What to pack for Lost Lands 2025 - Top EDM festival essentials
What to Pack for Lost Lands 2025 (from a Raver Over 30 Who’s Seen It All)
Maybe 2025 is your first Lost Lands, or maybe you're just so excited that you have no idea what the hell to pack for your stay. As a certified senior citizen (I’m only 33, but Lost Lands makes me feel ancient), I’ve been attending for the last four years, and I’ve survived every worst-case scenario you can think of.
We’re talkin’ BOILING heat. Freezing-cold nights. Snot-inducing allergies. Bloody, painful blisters. Not to mention, some truly atrocious menstrual cycles (don’t worry, I’ve got a whole separate list of essentials just for us gals).
All this to say: I’m not one of those “resilient camper” types. I'm a big cry baby... But I’ve managed to survive, mostly thanks to what I call my Golden List of rave essentials. These are the products that have literally saved my ass. Hopefully, they save yours too.
I’ll be skipping over the super common-sense stuff like tents, tarps, and deodorant... you’ve got that covered. This is the stuff I wish I’d brought my first year, along with some game-changing hacks to make your trip way easier.
🏕 CAMPING / GLAMPING ESSENTIALS
Hanging organizer – Because digging through a hot, chaotic tent is a nightmare.
Tent decor – Put something recognizable outside, like solar lights, so you can find your tent at 3am.
Doormat – Keeps dirt out (somewhat). Cheap and worth it.
Chillbo or air chair – Not essential, but a total vibe.
Extra blanket – September nights in Ohio = unexpectedly cold.
Camp light with clip & remote – Total game-changer.
Folding wagon – The walk from your car is not short.
Binder clips – My secret weapon. Hang towels, lights, caddies... I use these for everything.
Camping pass – Stick it on your car before you arrive.
ID – You may be asked for this before even setting up.
Cooler & ice – Yes, your deodorant will melt. You can buy bags of ice on site.
Non-aerosol bug spray – Better safe than itchy.
Trash bags – Especially for sweaty, dirt-encrusted clothes.
*Pictured: Here's what's included in a Lost Lands Glamping tent.
🚿 SHOWER / CLEANLINESS
Shower shoes / Crocs – Do not go into the showers barefoot. Just don’t.
Shower caddy (mesh) – Everything gets wet. These dry fast.
Wearable towel – Perfect if you’ve got a long walk back to camp.
Actual towel – Sounds obvious, but it’s easy to forget.
TP – Don’t rely on festival TP after a night of drinking. Trust me.
Travel-size toiletries – Bring only what you need.
Shower wipes – MUST-HAVE. The dust is relentless.
Soapless bath sponges – Top-tier hack. Lines can get long or maybe you’re so tired or drunk that you can’t make it to the showers. All you have to do is get these sponges a little wet and they become sudsy and soapy. The best part? You don’t need to rinse!
🌧 IF IT RAINS
Quality poncho – Cheap ones disintegrate.
Plastic umbrella – Must be metal-free to enter the grounds.
Waterproof phone case / bag – Water-resistant ≠ waterproof.
🔥 HEAT ESSENTIALS
Rave fan – You’ll thank yourself later.
Neck fan or mist sprayer – Lifesaver in the heat.
Bucket hat – Keep that sun off your face.
Cooling towel – Optional, but helpful.
Note: If you're on SSRIs (antidepressants/anxiety meds), your body is more prone to overheating and dehydration. Please take extra care to stay cool and hydrated, especially if you're drinking.
🍴 FOOD + DRINK HACKS
Ziplocs for food – Ants WILL invade. Bag everything.
Small cooler – Anything that can melt WILL melt. This includes your herb edibles.
Hydration boosters like Liquid IV – Absolute necessity for all-day raving.
👚 CLOTHING TIPS
Outfits in individual Ziplocs – Your tent will be dirty and there will be ants. If you want to avoid them getting in your clothes, pre-pack all of your outfits and accessories by day into their own Ziplocs.
3 pairs of socks/day – Dirt + sweat = swamp feet.
2+ pairs of undies/day – You will want a mid-day change.
Comfy shoes – Look, I know we all want to look good. But Lost Lands isn’t the place for cute shoes and no one will judge you for prioritizing comfort. Grab some Crocs, Vans, or sneakers. Wear them for a few weeks before the festival to break them in. Remember - whatever you wear will be filthy by the time you go home.
😌 GENERAL COMFORT
Thigh deodorant / chafe stick – Chafing sucks. Prevent it.
Moleskin for blisters – Cover blisters or pressure points where your shoes are rubbing.
Foot wraps / double socks – Prevent rubbing.
Thera-gun / portable massager – Sore feet salvation.
Sunblock – You’ll be outside all day.
Boom-Boom or other nasal sticks – Helpful for clearing your airways in the dust.
Tissues – Your nose will be FULL of dirt by the end of the day.
Q-tips – Ear protection + sweat = wax overload.
💊 MEDICATIONS
Original RX bottles – All medication must be clearly labeled. They will likely check that the name on your ID matches the name on your RX bottle.
Prescription records – Usually not necessary if your prescriptions are in their original bottles but it may be a good idea to bring them if possible.
