Plan Your Journey

Arrival & Entry

Each ticket must be assigned to a unique name and email address. If you have extra tickets on your User Portal, you will need to transfer them to your friends prior to arriving at the gate.

Wait times to get into the festival are variable and difficult to predict. It could be as little as a few minutes (more likely from Friday onwards) or several hours. If you arrive for Early Entry, be prepared for long wait times (between 6 and 12 hours) as Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are our highest volume entry days.

Come prepared for the heat of the day. We recommend having sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, appropriate clothing for day and night temperatures, lots of water (4L per person), at least one substantial meal, and snacks. For extra comfort, consider keeping a couple ice packs and a spray bottle (to mist yourself and others) in your cooler. Above all be patient, you’re only moments away from home.

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Festival Map

Prepare to share the Shambhalove!

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DOWNLOAD MAP

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Shuttles

Need a ride to or from the festival? Skip the line and book an official Shambhala Shuttle.

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Book Shuttle

What is the Salmo River Ranch address?

Salmo River Ranch

7790 Hwy 3

Salmo, BC

V0G 1Z0, Canada

Will there be security checks?

Yes, every vehicle is subject to a thorough security check. Please ensure you read through our banned items list before you leave for Shambhala.

Does Shambhala have an age limit?

Yes, Shambhala is a 19+ event. 19 is the Age of Majority in the province of British Columbia. Regardless of the laws in your home province, country or state, you are not considered an adult in BC until you are 19. IDs will be checked and unfortunately, no exceptions will be made.

I want to arrive early. Can I?

Please see our FAQs for more information on arriving early. Arriving before our team can process you can cause a number of issues, including strain on neighbouring communities, as well as increased stress on our crew.

I’m crossing the border from the USA. What do I need to do?

Please review the border crossing information and requirements specific to the port of entry you are planning to use. If you have any questions about crossing the border, you can visit CBSA’s website.

Where are the nearest border crossings?

Nelway – 19 km to the festival site.

Waneta – 55 km to the festival site. 

Paterson – 79 km to the festival site. 

Click here for a full list of British Columbia/US border crossings.

I’m driving to Shambhala, any tips?

We can’t wait to welcome you! Shambhala Music Festival is accessible by a dirt road off Highway 3, 6 km east of Salmo, BC. We recommend you make sure that your vehicle is in good working order, as the road can be rough. RCMP roadblocks on the way into Salmo are common during the festival, and your car may be taken off the road if it does not meet safety standards. Make sure you fill your gas tank before you enter the festival grounds and clean or replace your air filter before heading home, these roads are dusty!

Can I sleep at a rest stop on the way to Shambhala Music Festival?

Rest stops on the highway are not designed for long or overnight stays, and are monitored by the RCMP. 

I want to carpool to Shambhala but I’m not sure where I can find other farmily members hitting the road?

If you’re looking to arrive by car, but are conscious of your environmental footprint, we encourage carpooling! Here are some resources to help you connect with fellow farmily members.

Shambhala Rideshare Facebook Community Group

Kootenay Rideshare Board

Will Shambhala be running shuttles to and from the festival?

Yes! We’re thrilled to be offering shuttles from Vancouver, Kelowna, Spokane and Calgary. Shuttles can be purchased here.

 There is a free shuttle that runs inside the festival grounds between the downtown festival area and the camping/parking lots. Shuttles all around!

Where is the closest airport?

  • Trail, BC – 43 km, approx 50 minutes drive to the festival site
  • Castlegar, BC – 44 km, approx 50 minutes drive to the festival site
  • Cranbrook, BC – 197 km, approx 2.5 hr drive to the festival site
  • Spokane, WA, USA – 272 km, approx 3.5 hr drive to the festival site

With all options, additional ground travel arrangements must be made from the airport. Please consider festival shuttles, rideshares or car rentals.

Lit up stage at Shambhala Music FestivalDancing at Shambhala Music Festival

Plan Your Journey

The Salmo River Ranch

Fun Fact: During the festival, Shambhala Music Festival becomes the largest city in the West Kootenay region!

