Arrival
Weather update · Monday, August 10, 2026
Gates open at 9:00 AM
Due to inclement weather in the forecast, we are opening the gates at 9:00 AM and urging everyone to arrive as soon as you can. Getting people in early helps us protect and preserve the roads.
Please help us secure the future of Badger by being good stewards of the local roads — drive carefully, follow staff directions, and give the dirt time to hold when weather moves through.
Updated Gate Hours
- Thursday August 13th (Early Arrival): 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM (requires Perseid Meteor Party Pass and festival admission pass for entry)
- Friday August 14th: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Saturday August 15th: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Event Ends: Sunday August 16th at 1:00 PM
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday opening moved earlier (9:00 AM) for this weather plan.
Make all possible arrangements to arrive early each day and within the gate times posted.
If you are arriving outside of gate times you must make yourself known in the Discord or use the walkie at gate. Do not trespass.
Do not attempt alternate routes or private property. Contact staff before approaching closed gates — hang back until you are cleared to enter.
Possible Weather Closures
As of the forecast on Monday, August 10, 2026, temporary gate closures are possible during heavier weather:
- Thursday: possible closure 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Friday: possible closure 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
If the gate closes for weather, hang back and wait for reopening — do not attempt alternate routes or private property. We'll reopen as soon as conditions allow safe entry without chewing up the roads.
Protect the Roads
Our access roads are dirt ranch roads shared with neighbors and cattle country. Soft or wet ground is the enemy of next year's festival.
- Arrive early when the gate is open — spread load across the day, not the storm window
- Drive slowly on ingress roads if wet or raining — 5 mph
- Festival grounds speed limit: 5 mph
- Follow parking & volunteer directions at every turn
- If staff ask you to pause for weather, please cooperate — that pause is road preservation
- After Apache Trail, do not stop until the festival gate (private property on all sides)
Being good stewards of these roads helps secure the future of Badger.
Directions
- Navigate to "Badger Music and Arts Festival" — confirm the pin directs you to the intersection of County Road 53 and Apache Trail near Hartsel, CO.
- Turn west off of County Road 53 onto Apache Trail.
- Continue on Apache Trail for 3 miles until the road comes to a T.
- Turn left (south) at the T onto County Road 111.
- Continue south on County Road 111. Gate is straight ahead!
- Festival staff/volunteers will direct you into the grounds and camping.
Take a bathroom break in Hartsel before the final stretch. Consider grabbing gas, snacks, and ice in town to support the local economy.
Download offline maps before you lose cell service.
More Info
Full packing lists, rules, and leave-no-trace guidance live in the Survival Guide. Weather and gate updates will be posted here and announced on social / Discord as conditions change.