Where is the Electric Forest? Planning Your Visit

From the picture alone, the Electric Forest Musical Festival looks like an absolutely blast, but if you are unfamiliar with it, let us introduce you:

Produced by Madison House Presents and Insomniac Events, Electric Forest is a big music festival event which focuses on EDM (electronic dance music) and jam bands. Jam bands rose during the psychedelic rock movement back in the 60s and 70s with emphasis on creating new sounds in the moment so concert goers experience something special. 

But where is the Electric Forest? Well, it is located in Rothbury, Michigan, and fun fact, it was originally called the Rothbury Festival before its name change in 2011. A lot of long-time fans and pioneers of Electric Forest will tell you that the music is just part of experience, really the festival itself is about life and positivity. There’s performers not just of the music variety, but quests, food, pretty lights, and so much more. It brings together a real sense of community- that’s why people love it. 

So now that you’ve gotten a sneak peek, you might be interested in going, so we thought we’d break down where to stay in the area, where to eat, and where to shop while you’re in town for the big event.

But before we jump into the Electric Forest we have to talk about GiftYa. GiftYa is an online distributor for thousands of eGift cards to restaurants, famous retailers, department stores, local businesses, online subscription services and shops, spas, hotels, airlines, and more. You can surprise a friend or loved one with a gift card whenever you feel like instantly thanks to GiftYa’s fast delivery system. All you have to do is go onto the website, pick a card they might like, choose an amount up to $250, customize it by adding a picture, video, and message, then decide whether you want to send it via text or email- it’s that easy!

Where to stay…

Now that you’re going you need to find proper accommodations, and Electric Forest itself has the perfect set of places and sites to stay on their website, so let’s take a look at them all:

General Admission Camping & Lodging

Stay at the Electric Forest itself and experience the world like everyone else!

The people behind the Electric Forest have accommodations available on-site which means you can experience the joys and vibes as close as you can to the main event. There are a few options to look at so let’s take a look:

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• First up we have General Admission Campgrounds also known as the GA Campgrounds located on the west side of Festival Venue, with access via the Main Venue Entrance near Tripolee. There’s rest rooms & showers, ice sales, a general store, the Official Forest Goods store, and easy access to main street where you’ll find food vendors, no-profit organizations, craft tents, and more. There are vehicle and RV passes if you plan to bring either, or you can just bring a tent.

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• Next we have GA Group Camping for those coming with groups of 20 or more. This way you can all safely make sure you’re staying together while on site. It’s also near Main Street and the Main Venue Entrance. There’s also the Her Forest Group Camp for femme-identifying individuals that want to camp together. This is a community-led effort which includes limited spaces via sign-ups directly through the website. And finally we have Camp Traction which is for those who want a clean and sober experience while at the festival. 

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• Then we have GA Camp Higher Love for those who want a bit more of an exclusive, access-controlled campground that is north of Maplewoods. This accommodation comes with complimentary private showers and air-conditioned restrooms, think glamping for a music festival. 

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• GA Effortless are for those who don’t have much camping experience (specifically with setting up tents) and want a pre-set tent courtesy of the venue. Great for those getting dropped off at the venue. This comes with one commemorative Electric Forest 2025 tent which you get to take home, two sleeping bags & sleeping pads which you also get to take home, exclusive amenities including air-conditioned restrooms, and complimentary showers.

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• Want a more traditional camping experience in the woods? The GA Maplewoods is the way to go as it’s an access-controlled walk-in campground close to Main Street and the Main Venue Entrance. It has shaded, vehicle-free camping spots, complimentary showers, and upgraded restrooms, along with an on-site concierge.

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• The GA Lucky Lake package is similar to the GA Maplewoods experience but this time you get access to the Lucky Lake beach and swimming, along with all of the other amenities listed throughout the previous options.

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• We have the option for those who don’t want to camp but still want to attend the festival and that’s Electric Forest’s GA Hotel Package which are their “Limited General Admission Hotel Packages that include a shuttle service with the comfort and amenities provided by the hotel partner.” You get to enjoy a five night stay at Shoreline Inn, located in nearby Muskegon. The hotel itself has an indoor and outdoor pool, hot tub, wi-fi, fitness center, and restaurants and bars in-house. 

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Now we get to move onto those who want to be closer to the party and that’s all thanks to the Good Life…

• Looking for that VIP experience? The Good Life Village is the only and main VIP Campground at Electric Forest. Located east of the Festival Venue, this spot has exclusive entrances to different parts of the festival, the Good Life Live Stage, a Late Night Silent Disco, daily yoga, food, crafts, exclusive Forest Food, happy hour, upgraded showers, and private air-conditioned restrooms, early arrival time, and more. Truly a VIP experience to beat.

