Country Thunder Wisconsin transforms Shadow Hill Ranch in Twin Lakes into the Midwest's premier country music destination each July. This four-day festival features major headliners performing across multiple stages, including the Electric Thunder Stage and main amphitheater. The festival offers various camping tiers—from basic dry camping (19' x 40' spaces starting at $200) to premium Crown Camping with 50-amp power, water, and septic hookups (20' x 40' sites). Over 100,000 country music fans attend annually, making Country Thunder Wisconsin a must-experience festival for RV travelers. Located at 2305 Richmond Road in Twin Lakes—just an hour from Milwaukee and 90 minutes from Chicago—the venue provides easy access whether you're renting an RV from nearby cities or towing your own rig for the ultimate country music road trip.
Country Thunder Wisconsin stands as the Midwest's largest and most beloved country music festival, bringing tens of thousands of fans together each summer for four days of world-class performances, festival traditions, and outdoor celebration. Set on the sprawling grounds of Shadow Hill Ranch near Twin Lakes, the festival creates a temporary country music city complete with camping neighborhoods, food vendors, merchandise areas, and multiple performance stages.
The festival showcases the biggest names in country music alongside rising stars and fan favorites. Multiple stages ensure continuous entertainment throughout each day, with the main Electric Thunder Stage hosting headline acts while supporting stages feature emerging talent and festival favorites. Beyond the music, Country Thunder Wisconsin offers a complete festival experience with the annual Dancing with the Thunder competition, meet-and-greets, VIP experiences, and a marketplace featuring country-themed merchandise and artisan goods.
Country Thunder's four-day format means fans can arrive Thursday afternoon, set up camp, and settle into the festival rhythm before music kicks off. The atmosphere blends concert energy with camping community—neighbors become friends, campsite barbecues turn into impromptu parties, and the entire venue transforms into a country music lover's paradise.
For those planning an RV adventure to Country Thunder Wisconsin, explore Twin Lakes RV rentals for the closest pickup options, or browse Kenosha, Wisconsin, RV rentals just 20 minutes south of the festival grounds.
Ticket and camping packages vary significantly based on experience level and amenities desired. General admission tickets provide access to the festival bowl and main stages, while premium packages offer enhanced experiences.
Admission Options:
Camping Options:
Add-On Options:
Check the Country Thunder Wisconsin website for current pricing, package details, and ticket availability. Tickets and camping spots sell out quickly, so booking early ensures your spot at the festival.
The Twin Lakes and Lake Geneva region offers excellent RV rental options, with providers ranging from peer-to-peer rentals through Outdoorsy to traditional rental companies. Most renters find success booking camper vans for smaller groups or couples, while larger crews opt for Class C motorhomes or travel trailers that provide more sleeping space and amenities.
Twin Lakes sits conveniently between Milwaukee (60 miles north) and Chicago (70 miles south), with rental options available in both metro areas. Many first-time festival-goers flying in choose to rent from Milwaukee RV rental providers, then drive the hour to Twin Lakes.
The festival venue sits just off Highway C in Twin Lakes, easily accessible from major routes:
The festival address for GPS navigation is: 2305 Richmond Road, Twin Lakes, WI 53181
Traffic gets heavy Thursday evening and Friday morning as campers arrive. Plan extra travel time and consider arriving Wednesday evening or Thursday morning to avoid peak congestion.
Camping Pass Holders: Enter via Gate 2 and follow staff directions to your assigned camping area. One vehicle per campsite is included; additional vehicle passes are available for purchase.
Daily Parking: Reserved and general parking lots are available for purchase in advance (strongly recommended). Parking areas open at specific times—reserved closer parking at 12 pm, general parking at 9 am.
Important: RVs are NOT permitted in day parking areas. All RVs must be parked on purchased campsites. Tailgating is prohibited in reserved parking areas but allowed in the Weekend Overnight Lot.
Uber/Lyft: Available in Twin Lakes. Pre-book for guaranteed availability. Use the designated rideshare zone address: 40383-40001, County Highway O, Genoa City, WI 53128
Lakefront Shuttle: Official festival partner offering shuttle service from Lake Geneva, Elkhorn, Kenosha, and Abbey Springs. Check the Country Thunder website for complete scheduling information and booking.
Twin Lakes doesn’t boast much in the way of mass transit, and it’s a little hard to get to by on public transport. When you consider that it takes over five hours to get to the town by bus from Madison or Milwaukee, it’s easy to see why carpooling is such a popular option for festival-goers. A private shuttle service runs from towns around the Lake Geneva, Elkhorn, and Kenosha area, at about $75 for the whole weekend or $20 per day.
