Survival Guide

Badger Music and Arts Festival is held in Hartsel, Colorado in the South Park Valley. Hartsel sits in the geographic center of Colorado and is rich in both geological and anthropological history.

Digging into the soil, you quickly reach a layer of coquina limestone that shows off fossilized shells and marine life — resulting from the ancient Western Interior Seaway. After the recession of the seaway, the area was cool and wet, containing a number of now extinct species including mammoth and a larger form of bison.

This land was frequented by native peoples, particularly the Ute, with evidence of the Arapaho, Comanche, Kiowa, and Cheyenne tribes also having a presence. The land served as fertile hunting grounds and a gathering location for chert (used in making arrowheads), and mica for making signal mirrors. It is not uncommon to find pieces of worked stone on the festival grounds. Please leave artifacts where you find them so others can appreciate them in the future. Alternatively, bring them to a staff member to be included in our future museum installation.

Hartsel was first settled by the white man in 1866 as the Pikes Peak Gold Rush slowed down and ranching was turned to as a more sustainable form of survival. The founder, Samuel Hartsel, was the first to introduce a herd of Durham Shorthorn cattle to Colorado. Hartsel was an important stop for the Colorado Midland Railway, with railroad infrastructure, worker housing, and stock pens supporting the station. With the closure of the railroad in 1918, Hartsel declined. To this day, Hartsel remains an important center for ranching in the South Park Valley.

This land has history and is a gift. Please help us to treat it well.

This year, we have the pleasure and challenge of having our event during a new moon and the Perseid Meteor Shower. Be sure to spend some time away from the lights to catch the show. It will be very dark at night. Bring headlamps, flashlights, and fun lights to illuminate your person.

The weather in Hartsel can swing from extremes. At ~9,000ft in elevation, the sun is intense and burns quickly. The weather can change from hot to cold seemingly on a dime, and the wind can rise up from nowhere to destroy tents and canopies. Properly staking down tents and canopies is a must. Bringing layers appropriate for hot weather, cold nights, and rain is essential for your comfort and enjoyment of the event.

Avoid cotton — it absorbs moisture and doesn't let go. Prioritize wool and synthetic fabrics.

• Base layers
• Medium weight jacket / hoodie
• Heavy weight jacket
• Warm hat & sun hat
• Sunglasses
• Gloves
• Thin socks (day), thick socks (night)
• Rain layers or emergency poncho
• Comfortable walking footwear, warm boots for night
• Mask / bandana for dust

• Personal hygiene items and medication
• Roll of TP (we restock the portos, but play it safe)
• Basic first aid kit
• Good attitude

• Fun outfits — let's get weird
• Flow toys, props, art
• Gifts (please not items that become trash)
• Decorations — make your campsite home
• Small bluetooth speakers (no larger than a JBL Xtreme 4, exceptions for approved sound camps)
• Umbrella for sun and rain
• Camping chairs
• Blankets for sitting
• Phone charger / portable battery
• Cash for vendors
• Fun lights for your person so you can be seen at night

1. 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.
2. Turn west off of County Road 53 onto Apache Trail.
3. Continue on Apache Trail for 3 miles until the road comes to a T.
4. Turn left (south) at the T onto County Road 111.
5. Continue south on County Road 111. Gate is straight ahead!
6. Festival staff/volunteers will direct you into the grounds and camping.

The speed limit is 5 mph within festival grounds.

After turning onto Apache Trail, do not stop until you reach the festival gate. Surrounding land is all private property.

Take a bathroom break in Hartsel before finishing the drive. Please consider stopping in Hartsel to purchase gas, snacks, and ice to support the local economy.

• Vehicle Search: Searches will be conducted at check-in for prohibited items. Confiscation, entry denial, or law enforcement contact may result from violations.
• Wristband Required: Valid wristbands are required at all times. Unauthorized presence will result in removal.
• No Cash Ticket Sales: Tickets can be purchased at the gate via web checkout on the site or at will call.

Before You Leave:

• Download offline maps to your phone
• Fill up your gas tank
• Bring extra water for the drive
• Check your spare tire pressure and confirm you have a car jack

On the Road:

• Drive carefully on dirt roads
• Watch for cattle and wildlife
• Respect private property
• Follow posted speed limits

Badger is a leave-no-trace event. Everything you packed in must be packed out. After packing up your campsite, do a thorough sweep of the ground for MOOP (Matter Out Of Place). If it's not dirt, rocks, or plants — pick that shit up!

The festival grounds are used for open-range cattle grazing the rest of the year. Trash (especially plastics) can injure cows if ingested. Be cool: pick up your garbage.

Do not dispose of garbage at the Badger Basin gas station or other Hartsel businesses on your route home.

Event ends at 1:00 PM Sunday August 16th. All participants are expected to be vacating the festival grounds by 1:00 PM. Exceptions for staff, artists, and clean-up volunteers.

Any fighting, violence, or theft is grounds for immediate removal. Security will be on site. Sheriff deputies will be in the surrounding area if altercations escalate.

No campfires, bonfires, fire pits, charcoal grills, or any other ember-producing fire is permitted. Small camp stoves (propane/butane) are allowed for cooking. The fire marshal has granted special permission for fire spinning performances (dependent upon wind and fire danger). Please help us maintain this privilege by strictly adhering to this policy.

• Follow posted directions and adhere to gate opening & closing times.
• Do not attempt to enter through neighboring properties — ranchers are protective of their land.
• Stay within designated festival grounds (boundaries clearly marked).
• Exit only through designated paths.
• Plan arrival within gate times. If unable, delay to the next day. Exceptions via Badger Discord (tag @Admin Team, at least 2 hours before gate closure).

• Re-entry is not allowed.
• Once parked, do not move your vehicle unless leaving the festival. Put your keys somewhere safe.
• Plan to leave by 1:00 PM Sunday August 16th.
• If unable to drive safely on Sunday, notify staff — you'll be expected to assist with cleanup.
• If your vehicle becomes disabled, notify staff immediately. Tow trucks cannot access the grounds directly.

Alcohol is not sold at the festival. No glass bottles allowed.

Anything beyond these allowances will be confiscated and enjoyed by our clean-up crew. Alcohol hits hard and fast at high elevation — please drink responsibly.

• Camping is included with your ticket
• Set up camp in designated areas only
• Keep campsites clean and organized
• Respect your neighbors' space and sleep schedules — keep late-night music at a low volume (multiple requests to decrease volume will result in speaker confiscation)
• Secure all loose items — it can get windy
• Use proper tent stakes for hard ground
• Pack out all belongings and trash