General Information
If you have any questions feel free to email us at events@wisteria.org.
Campground and Boundaries
The campground area is only a small part of Wisteria’s 620 acres. Do not stray from the clearly marked campground areas shown on the map. Other areas of the land are off limits because they are private sites, rugged terrain or are part of the wildlife habitat/nature preserve areas. Wisteria land has many cliffs and ravines and other natural features. Loose footing on unfamiliar ground can result in catastrophe. Note that during some events, lower campground areas may be clothing optional.
Gatehouse Hours and Policies
About Our Gatehouse
Our gatehouse is located on the main gravel entrance road, on the left hand side of the road, before the shower house. During most events, the gatehouse is our box office, where you will check in or buy tickets. If you are coming in for the first time to register, pull off to the side onto gravel as directed by gatehouse staff, and come into the gatehouse to register. If you are returning, show your wristband or badge to gatehouse staff, and they will let you through. If the barrier arm gate is down, the gatehouse staff will open it for you. Wait until it is fully open to drive through.
When leaving the campground, the barrier arm will open automatically once your vehicle is close. If it does not, stop and ask the gatehouse staff for help, or use the radio on the gatehouse porch to call for Security.
DO NOT try to drive through the barrier arm, you will be responsible for any damages.
Box Office Ticket Sales
During most events, you can buy tickets at the gate house. We accept cash, card, and most tap to pay services. We highly encourage you to purchase your tickets online, in advance, because on-site box office ticket prices at the gate house are higher, and registration takes longer. See the event page / website for online ticket sales links.
Gatehouse Hours
Our gatehouse is open from 10am to 10pm for most events. Some events may have different hours, make sure to check the event’s website or literature. If you arrive outside normal gate hours in a car or small vehicle and the barrier arm is down, stop your vehicle, and walk up to the gatehouse porch. There will be a radio for you to call Security, and an instruction sign. Someone will be up to let you in, or find a space for you to stay for the night until you can set up camp.
If you need to arrive after hours in an RV, bus, or other large vehicle, please contact us as soon as you can, by emailing events@wisteria.org of calling us at 740-742-4302. Parking large vehicles in the dark is dangerous to people and property, so we may require you to park temporarily at the showerhouse parking lot until the morning.
If you would prefer to wait until morning to come in, the Albany rest stop is about 15 minutes from our campground, located on 50/32, just past Albany headed for Athens.
Registration at Community Weekends
The gatehouse is usually closed during community weekends and other small gatherings. If the barrier arm is down, stop at the gate house and call for staff on the radio. If the barrier arm is up, drive through, go to the bottom of the hill, and turn left. Stop when you see the pole barn building with the green roof (the Pavilion). A Wisteria staff member will check you in at the Pavilion or the Office.
After Hours Staff Access
Certain staff members, third party vendors, and service providers may be given after-hours access to pass through the entrance gate. If you have a push-button remote, open the gate by pressing the button, just like a garage door opener. If you have an access code, enter it on the PIN pad that is mounted to the gatehouse. The exit sensor will open the gate automatically when you leave.
Camping
Most camping at Wisteria is primitive tent camping. Please take good care of your campsites and practice Leave No Trace principles, removing all ropes and cleaning up trash when you leave. Please use light-colored marking material to flag your ropes and tent stakes. Be aware that centrally located areas may be noisy well into the night; for a quieter camping experience, consider remote woods camping in the Pines. For a full list of campground rules and regulations, see our Campground Rules page.
Vehicles
During most events, if you are camping in your vehicle or wish to keep it parked at your campsite, you will need a parking pass. To avoid damage to our roads and land, please do not drive once you have unpacked and parked your car.
Camper vans and recreational vehicles are permitted, but there are no septic or water hookups, and electrical hookups are limited. You may be directed to a designated location for RVs. To reserve an RV spot for an event, you must register and pay in advance online.
Please do not bring motorized vehicles for driving on-site. Bicycles are encouraged. Bicycle travel may be temporarily restricted when campground roads are wet. Staff vehicles (such as utility vehicles and golf carts) will be operating throughout the event, and golf cart bus service may be available at some events.
Minor Children
Kids are welcome! Kids under 3 are free, but we’ll need to register them. Kids age 3 and up will need tickets. During our events, discounted rates are available for children 3-12. Please note, all attendees under 18 will need to have a responsible adult on site at all times. If the responsible adult is not the child’s parent or legal guardian, you will need a Parental Permission Form signed by the parent/guardian for each minor child present without a parent or legal guardian. Contact events@wisteria.org for more information on guardians and what is required.
WiFi and Cell Service
Please be considerate when using cell phones and radios. Many enjoy being unplugged for the week and do not welcome the intrusion of the outside world. Cell phone signals are improving all the time. WiFi Internet is currently available from Stone Circle to Pirates Cove in the lower campground, and from the Gate House to Shower House in the upper campground.
Creatures Great and Small
Insect repellent may be needed to repel mosquitoes in wetter months. Check your body daily for ticks. Keep food stored securely with lids to discourage raccoons, ants, and other creatures from visiting camp. Be careful around wood piles and downed trees, as these may be habitats for wildlife. Please treat all local wildlife and insects with respect and remain calm if you have encounters. if you are concerned about an encounter please contact Wisteria Security for assistance, so that no harm comes to campers or resident wildlife.
Disability and Medical Needs
Wisteria is a rustic licensed campground and may not be suitable depending on your condition and level of mobility. If you have special needs, please call (740-742-4302) or email (events@wisteria.org) prior to registering to see if we can accommodate your needs.
Fires and Firewood
Firewood is sold from the Wisteria Market and when open from Caffeina’s Coffee House. Carts are available. To avoid infestation from invasive insects, do not bring in firewood from other areas! No firewood is to be harvested from the forests of Wisteria, except for small dead twigs and branches. DO NOT dig fire pits. A limited number of community fire rings are available for sharing. Do not leave unattended fires burning (this includes lamps and candles). In wooded camping sections, use only established fire rings and circles.
Absolutely no fires in the pine forest!!!
Should a fire get out of hand, immediately shout for help, and call security on duty. Fire extinguishers are available at Caffeina’s Cafe and throughout the campground on poles underneath RED fire buckets. Keep water handy near fires. Please use caution when kindling fires of any size, and be careful with candles, torches and cigarettes.
FRS Radios
The Wisteria staff uses FRS radios to communicate and keep the event running smoothly. If your party uses these radios, please use only even-numbered channels and reserve the odd-numbered channels for staff use. During events run by other organizations, please channels used by either Wisteria staff or their organization staff.
Water and Wastewater
Potable water is available throughout the campground from spigots and frost-proof hydrants. Please note, these are water hydrants, not pumps! Use the small green spigot valves to obtain water; do not attempt to use the large blue handles (they will be taped or locked open throughout events). You may attach a hose only if you provide a tee and vacuum breaker. RV / Camper water hookups are not permitted.
Greywater in the campground is treated by a constructed wetland. To ensure its continued health, please avoid using phosphate-containing soaps or shampoos. Dump kitchen greywater into the blue buried greywater buckets throughout the campground. Do not remove the mesh tops or dump trash into the greywater pits.