 30 feet. Tent Camping is a 15 by 10-foot plot with no vehicle beside it, plus one overnight parking spot in an adjacent lot. Lake Eldorado, La Campana and Safari Camping are pre-pitched glamping tiers, from bell tents to luxury cabanas with concierge service, none suited to bringing your own vehicle. Prices and camping categories are confirmed each year on the official Coachella camping page; check current rates before budgeting, since these can shift between seasons.
Campground amenities include free showers (paid upgrades available), water refill stations, phone charging, free Wi-Fi, a general store, food vendors, silent disco and other activities. No glass containers are allowed.
Nearby RV Parks for Full-Size Vehicles
Since Coachella doesn’t allow RVs, motorhomes or vehicles with plumbing on the festival grounds, nearby RV resorts are the option for a full-featured campervan or motorhome. These parks offer full hookups, pools, their own festival-week atmosphere and shuttle access to the venue.
Shadow Hills RV Resort is the most popular festival RV park, about 7 miles from the grounds with a free private shuttle running daily from noon. Full hookup RV sites (30A/50A, water, sewer), a heated pool and jacuzzi, pond walks, a clubhouse and a gym, plus glamping options including teepees, vintage trailers and cottages. Four-night festival packages, book months in advance.
Indian Waters RV Resort is about an 8-minute drive from the festival grounds, with 266 sites carrying 50A electrical and water hookups, two pools, a fitness centre, pickleball, fire pits, laundry and a clubhouse. Open year-round, with RV sites 35 feet wide on concrete pads.
Coachella Lakes RV Resort is the newest luxury RV resort in the valley, with 300-plus spacious RV sites plus furnished one and two-bedroom cabins and modern facilities throughout.
Rancho 51 Festival Campgrounds is a pop-up resort just 2 miles from the festival grounds, open only during Coachella in April, with tent and glamping options rather than RV sites, a pool, food trucks, yoga and massage, tent sites from around USD 250 a night.
Expect to pay USD 500-700-plus for a 4-5 night stay at the RV resorts during Coachella weekends. All fill up months before the festival, so book as early as possible.
Why Hire an RV or Campervan for Coachella
The Coachella Valley in April is hot, with daytime highs regularly reaching 32-34°C (90°F-plus), and the festival runs late into the night. A campervan or RV gives a real bed rather than an air mattress on the ground, which matters after walking 10-plus miles a day. Roof fans, insulated walls and blackout curtains let you sleep during the day and retreat from the heat, a fridge and the ability to cook (outside only for car camping, fully onboard at an RV resort) cuts down on festival vendor costs that add up quickly at USD 15-plus a meal, and a lockable vehicle gives private, secure storage in a campground of 70,000-plus people. It also sidesteps hotel logistics: Coachella Valley hotels surge to USD 400-plus a night during the festival, and shuttle queues at 2am after the headliner can take over an hour.
Two approaches. A small campervan without plumbing (no toilet, no running water) qualifies for on-site Car Camping, parking in the 30 by 10-foot spot and living out of it all weekend, best for the full immersive campground experience. A full RV at a nearby resort like Shadow Hills or Indian Waters gives AC on hookups, a full bathroom, kitchen and generator-free comfort, taking the shuttle or rideshare to the festival, better suited to comfort-focused travellers and larger groups.
Choosing the Right Vehicle
For on-site car camping: a compact campervan without plumbing, no toilet, no running water, no built-in tanks, is the only type allowed on the festival grounds. A roof fan or strong ventilation is essential in 32°C-plus heat, since there’s no AC available without hookups. A solar or deep-cycle battery system covers fans, fridge, phone charging and lights across four days without power hookups, unless you’ve booked the newer Powered Car Camping tier. Keep the footprint compact enough to fit within 30 by 10 feet including the outdoor setup, and remember cooking inside the vehicle isn’t permitted, propane or electric appliances only, outside, no butane.
For nearby RV parks: any size RV or motorhome works, Shadow Hills and Indian Waters accommodate Class A, B, C, fifth wheels and trailers. Full hookups (30A or 50A electrical, water and sewer) at most resort sites mean the AC can run all day, with an onboard bathroom avoiding campground queues and a full kitchen for cooking and an early coffee.
What to Pack for Coachella
- Water: large refillable jugs plus a CamelBak or reusable bottle, since dehydration is the number one issue and free refill stations are available on-site.
- A shade canopy, since campsites have no shade provided.
- A battery-powered portable fan for sleeping and midday retreats, given no power hookups on standard sites.
- Sunscreen (SPF 50+) and a hat for the desert sun.
- A warm layer for after midnight, since desert nights drop significantly.
- Earplugs and an eye mask for daytime rest, since the campground never fully quiets down.
- Broken-in comfortable shoes for 10-plus miles a day.
- A bandana or face covering for dust.
