Photo Credit: Sara Marjorie Strick Photography

Held for two consecutive weekends in October, the Austin City Limits Music Festival (or ACL Fest) attracts more than 450,000 annual visitors to Zilker Park in the heart of Austin. The festival’s eight stages feature a diverse lineup of more than 120 bands a year, with headlining appearances from the likes of Guns N’ Roses and Cardi B to Billie Eilish and Mumford & Sons. 

Whether you travel into town in an RV rental or are a local picking up from Cruise America’s Austin location to get a more immersive festival experience, here’s what to know before you go. 

What to Bring

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – sunscreen is a MUST. Slather on a minimum 30 SPF and bring the bottle along to reapply during the day. Insider tip: make sure it’s in a squeeze bottle, as aerosol containers are not allowed. Also, think about packing some (non-aerosol) bug spray. They say everything is bigger in Texas … we’ll just leave it at that. 

Hydration packs and reusable water bottles are allowed but must be empty when you enter the festival. Multiple CamelBak Hydration Stations are set up throughout the space to make it easy to fill, and refill, your water bottles throughout the day. 

If you are going to with a group, way-finding flags (keep them under 12 feet tall) are a great way spot friends in a crowd. The flags make it easy to reunite after sending a few friends to stake claim on prime real estate near the stage while you get the next round of drinks. 

Photo Credit: Charles Reagan Studios

Where to Park the RV

Because it’s located in the center of bustling downtown Austin, there is no onsite camping or RV parking available at ACL Fest. That said, there are plenty of great campsites within a short commute to the park. 

For the quickest assess to the Festival, nab at spot at Pecan Grove RV Park. The location –  only half a mile from Zilker Park – makes it easy for guests to walk, scoot or bike back and forth from the festival each day.  Book early as the site fills up quickly during event season thanks to its prime location near downtown Austin. 

Austin Lone Star RV Resort is less than 15 miles from Zilker Park and offers 150 spacious RV sites featuring full hook-ups, shaded spaces and wireless internet access. When not rocking out at the music festival, enjoy the top-notch amenities at the park. Take a dip in the heated pool, enjoy billiards and a full gym in the clubhouse, then stock up on the essentials at the onsite store and gift shop. 

Photo Credit: Austin Lone Star Resort

We’re big fans of KOA Campgrounds and the Austin East KOA is no exception. The site offers all the standard amenities along with 24-hour laundry, a large dog park and buddy sites. Book a couple RV sites with a group of friends and share an Uber to the festival! 

Photo Credit: Austin East KOA

Because the festival spans two weekends, renting an RV is the perfect road trip solution for enjoying ACL Fest. Not only will you get there in style, but you’ll have all the comforts of home along for the ride. Hit the festival during weekend one, enjoy Austin and the surrounding Texas countryside, and then wrap up your vacation with a second weekend of music festival fun.