Under the Big Sky Festival
Under the Big Sky Festival takes place at Big Mountain Ranch in Whitefish, Montana, a must-visit area for RV campers come summer.
Event information
Under the Big Sky Festival returns to Big Mountain Ranch in Whitefish, Montana, July 18-20, 2025, celebrating the tradition of gathering under open skies for authentic Americana music. This three-day festival showcases genre-bending artists, including Tyler Childers, Mumford & Sons, and Wynonna Jud,d across two naturally formed amphitheaters with 180-degree views of Big Sky Country. Located just outside Glacier National Park, the festival offers free day parking for RVs under 35 feet, though overnight parking is prohibited on-site. For RV travelers, Whitefish provides exceptional camping options from full-service RV parks like Whitefish RV Park to luxury resorts near Flathead Lake, all within minutes of both festival grounds and Glacier's west entrance. Whether you're seeking a weekend of mountain music or an extended Montana adventure, an RV rental positions you perfectly to explore America's Crown of the Continent while experiencing one of the region's most authentic music celebrations.
What is the Under the Big Sky Festival?
Under the Big Sky Festival is Montana's premier Americana music celebration, bringing together traditional and contemporary artists on a working 350-acre ranch that serves as a natural amphitheater beneath the expansive Montana sky.
Founded to celebrate the tradition of gathering friends and family under open skies for music, this independently-owned festival showcases the breadth and legacy of Americana with artists spanning country, folk, bluegrass, alt-country, and rock genres. The festival takes full advantage of Big Mountain Ranch's natural beauty, featuring performances across two naturally formed amphitheaters with expansive stages providing intimate yet grand settings.
Beyond world-class music, festival-goers can explore the ranch grounds and discover Rough Stock Rodeo events, horseback trail rides around the property, artisan markets featuring local crafts, regional food vendors, and family-friendly activities including a petting zoo. The authentic Montana experience combines music with the state's outdoor heritage in an all-ages celebration that welcomes children 6 and under for free.
Set against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains near Glacier National Park, the festival offers an immersive experience where visitors can marvel at alpine scenery between performances and enjoy the magic of Montana's legendary long summer evenings.
Planning your Montana music adventure? Explore Bozeman RV rentals perfect for your Big Sky journey, or discover Billings RV rentals offering eastern Montana access to the festival region.
When and Where is the Under the Big Sky Festival Held?
Under the Big Sky Festival 2025 takes place July 18-20, 2025, at Big Mountain Ranch in Whitefish, Montana, operating daily from noon to 11:00 PM with gates opening at 12:00 PM.
- Dates: July 18-20, 2025 (Friday-Sunday)
- Location: Big Mountain Ranch, 1876 Voerman Road, Whitefish, MT 59937
- Hours: 12:00 PM - 11:00 PM daily
- Venue: 350-acre working ranch with natural amphitheaters
- Accessibility: ADA entrances and viewing areas provided
The festival location sits just outside Whitefish, approximately three miles from downtown and nine miles from Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell.
Tickets
How Much Does the Under the Big Sky Festival Cost?
Festival tickets start at $185 for single-day general admission, with multi-day passes and VIP options available for enhanced experiences, including designated parking areas and premium amenities.
2025 Ticket Options:
- General Admission: Single-day tickets from $185
- Multi-Day Passes: Available for a full festival experience
- VIP Packages: 21+ only with premium amenities and exclusive areas
- Children: Ages 6 and under free (must RSVP with GA ticket purchase)
- Ages 7+: Require general admission tickets
Important Policies: No re-entry is allowed once you leave the festival grounds daily. Tickets are for the festival experience, not specific artists, and artist cancellations are not grounds for refunds. All tickets are non-refundable, with the festival operating rain or shine.
Visit the Under the Big Sky Festival website for current ticket availability and detailed pricing information.
How Do I Rent an RV Near Montana for the Festival?
Montana's strategic location makes it ideal for RV adventures, with rental options in Bozeman and Billings providing excellent access to Whitefish while positioning you for extended Rocky Mountain and Great Plains exploration.
Bozeman RV rentals, approximately 150 miles southeast of Whitefish, offer university town conveniences and easy access to Yellowstone National Park for extended adventures. Billings providers, about 300 miles east, serve as gateways to eastern Montana's wide open spaces and provide alternative routing options.
The festival accommodates RVs under 35 feet, including attachments, in their free day parking area, though arriving early is essential as overflow parking requires shuttles. Many RV travelers prefer staying at nearby campgrounds and using festival shuttles or alternate transportation to avoid parking constraints.
Explore Under the Big Sky Festival RV Rentals
Transportation
Driving
Big Mountain Ranch sits just outside Whitefish, accessible via Highway 93 to Voerman Road. The rural location requires patience for backroad-style driving rather than highway speeds, especially during festival weekends when tourist traffic increases.
