Helpful Information

Make sure you check the traffic patterns for your travel dates so you know what routes to avoid.

Check the weather forecast so you know what sorts of things to pack.

When  nearing the site, keep an eye out for oncoming traffic on Joplin Road.   There is a hill that obscures the view of cars coming from the other  direction, so turn with caution.

Our main parking lot is intended for Event Pass guests so they can come and go throughout the weekend, as well as guests who are checking in.  Once Passport guests have checked in, they will be asked to move their vehicles to the auxiliary lot and then shuttled back to the site.  

You will be directed to the Check-in booth where you will check in, get your cabin assignment and also sign up for your volunteer shift and parking shuttle run*.

• During check-in, you will receive your wristband, a map of the cabin unit you're assigned to, as well as a map to the entire site.  

You are welcome to leave your belongings in your vehicle until after you check in.

There are large carts available for you to put your belongings to take to your cabin.

*If you are staying at the Gathering overnight, we'll be shuttling you to the auxiliary parking lot once you've unloaded your vehicle.   

Space  heaters - Prohibited in all cabins; the electrical wiring is not  designed to handle them, and will black out the entire campsite. That  would be bad.

Electric Blankets - Prohibited for the same reason space heaters are. See above re: "That would be bad."

Hair Dryers - Again, the power in the cabins just can't handle them. You may plug them in in the restroom buildings only!

Curling  Irons - Like hair dryers, may only be plugged in in the restroom  buildings. And really. This is an outdoor festival, in the middle of a  forest. How curled does hair need to be, in the woods?

Companion  Animals - Yes, these can be useful in keeping a bed warm (and, in some  cases, completely impossible to fit into). But animals of all types,  except certified service animals, are prohibited by park regulations.

Prejudice  - There may be people from many paths at Fertile Ground Gathering,  including Druids, Wiccans, Heathens, Romans, and Christians. There will  be coveners and solitaries. There will be people of all sorts of  different colors, ages, races, heights, weights, orientations, political  affiliations, and peccadilloes. Regardless of what you think of a  particular group, please be respectful of those who are a part of it.

Strife  - This is a festival about fostering unity. Bringing an outside quarrel  into it is not only rude and unseemly, it's counter-productive.

The Volunteer Staff at FGG is dedicated to ensuring that your experience is excellent.  You can easily identify all members of the staff by the Staff badge and green wrist band they wear.  If at any point during the Gathering, you require any assistance, please feel welcome to approach any member of our staff.

Staff members all carry two-way radios to communicate with each other should another member of the staff need to help in any way.  

• Please note that if a member of the staff is not currently wearing their badge, it is because they are taking a well-earned break and are not available to assist you at that time.  During an emergency, you may approach even these staff members, who will radio out for assistance.  Otherwise, we gracefully request that you give these members time to take their break.  

The site map you receive at check-in will have all the important locations clearly marked to help you best navigate the campground.  There will also be signs around the camp to help point you to your destination.  

At night, we encourage the use of flashlights to help you navigate more easily.  We recommend red-bulb flashlights to help diminish the loss of night vision for everyone.  

• As a courtesy, we ask that you always point your flashlights downward just ahead of where you're walking to avoid accidentally pointing your light in someone's face.

• Please do not wear headlamps as they can too easily blind those walking toward you.

As of 2026, we will no longer be using glowsticks to light pathways overnight.  

If at any time, you need help finding your way around, you are welcome to approach any staff member to assist you.