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RULES & RESOURCES

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Festival Rules Resources & Support Tips From The Forest Family

Festival Rules

Prohibited Items at Electric Forest

**These items will be confiscated if found and may not be returned.**

  • No fireworks, flying prayer lanterns, or explosives
  • No grills, open flame, candles, or charcoal (small Coleman-style campstoves will be the one exemption from this rule)
  • No generators. RV’s with built-in generators that run off the RV’s gas are permitted. External fuel generators IE gas, diesel, or kerosene, and gas cans are not permitted. Solar generators are exempt.
  • No gas/fuel cans of any kind (with the exception of small propane containers for campstoves listed above)
  • No box trucks
  • No Large sound systems (and if neighbors ask to turn it down please respect their wishes)
  • No glass (mirrors are allowed)
  • No kegs or hard liquor
  • No drones
  • No laser pointers
  • No illegal substances
  • No nitrous oxide
  • No weapons of any kind
  • No tiki torches
  • No golf clubs
  • No hammers
  • No unauthorized merchandise
  • No helium tanks
  • No bicycles, skateboards, or scooters
  • No boats or hard sided floatation devices
  • No One Wheelers
  • No American Indian headdresses*
  • No Confederate flags*
  • No threatening signs or apparel*
Prohibited Items in the Venue Area
  • No outside alcohol, food, or beverage (exception: see Water Policy below)
  • No laser pointers
  • No chairs, beach chairs, or lawn furniture
  • No inflatable furniture (WindPouches, or similar that do not require an air pump will be allowed)
  • No audio recording equipment/professional cameras/video equipment
  • No glass or glass containers of any kind
  • No knives of any kind
  • No framed or large backpacks
  • No picnic baskets
  • No tents
  • No bicycles, skateboards, or scooters
  • No wagons, strollers, or carts
  • No One Wheelers
  • No frisbees
  • No large markers, paint pens, or spray paint
  • No unauthorized soliciting, advertising, handbills, posters, product sampling, giveaways, etc.
  • No Native American headdresses*
  • No Confederate flags
  • No threatening signs or apparel*

POLICIES & GUIDELINES

Water Policy

In the venue area…

  • One factory sealed bottle of water allowed, no more than one gallon
  • Hydration packs and reusable water bottles must be empty
  • Water filling stations are available for free throughout the venue
In the campgrounds..
  • Bring as much water as you like
  • Water filling stations are available for free throughout the campgrounds
Alcohol Policy

You must be 21+ to consume alcohol. A reasonable amount of unopened beer and wine (limited to one case of beer and one box of wine per person), will be permitted to be brought onto your camping area. If, however, in the security’s judgment anyone in the vehicle is intoxicated, or the alcohol is open, then the organizers reserve the right to confiscate the alcohol. Kegs, glass, liquor, or vending of alcohol is not permitted in the campgrounds, and alcohol may not be brought from the campsites into the festival venue.

POWERED MOBILITY DEVICES

Guests with mobility disabilities are welcome to use motorized wheelchairs and three- or four-wheeled scooters at Electric Forest. For safety reasons, guests may NOT use personal golf carts, all-terrain vehicles, two-wheeled scooters, motorbikes, or one-wheels either in the venue itself or in the parking and camping areas. Three- or four-wheeled powered mobility devices must have safety features such as: anti-tip wheels, automatic braking systems, and stability-enhancing mechanisms.

Totem Guidelines
  • Totems must be no taller than 7 ft
  • Totem sticks should be made of something light (makes it easier to carry anyway!) – use PVC pipe or similar, no wood or metal, please!
  • Don’t put anything that could gash a head or poke out an eye on the end of that totem. If it looks like it could be used for a medieval joust, security may take it away!
  • No threatening messages on totems
Medical Prescriptions

Medical Prescriptions must be in their original bottle with label attached. Your ID must match the name on the label. All federal and state laws apply at Electric Forest.

Those bringing medicines to the event should declare them to security during any search and may have them stored in the medical center if required.

Children in the Forest

All children ages 3 and up must have a wristband. Children age 2 and under are admitted free of charge.

Should you get separated from your child, lost parents are asked to check in at the nearest Medical Center or Information Booth. Children who are looking for their parent(s) will be brought there to be reunited.

Sound Systems
  • No speakers larger than 11x5x5, or externally amplified sound. If a neighbor asks to turn down music, please respect their wishes. HQ reserves the right to confiscate or remove sounds systems that do not follow guidelines.
  • Small handheld Bluetooth speakers and USB powered personal / portable speakers will be allowed. As a general rule of thumb, if you speaker has a carry handle it is too big.
Vending

Electric Forest will offer a wide assortment of food/drink, crafts, and other vendors throughout the Festival site. No unauthorized vending is allowed, you must complete an application and be accepted in order to vend. Unauthorized food and craft merchandise may be confiscated.