Parking areas
RV Parking Guidelines
The festival provides free parking for all ticket holders with RVs limited to under 35 feet, including attachments. General admission and VIP ticket holders have designated parking areas, though overnight parking is strictly prohibited on festival grounds.
Public Transportation
Alternative Transportation Options
Festival shuttles provide transportation from select Whitefish locations, with schedules released closer to the event. Many attendees use rideshare services, taxis, or even bike to the venue—the festival offers bike valet services for cyclists.
Consider staying at nearby RV parks and using alternate transportation to avoid festival parking constraints, especially for larger RVs that exceed the 35-foot limit.
Where to stay
Onsite
Nearby
The Whitefish area offers exceptional RV camping options that showcase Montana's natural beauty while providing convenient festival access and serving as perfect base camps for Glacier National Park exploration.
Premium Festival Proximity:
Whitefish RV Park provides the ultimate convenience within Whitefish city limits on a quiet wooded site well off the highway. This full-service park offers close access to restaurants, stores, theaters, breweries, and shopping centers, while maintaining peaceful surroundings just minutes from both festival grounds and Glacier National Park.
Glacier Gateway Options:
Glacier Peaks RV Park in Columbia Falls offers luxury RV resort experiences with deluxe cabins, full hookups, and recreational amenities. Located perfectly between Whitefish and Glacier's west entrance, this expansive facility provides mountain views and family-friendly activities.
West Glacier KOA Resort delivers the ultimate Glacier experience less than three miles from the park's west entrance. This resort-style campground features pull-through sites accommodating big rigs, swimming pools, and endless outdoor adventure opportunities.
Mountain View RV Park positions you between Whitefish and Columbia Falls with spectacular views of Big Mountain and the surrounding peaks. The park's central location provides easy access to both the festival grounds and Glacier while offering large grass areas for recreation.
Lakefront Luxury:
Outback Montana RV Park in Bigfork offers camping near Flathead Lake's northern shores, providing a unique combination of lake recreation and mountain access about 40 minutes from festival grounds.
For budget-conscious travelers, several Forest Service campgrounds around the region offer basic facilities in pristine wilderness settings, though these typically lack hookups and fill quickly during summer months.
Getting around
What to pack
Clothing
Summertime in Whitefish isa western paradise, so pack clothes for warm summer days and don’t be afraid of cowboy boots and fringe. Sunglasses and a hat are recommended, as are comfortable shoes. Bring layers for after the sun goes down in Montana. This event is rain or shine, so bring a rain jacket just in case.
Gear
Bring a picnic blanket for lounging in the grass or a camping chair if you prefer. Chairs must have low backs. You are welcome to bring a small parasol for sun protection, but umbrellas and tents are not permitted. Pack a small backpack (no larger than 18 inches tall in recent years) with sunscreen, bug spray, your wallet, and cell phone.
Health & Safety
Event organizers recommend bringing chapstick and eye drops for the dry mountain climate. Bring a reusable water bottle so that you can stay hydrated. Under the Big Sky provides water refill stations. Medications must be in their original containers. The festival offers a designated space for insulin storage.
Where to eat
Cooking
Cooking is not permitted at the event, but a wide variety of food vendors will be on site. Depending on where you camp with your RV in the Whitefish area, outdoor cooking may or may not be allowed by an open flame. Montana is bear country, so expect restrictions related to campground cooking and food storage, especially if grizzly activity has recently been reported. Whitefish and Kalispell both offer several grocery stores and camping stores.
Restaurants
Restaurants in Whitefish are known for offering regional cuisine, including drinks and desserts made with local huckleberries and cherries, steaks fit for cowboys, and Montana-made beers. Venture outside of Whitefish, and you’ll find restaurants run by Blackfeet Tribal members that serve native specialties like frybread. Glacier National Park also offers a number of historic lodges with restaurants inside.
Vendors
Under the Big Sky features a wide range of food vendors, including plant-based options for vegetarians and vegans. There will also be a general store for other essentials. Most vendors are able to accept credit cards, but you may want to bring cash as well. There will also be an ATM at Big Mountain Ranch.
Safety
Security
There will be security at the festival as well as police officers. In the interest of safety, the event does not permit guns, knives, drugs, laser pointers, glass bottles, lighters, cigarettes, chains, drones, hula hoops, or anything that might be used as a weapon. If you notice something suspicious, please inform a security guard.
Weather
Folks who associate Montana with snow and cold may be surprised by just how warm the Big Sky State can be in the summer. Expect temperatures in the 70s, 80s, or even the 90s, plus abundant sunshine. Thunderstorms and even hail can occur. Summer wildfires are also a possibility during especially dry years and can cause unpleasant smoky conditions.
Medical
First-aid stations are situated throughout the Festival premises. Please refer to the festival map online for specific locations, or ask someone on staff at the event. The nearest major hospital is about 20 miles away in Kalispell, but you will also find smaller medical centers in Whitefish and surrounding towns, plus several pharmacies in Whitefish.
