Camping

THE CAMPSITE

The Pete Seeger Memorial Campground at Mariposa Folk Festival is in the eastern section of Tudhope Park, a lovely, mostly treed area just a short walk from all of the festival programming. Much of the camping area has a view of the lake, and there’s easy access to the beach for all campers.

Festival camping opens at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday (day before the festival starts) and closes at 12:00 noon on Monday (day after the festival closes).

What to Purchase

Oversize surcharge passes for RVs greater than 5 metres are now SOLD OUT for 2025. Oversize Surcharge passes will not be available for sale at the festival.

Each camper must purchase an individual camping pass. The purchase of a Camping Pass in addition to a Weekend Festival Pass (or proof of weekend accreditation issued by the festival) is required for every person aged 13 or older and camping overnight at Mariposa Folk Festival.

In addition to purchasing a Camping Pass for each person in your party, you will need to purchase the following:

  • Festival passes (or provide proof of weekend accreditation issued by the festival when you register at the Camping Desk)
  • Parking passes for each of the passenger vehicles you plan to park in the camping area (a separate, more expensive parking pass is required for general audience parking)
  • An Oversize Surcharge pass (SOLD OUT FOR 2025) if you have an RV that is greater than 5 meters in length (two tiers available, depending on the length). Once Oversize Surcharge passes are sold out, you will not be permitted to bring an RV greater than 5 meters in length to Mariposa.

Campers are issued a camping wristband in addition to a festival wristband.

Two categories of Camping Pass – Ages 25+ and Ages 13-24 – are available for purchase. Children aged 12 years and under camp for free (must be accompanied by a ticket bearing adult guardian).

Due to space limitations, fewer RV Oversize Camping Passes will be sold for 2025 (SOLD OUT).

SOCIAL ACOUSTIC CAMPING

For those who wish to stay up, socialize and play non-amplified music at night, we recommend camping near the The Hootenanny Stage.

Camping Parking

A Camping Parking Pass is required for all passenger vehicles belonging to campers (available to Camping Pass holders only). A Camping Parking Pass is not required for RVs used for sleeping.

The Camping Parking Pass allows for parking in the camping area from Thursday at 9:00 a.m. until Monday at 12:00 noon, and comes with in-out privileges.

The reason we charge for Camping Parking is in order to:

  • Make it equitable for non-campers who must pay to park on the festival site
  • Allow for better management of the parking situation in the camping area (parking pass serial numbers will be attached to camping registration records)

Thank you for your cooperation. Camping Parking Pass(es) must be purchased in advance (either online of through the Mariposa office, 705-326-3655) for the passenger vehicles you will be parking in the camping area.

Please consider arranging to rendez-vous with friends and family before arriving at Mariposa Folk Festival to help reduce the number of cars on the festival site.

Oversize Surcharge (SOLD OUT)

There is no surcharge for RVs less than 5 meters in length, and no surcharge for tents, but there is a two-tiered surcharge for RVs greater than 5 meters in length:

  • 5 meters to 8 meters
  • Greater than 8 meters

Please note that the Camping Oversize Surcharge applies to the RV and is charged only once, regardless how many people are staying in the RV. However, every camper aged 13+ staying in the RV is still required to have their own Camping Pass.

Due to space limitations, fewer RV Oversize Camping Passes will be sold for 2025.

Once Oversize Surcharge passes are sold out, you will not be permitted to bring an RV greater than 5 meters in length to Mariposa.

Please also note that the Camping Oversize Surcharge is not intended to allow for more space between neighbours: please see Defined Zones – First Come, First Served below.

The Camping Committee Co-Chairs reserve the right, at their discretion, to levy a Camping Oversize Surcharge on unusually large tents, and tent configurations, including canopies, that use-up an inequitable amount of space compared to neighbouring tent camps.

If your RV is a trailer, make sure you include the tongue in the measure of total length. Tow vehicles, or the non-camping vehicle you arrive in, will not be included in the calculation of length, but is subject to the Camping Parking Pass fee. In the case of a disagreement concerning the the length of your RV, the Camping Committee Co-Chairs reserve the right to make the final determination.

