Country Thunder Arizona 2023 guide: Everything to know about festival

Country Thunder Arizona returned to Canyon Moon Ranch, its home near Florence, on Thursday, April 13, for four days of music.

The festival brought in an average of more than 30,000 people a day last year, including fans, staff, working personnel, law enforcement, press and vendors. On Saturday, when Morgan Wallen played, it was closer to 34,000.

With that in mind, it couldn't hurt to be prepared before you head into the crowd.

To help you make festival plans, from camping to parking, here’s your guide to everything you need to know before you go to Country Thunder Arizona 2023.

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Jon Pardi, Luke Bryan, Cody Johnson and the formerly local Dierks Bentley will headline the festival.

Other artists on tap include Ashley McBryde, Bailey Zimmerman, Midland, Jackson Dean, Chase Matthew, Mackenzie Carpenter, John Morgan, Josh Ross, Parker McCollum, Kip Moore, Parmalee, Lonestar, Tracy Byrd, Nate Smith, Randall King, Hailey Whitters, Shane Profitt and the Reklaws.

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Country Thunder's street address is 20585 E. Water Way, Florence. But it's easier to just type "Country Thunder Arizona" into any map app on your phone. It will get you there.

The festival is 67 miles from downtown Phoenix. When I typed the address into my phone on a Friday afternoon, it said it would take 70 minutes. It will likely take considerably longer once you've factored in the Country Thunder traffic, so prepare for that.

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Campgrounds will open for early arrivals from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. on Wednesday, April 12.

The front gate and will call will be open from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Wednesday, April 12 through Sunday, April 16. All fans will pass through this area to enter the festival grounds.

If you arrive after the front gate is closed, you will be unable to drive into the festival grounds.

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The concert bowl, the area where the festival and stages are located, will open each day at 1 p.m.

Following each headlining performance in the bowl, DJ Slim McGraw will take the stage in the Electric Thunder tent from 11:30 p.m.-2 a.m. from Thursday, April 13 to Saturday, April 15, and from 10:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 16.

The information booth, located inside the concert bowl, is open 1-10 p.m. daily.

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Reserved seats and campsites have been sold out for a while now.

General admission passes good for the whole weekend are still available for $300. ​Kids 10 and under get in free with the purchase of an adult ticket. VIP packages also are still available.

A weekend general admission ticket gives you access to all general admission areas, stages and campgrounds. A single-day pass does not include admission to the campgrounds.

You may bring your own chair and/or blanket, as general admission is lawn-style seating.

Tickets can be purchased at the gate, but Country Thunder recommends purchasing online ahead of time as it's cheaper.

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The Platinum Experience is $600 for the weekend.

With the Platinum Experience, you can watch all artists from an exclusive skybox, featuring a lounge and shelter from the elements; use of luxury restroom trailers; and complimentary appetizers daily and access to an exclusive lounge called the Oasis, where you can purchase upgraded cocktails.

A souvenir laminate, complimentary festival essentials like Advil and sunscreen, and admission to the full event are also included in the Platinum Experience. It does not include access to reserved seats.

New this year, Kona Island and NUTRL ZONA passes are $675 for the weekend.

Kona Island and NUTRL Zone are the same experience but on opposite sides of the catwalk. You will only have access to the side you purchase.

This experience includes:

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If you plan on parking at your campsite, a vehicle parking pass is included with the purchase of each campsite. You can purchase one Extra Vehicle Pass per campsite for $80.

If your party requires more parking than that, you can purchase additional Weekend Overnight Parking, and festival security will watch your car for $80. A Weekend Overnight Parking Pass is for the full event, including early arrival on Wednesday, April 12.

If you’re not parking at a campsite, but are parking overnight, you’ll need to purchase a Weekend Overnight Parking Pass.

If you are driving and not staying overnight, you will need to purchase a day pass, which is $25 a day or $60 for the weekend.

With the day pass, your vehicle must be removed each day by 2:30 a.m. Illegally parked vehicles may be ticketed or towed.

You can purchase parking when you arrive with cash or card.

An ADA-accessible parking lot is available to those with an ADA Parking Permit. In addition to your permit, you will need to purchase day parking. When you arrive at the festival, please make sure your permit is visible and you’ll be directed to the ADA lot.

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The clear bag policy is in effect. You may bring a clear plastic bag up to 14" x 14" into the festival area. You may also bring a one-gallon disposable freezer bag and a small clutch no larger than 4.5" x 6.5."

Camera bags, large purses, backpacks and coolers are forbidden in the festival area.

If you're camping, you can still bring larger opaque bags to your campsite, but you must adhere to the new policy when you pass through security to the stages.

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Those with additional medical equipment are encouraged to visit the medical building for assistance.

All items and patrons are subject to additional inspection prior to entering the venue.

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Country Thunder has a variety of food vendors, as well as full bars serving beer, cocktails, soda and water.

All food vendors and bars accept credit cards. If you’re paying with cash, you will need to visit one of the blue ticket booths, located inside the concert bowl, to exchange your cash for food or drink tickets.

Alcohol ID wristbands are required to purchase alcoholic drinks.

The campground information booth, located in the campgrounds near the general store, is open from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday, April 13 to Sunday, April 16.

Showers are available in the campground from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday, April 12, through Sunday, April 16. Showers are $10 a shower, cash only.

Upholstered household furniture is not allowed in the campgrounds. If you bring any to the festival site, you will be fined $100. Arrangements can be made to have that fine returned by removing the offending furniture.

These are the other Country Thunder Arizona campsite rules:

Campers are encouraged to bring trash bags to the festival, pick up their trash and keep their campsites clean.

Bags should be placed in the large dumpsters found at the end of each camping row.

Owners of trash-filled sites will be subject to a fine and may have renewal rights suspended.

Additional trash bags are available from campground staff or at the campground office.

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Reach the reporter at [email protected] or 602-444-4495. Follow him on Twitter @EdMasley.

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