⛺  First-Timer's Camping Guide

Your Home in The Shire

⛺  8 steps · Work through in order

Both styles give you full access to every activity. This choice is purely about how your home base looks and feels — and what gear you need.

🏡

In-Game (IG)

Your tent is part of The Shire. Lantern-lit, earth-toned, woven into the village.

Canvas or poly-cotton tent, earth tones only
Warm amber lighting — no white LEDs visible
Themed furnishings when tent is open
Modern gear fine inside a closed tent
🏕️

Out-of-Game (OOG)

A fully modern home base, out of sight from immersive zones. No themed kit required.

Any tent — dome, pop-up, any color
Modern stoves, coolers, white LEDs fine
Walk to IG areas in costume anytime
Great first-year choice
Unsure? Many first-timers choose OOG for ease, then switch to IG once they've seen the village at night. Either way, you're fully part of the story.

Our official partner Glamping Services United provides premium canvas tents that are fully IG-compliant — delivered, pitched, and waiting for you. Available in both IG and OOG camping areas, in two sizes, furnished or unfurnished.

⛺

Standard Tent

Ideal for solo campers or pairs

UnfurnishedFurnished
Canvas bell tent, IG-approved
Pitched & ready on your arrival
Furnished: cot, linens & lantern included
🏡

Large Tent

Great for groups or extra comfort

UnfurnishedFurnished
Larger canvas pavilion, IG-approved
Pitched & ready on your arrival
Furnished: beds, rugs, lanterns & décor
All rental tents comply with In-Game standards and are available for OOG campers too. Tents are struck after your departure window. View Rentals & Pricing →

OOG campers: any tent works — skip to Step 3. IG campers: your tent needs to look like it belongs in Middle-earth. Natural fabrics, rustic shape, no visible modern features.

Approved tent styles IG
Bell Tent
✓ Approved
Bell Tent

Single center pole. The festival favourite.

Wedge Tent
✓ Approved
Wedge Tent

Simple two-pole, clean profile.

Wall Tent
✓ Approved
Wall Tent

Roomy, great for groups.

Scout/Pup Tent
✓ Approved
Scout / Pup Tent

Low-profile, ideal for solos.

Medieval Pavilion
✓ Approved
Medieval Pavilion

Tall pointed roofs — a showstopper.

Modern Dome
✕ Not Allowed
Modern Dome

Nylon or polyester not permitted in IG.

✓ Permitted materials
Canvas or cottonPoly-cotton (65/35%)Wool & burlapWorn / weathered fabric
✕ Not permitted (IG)
PolyesterExposed metal polesVisible logosBright synthetic colors
Closed tent = total privacy. Air mattresses, plastic bins, bright sleeping bags — all fine if the tent stays zipped.
🎠 Vardo Wagons by approval only — contact the team before the event.

Warm amber, flickering, and battery-powered — that's the golden rule for IG. The right lighting is what transforms a campsite into Middle-earth after dark.

Light temperature guide IG
Candlelight

1000–1800K

★ Ideal
Warm White

2000–3000K

✓ OK
Cool White

4000–5000K

✕ Not IG
Daylight

6000K+

✕ Emergency
✓ Approved IG lighting
Amber/flicker LED lanternsBattery candlesFaux oil lamps (LED inside)Warm string lights hidden in foliage
✕ Not permitted (IG)
White/blue LEDs 5000K+Visible LED stripsFlashlights (emergency only)Any open flame in a tent
🔥 Open flames are never permitted inside tents — IG or OOG. Real candles, oil lamps, sterno, propane torches. Battery power only, always.
Communal cooking fires IG
🔥
Staff-Maintained Pits

Fire pits in IG areas, attended by Fire Marshals. Shared tripod, tongs, and pokers provided.

🍳
Bring Your Own Gear

Cast iron pans, dutch ovens, kettles. If it looks Hobbit-appropriate, bring it.

🧊
Ice Truck On-Site

Bagged ice for coolers and food storage. Cash only.