• Good Life Meadow is the option for introverts, north of Good Life Village is a beautiful green grassy field perfect for those who need a breather from the bumping bass. Tent-Only and Vehicle Camping, this spot still has access to the Good Life Village amenities and Good Life Campground lounges, while being able to have some alone time for yourself and friends. You also will be able to have assistance from a 24-hour concierge in Good Life Meadow.
• The Good Life Sherwood Court Tent Only Camping is for those who still want to camp but don’t want to deal with vehicles and have access to the Good Life Village amenities, Good Life Campground lounges, and the concierge in Good Life Meadow.

• Good Life A/C Landing are their Pre-Set Tents in a private campground between Good Life Village and Sherwood Court Tent-Only Campgrounds. This is a walk-in only venue. You have access to the Good Life Village amenities, Good Life Campground lounges, early arrival, and a 24 hour A/C Landing concierge.

• Good Life Electric Avenue are their Pre-Set Tents that come with, you guessed it, power outlets. That means you don’t have to resort to solar chargers, you can plug in and charge during the night. You also get bedding and furniture sets, exclusive air-conditioned restrooms, exclusive Electric Avenue shaded lounge, and access to the Good Life Village amenities, lounges, early arrival, and 24 hour Electric Avenue concierge.

• Good Life Bungalows are their Pre-Set Tents with power outlets, and one bungalow vehicle pass. And you of course get access to the Good Life Village amenities, lounges, early arrival, shaded bungalow lounge, and 24 hour Bungalows concierge.

• Good Life Back 40 Camping is their “intimate and exclusive area that is a part of The Good Life VIP Program.” South of Good Life Village, this is the summer camp of the Electric Forest. You get exclusive permanent bathrooms and showers in the Back 40, access to the Waterpark and Back 40 Pool, brunch each morning from 9 to 1 at the Dance Hall in Western Town (Thursday through Sunday), Good Life Village amenities, lounges, and early arrival.

• Good Life Back 40 Enhanced Experience is that step-up from Back 40 Camping is huge, so huge in fact let us just show you everything you get:

• And finally we have the limited Good Life Hotel Packages which are similar to GA, this comes with a shuttle service and the comfort and amenities provided by the hotel partner. The hotel partner in question is a five night stay at Michillinda Lodge, located in nearby Whitehall on the shores of Lake Michigan.You get top of the line hotel amenities, think mini-apartment, as you have a microwave, small fridge, wi-fi, coffee maker, bed and bath essentials, outdoor heated swimming pool, pickleball, tennis courts, basket court, picnic areas, a 400 degree view of Lake Michigan, and much more. 

Where to eat…

Now of course, there’s going to be plenty to eat at the Forest itself, typically food costs anywhere from $10-$20, or you can save money and bring your own food as you camp. In fact, a lot of long-time Electric Forest goers recommend bringing and making your own food as things can get pricey fast. Here is a Food at Forest? Reddit thread many have flocked to in the past.

Food at the Forest ranges from burgers, to cereal donuts- it’s quite the variety. You’ll be able to find pizza, sandwiches, empanadas, fried oreos, dough balls, a cereal bar, and plenty of drinks. Think food-trucks but to a nth degree. 

If you want to get a sneak preview of the 2025 Forest Food Experiences and Lineup you can check the Electric Forest “2025 Lineups” page where they are going to announce updates soon.

Where to shop…

You can’t go to a festival like this and not get any merch, especially when there’s so many amazing vendors out there selling unique and colorful items! 

• Noralina Freedom has been said to have some downright amazing sparkly and whimsical clothing items that will really make you feel a part of the show.

• Loose Lucy’s is a great shop located in South Carolina but usually has a booth set up at the festival. They’ve been selling psychedelic faves since 1992!

• Grassroots California has official merch created for the Electric Forest festival that they release yearly which you can find on their page.

• Warrior Within Designs just like Noralina Freedom makes festival-centric outfits specifically, which means you can find the exact look you’ve been looking for here.

• Coquetry Clothing has got your skin-tight suit dreams on lock as they have plenty of bold and colorful clothing items that will make your fit of the day shine.

• And finally if you want some official merch from Electric Forest itself you can look at the Official Forest Goods store where you can get the previous year’s apparel and newer merch when it’s launched.

And you can’t go wrong with…

A Custom Visa Gift Card from Gift Card Granny

Use this card as you shop around at different food places and vendors!

Buy A Visa Gift Card

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Instead of carrying cash around that you might lose you can instead get a Visa Gift Card. Visa gift cards work like any other gift card except instead of being limited to one specific brand or business, you can use the gift card at any vendor that accepts Visa. This is great for those who want to spend their money on a few different pop-up shops and food while they are at the festival. With Gift Card Granny you can load up to $500 on the card and send it either to the person’s email or get it made as a plastic card that’s delivered via mail.

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Good to note: Not all vendors will accept cards, but most will. So make sure to carry some other type of payment just in case.

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You can Purchase a Custom Visa Gift Card from Gift Card Granny here!

And there you have it! We’ve covered where the Electric Forest is, where to stay, your food options, and how to make your festival fits…fit right in!