Camping & Lodging

The Nevada County Fairgrounds has been declared “California’s Most Beautiful Fairgrounds,” and is covered with hundreds of towering pine trees on almost 90 acres. We have many camping options available for the Festival.  As with most everything these days, our cost for the Fairgrounds has gone up this year, so pricing is higher than you might have paid to attend previous Father’s Day Festivals.  But dry tent camping is still free with your Full-Festival ticket.

Festival camping opens on Wednesday June 11.  If you’d like to arrive earlier, purchase a Pre-Festival Jamboree pass, and you can arrive as early as Saturday June 7 at noon.

Details below.  Email or call us with any questions:  Festival@CaliforniaBluegrass.net or (844) BLU-GRASS   (844-258-4727)

Dry tent camping

Tent camping is included at no extra cost in your Full-Festival ticket. You can arrive starting Wednesday, June 11 at Noon; departure by Monday June 16 at 10:00am. If you would like to come earlier – that’s great! We have Pre-festival Camping starting Saturday June 7 at noon. You simply need to purchase a Pre-festival Camping pass for each vehicle (campsite).

There is a specific “Tent Camping” area to the east of the RV campground where only tents, camper-vans or camp trailers* are allowed. These sites are first come, first served. You may arrive at any time. If you have a Full-Festival (4-day) pass, you can arrive any time starting Wednesday June 11 at noon. If you also purchase a Pre-festival Camping pass, you can arrive any time after Saturday, June 7 at noon.

If you purchase one or more Festival day tickets (for  Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday), you can also buy overnight tent (or Dry RV) camping passes.

You may not camp at an electrical pedestal without first paying for an electric hook-up. Please do not block the electrical pedestal. You will be asked to move and that would be a hassle! Thank you in advance.

*If you’re wondering what we mean by “camper-van” and “camp trailer”: These type of vehicles fall under the same CBA rules as tents (included in the 4-day Full-Festival ticket, included in Pre-festival Jamboree ticket, able to camp in Tent-only camping area, and exempt from Dry RV fees elsewhere at the venue):

  • Class B RV’s Examples: VW Westfalia, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Winnebago Solis
  • Camp Trailers, as defined under CVC § 242 (16 feet or less). Examples: tent trailers, teardrop trailers

RV Site Options

FAIRGROUNDS FULL-HOOKUP SITES
As in past years, full hook-up RV spots at the Nevada County Fairgrounds are in short supply and will be assigned through our reservation lottery system. Lottery applications are being accepted from CBA members now through January 31, 2025. To apply, simply provide your name, address, phone number and email to Festival@CaliforniaBluegrass.net or mail to: CBA FHU Lottery, 3739 Balboa St. #5090, San Francisco, CA 94121-2605. Reservations are for the festival days: check-in at after noon Wednesday, June 11, and check-out by 10:00 am Monday, June 16. RV-Hook-up lottery winners will be given the first chance to book the same site for pre-festival days at additional cost.

ELECTRIC / WATER SITES
A limited number of electric and water hookup sites are also available during the festival. These can be booked on a first come, first served basis via the CBA Father’s Day Festival on-line ticket site.

NO ELECTRIC ONLY SITES
In past years, CBA has been able to provide about 70 electric-only sites adjacent to the lake. The high cost of the diesel generator and fuel has made this impractical, and so these sites will not be available for 2025.

NEW! GRASS VALLEY RV PARK SPACES
A new deluxe RV resort has opened across McCourtney Road from the fairgrounds, with direct access through fairgrounds Gate 3. The walking distance from the new sites to the Main Stage is about the same as from most RV sites within the fairgrounds. We’ve made special arrangements for discounted sites at the new Grass Valley RV Resort—but they’re sure to go fast. CBA will provide a discount code upon request to anyone purchasing a full-festival ticket, and this code can be used during your reservation booking.  After you purchase your festival ticket, get your discount code by emailing us at festival@CaliforniaBluegrass.net or calling 844-BLU-GRASS (844-258-4727)

Visit Grass Valley RV Resort to learn more. 

RV DRY CAMPING
As always, dry (no hook-up) spaces are available for Class A or Class C RV’s throughout the Fairgrounds on a first come / first served basis starting at noon on Saturday, June 7. There is a per-night charge, which can be purchased in advance or at the gate. Camper vans (Class B) and tent-trailers are allowed in the “tent only” camping area.

ARRIVING EARLY?
If you’re planning to arrive prior to noon on Wednesday, June 11, RV hook-up spaces can be reserved directly from the Fairgrounds, or from the Grass Valley RV Resort across the street. They will be happy to coordinate your reservation so you can keep the same space booked through CBA for the festival.

NEED TO RENT AN RV?
Are you considering upgrading from a tent? Perhaps you’re flying in from far away? CBA has made a special arrangement with RV Share for you to rent your RV of choice. Many options even include delivering and setting up the rig in your reserved space. Please use this link to find the perfect rig for your stay at our festival:

ADA Camping

There are a limited number of ADA Accessible camping spaces available for Festival attendees that need special accommodation. “Advance Reservations” are required by May 1, 2025. Please email your request to Festival@californiabluegrass.net. Campers in the designated ADA camping areas must display a California (or other state) ADA Placard on their camping vehicle or automobile. The ADA “Bluegrass Taxi” service is available during the festival.

MORE INFORMATION?

Details and updated information can always be found here at FathersDayFestival.com. Or contact us at Festival@CaliforniaBluegrass.net or at 844-258-4727.

Camping Rules

There is a specific “Tent Camping” area to the east of the RV campground where only tents or vehicle camping is allowed. These sites are first come, first served.

 

  1. Do not lay power cords across the roadways
  2. Do not save spots for friends by roping off areas
  3. Please place all trash in appropriate containers
  4. No campfires allowed. Use propane flames cautiously
  5. Keep wristbands on at all times.
  6. Generators may not be used between 10pm and 8am. Use them sparingly at other times.
  7. Showers are located in the fairground RV camping area.
  8. Dogs are not allowed in the tent only camping area. This policy applies to dog walkers as well as tent campers and RVs camped along the fence line.
  9. Be aware that acoustic music is played around the clock in the campground, sometimes into the wee hours of the morning. Please join in the fun and enjoy the jamming.
  10. A designated “Quiet Camping Area” is available, see the festival map, or ask for directions as you check in.
  11. Drumming and amplified music including radios, mp3 players, etc. either in vehicles or outdoors that can be heard by any other camper are not allowed in the campground to facilitate a live music jamming culture.
  12. Please help us leave the campground as clean as or cleaner than it was when you arrived.
  13. All garbage must be placed in the cans provided by 8:30 a.m. on Monday, June 16th, so that the clean-up crew can collect it and finish their weeklong task in good time.
  14. The water ditch that runs throughout the festival grounds is a part of the Fresh Water system for the town of Grass Valley. You may not wade in it, drink from it, wash in it, or throw trash in it. Please keep children and pets out of the water ditch at all times.
Image of buildings on main street of Nevada City

Local Hotels

The Nevada County Fairgrounds – site of the Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival is located in the scenic foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. While visiting, you can explore the history of the California Gold rush, and enjoy the charming nearby towns of Grass Valley and Nevada City. Many options for hotels, Bed & Breakfasts and lodges are available. Find out more by visiting: gonevadacounty.com