TIP: Split bottles – Bring extra bottles for dangerous meds. Don’t throw away last month’s empty bottle when you pick up your next prescription. When entering the festival grounds from your camp site, your meds will need to be in their original bottle to pass security… but if you only have the ONE original bottle, that means you’ll be taking ALL of your pills. Not only is this terrible for you if you lose them, but it could be terrible for someone else if they find and take them. Instead, keep 2 bottles for every prescription medication so that you can pack only the amount you need for the actual festival grounds.
Inhaler – Have a plan for keeping it cool. Albuterol can degrade when exposed to extreme heat and sunlight, potentially reducing its effectiveness.
OTC meds – Only allowed in sealed bottles at your campsite.
Peppermints – If you suffer from anxiety, peppermint can stimulate the olfactory system, leading to the release of relaxing chemicals in the brain.
🩸 PACKING FOR YOUR PERIOD:
Period panties – No matter how prepared you are, leaks happen. Having period panties means having a back-up in case your first method of protection fails.
Dude wipes – There is nothing worse than dealing with the red tide while in a baking hot port-a-potty. Bring wet wipes to both clean the seat and yourself, especially if you’re using a mensural cup.
Paper soap – When you have bloody fingers, a little hand sanitizer isn’t enough. Look for "paper soap packs" on Amazon. Just add water!
Empty Ziploc – You won’t always have a good way to dispose of pads and tampons. Keep an empty Ziploc with you just in case you need stow away a used pad in your bag until you find a trash bag.
Wet bag – Keep all of your period essentials together and clean, especially when it comes to menstrual cups or disks. Security will open everything when you pass through the gate so sometimes keeping it all in a wet bag helps to prevent them from sticking their fingers all over products that will be going inside your body. Don’t be afraid to speak up when they unzip this bag or offer to sift through it in front of them so they don’t need to put their fingers on your cup/disk.
💄 MAKEUP STUFF
Pre-wet beauty blenders – Store in a Ziploc, one per day.
SPF foundation – Double duty.
Setting spray – Your cute make-up will melt without one. I recommend Urban Decay’s “All Nighter Waterproof Makeup Setting Spray” OR The POREfessional’s “Super Setter setting spray”.
Plastic vanity mirror w/ light – No glass allowed.
Extra makeup brushes – You likely won’t have any way to clean your brushes, so bring more than you think you’ll need.
🚫 DO NOT BRING
Aerosols (bug spray, deodorant, hairspray, etc.)
Glass containers (food, cosmetics, etc.)
Anything you don’t want security to see! You’re free to pack those big 'ol dildos babe, but security WILL take everything out of your car and open every bag before you enter the camp grounds.
Fire poi or metal flow toys (check Lost Land's official rules on flow toys)
Water to the festival grounds: You can fill up your bottles at the free water stations right when you get inside but your bottles MUST be empty before you can enter.
⚠️ SOMETIMES-NO ITEMS
Chillbos / compact chairs – My first two years, they allowed these on the festival grounds. Last year, they did not.
OTC meds – They made me throw out my Advil last year. You can usually buy medication on the festival grounds.
Herb – Ohio IS a legal state but be smart about how much herb you bring. Last year, there was a burn-ban due to the drought, which means no lighters, matches, or herb was permitted (vapes were okay). This year has been rainy, so there likely will not be a burn-ban in 2025.
✅ YES, YOU CAN BRING:
Vapes / mods
Legal herb (Ohio is a legal state but be smart about the quantity you bring)
Plastic umbrellas
LED gear, flow toys, and totems (check the Lost Lands official rules)
🎉 FESTIVAL GROUNDS ESSENTIALS & TIPS
Lock screen: Use a photo for your lock screen with your contact information and the phone number of a friend so lost and found can contact you.
Festival-safe bag – Fanny packs, or single-compartment backpack or purse (no inside pockets) that is 12" x 12" or smaller. I use a dinosaur backpack meant for a toddler and a clear fanny pack.
Mini bags / pouches inside your main bag – Ziplock or even cloth zipper pouches will allow you to divide items into your larger bag so you aren’t digging to find specific items.
Fans – Foldable, wearable, misting... all of ‘em.
Ear plugs (Eargasm is best) – Protect your ears. Bring all fit sizes. I usually need to reduce to a smaller size fitting by day 2 due to ear swelling.
TP or tissues – For when the port-a-potty runs out or you need to blow dust from your nose.
Hydration pack or empty water bottle – There is free water at the festival. Just make sure your bottle or pack is 100% empty before arriving at the entrance gate.
ID – Always required for drinking or RX meds.
Face covering – Dust is no joke. I got pneumonia last year! You don’t need to wear it all day, but if things get dusty, you’re going to want to cover up.
Anti-theft phone strap or Clutch-Loop – Basically any locking mechanism that will help to keep your phone strapped to your body.
Ground Pash – You’re going to spend a lot of time on your feet. Our Ground Pashes can be worn around your neck, tied around your waist, or folded down tiny to fit in any festival-approved bag. Not to mention, up to three people can fit on a single Ground Pash.
Hopefully this list helps make your Lost Lands 2025 stay easy, magical, and a whole lot more comfortable. The #1 tip I can give as a raver over 30? Prioritize comfort. You’ll be able to spot the seasoned veterans from the newbies by who’s limping around on blistered toes. Don’t be that person.
And hey, if you see me chilling on my Ground Pash at Lost Lands 2025, come say hi and trade kandi!
xoxo,
Starla - Ground Pash Founder