Shambhala Music Festival is held on the Salmo River Ranch, a beautiful refuge of forest and farm hidden away in the Salmo River valley in the West Kootenay region of Southern British Columbia. The nearest gas station, grocery stores and restaurants are in Salmo, BC (approximately 12km from the festival site). For greater food and shopping selection, we recommend visiting nearby Nelson, BC (47 km from the festival site) and Shambhala’s own Savoy Hotel, featuring 12 boutique hotel rooms with a rooftop hot tub and indoor cedar sauna. Bloom Nightclub is also located below the hotel - please visit their Facebook page for upcoming events. Make sure you fill up on gas before you arrive at Shambhala to make sure you have enough fuel for leaving the festival on Monday.

Plan Your Journey

Going Home

To ensure that all of our guests get home safely and in a timely manner, Shambhala Music Festival asks that you are prepared.

Tips

Here are some tips for a safe drive home:

  • Schedule a departure time for you and any farmily you’re taking home with you.
  • Plan a Designated Driver, especially if you have to leave on the Monday. As designated driver you commit to getting at least 8 hours of sleep before departure. Prepare for police roadblocks on your way out.
  • Designate a co-pilot who’ll stay awake with the driver. As co-pilot, it’s your job to engage your driver and watch for signs of sleepiness behind the wheel. Sing them songs, give them navigation tips and make sure they’re drinking plenty of water.
  • Consider local hotel/motel/camping options if you have a long drive home ahead of you. If you plan on staying in Nelson, Salmo, or Castlegar be sure to book ahead. Places are usually booked out in advance to the festival.]

We love you all, and encourage you to take these steps when leaving our festival, or any festival.

Not ready to go home?

We welcome all guests of Shambhala Music Festival to check out Bloom Nightclub in beautiful Nelson, BC. Bloom Nightclub is an extension of Shambhala’s commitment to providing you incredible music and ambiance, and a great place to decompress after your time on the farm. Keep the Shambhala vibes alive at Bloom — and stay tuned for après Shambhala event updates.

For more information on visiting Nelson, head to the Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism website here.

Plan Your Journey

Packing List

The best way to find out what to pack is to talk to people who have been before. You can reach out on any of our social media channels. The Shambhala Music Festival Farmily Facebook Group is a great place to connect and reach out to past attendees for tips!

For packing inspiration, download Rave Mom's Festival Packing List.

Below find some general tips for packing:

EXPAND ALL

Camping Gear

Tent, chairs, sleeping bag, tarp, shade structure etc.

Bandana or mask

There is lots of dust flying around the festival site, so make sure to bring something to cover your mouth and nose!

Sunglasses

Look cool and see better.

Water containers

For camp, and while you are out dancing. Free water is available with your own vessel.

Jacket

It can get cold at night, and we want you to be cozy!

Backpack

Cut down on trips to camp by bringing items with you wherever you go on-site.

Food

Our vendors have all sorts of delicious food to offer once you get into the festival, however, we all get a little snacky! There is very limited food available prior to the front gates, so best to over-prepare (more to eat on the trip home!).

Biodegradable shampoos and sunscreens

Be clean, be green.

Flashlight

Outside of the Downtown Area there is limited lighting. Bring a flashlight to see where you’re going and avoid draining your phone battery.

Comfortable footwear

The ground is uneven and rugged. You may be covering long distances on foot, so be sure to have a good pair of walking shoes with you.

Fire extinguisher

Be prepared, not scared!

Bicycles

We encourage guests to bring pedal-powered transportation! We strongly recommended a bike lock if you bring a bike. There are bike racks available Downtown. No rentals are available onsite.

Plan Your Journey

Banned Items

We want our farmily to have a safe and happy time. For that to happen, there are items that need to be left at home.

Alcohol

Shambhala Music Festival is an alcohol-free event. Any found in searches will be confiscated and dumped. Not only does the no alcohol policy make the festival safer – it creates a better vibe.

Whipped Cream Canisters & Cartridges

Whipped Cream Canisters and Cartridges are dangerous to our farm animals when they end up getting left behind. Plus, we all know what you're doing with them!

Drones

For the safety of our guests, crew and artists, drones are not permitted at Shambhala Music Festival. Drones found in searches will be confiscated.

Fire

No campfires or open flames of any kind are permitted on the Salmo River Ranch. It is extremely dry during the summer and provincial fire bans are regularly in effect. Do not bring candles, fireworks, fire poi/hoops/other fire toys, fuel (white gas), tiki torches, propane-powered heaters or propane campfires. You may bring cooking devices (Jet boil, propane camp stoves) but please exercise caution when cooking. We encourage you to use LED and solar light options to light up your camp at night. Smokers, please ensure you bring a pocket ashtray or other small container to dispose of butts. Do not toss your butts on the ground, it could easily start a fire.

