Hodag Country Festival
Head on down to the Hodag Country Festival for top music, great food and drinks, and RV camping. It promises to be a good old country experience like no other.
Event information
The Hodag Country Festival runs July 10-13, bringing 25,000+ country music fans to Rhinelander's natural outdoor amphitheater for Wisconsin's premier camping and music experience. Founded in 1978, this 4-day festival features major country stars alongside emerging artists, with primitive onsite camping that includes RV accommodations, water spigots, dump stations, and clean shower facilities. For RV travelers, the festival's camping-friendly setup combined with Wisconsin's abundant RV rental options makes it the perfect base for exploring the Northwoods region. Whether you're seeking an authentic country music experience or extended outdoor adventures, an RV rental puts you right at the heart of festival life while providing modern comforts amid Wisconsin's stunning lake country.
What is the Hodag Country Festival?
The Hodag Country Festival is Wisconsin's largest country music camping festival, taking place annually in Rhinelander at the festival grounds on 4270 River Road. Named after the mythical creature supposedly discovered in Rhinelander in 1893—with the head of a frog, face of an elephant, and back of a dinosaur—this festival has grown from 300 attendees watching performers on a hay wagon to over 25,000 country music fans gathering in a natural outdoor amphitheater.
The 2025 lineup features major artists including Nate Smith, Neal McCoy, Gretchen Wilson, LOCASH, and Three Dog Night, alongside performances on multiple stages throughout the grounds. Beyond the main stage, the festival features the Pavilion for up-and-coming artists, food vendors serving everything from turkey legs to authentic country fare, and a true community atmosphere where many families return to the same campsites year after year.
For your Hodag adventure, explore Rhinelander RV rentals perfect for festival camping, or consider Wausau RV rentals just 90 minutes south with potentially more availability during peak festival season.
When and Where is the Hodag Country Festival Held?
- Dates: July 10-13
- Location: 4270 River Road, Rhinelander, WI 54501
- Campground Opens: July 5 at 6:00 AM (requires 9-day ticket)
- Attendance: 25,000+ visitors annually
- Lineup Queue: No vehicles allowed before July 1, 6:00 AM
Tickets
How Much Does the Hodag Country Festival Cost?
Festival tickets are sold as 9-day passes (covering the full camping period) and daily passes. Camping requires a 9-day ticket—daily ticket holders cannot camp onsite. Reserved campsites can be re-reserved by previous year's campers from November until January, with remaining sites available to the general public starting January 27.
Check the Hodag Country Festival website for updated ticket pricing and availability.
How Do I Rent an RV Near Rhinelander for the Festival?
Rhinelander offers excellent RV rental options perfectly positioned for the Hodag experience, with many local hosts understanding exactly what festival-goers need. The area's RV rental fleet includes everything from compact travel trailers perfect for first-time RV renters to spacious camper rentals ideal for larger groups.
Many Rhinelander RV hosts offer festival-specific services, including delivery within 50-60 miles of the festival grounds, pre-stocked amenities, and generator rentals for off-grid camping. Local operators like Hodag RV Rentals specialize in festival camping, providing everything from linens to camp chairs, making your arrival as simple as showing up and enjoying the music.
For expanded options, Wausau travel trailers and Wausau camper vans provide additional inventory about 90 minutes south, particularly valuable during peak Hodag season when Rhinelander rentals book early.
Book your RV rental well in advance—many Rhinelander hosts report full bookings by early spring for July festival dates.
Explore Hodag Country Festival RV Rentals
Transportation
Driving
The festival grounds are located at 4270 River Road, Rhinelander, WI 54501, about a 10-minute drive from downtown Rhinelander. With up to 50,000 people in attendance, roads can get busy, so plan extra travel time. Smaller U.S. and state highways bring you to this Northern Wisconsin location just south of Lake Superior.
Parking areas
Parking is available at Hodag for an additional fee, with daily permits around $10 and weekend passes $25. If you're camping at the festival, each camping spot accommodates your RV and one vehicle. Limited offsite parking may be available, with shuttle service provided when needed.
Public Transportation
Public transportation in the area is limited with many out-of-state visitors to the Hodag Country Festival choosing to rent a car or take a domestic flight.
Airport Access
The closest major airport is Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport, making it convenient for out-of-state visitors to fly in and pick up local RV rentals. Many visitors from distant locations choose to rent a car or take domestic flights, as public transportation in the area is limited.