DEFINED ZONES 

All camping is located within defined zones. The allocation of the camping spaces is made on a first come, first served basis.

As it is festival camping, the space allocated for each camp will be modest in size. Camping Committee Volunteers will determine where camps are placed, the adjacency, and the amount of space surrounding each camp.

Please note that the Camping Oversize Surcharge is for RVs 5 meters and longer, and not to reserve more space between you and your neighbours*.

* The Camping Committee Co-Chairs reserve the right, at their discretion, to levy a Camping Oversize Surcharge on unusually large tents, and tent configurations, including canopies, that use up an inequitable amount of space compared to neighbouring tent camps.

In the event that the main camping area runs short of capacity or inclement weather renders sections of the main camping zone unusable, Camping Committee Volunteers reserve the right to place campers in contingency zones located within Tudhope Park.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR CAMPING EXPERIENCE

  • Rough camping – no electricity; no dumping station for holding tanks.
  • Port-a-potties, washing stations, potable water and recycling/composting/waste stations provided.
  • Lake swimming (please do not use soap or shampoo in the water – even those labeled biodegradable are not good for the lake). Please, absolutely no wading into the park’s wetlands, as they are environmentally sensitive areas.
  • Individual campsites will not be delineated – Organizers will determine where camps are to be placed, and will determine the adjacency and the amount of space surrounding each camp.
  • Campsites will be just large enough for each camp.
  • Camp stoves are permitted, but campfires, including those in self-contained, raised fire pits, are prohibited.
  • Camping Parking Passes (for purchase – see above) must be displayed on the rear view mirror or on dash of your vehicle(s).
  • Police will be on site overnight to monitor the camping area.
  • Campers are advised to secure their belongings – the festival does not take responsibility for lost, damaged or stolen property.
  • Security will address noise, alcohol or other problems.
  • If you are a light sleeper, it is recommended that you bring earplugs.

CAMPING RULES & RESTRICTIONS    |    KEEP MARIPOSA GREEN

To ensure all of our campers have an enjoyable experience, and out of respect for the neighbours near Tudhope Park, a reasonable set of rules and restrictions will be in place for the duration of the festival. They will be strictly enforced:

  • Alcohol will be available for purchase and consumption within controlled licensed areas during festival operating hours.
  • Carrying or consuming alcohol on the festival grounds is strictly prohibited, during and outside of festival operating hours (zero tolerance).
  • Campfires, amplification, electric generators (including the use of those built into RVs), drumming and any unreasonable noise, are prohibited.
  • No night time swimming.
  • Vehicles are not allowed in the tent camping zones, and must be parked in approved camping parking areas.
  • Each camper will be registered and issued a unique wristband that must be worn at all times.
  • Each camp will be registered, and an ID tag must be displayed prominently at all times on the outside.
  • No pets allowed (registered working animals exempted).

Additional Rules for RVs:
No grey water pumping is available at the festival. Information about where you can empty your grey water tank at a certified facility in the vicinity is available at the Camping Desk. 

Emptying of grey water tanks anywhere at the festival site (an environmentally sensitive area) is strictly prohibited. Contravention of this rule will result in immediate ejection from the camping area.

Keep Mariposa Green
Mariposa is a green festival. Please do not bring single-serve water bottles, and please do not use soap or shampoo in the lake (even biodegradable products are harmful).

Leave no trace. If you pack it in please pack it out.

Smoking/Vaping Bylaw

Smoking/vaping tobacco, cannabis and other substances is prohibited on the entire festival grounds (J.B. Tudhope Memorial Park). Campers are allowed to smoke/vape at their campsite in the Pete Seeger Memorial Campground (as per Chapter 954 of the City of Orillia Municipal Code). To report smoking/vaping in prohibited outdoor areas please contact the City of Orillia By-law Office at 705-325-2313 or by-law@orillia.ca. Fines of up to $305 can be issued. For more information visit orillia.ca/smokefree.