Country Thunder Wisconsin offers multiple camping tiers directly at Shadow Hill Ranch, putting you steps from the music and festival action:
Basic Camping
Crown Camping (Premium)
Additional Camping Add-Ons:
Important Camping Policies:
If you prefer full-service RV parks with amenities or need pet-friendly options, several excellent campgrounds sit within 15-30 minutes of Country Thunder:
Country View Campground offers the best of both worlds—close to the festival yet providing a peaceful retreat between performances. Located in Waukesha County between Milwaukee and Madison, this family-friendly campground features water and electric hookups (some sites include sewer), a heated in-ground swimming pool, game room, sand volleyball courts, petting zoo, and open recreation fields. Clean bathrooms, hot showers, a dump station, campfire rings, laundry facilities, and a camp store make it a comfortable base camp for your Country Thunder adventure.
Cliffside Park Campground in Racine offers scenic Lake Michigan shoreline camping just south of Kenosha. The 92-site campground includes fire rings, electric and water connections, a dump station, a comfort station with showers, a children's play area, and sports courts. The lakefront location provides a beautiful contrast to festival days.
Illinois Beach Campground lies partway between Milwaukee and Chicago along Lake Michigan's shores, offering 30/50 amp connections, toilets and showers, a children's playground, and recreational trail access. Though slightly farther (approximately 30 minutes), it's pet-friendly and provides pristine beach access for cooling off between festival days.
For additional options, explore Kenosha County RV campgrounds and Lake Geneva area camping, both offering numerous choices within 20-30 minutes of Twin Lakes.
Country Thunder spans a significant acreage, but everything is walkable from camping areas. Comfortable shoes are essential—you'll log miles between your campsite, stages, food vendors, and amenities. The festival layout includes:
Accessible Services: Golf cart rides to/from camping and parking areas available through Catch-A-Ryde (call/text 629-278-1549, operates noon-midnight daily). Accessible viewing wristbands are available free at the Information Booth for guests requiring accommodation—no documentation required, but please only request if needed.
July in Wisconsin brings warm, sunny days and cooler evenings—pack versatile clothing that handles both:
Festival fashion leans heavily toward country—think boots, hats, denim, and band t-shirts. Many attendees go all-out with Western wear, creating a sea of cowboy hats and boots at every stage.
Country Thunder strictly prohibits:
Twin Lakes is known for its proximity to, well, lakes, so bug spray is an absolute must if you don’t want to itch for the whole trip. Aside from something to give a little shade, bring plenty of sunscreen. Although there is a medical tent, it’s always worthwhile to bring your own kit in case you get injured at a distance away from the resources of Country Thunder.
Onsite campers can fire up grills at their campsites—charcoal and propane grills permitted. Your RV kitchen makes meal prep easy, saving money versus buying every meal at the festival. Stock up on groceries before arriving:
Many campers do breakfast at their site, grab lunch at vendors, then return for dinner before evening shows.
Between festival days or before/after the weekend, Twin Lakes and nearby Lake Geneva offer excellent restaurant options:
Lake Geneva's downtown (10 minutes from the festival) provides the most restaurant variety, from quick bites to upscale dining.
Country Thunder features dozens of food vendors throughout the grounds offering festival favorites:
Expect typical festival pricing. Most vendors accept cards, but bring cash backup. Vegetarian options available but limited—plan accordingly if you have dietary restrictions.
Country Thunder maintains robust security throughout the festival with staff patrolling all areas and conducting thorough bag checks at entry points. The clear bag policy expedites entry—have your belongings ready for inspection.
Wristband Policy: Your festival wristband is your admission—treat it like cash. Wristbands cannot be loosened once tightened, so size carefully. Lost or damaged wristbands can be replaced at the Information Booth, Campground Info, or Will Call for a $20 discretionary fee. Wristbands are non-transferable—each person needs their own.
Alcohol: Available for purchase throughout the festival (21+ with a valid ID). No outside alcohol permitted. Wisconsin takes intoxicated driving seriously—use designated drivers, rideshares, or stay at your campsite if drinking.
July in southeastern Wisconsin typically brings beautiful summer weather, but conditions can vary:
Severe weather is rare but can occur. Festival staff monitor conditions and will announce any weather-related delays or evacuations. Lightning causes temporary evacuations of open areas.
Dress in layers, bring rain gear, and stay hydrated—Wisconsin summer sun combined with alcohol can lead to dehydration quickly.
First aid stations operate throughout the festival with trained medical staff. For serious emergencies, the festival coordinates with local EMS and hospitals. Keep necessary medications accessible and inform campsite neighbors of any serious health conditions.
Accessible Services: Accessible viewing areas are available free at the Information Booth (no documentation required). Accessible port-a-potties located at the ends of public restroom banks or available for private campsite placement by calling 866-388-0007 before the July 27 deadline.