Fort Desolation Fest Brings Music To The Mountains
Coming June 8 – 10, 2023, at the Capitol Reef National Park
The Third Annual Fort Desolation Fest Brings Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Shakey Graves, The White Buffalo, Morgan Wade, and many more to Torrey, Utah
Fort Desolation Fest is back this June 8-10, giving attendees three days to explore the Capitol Reef National Park area and three nights to enjoy live music in the red rocks of Cougar Ridge Resort.
A Small Festival with a Big Lineup
Many music festivals can be daunting with their crushing crowds, long lines, and the struggle of getting anywhere near the stage. Fort Desolation fest performers are world-class, but the capacity is limited, so everyone can get reasonably close to the music, whether their tickets are GA or VIP. This year’s artists include:
Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Shakey Graves, The White Buffalo, Morgan Wade, Houndmouth, Jamestown Revival, Madison Cunningham, The Brothers Comatose, Parker Millsap, along with Pixie & The Partygrass Boys.
“We want everything about our festival to create a premium experience. This year’s lineup is next-level, the Capitol Reef area is always magnificent, and the festival property—Cougar Ridge Resort—is breathtaking. We’re not interested in letting this festival get too big. We want just the right crowd size and energy to maintain our vibe,” said Jeremy Rawle, Founder of Fort Desolation.
National Park Adventures
Fort Desolation Fest takes place just a few miles from Capitol Reef National Park, one of Utah’s “Mighty Five” national parks. The music is at night, so attendees have three days to craft their own adventures in the awe-inspiring red-rock cliffs, canyons, domes, and arches of the surrounding landscapes. From hiking to fly-fishing to cycling to off-roading, there’s something for everyone in the area.
Campground Vibes
The on-site campground, just a short walk from the stage, has become a legendary experience in recent years. From after-hours jams with festival artists to campsite cook-offs to stargazing in this International Dark Sky Community, there’s so much to love. Camping spots typically sell out fast. And for those who are more “indoorsy,” there’s plenty of other lodging in and around Torrey.
“The campground scene is my favorite part of this festival. You see people inviting their neighbors over for food and drinks, showing off their latest rig builds, throwing frisbees and having fun. They show up as perfect strangers and leave as new best friends. The most anticipated element in the campground is which artist is going to appear on the after-hours stage. It’s always a surprise,” said Rawle.
Adventure Travel Expo
Each day, top brands will show off their latest, greatest products for vehicle-supported adventure travelers in the on-site adventure travel expo. Whether it’s a ruggedized travel trailer, campfire cooking equipment or the just-right rack for carrying gear, attendees can explore some of the best outdoor products on the market.
Volunteer Opportunities
Local volunteers can exchange volunteer hours for a music pass. And traveling volunteers can volunteer for a music pass and a spot in the volunteer campsite.
Passes and camping spots are on sale now at https://fortdesolation.com/fest/
Email any questions to info@fortdesolation.com.
About Fort Desolation
Fort Desolation isn’t a place. It’s the notion that the road can always take you somewhere wonderful—where you can climb a mountain, soak in a secret swimming hole, gaze at a starry sky and get as lost as you want to be. That’s what inspires us as we create gatherings and goods for outdoor adventure travelers, music lovers and everyone in between.