- Camp chairs, a table and string lights for an outdoor living space.
- A cooler with ice as backup to the fridge, or primary if tent camping.
- A portable phone charger, since charging station queues run long.
- Baby wipes and hand sanitiser, since free shower queues can be significant.
- Cash, since some vendors are cash-only.
- A propane stove for outside cooking only, no butane, and no cooking inside vehicles under any circumstances.
Suggested Trip Timeline
Wednesday (pickup and prep). Pick up the campervan from Los Angeles or Palm Springs. Stock groceries, ice, water and sunscreen at a Walmart or Target in Indio (there’s one on Highway 111 near the venue). If staying at an RV park, check in and settle. If camping on-site, campground gates open Thursday morning.
Thursday (campground opens). On-site camping check-in starts at 9am. Arrive early, sites are assigned in order of arrival. Set up the canopy, chairs, lights and cooking area. The campground has its own activities, silent disco, food vendors, a general store, ahead of the festival’s Friday start.
Friday to Sunday (festival days). Festival grounds open in the early afternoon, with music on eight stages simultaneously until past midnight. Walk from camp to the festival entrance, anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes depending on the lot. Return to the van for air-conditioned naps, cold drinks and rest, then repeat. Headliners typically finish around midnight, followed by late-night DJ sets.
Monday (departure). Pack up and drive out, expecting slow traffic leaving the grounds. Return the campervan or extend for a road trip: Joshua Tree National Park is 45 minutes north, Palm Springs is 40 minutes west, and the Pacific Coast is about 2.5 hours away.
Attending both weekends requires separate festival and camping passes for each. Many travellers keep the campervan hired for the full stretch and spend the midweek exploring the desert, Joshua Tree, the Salton Sea and Palm Springs before returning for Weekend 2.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring an RV or motorhome into the Coachella campground?
No. Coachella explicitly prohibits RVs, motorhomes, trailers, buses and any vehicle with running water or a toilet, even if disconnected. Only passenger cars, trucks and vans without plumbing are allowed in car camping spots. For a full RV experience, stay at a nearby resort like Shadow Hills (7 miles, free shuttle) or Indian Waters (8-minute drive).
Can I bring a campervan on-site?
A compact campervan without running water or a toilet can qualify for car camping, provided it fits within the 30 by 10-foot spot. Vehicles are inspected at the gate, and any plumbing, even empty tanks, gets a vehicle turned away. Check with your rental operator and Coachella’s official camping rules before booking.
Are there power or water hookups on-site?
Standard Car Camping is unpowered with no water hookups. The newer Powered Car Camping tier adds a power outlet plus upgraded restroom and shower access for an additional fee, worth considering if running a fridge or fans off battery for four days is a concern. Bring your own power (solar, battery) and water regardless. Free water refill stations and phone charging are available in the campground hub area.
Can I move my vehicle once parked?
No. Once parked in a car camping spot, the vehicle stays until Monday. There’s no vehicle re-entry; an early departure requires an escorted exit arranged at an Info Kiosk, forfeiting the spot. Plan all supplies before arriving.
Can I cook inside my van?
No. Coachella prohibits cooking inside any vehicle for safety reasons. If the van has a factory-installed stove, the vehicle is still allowed in, but the stove can’t be used. Cook outside only, using propane or electric appliances, no butane, no charcoal, no wood fires.
Which nearby RV park has a shuttle to the festival?
Yes, but separate festival wristbands and camping passes are required for each weekend, since the campground is cleared between them. Many travellers keep the campervan hired for the full 10-plus days and explore the desert midweek instead of returning it and re-collecting.
Can I camp both weekends?
Shadow Hills RV Resort in Indio offers a free private shuttle to the festival grounds, running daily from noon during both Coachella weekends, about 7 miles from the venue. Indian Waters and other parks are a short rideshare away.
Where should I pick up a campervan for Coachella?
Los Angeles is the largest rental market, about 2.5 hours from Indio, with the widest operator selection. Palm Springs, about 40 minutes from the venue, is the closest major option but has more limited supply. San Diego, Las Vegas and Phoenix are also viable for a road trip approach.
What is the weather like at Coachella?
Hot and dry. April daytime highs in the Coachella Valley typically reach 28-34°C (82-93°F), sometimes higher, with nights cooling to 14-18°C (57-64°F). Rain is rare, wind and dust can be a factor, and the sun is intense, so sunscreen, shade and hydration are essential.
What is Event Campers?
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Ready to Rent Your RV for Coachella?
Browse campervans and Class B, C and A motorhomes from Cruise America, El Monte RV and Road Bear RV using the search widget above, and compare prices across your Los Angeles or Palm Springs pickup options. Planning more of your festival season? See our guides to EDC Las Vegas, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Electric Forest, and Sturgis Rally, or browse the full USA destinations hub for more road trip and event planning guides.