What to Pack for Electric Forest: The Ultimate 2025 Packing Guide

Electric Forest isn't just another music festival. We're talking four days of pure magic in Michigan's wilderness where the trees literally come alive with art installations and the music never stops.

But here's where things get real: So many people show up completely unprepared. Like, shivering in tiny outfits at 2 AM because they forgot Michigan gets COLD at night. Or spending their entire first day hunting for basic supplies instead of exploring the forest.

Don't be that person.

This guide? It's everything you need, covering the essentials, the surprises, and those little details that matter, so you can go ahead and experience the electric forest as one should!

Your campsite is basically your home for four days. Get this wrong and everything else falls apart.

Start with the big three essentials that make or break your camp experience.

1. A 4-season tent with a rainfly is non-negotiable, and seriously, practice setting this up at home because fumbling with poles in the dark after a long drive is miserable.
2. Your air mattress might seem obvious, but I've watched tough guys try to sleep on the ground for four nights and regret every decision by day two.
3. And folding chairs? Trust me, sitting on the ground gets old fast when you're trying to eat breakfast or just chill between sets.

Now for power management. This is where people mess up constantly:

Pro tip: Battery-powered fans are nice to have, but they're sanity savers during humid afternoons. You'll also want a multi-tool because something always needs fixing, trash bags to keep your space livable (nobody wants to be the gross camp neighbors), and cooling blankets for those surprisingly warm nights when regular bedding feels suffocating.

The weather in Michigan is... let's call it moody. Your gear needs to roll with whatever nature throws at you.

Four days of camping without proper hygiene supplies can turn into a nightmare fast.

You absolutely need soap and deodorant (please, for everyone's sake), wet wipes that become absolute lifesavers when showers aren't happening, quick-dry towels that don't stay damp forever, and shower shoes for those questionable bathroom situations that you really don't want to think about too much.

For health protection, SPF 30+ sunscreen requires constant reapplication, pack more than you think because Michigan sun is sneaky strong.

Bug spray becomes essential as the sun goes down because Michigan mosquitos are absolutely vicious. Don't forget first-aid basics and any personal medications with extras in case something gets lost.

Keep everything in waterproof bags. One surprise downpour can destroy your entire hygiene supply.

Your must-have kitchen setup starts with a high-quality cooler and a solid ice strategy. Get a butane camping stove only; propane is completely banned, so don't even think about it.

Add a water filtration system for refilling bottles and reusable utensils because disposable stuff gets expensive and wasteful fast.

Ice hack: Freeze water bottles. They work as ice packs, then become drinking water as they melt.

You want to be dancing, not hunched over a stove, perfecting meals. Focus on prep-ahead winners like pre-cooked proteins that just need reheating, pasta salads that taste better the next day anyway, trail mix for quick energy boosts, and energy bars for those moments when you realize you haven't eaten in hours.

Your hydration game plan needs multiple water bottles because one is never enough, electrolyte packets for those sweaty dance sessions (trust me on this), and flavor enhancers to make endless water consumption less boring.

For 21+ forest-goers:

✓ Canned beer

✓ Boxed wine

✗ Glass anything (seriously enforced)

Electric Forest requires clear bags or small bags meeting size restrictions. Check current specs, these rules change and get enforced hard at entry.

Communication backup becomes crucial when 40,000+ people are crushing cell towers. Walkie-talkies work way better than phones for finding your crew, printed venue maps save you when your phone dies at the worst possible moment, and multiple phone chargers are essential because your device will die when you need it most.

This is where the magic happens:

Style elements:

• Festival hair accessories
• Face gems that photograph beautifully under stage lights

Balance documentation with being present. Some moments deserve your full attention, not your camera screen.

This stuff seems boring, but it saves you from major headaches:

Here's what you absolutely need to have sorted before you even think about packing your car.

• Required documents: This includes your festival wristband, valid photo ID, and parking or shuttle passes. Book these early because they legitimately sell out.
• For payment prep: load the cashless system before arriving and bring backup cash for vendors who might not accept cards.
• Tech preparation: This means downloading offline maps because cell service gets weird with massive crowds, plus planning group meetup spots at recognizable landmarks for when you inevitably get separated.

Prohibited items (strictly enforced):

✗ Glass

✗ Hard alcohol

✗ Weapons

✗ Professional cameras with detachable lenses

Electric Forest packing breaks down into four categories:

• camping comfort
• weather-ready clothing
• smart food planning
• festival day essentials.

The forest's magic happens when you're comfortable and prepared. Good packing creates the freedom to lose yourself in the music without worrying about basic survival.

Being packed and ready to go means being ready with your complete Electric Forest look as well. Born in Stockholm's festival collection handles Michigan's crazy weather while keeping you looking incredible under those stage lights.

Because when the bass drops and the forest comes alive around you, you want to feel as magical as the moment itself.