Rent an RV for Coachella Music Festival in Indio, California Festival camping adventures

Book immediately after the festival lineup is announced, typically in January. Coachella is one of the busiest festival weekends for RV rentals, and motorhomes and travel trailers rent out within days of lineup announcements.

If you're planning to attend Weekend 1 only (April 10-12), you have slightly more availability, but Weekend 2 rentals often book up even faster due to major headliners. For Weekend 2 or multi-weekend trips, secure your rental by late January at the latest.

This depends on your group size and comfort preferences. A Class B or C motorhome (24-32 feet) sleeps 2-4 comfortably and fits easily into most campground sites. A full-size Class A (35-45 feet) offers more space but requires dedicated sites and may command premium fees at some parks.

Travel trailers offer excellent space efficiency; a 30-foot trailer sleeps 4-6 and gives you the flexibility to unhitch and explore the region. For solo travelers or couples, a compact campervan is efficient and offers parking convenience. Factor in both nightly rental cost and campground fees when deciding.

Festival Campgrounds Rancho 51 and Indian Wells RV Community are closest to Empire Polo Club (2-4 miles), minimizing your driving time. If proximity is your priority, book at these first. Shadow Hills specializes in festival crowds with community events, making it ideal if you want a social experience. Happy Traveler is farther away (20-25 miles) but offers stunning mountain views and proximity to Desert Hot Springs wellness attractions if you prioritize downtime experiences.

Most Coachella veteran RVers recommend Indian Wells or Shadow Hills for the balance of amenities, community atmosphere, and reasonable distance. Book whichever you choose immediately after locking in your RV rental.

If you own an RV and live within 8-10 hours of Indio, bringing your own makes sense financially and gives you flexibility with timing. However, renting is often practical if you don't own an RV, live far away, or prefer not to manage a long tow during busy festival travel periods.

Rental RVs come with maintenance and mechanical support included; if something breaks during the festival, you have customer service. Your own RV breakdowns during festival weekend can derail your entire trip. Consider whether you want that risk during a festival you've planned and paid for.

A typical Coachella RV trip for one weekend costs: RV rental ($150-300/night for a mid-size motorhome or trailer), campground fees ($50-100/night), gas ($50-100), food and supplies ($200-300 for the weekend), and festival tickets ($400-800 per person). Total per person for a couple: roughly $1500-2500 for the weekend. For a group of four sharing costs, per-person expenses drop to $800-1400.

This is significantly lower than hotel-based festival trips, which easily exceed $1500-2000 per person when factoring in hotel ($300-500/night), parking fees, and restaurant meals. RV travel becomes increasingly cost-effective with larger groups.

Must-haves are a functional kitchen (stove, fridge), full bathroom with shower, heating and cooling systems, and reliable water/waste systems. A generator is essential for powering air conditioning if your campground doesn't provide full hookups. USB charging ports, a water heater, and good water pressure make a significant difference in comfort.

Nice-to-have features include outdoor seating (awning, chairs), a washer/dryer combo, a larger refrigerator, and a good entertainment system. Prioritize the must-haves and view extras as bonuses. Ask your rental company for specific specifications before booking.

This depends on the lineup and your schedule. If your favorite artists are spread across both weekends, attending both gives you the full experience and justifies the extended RV rental. The lineup is typically split evenly between weekends to attract two-weekend attendees.

Single-weekend attendance is less expensive and requires only 3-4 days at a campground. Many people do one weekend their first time and then return for both weekends once they've experienced the festival.

April in the Coachella Valley is warm and pleasant, with daytime temperatures typically in the 85-95 Fahrenheit range. Evenings cool down to 60-70 Fahrenheit, making outdoor concert-going comfortable. Rainfall is minimal in April, but occasional rare showers are possible.

Pack light layers, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a light jacket for evenings. Your RV's air conditioning is essential for midday rest and heat management. Bring plenty of water; the desert sun and physical activity dehydrate quickly.

Absolutely. Midweek time (Tuesday-Wednesday if attending both weekends, or a day before/after if attending one weekend) is perfect for exploring. Joshua Tree National Park is 45 minutes away with world-class hiking and stunning desert landscapes. Desert Hot Springs and Palm Springs spas are 20-25 minutes away and perfect for post-festival recovery and relaxation.

Your RV gives you the freedom to explore on your schedule without worrying about hotel checkout times or transportation logistics. Plan one full day of exploration to break up the festival intensity.