Where to stay
Onsite
The Hodag Country Festival excels at RV accommodations, offering a genuine camping experience that's become central to the festival's identity. Festival camping is relatively primitive but includes all the basics, with RV dump stations and water spigots at several points across the campsites, plus hot showers available for an additional fee.
Each camping unit (anything used to sleep in) with one vehicle is permitted per camping permit, with sites accommodating RVs up to 45 feet in length. RV areas include water and electrical hookups, with designated waste disposal areas and specific generator zones. Generator restrictions require units over 60 decibels to shut down between 1:00 AM and 7:00 AM, though a dedicated generator camping area is available in the overflow campground for those needing overnight power.
Nearby
For those preferring off-site accommodations or arriving without advance reservations, the Rhinelander area offers several RV parks and campgrounds within easy reach of the festival grounds. These include full-service facilities with amenities like swimming pools, laundry facilities, and recreational activities.
RV Safety Considerations:
Wisconsin has experienced deaths from generator carbon monoxide poisoning, so maintain at least 10 feet between generator exhaust and camping units, placing generators downwind and downhill when possible.
Getting around
Most of the getting around at the Hodag Country Festival will be on foot, so make sure that you have a pair of comfy shoes in tow. Most people take chairs into the event the day before to place their seats and grab the best spot. If you have any issues regarding accessibility or you have any queries or questions, contact the team before the event. The HCF does also have a regular shuttle bus, running to and from the event and to the overflow camping site.
What to pack
Clothing
Think country style and festival fashion when packing your attire. The vibe at the Hodag Country Festival is definitely about staying comfy rather than rocking your best look. It can get a bit cold, so you may require some warmer clothing options and layers, especially for the evenings. Rain is also a possibility, and as a result, proper gear is advised. You may want to think carefully about your choice of footwear and include sturdy shoes that can get wet.
Gear
If you are planning to camp, you will want to consider what items will most benefit you for the full nine days of camping. Note the size of your camper and the items that you select in relation to the dimensions of your selected campsite; don't bring more than you need. Consider cooking equipment that functions for multiple meal types to help you bring variety to your trip. Generators are allowed at the event, and there are RV dump stations available.
Health & Safety
Whilst the Hodag offers a great party atmosphere, it is important to remember that this is a family-friendly event. Be on your best behavior and check out the rules and regulations before you attend. It is also noted that pets are allowed at the festival, as long as they are always on a leash and kept under control. However, they are not permitted to be near the seating area or vendor stands.
Where to eat
Cooking
You can easily cook at your campsite at the Hodag Country Festival. Whether you want to make s'mores, grill sausages, or any other campsite snacks, fire pits are allowed, but only to a maximum of six inches. If you would prefer to take a generator, these are allowed but must be turned off during quiet time. Alternatively, the HCF does have a limited number of electrical sites available. Taking your own food and drink into the festival is allowed, but all glass items are prohibited.
Restaurants
At just a ten-minute drive into Rhinelander itself, the town has a selection of restaurants, shops, and anything else that you are likely to need. Whether you are just looking for something quick and easy or a sit-down meal for a break away from the festival atmosphere, there are over 30 restaurants within the local area, with a wide choice of cuisines from around the world. Reservations are recommended at many of the local establishments.
Vendors
Fans will encounter plenty of vendors at the Hodag Country Festival serving up a delicious array of festival food and Hodag favorites. With so many unique vendors from around the country, there is bound to be something to tickle your taste buds. Head to the Pavilion, where, as well as a wide array of fab festival food and refreshing alcoholic beverages, you can also shop official HCF t-shirts and souvenirs.
Safety
Security
Security will be on site to make sure that everything goes without a hitch. It is important to remember that festival-goers seek rest during the designated quiet hours. However, the party does carry on until late at the Pavilion for any night owls. Before attending the festival, it is important to check what items are prohibited. For example, selfie sticks are not allowed in the festival grounds, and drones are forbidden throughout the event. Any items that are found that are on the banned list may be confiscated.
Weather
In the summer, Rhinelander usually brings average highs and lows in the 50s, 60s, and 70s Fahrenheit. Summer in Wisconsin tends to be hot and humid, but it can be quite varied, and there is always a chance of rain. The festival will happen come rain or shine, with no refunds available as a result of wet weather.
Medical
It is important to stay healthy and safe at Hodag Country Festival, so remember to drink plenty of water and ensure that you have plenty of sunscreen. Bug spray is also recommended for this event in the woods. There will be qualified first aiders on site to help in an accident, with four different hospitals or medical centers in or around the area of Rhinelander.