Media

To apply for media credentials for Electric Forest 2025, please visit the Media Resources Page. For immediate media needs, please contact press@electricforestfestival.com

Local Kennel Information

Electric Forest welcomes and supports the rights and attendance of all persons with disabilities that rely on the special skills of a trained service animal. Read more about our Service Animal polices on the ADA Page.

All other pets and animals must be housed in a nearby kennel if you cannot leave them at home.

For your convenience, local area kennel information is below.

Modaka Kennels & Supply
5023 S. 48th Avenue
New Era, MI 49446
231-861-7365

Cedar Coast Boarding Kennels
6475 S 50th Ave
Montague, MI
231-894-6617

Dog Star Ranch
4200 Whitehall Rd
Muskegon, MI
231-766-0444

Kaley Park Kennels
4725 Harvey St
Muskegon, MI
231-799-8003

Please note that this list is intended to provide helpful information; these kennels are not endorsed by Electric Forest.

Promotions and Sponsorship

No sponsorship, on-site marketing, sampling, vending, coupon/product distribution, or other promotional/advertising activity may be conducted at the Event (inclusive of parking lots), absent the Event producer’s prior written approval in each instance.

*A note on headdresses and threatening messages: at Electric Forest, all should feel safe, comfortable, and welcome.

In this spirit, HQ requests that those who would bring Native American headdresses to the festival leave them at home. Out of respect for this community, it is inappropriate to wear headdresses outside of traditional ceremony.

Additionally, while HQ supports diversity in signs, totems, and articles of clothing, words or images that are divisive or explicitly threaten to harm others such as Confederate flags are not welcome.

Electric Forest reserves the right to confiscate items deemed to be in violation of these policies at its discretion.

In such a creative community, HQ is confident that these requests will open up new, more inclusive creative opportunities for all who attend. Thank you for making choices that support and inspire all members of the Forest Family.


CHECK OUT FAQs

Resources & Support

Electric Forest is filled with resources to support and uplift the Forest Family. This page is intended to spread the word of the different roles and services filled by and for the people of The Forest.

Festival Security

SECURITY

WHAT THEY DO

All security will be wearing a laminate that says their company name with a large, unique identifying number, as well as a security shirt with their company name on it. All security laminates are going to be the same design, but with a different color and company name for different security companies.

You can ask to see a security guard’s laminate at any time.

Any search that is not taking place at an entrance will be done by multiple security guards and a security manager. Those conducting the search will be wearing their identifying laminate that says their company name with a large, unique identifying number, as well as a security shirt with their company name on it.

Security exists for the safety and well-being of all Forest Family. You will see them at entrance gates, around the stages, and roving throughout the venue. They may check your bag or confiscate prohibited items as you move through different entrance gates throughout the festival.

You can ask any security guard for assistance – and don’t forget to smile and say thank you. These people travel from far and wide to work long hours, and make Electric Forest happen!

If someone who you are uncertain is a security guard is attempting to search you, you can request to see their laminate and ask to speak to their supervisor.

HOW TO GET IN CONTACT

To get in contact with security at Electric Forest, please visit an entrance gate, the front barricade at any festival stage, an info booth, or the nearest Neighborhood Pod, all located on the festival map.

Medical Staff

MEDICAL STAFF

WHAT THEY DO

Medical staff at Electric Forest wear a shirt that identifies them as medical personnel. They move around the event both on foot, and on medical golf carts. HQ’s medical staff is filled with people in the medical field who are also fans of music and Electric Forest. They are not police or security, and their focus is exclusively on your health and well-being.

Medical assistance provided by the festival medical team is free of charge. If you’re feeling dehydrated, come down with a UTI, or find that your shoes weren’t kind to your feet, visit the medical staff! If you or a friend are receiving medical assistance, please allow these trained professionals to do their jobs and support them by following their instructions.

Whenever you see someone in a medical t-shirt, thank them for their work and share a smile.

HOW TO GET IN CONTACT

If you require Medical assistance, please reference the festival map and make your way to the nearest medical station. If you or a friend require medical assistance and need help getting to a medical station, please head for the nearest Neighborhood Pod, info booth, police person, security person, or festival staff to ask for help.

