Old Settler's Music Festival : Camping

Camping

Party At the Pavilion. Sleep Under the Stars.

Sure, you can buy a ticket for just the day. But if you really want to experience the best of Old Settler’s, you’ve got to sleep over.

A large part of the festival takes place on the stage at Camp Ben McCulloch. And when the last note dies, the fun keeps going-with jam sessions long into the night. Sometimes the artists stop by after hours-including, one year, Bill Kreutzmann from the Grateful Dead.

Every year, a close-knit community springs up at Camp Ben-new arrivals and campers who’ve come back year after year. Join the evening musical jams, stargaze under the big Lone Star sky, cool off in Onion Creek, and take in the beauty of Texas at the height of bluebonnet season.

Most importantly, make new friends-and reconnect with the ones you met last year.

Music, Activities, and More.

A large part of the action at Old Settler’s happens at the stage at Camp Ben. Catch the special “Settle-In” show on Thursday night; the Camp Ben Jam on Friday afternoon; and the Sunday morning Pickin’ & Prayin’ gospel show. You can also wake up to morning yoga on Friday and Saturday.

Camp Ben is where some of our kids’ activities take place-and we offer a family-friendly camping area and playground for those with younger kids.

Amenities

Campsites.

Camp Ben has space for both tent campers and RV’s.

Shuttle.

We provide a convenient shuttle service for safe, fast transport between Camp Ben and the Salt Lick Pavilion. We ask that campers not make the trip on foot, as the highway bridge is narrow and unsafe for pedestrians.

The shuttle runs 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after each show. At midnight on Friday and Saturday, we also do the famed “Midnight March” back to the campground-the Hays County Sheriff closes down the road for our crossing.

Hookups.

Camp Ben offers electrical and water hookups as well as an on-site dumping service. There is no sewer hookup, but there will be a dump service truck onsite to collect grey and black water for a fee. The company, Flow Bees Service, can be reached at 512-670-7874.

Electricity.

Electrical permits can be purchased for $25-reserve one early, as we sell a limited number. The permit will allow you to plug in one 120V extension cord, rated at 20 amps, to any available outlet in the campground. Be sure to bring a 100-foot electrical cord, a 100-foot hose, and a Y connection.

We may confiscate unauthorized electrical cords. Generators are not permitted.

Showers.

There are both cold and hot showers available at Camp Ben. Cold showers are free; you can take a hot shower for a nominal fee of $5.

Early birds.

Every year, some of our campers roll into Camp Ben early to set up. That’s fine, but you’ll need to pay the Camp Ben staff separately for the days you’ll be camping prior to the first day of the festival. Last year the charge was $15 per night for tents and $20 per night for RV’s.

Wristbands

Campers have two options: a four-day or a three-day wristband. The four-day wristband covers camping for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings; the three-day covers Friday and Saturday evenings. You cannot buy a wristband to camp overnight only from Saturday to Sunday.

Campground access.

Starting at 8AM on Thursday morning, we don’t allow anyone into the campground without a camping wristband. Early arrivals will need to get a wristband at the camp box office Thursday morning, opening at 10AM. Those in the campground without a wristband after that time will be asked to leave.

For the preservation of the Old Settler’s campers’ experience, anyone entering the campground must have camping credentials to enjoy the overnight vibe. No daily visitors on Thursday, Friday and Saturday will be allowed.

On Sunday, the campground will be open beginning at 9:30 AM. The concert is held at the campground Thursday and Sunday. The camping wristband also includes entry to the concert at the Salt Lick Pavilion on Friday and Saturday.

Reserved spots.

There are no reserved campsites at Camp Ben McCulloch-campsite assignments are first-come, first-served.

Click here * Camp Ben McCulloch Map 2009 for a downloadable map of Camp Ben McCulloch.

Trespassing

Be a good neighbor. DO NOT trespass. The border of the campground is fenced and clearly marked, but you are responsible for your own safety and well-being.