🔎 All IG personal cooking fires need Fire Marshal approval before use. Elevated, in a firebowl, 6 ft clearance from tents.
✓ Approved IG personal cooking
Cast iron & dutch ovensCovered brazier fireboxesConcealed propaneCooking tripods over firebowls
✕ Not allowed (IG)
Visible branded appliancesOpen propane grillsGround firesSterno — anywhere
OOG cooking OOG

Propane stoves, charcoal grills, hot plates, Jetboils — all welcome. Store food in latching bins; never leave it exposed overnight.

Dishware IG
✓ Approved
Wood & ceramicEnamelPewter & metal gobletsHorn utensilsPlain glass
✕ Avoid in IG areas
Bright plasticDisposablesModern travel mugsRubber-grip utensils

Every camper gets 12′ × 12′ of space. Group space scales with the number registered together. Pick a zone that matches your sleep style.

🌙
Quiet Zone
Strict quiet from 10 PM
Ideal for early risers & light sleepers
Sensory-friendly environment
No nighttime gatherings
👶
Family Zone
Quiet from 9 PM
Designed for campers with children
Near sanitation facilities
Priority placement available
🚐
Van & Pop-Up
All festival quiet hours
Class B vans & small teardrops only
Boards under tires required
No RVs or Class A/C motorhomes
📝 Select your zone in the Backer Survey. Earplugs are free at the Sanitation Village.
How much space do you get? All Campers
⚡ Space Calculator
Campers in your group:
2
288
Total Sq Ft
24′ × 12′
Example Layout
📧 Your arrival window will be emailed and posted on June 1. Select your slot in the Backer Survey — only 300 places per Early Arrival window.
1
Check In

Show ticket and photo ID, confirm your zone, and receive a parking card — must stay visible on your dashboard all event.

2
Drop Zone

Pull to the drop zone near your area and lay a tarp for your gear within ~25–30 feet of your site.

3
Unload Quickly

Offload everything onto the tarp. You cannot drive to your tent site — the remaining distance (max 200 ft) must be done on foot.

4
Move Your Car

Immediately move to the parking lot — ~1 km (0.6 miles) from camp. A shuttle runs during peak times.

5
Set Up Camp

Return and start building. A Camp Attendant can locate your exact spot. Help your neighbors — the world doesn't need to be perfect by sunset.

Departure tip: teardown takes longer than setup. Pack onto your tarp → Camp Attendant clearance → retrieve car → load up. You may re-park nearby for extended farewells.
📦 All Campers
Ticket (digital or printed)
Photo ID & medical info
Tent & stakes
Sleeping bag or blankets
Sleeping pad, cot, or air mattress
Pillow & ground tarp
Costuming — warm & cool layers
Biodegradable soap & towel
Water bottle (1 gal/person/day)
Trash bags, hand sanitizer
Food & snacks
Eating utensils, cup & bowl
Sunscreen & bug spray
Rain gear or waterproof cloak
Small first-aid kit
Power bank & earplugs
🏡 IG Extras
Canvas/poly-cotton tent (earth tones)
Amber LED lanterns (1000–3000K)
Wood, ceramic, or enamel dishware
Wooden tables or crates
Bunting, rustic signage, blankets
Pewter mugs & tankards
Burlap covers for plastic bins
Cloak for shower visits
Herbs, dried flowers, natural decor

🏕️ OOG Extras
Any tent (dome, pop-up fine)
Camping stove or portable grill
Cooler with ice
LED lanterns & headlamp
Folding table & chairs
Storage totes
🔥 Fire & Hazards
Open flames inside tents
Propane heaters inside tents
Sterno — prohibited everywhere
Unapproved fire pits
Fireworks or pyrotechnics
Real steel blades or projectiles
📱 Immersion Breakers
Cameras in IG areas without consent
Cool-toned LEDs (5000K+) in IG camp
Drones without media team approval
Bluetooth speakers in IG hours
Glowing smartwatch screens after dark
⛺ Tents & Décor
Polyester tents in IG camping
Visible modern logos (cover them)
Tents oversized for your footprint
Neon colors or pop culture items
🐾 Safety & Wildlife
Food left exposed overnight
Non-biodegradable soap on site
Unregistered pets
Personal generators (unless approved)
If in doubt, leave it out. Prohibited items may be removed. Serious violations may result in removal from the event.

You're Ready for The Shire

Secure your place, then work through each step above to build the perfect Hobbit camp.

🎟️  Get Your Tickets Full Get-Ready Guide →