Music is the soundtrack of your road trip – let the open road be your stage
Ready to plan your ultimate summer adventure? Take the road less traveled and discover some of the best-kept summer music festivals in the country — complete with high-scoring campgrounds, regional food gems, and unforgettable vibes. Whether you’re into bluegrass in the Ozarks or indie beats in the PNW, this curated music road trip will help you skip the crowds and soak in the soul of summer.
Let’s explore 5 unique festivals across the country and map out your dream route using the AdventureGenie Trip Planner.
📍 Stop #1: Dailey and Vincent — Mountain View, AR
🗓 July 19, 2025
🔗 ozarkfolkcenter.com
Held at the Ozark Folk Center, funds from this benefit concert go to provide instruments, teachers, and classes for the next generation of stringband musicians enrolled in the Music Roots program in the Mountain View area.
🎶 Lineup Highlights: Dailey and Vincent
🍼 Nearby Eats:
- Anglers Restaurant – dining patio overlooks the White River
- PJ’s Rainbow Café – family based, down home Southern cooking kind of restaurant
⛺ Campground Nearby:
Court Square / Fiddlers Valley RV Park – home of good, old country hospitality and music, music and more music! There are two recording studios in Mountain View – one on the property at Fiddlers Valley and one across the street
- 10 minutes from venue
- One of the best Pickin’ Porches in all of music. Bring your musical instruments and join in!
- Shady, quiet, pet- and kid-friendly
🚩 Bonus: Catch a dulcimer or banjo workshop between sets!
📍 Stop #2: Vail Dance Festival — Vail, CO
📅 July 25–August 5, 2025
🔗 vaildance.org
Though not a traditional music festival, the Vail Dance Festival blends classical, modern, and world music with movement — and the setting is absolutely spectacular. If you’re open to rhythm without guitars, this is one of the best hidden summer gems in the West.
🎼 Experience Highlights: Live string quartets, global musicians, and immersive performance art under the stars
🍴 Nearby Eats:
- Mountain Standard – Rustic relaxed tavern, from flames to flavors, they claim their cuisine embodies the essence of the Rockies. It seems to be true!
- The Little Diner – Vail’s only full-service diner serving Breakfast All Day. Many say its the best casual dining in the area.
⛺ Campground Nearby:
Gore Creek Campground – Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, in the White River National Forest. Nearby attractions offer a multitude of outdoor and indoor opportunities
- 15 minutes from Vail Village
- Fishing dock and dog friendly
🚩 AG Tip: Explore the adjacent Betty Ford Alpine Gardens for a peaceful morning before evening shows.
📍 Stop #3: Pickathon — Happy Valley, OR
🗓 July 31st – August 1st, 2025
🔗 pickathon.com
Held just outside Portland, Pickathon is one of the most sustainable festivals in the U.S. It features a genre-bending lineup, forested stages, and camping onsite or nearby.
🎶 Lineup Highlights: Portugal The Man, Taj Mahal, Fruit Bats
🍽 Nearby Eats:
- The Local Cow – featuring signature cow burgers; located just outside of Portland
- Flying Pie Pizzeria – specialty pizzas and subs, offering gluten-free and vegan options
⛺ Campground Nearby:
Barton Park – a recreational gem located on the Clackamas River.
- Fishing and hiking available
- Pool, dog park, quick drive to Happy Valley
🚩 Plan It: Customize your Pickathon itinerary with GenieWishes in Trip Planner »
📍 Stop #4: The Pines Music Park— Eau Claire, WI
🗓 August 15–16, 2025
🔗 https://www.pinesmusicpark.com/events/the-string-cheese-incident-campout
The Pines Music Park brings national bluegrass and jam acts to a purpose-built forest venue, ideal for campers and families alike. Music goes late, and the after-hours campground jam sessions are legendary.
🎶 Lineup Highlights: The String Cheese Incident, The Del McCoury Band, STS9
🍻 Nearby Eats:
- The Lakely – a cocktail lounge and hub for live music and entertainment, serving casual Midwest modern shareable comfort foods.
- Ramone’s Ice Cream Parlor – an old-fashioned ice cream parlor serving hand-dipped cones, fresh-baked waffle cones, sundaes, shakes, and malts.
⛺ Campground Nearby:
Eagle Ridge Campground – 120-acre property offering 200 full-service sites with water, sewer, and electric for RVs and campers, as well as tent sites.
- 15 minutes from the fest
- Clean, wooded, full amenities and pet friendly
- Wineries and a brewery nearby
🚩 AG Tip: Don’t miss the late-night fireside jam circles at the festival’s own campground!
📍 Stop #5: Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion — Bristol, VA
🗓 September 19–21, 2025
🔗 https://birthplaceofcountrymusic.org/festival-bristol-rhythm/lineup/#/
Celebrate the birthplace of country music with 3 days of performances across multiple stages, all set in the walkable twin cities of Bristol. This historic yet modern fest is packed with charm.
🎶 Lineup Highlights: The Band Perry, Lukas Nelson, The Teskey Brothers
🍔 Nearby Eats:
- Burger Bar – a Bristol classic since 1942; classic old-style burger joint; try the Billie Burger.
- Blackbird Bakery – doughnuts, specialty coffee, delicious pastries, mouth-watering desserts, fresh-baked bread and locally made ice cream
⛺ Campground Nearby:
Sugar Hollow Campground – a hidden gem located in a huge community park, with plenty of trees and scenic views, open from mid-April through October
- Lakeside relaxation
- Full hookups, pet-friendly, 20 mins from downtown
- Special pricing during Rhythm & Roots weekend
🚩 Don’t Miss: Walk the Tennessee/Virginia border painted through downtown!
📍 Plan Your Festival Road Trip in One Click
🚍 Turn Up the Volume on Summer
Great music, hidden gems, and starry skies — that’s the perfect formula for a summer road trip to remember. Wherever your musical tastes take you, AdventureGenie is your backstage pass to the best campsites, food stops, and curated routes.
So, roll the windows down, press play on your favorite track, and hit the road toward your next unforgettable festival adventure.
🚩 Let AdventureGenie take you there »
🌿 Explore Top Campgrounds Nationwide: Find Campgrounds
🎢 Use the Trip Planner to Route Your Adventure & Itinerary: Plan Your Trip
Leave a Reply