Ground Control Worker

GROUND CONTROL

The Ground Control Team is committed to keeping the Forest Family #HappyHealthyHydrated. Their sole purpose is to be a helping hand, a friendly face, and to help you with any situation – from directions to medical assistance. Ground Control strongly believes in the power and beauty of helping others, and will do everything they can to make sure you have a safe and memorable experience.

Ground Control will be wearing their signature purple t-shirts. You can find them roaming the GA and Good Life campgrounds, helping their fellow Forest Family and handing out flyers with some useful safety information if you need any help. Please feel free to flag them down if you need anything!

Want to learn more about Ground Control? Visit their website here!

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

FESTIVAL STAFF

The general staff of Electric Forest fill many roles – from artist transportation, to catering, to credentials, and beyond! You may see people moving around the festival dressed like attendees, but who are wearing radios and a special wristband. These members of the Forest Family are hard at work making magic happen. If they ask, please help out!

INFO BOOTHS & NEIGHBORHOOD PODS

Info Booths and Neighborhood Pods exist to provide information and services to the Forest Family. If you find a lost item (or a lost person), need medical attention, have a question, or if you have found The Answer, visit your nearest Info Booth or Neighborhood Pod.

Services at Neighborhood Pods include: information, medical assistance, showers, and ice sales

Info Booths and Neighborhood Pods will be open as long as the area they are located in is open!

LOST & FOUND

The festival Lost and Found is the place where all lost items end up. Whether you lost it in Sherwood Forest or Camp Blueberry, these are the people you want to talk to. Please visit their booth, which is marked on the festival map, to check whether your lost item was found, or to turn in a lost item.

After the festival, you can check the Lost & Found page for items left behind – but please do so promptly. The post-festival lost and found donates lost items to charity if they are not claimed within a month of the event.

YOU!

The most powerful resource available to the Forest Family is you. The whole experience is fueled by your thoughtfulness, your caring attention, and your enthusiasm. Thank you for reading this page. By increasing your knowledge of the festival’s resources, you have now become a greater part of the heart of Electric Forest.

Tips From the Forest Family

The wonder of The Forest is experienced to the fullest by those who arrive prepared to take care of themselves, Sherwood Forest, and each other.

This guide was built by the moderators and community of the Electric Forest subreddit with the intention of helping the Forest Family and our community feel prepared and ready to have the greatest possible experience. Sit down and prepare for a crash course in Forest essentials - and the insider tips to make the most of your time in Rothbury.

For a more comprehensive guide, and to engage with members of the online Forest Family community visit the EF Subreddit or Discord Server.

Tips from the forest family

SUPPLIES

CAMPING
  • Air Mattress or Cot or Sleeping Pad
  • Blankets
  • Pillow
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Tarp (for underneath your tent to prevent rain/ground-water from seeping in)
  • Tent (make sure this is easily accessible for a quick setup when you arrive)
  • Tent Fan
  • Tent Light
  • Cooler(s) with ice
  • Paper Towels
  • Stove & Fuel (No grills or BBQs - only small camping stove that use fuel canisters are allowed)
  • Bowls/Cups/Plates/Eating Utensils (if you plan to cook anything)
  • Trash Bags (Tie them to the legs of your shade structure. Also keep one for recycling)
  • Water Jug
  • Ziploc Bags
  • Camp Chairs/Stools (Foldable ones, enough for your crew, and maybe a visitor if your car has the space)
  • Folding Camp Table (as it’s an inconvenience to move things from the lid of the cooler to retrieve beer or snacks)
  • Ground Blanket (Tarp, Carpet, Blanket for something to lay over the grass/dirt)
  • Hammock (and maybe a hammock stand since there are no trees in the campgrounds to hang from except in Maplewoods)
  • Shade (Consider a 10x10 shade tent per 4 people in your group.)
  • Wind Pouch (An alternative to hammocks that don’t require trees to use)
  • Flashlight
  • Headlamp
  • Flag & Flag Pole (The campgrounds are huge - These are useful for finding your camp in the sea of tents. Consider lights. String up your flag beforehand so you know what you’re doing when you get there. They make flag poles that you drive your car over to hold it up)
  • LED Lights (to string up around your camp to keep it lit. Consider solar powered ones)
  • Hydration Pack or Reusable water bottle(s) 
  • A rubber mallet (to stake down your tent; the ground can be pretty hard)
  • Solar or Foot-pump Shower (These are great for a quick rinse)
  • Decorative tapestries or a tarp to hang from the side of your shade tent (The former is recommended, as you can have a tie-dye party with some friends and a few cotton twin sized sheets. They block the sun when it’s tilted, and because they’re light, they let in a breeze. Use clamps to fasten them, but cords can also be used to tie them up)
  • A small broom to clean the tent
  • A water resistant container to store dry foods (and keep them dry)
FOOD / DRINKS
  • Pasta salad, already prepared and bagged up. All you have to do is serve!
  • Granola bars /power bars/ Clif bars for quick nutrition and calories
  • Hard boiled eggs
  • Hummus & pita bread
  • Muffins
  • Cereal
  • Peanut Butter and Jelly
  • Bread, lunch meat & condiments
  • Salt + Pepper
  • Prepared proteins (burgers, marinated chicken, etc) and associated dressings
  • Water. Bottled water is convenient to keep in your cooler, but there are also filling stations around the camps. Drink a lot of water!
  • Pedialyte, Vitamin Water, or Gatorade. You’ll be burning a lot of calories, you want those electrolytes
  • Beer. Cans only. No glass is allowed. The limit is 1 case of beer and 1 box of wine per person of age in your car.
  • Candy and/or Gum
  • Fresh fruits and veggies
  • Snack food
  • Energy Drink or stuff to make Coffee
A note on Alcoholic beverages