Fuel

All types of liquid fuel in open-nozzle containers are banned, including white gas, kerosene, gasoline in jerry cans, and any other forms of combustible liquid fuel. Refillable propane tanks are permitted. Propane or butane cookstoves and containers are permitted. Do not leave camp stoves unattended. Gas-powered fire pits, barbecues, and anything else with an open flame are banned and will be confiscated.

Generators

The use of generators, including those built into RVs is prohibited at Shambhala Music Festival. Generators create noise and air pollution and are not suited for our campgrounds. There is no public access to electricity for personal care (ie: hair dryers) at the Salmo River Ranch. You can charge your phone at the General Store. If you need electricity to charge your electric wheelchair, or have another medical device that requires power, please contact us at info@shambhalamusicfestival.com so we can arrange access for you. View info on Accessibility Zone Camping here.

Glass

Glass is banned to protect you, as well as our beloved cows, horses, ponies, donkeys and dogs who roam the Salmo River Ranch before and after the festivities. Banned glass items include large mirrors, drink containers, decorative glassware, etc.

Lasers

No handheld laser pointers are permitted. Laser pointers can very seriously damage someone’s vision, they do not belong on the dancefloor at eye level.

Illegal Substances

Matters involving illegal substances will be turned over to the RCMP.

Motorized Vehicles

Only authorized Shambhala Music Festival drivers can operate motorized vehicles during the festival. The motorized vehicle ban includes minibikes, golf carts, ATVs, dirtbikes, and any other motorized items. We encourage pedal-powered transportation. Bring your bike. Drones, quadcopters, and other magical flying machines are also banned, and will be confiscated by security if found.

Pets

Shambhala Music Festival is not a suitable environment for pets. Leave your pet at home in the care of someone who loves them or make other boarding arrangements. If you arrive with a pet (including dogs, cats, birds, rats, etc) you will not be given access to the festival, with no exceptions. Legally recognized service animals are permitted, but must be pre-registered with us and must be approved by the landowners prior to arrival. Additionally, all service animals attending the festival must be certified in BC, even if they do not reside here. More information is available here. Emotional support animals, therapy animals, and comfort animals are NOT permitted, apologies.

Weapons

Weapons of any kind are not permitted at Shambhala Music Festival. This includes machetes, knives (including swiss army knives/leatherman tools with blades), swords, guns, axes, baseball bats, etc. Anything that could potentially harm another Shambhala farmily member can be considered a weapon. Cooking knives must be under 6 inches.

Hate Speech

Shambhala Music Festival does not tolerate hate speech of any kind. If you display images or symbols that represent hate, including but not limited to signs, flags or attire, you will be immediately asked to leave. We welcome each and every human being with open arms on the farm regardless of their ability, sexual orientation, gender, sex, age, race, colour, ancestry, aboriginal status, ethnic origin, place of origin, citizenship, marital and family status, immigrant status, political affiliation, religious affiliation, creed, level of literacy, or language. If you notice any signs, etc that display concerning messaging as mentioned above, please notify a Shambhala Music Festival staff member immediately.

Confiscated Items

We will do our best to return confiscated items after the show (except for alcohol, drugs or paraphernalia). However, there is no guarantee that you will get your items back. Shambhala Music Festival does not take responsibility for lost or damaged items. We have hundreds and hundreds of banned items checked into our front gate. The best way to guarantee these items don’t go missing or get damaged is to not bring them in the first place.

Synthetic Feathers & Boas

Synthetic feathers and boas are an environmental hazard and classify as MOOP (Matter Out of Place). These items tend to fall apart very easily and the synthetic feathers are very difficult to clean up. Any garbage that can’t be picked up by us is usually eaten by the cows, which can be harmful to their health. Please leave your synthetic feathers and boas at home.

Indigenous Headdresses

 Indigenous Headdresses are banned from the festival grounds. If you are seen wearing one you will be asked to remove it immediately and may be asked to leave the festival grounds. 

Offensive Totems

We ask that you refrain from bringing signs that contain: profanity, explicit imagery, and messages of discrimination. If you are found with an offensive sign, security reserves the right to remove it, and you will be asked to leave.

Still have a question?

Please contact us via the ShambhaBot or contact page.

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