Camp EDC provided a safe haven for EDC Las Vegas attendees in its sixth edition with plenty of activities, exclusive sets, and more to keep the party going.
Whether you’re a first time-attendee of EDC Las Vegas or a veteran raver, there’s never been a better time to opt into Camp EDC. Since introducing this new festival lodging in 2018, Insomniac has continued to improve the experience for Headliners year after year as the hype and demand increase. Camp EDC has largely become known for its non-stop party atmosphere, with a plethora of daytime activities to keep busy, a devoted tribe of dance music fans, and ease of being right next to the venue entrance.
While I’m no stranger to the scene and have been attending shows since 2015, it wasn’t until 2021 that I made my grand debut at EDC Las Vegas. Fast forward to 2024, and I decided it was time to experience Camp EDC for myself.
I’ve camped at music festivals like Coachella and Electric Forest, but I’ve always been a bit wary about this experience. Sure, I’d primarily heard good things, but I could never get over the concept of it being in a parking lot with artificial grass laid down at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. What I was about to uncover throughout the weekend, though, would alter any doubts I had in my mind about camping at EDC Las Vegas.
Arriving at Camp EDC on Thursday afternoon was fairly seamless, and trams ushered guests toward their tents.
I arrived in Las Vegas on Wednesday to give myself an extra day of enjoying EDC Week parties before embarking on my festival journey. After an Uber ride to camp from the strip and a short check-in process, which included choosing our tent, my friends and I gathered our belongings and headed into the speedway. For the first time this year, Insomniac offered trams to transport you and your belongings closer to your campsite, eliminating a lengthy walk into camp.
Our Desert Rose tent was in the perfect location. We were situated directly between the festival entrance and The Mesa, Camp EDC’s central hub with food and merchandise vendors, activities, pool parties, exclusive artist sets, and more. Upon arriving at our Shiftpod, we were greeted with two inflatable mattresses, an air pump in case they deflated, blankets, sheets, pillows, and a lantern. The air conditioning in the tent was a major perk as well; I don’t know how we would have survived in the high-heat conditions without it.
Fun-filled days spent on The Mesa were the highlight of Camp EDC.
Each morning after waking up and recovering from the previous night’s events, my crew and I would make our way to The Mesa to find solace under the shade and misters. Food and drink options were plentiful and fairly delicious; during my weekend there, I opted to try ramen, a breakfast burrito, a pita wrap, an Italian sandwich, and lemonade. Other vendors included Squad Goals Beauty for hair braiding and makeup, various festival merchandise booths, a general store, and official Insomniac merchandise.
Activities were plentiful as well, with something around every corner to keep attendees entertained. From the renowned goat yoga, shuffling classes, and Ableton workshops to arcade games, a morning cereal bar, a Ferris Wheel, and much more, I never found myself out of options while on the Mesa.
The pool parties presented the ultimate way to beat the heat and cool off among fellow ravers.
The lines to get into the pool parties were lengthy, though; if you’re looking to avoid having to wait too long, it’s best to arrive before noon or during late afternoon/early evening while avoiding peak times. Peak hours saw many waiting up to two hours to get in. That said, the two pool areas were a true oasis for campers, and those looking for an elevated experience could pay to reserve a cabana for the day. Shade is limited, so be sure to bring your sun protection to prevent an uncomfortable burn.
My favorite moments from camp included splashing around in the pool with friends while listening to daytime sets. TOBEHONEST and Matroda were two highlights for me; I’ll never forget the sea of festivalgoers around me vibing to their infectious house beats without a care in the world. This really is the best place to leave your worries behind and get caught up in a moment with like-minded people.
There was no shortage of beats to keep the party going from day into night at Camp EDC.
Whether the pre-party or afters is more your vibe, there were always top-notch acts to satisfy your tastes. Thursday night on the Mesa kicked the weekend into gear, with the likes of Ranger Trucco, MK, and Eric Prydz welcoming us to Camp EDC. Flow artists were yielding their toys and campers were donning their best outfits to ring in the EDC experience.
Other sets of note were Blanke’s AEON:MODE performance on Saturday and Mau P’s closing set on Monday morning. After Blanke brought a banging drum and bass performance for campers, Mau P surprised us all with a triple B2B among John Summit and Sara Landry. The surprise acts added to the memorable moments of Camp EDC, further establishing the magic that you can only experience here.
Camp EDC is truly a next-level adventure suited for the EDC Las Vegas enthusiast.
The only negatives I encountered were the fighter jets of the nearby military base practicing in the early morning hours; however, this only happened on Thursday and Friday morning, with the rest of the weekend being free of the ear-splitting sounds. Friday also brought an unexpected experience of tiny gnats flooding The Mesa. This was extremely unpleasant as they constantly attacked campers; however, they decided to not grace us with their presence the following days. Desert Rose campers could also benefit from having air-conditioned bathrooms in the future, if Insomniac decides to go that route.
There’s honestly no better time than now to opt into Camp EDC.
The driving trip alone to and from the festival will save you so much stress, and the extra time at camp will allow you to enjoy your time more. Ultimately, the most convenient aspect of being at Camp EDC is being on-site already and walking right into the festival. My group was inside the venue in less than 15 minutes of walking over from our campsite. Not having to deal with hours of traffic to and from the venue was a blessing. I could finally stay for sunrise sets and not have to think about leaving an hour or two early to avoid major traffic.
If you’re on the fence about Camp EDC, take the leap of faith, and know that it’s worth it. I plan to return to EDC Las Vegas next year, and I know that this will be at the top of my considerations for places to stay for the festival next year.