Only canned beer and boxed wine are allowed. No glass is allowed. The limit is 1 case of beer and 1 box of wine per person. You must be 21+ to bring in or consume alcohol. You cannot substitute a case of beer for a box of wine or vice-versa.

CLOTHING

It can range from 95 to 50 Fahrenheit in a single day, this is Michigan.

  • Long sleeves (hoodie, sweater, hockey jersey)
  • Basic clothing for each day. (Jeans/long pants, socks, shorts, underwear, plenty of t-shirts, tank tops, etc.)
  • Bathing suit
  • Waterproof footwear that is easy to put on (flip flops, etc)
  • Bandana(s) (to block light when you still want to sleep after 7 A.M., or to keep cool and keep the sun off your head)
  • Comfortable footwear
  • Onesie (When it gets colder at night these are a fun way to stay warm)
  • Rain Jacket
  • Rain Poncho (You can count on at least one storm during the festival every year so this is good to have as a backup)
FUN
  • Hula hoops, poi, leviwand or other flow toys
  • Body/face paint (and a way to wash it off before bed)
  • Glitter (only if it’s biodegradable!)
  • Your homemade totem/rage staff (Follow festival guidelines)
  • Glow toys (preferably biodegradable)
  • Yoga mat, if you’re into that. (Yoga happens daily at noon at Tripolee with an instructor)
  • Camp entertainment (card games, frisbee, etc)
  • Gifts! (Gifting is part of the culture at EF - it can be kandi, stickers, or other small things you make to give to new friends you make) (See Gifting)
HEALTH
  • Ear Plugs 
  • Sunglasses
  • Eyewear (Glasses/contacts +spares)
  • First aid kit (Band-Aids, Blister pads, Neosporin, pain reliever etc)
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Sunscreen (use it!)
  • Toilet Paper (It’s good to have some extra in case the port-o-potties don’t have any)
  • Towel(s) (One for personal use and another for emergencies)
  • Basic hygiene products (Fingernail clippers, soap, deodorant, shaver, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc)
  • Wet wipes
  • Gold bond and/or bodyglide (if you have chafing issues)
  • Tampons
  • Condoms
  • Magnesium. For aching muscles
  • Melatonin (in moderation, as needed for sleep)
  • Anti-nausea medication (Nauzene or equivalent)
A GOOD IDEA TO REMEMBER…
  • Your ticket/wristband (which typically arrives in late May/early June)
  • Printed map and directions there and back (in case of phone troubles if traveling far)
  • List of important phone numbers (just in case)
  • Spare car keys
  • Money
  • Swiss army knife or a multi-tool (camp setup, fixes, etc)
  • Duct tape (quick fixes, if you feel like being creative, or pretty much anything, it’s duct tape)
  • Hand Fan (These can be invaluable for cooling yourself off in the crowds)
  • Your phone (find your friends, photos, app)
  • A portable battery to recharge all electronic devices
  • A pen and paper
  • Koozies (to keep your beer cold, or if you have a few people at camp, to tell which beer is yours)
  • Jumper cables

TIPS FOR THE JOURNEY

  • Set up your tent before you leave to check all pieces are accounted for. Take that opportunity to waterproof it with a good spray waterproofer
  • Set a plan with your friends (where you’re meeting on the trip, and what to do if something goes wrong). Make the last stop of your trip in Muskegon if you’re arriving from the south. It has the closest Meijer and Walmart, and are great meeting places. While you are there you can check to see if you forgot anything, fill up on ice (although they occasionally sell out), and most importantly, top off your gas tank
Tips for Setting Up
  • Meet your neighbors, learn their names. Not only can you borrow things you forgot to bring, but they are great to socialize with and can keep an eye on your things when you are off having fun
  • When you leave your camp to explore, all valuables should be locked in your car, and out of sight
  • Remember to keep your campsite clean daily
  • The sun rises before 6AM, and sets after 10PM. Pack your day/night backpacks accordingly for what part of the day you’ll be there (sunglasses and hammock during the day trip, hoodie and flow toys at night)
Entering The Festival Grounds
  • From the GA and GA+ campgrounds there is one “Main Entrance” situated on the South end of the venue in close proximity to the Ferris Wheel
  • From Good Life and other VIP campgrounds there are entrances into multiple points in the venue including right next to Ranch Arena, in the middle of Sherwood Forest and up North near Sherwood Court. Yes, Good Lifers can go out to GA and access the venue via the Main Entrance. No, your GA friends cannot come with you to GL and come through any of the GL entrances
The Festival & Venue
  • There are free water stations all over the campground as well as in the venue. Hydration packs or reusable water bottles are a must. The water refill stations in the campgrounds can easily be found by looking for the large inflatable balloons that look like various animals. These “pods” also have showers and bathrooms
  • While many may advocate for allowing your toes to be free while dancing through the grass at Electric Forest, having proper footwear can really make or break your experience
  • Anything that you see in the forecast can and will change. With this in mind, the temperatures can range anywhere from high 40s/low 50s to mid 90s. Most of the time it can be generally mild, and a little humid though.  Plan for rain, cold, and hot weather. Wear lighter clothes during the day and then either go back to camp for evening attire or carry it with you if you don’t want to walk all the way back
  • Renting a locker for the weekend helps tremendously - lockers usually have enough space to share with a few people and the weekend ones come with a battery pack that they’ll swap out for you whenever it dies
Tips for Leaving
  • Typically, it’s easiest to pack up as much of your camp during the day on Sunday as you can, leaving only your sleeping arrangements, shade tent, and camp essentials out. You’ll be thankful you did this when the next morning rolls around
  • Have your vehicle full of gas when you enter the festival grounds. You do not want to be trying to save fuel while waiting to leave
  • If you need to be out of the festival grounds early on Monday, you should be up and packed by 8-9 AM
  • Leaving means that you’ve completely packed up your camp and cleaned up all of your garbage. Ensure ALL trash (seriously, everything - even the little bits of confetti) is in bags and placed in a central location in what used to be your campsite. Many people bring their trash to the end of the lane they are camped in to assist volunteers

AN IMPORTANT LIST OF THINGS TO KNOW...

  • The Forest is a marathon, not a sprint
  • Take care of yourself and your friends, and the time of your life will find you
  • Drink water. Lots of water. Water, water, water and electrolytes. Make sure your friends drink water too. Hydration is crucial for successful Forest adventures
  • Electric Forest exists within a wider culture for which sex and consent are topics that need careful learning and loving attention. Please bring the consciousness of consent with you as you celebrate with new (and old!) friends. If you would like to learn more about what consent means, click here for more information from RAINN
  • If you need help, please ask right away
  • If you see someone who needs help, help them, or alert a staff member right away
  • Places you can get help include: the Neighborhood Pods, from security at the venue entrances, from security at the front of the stages, at any medical or information booth, and from anyone working for the event
  • Electric Forest Security Staff will be wearing a unique, numbered laminate and a security t-shirt. Please feel free to share your experience with security by contacting HQ and including the laminate number of the staff member you are referencing. You can do this on-site at an info booth, or after the event on the website
  • Wear earplugs. Your hearing will thank you for it during the show, and your body will thank you for it when you get better sleep
  • Do not drive your car in the campgrounds. Every campground road is a walkway for Forest Family
  • Should you need extra supplies, plan to walk, take the Walmart shuttle. The General Store in the campgrounds expands every year with the most requested items, and more than likely can eliminate any trips to town
  • Fireworks are extremely dangerous and also prohibited considering the flammable nature of everyone’s tent and The Forest itself. Do not bring them
  • Do not use The Forest as a dump for your trash, recycling, or camping supplies that you no longer want. Please bag your trash and leave it out for a pick up if it is inconvenient to bring home with you. Bagged recycling can be left as well.
  • Do not dump your trash in Rothbury, or Muskegon, or Grand Rapids, or at any gas or convenience store along the way. Respect our neighbors – they are important to the future of The Forest! Either bring it all the way home, or follow the instructions above to responsibly disposed of it on-site