Each year, legions of electronic music enthusiasts in spectacular outfits descend upon New York City’s urban jungle with smiles as bright as lasers cutting through a dance club’s dry ice fog. The reason? The Electric Zoo Festival is once again in town, and they don’t want to miss a moment of the energy!
Attending Electric Zoo is like nothing else around. It offers a unique opportunity for both electronic music fanatics, as well as those unfamiliar with the genre to experience what many consider one of the music world’s best electronic music festivals in one of the world’s greatest cities!
And guess what? You, too, can see and enjoy the energy and innovation that makes the Electric Zoo Festival an electrifying Big Apple event celebrating life, love, community, and music first-hand! What’s more, you can do it while traveling in an RV!
What and When is Electric Zoo 2023?
The Electric Zoo Festival celebrated electronic music’s greats as well as its fans and held its inaugural gathering in 2009 with 26,000 attendees. Two years later, attendee numbers had ballooned to more than 85,000 revelers. Aside from a break during the COVID-19 pandemic, attendance has remained high at Electric Zoo each year since ‘09.
In 2022, more than 100,000 electronic music fans went to the Electric Zoo Festival over Labor Day weekend to celebrate its 13th anniversary; similar numbers are surely expected for Electric Zoo 2023, which will be held September 1-3, 2023.
Where is the Electric Zoo Festival?
Just like every year it has been held, Electric Zoo 2023 will be held on NYC’s Randall’s Island, a small island mostly made up of park land. It’s located just east of Manhattan, in the East River, and all vehicular access to the island is via the Robert F. Kennedy Triborough Bridge.
You can also take a ferry to Randall’s Island for the Electric Zoo Festival to create unique lasting memories!
What is This Year’s Electric Zoo Lineup?
Electric Zoo 2023’s lineup has yet to be announced, but you can get an idea of who you might see from 2022’s lineup. Diplo had a sunset set, and Porter Robinson DJ’d on the first day as well, while legendary DJ Armin Van Buuren was there on day two.
And those were just some of the headliners; the event spanned three days, with dozens of acts and performers to choose from during that time, including Carl Cox and Martin Garrix on the third and final day.
Is It Only About the Music?
If it were just about the music, then that might be enough for many. Having said that, the Electric Zoo is about more than just the music. There are art installations and other exhibits, along with food and drink.
What’s more, each individual stage can be considered a work of art itself, showcasing just how much thought goes into a celebration of what many dismiss as a fringe music genre (when it is anything but that). It’s truly an art form, and Electric Zoo proves it.
Can You Travel to the Electric Zoo 2023 in an RV?
Yes, you can travel to New York City for the 3-day festival in an RV, but there’s a caveat: You can’t stay on the festival grounds in an RV.
Don’t worry; they’re not picking on RV campers; it just so happens that Randall’s Island Park is not all that big, and it simply doesn’t have the facilities to support campers of any kind. Yes, that’s right, there is no onsite camping for any attendees of Electric Zoo 2023, whether or not they’re in RVs! So, what options do you have?
While the Big Apple itself isn’t exactly known for being RV-friendly, there are RV campgrounds in the NYC metro area, meaning you don’t have to stay too far from the action. Where to stay for Electric Zoo 2023? Here are a few options for RV campers!
Otherwise known as Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, this campground has several dozen RV sites open from April to October each year. It’s part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, which includes three NYC boroughs and parts of New Jersey.
When you’re not at the Electric Zoo, you can go hiking, fishing, and biking at Camp Gateway or visit former Nike missile sites and Civil War-era forts.
While staying here, you’re just a public bus ride (on the Q35) from the Flatbush Av/Ryan Visitors Center subway station, which connects you to the rest of Gotham.
If you don’t mind going a bit further afield (specifically, to New Jersey), then this RV park in Jersey City is another great option. This campground is open year-round and offers a spectacular view of the Statue of Liberty.
You’re not as cut off from the Big Apple as you might think at Liberty Harbor RV Park; in fact, you’re just 15 minutes from big city action. There are PATH trains and ferries available, and you can also take the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail to other New Jersey locales, ferries, and PATH stations.
Just east of New York City, you’ll find Long Island’s Nassau County and, with it, two different campgrounds that RV travelers can take advantage of.
Both Nickerson Beach Campground and Battle Row Campground are run by the Nassau County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Museums, and you need a reservation for both beforehand. They offer an escape from the hustle and bustle before, during, or after the Electric Zoo that you may find you very much need!
Nickerson Beach Campground is located in Lido Beach, NY, which is to the southeast of NYC’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. Battle Row Campground is situated in the hamlet of Old Bethpage, in the Oyster Bay area — a bit of a further trek from the city.
You can get into New York City itself from both locales via the Long Island Rail Road, either from the Long Beach station (for those staying at Nickerson) or several LIRR stops for those making use of the Battle Row campground.
Should You Go to Electric Zoo 2023 in an RV?
Is it really worth the trouble to take an RV for Electric Zoo 2023, given that you have to stay outside of the venue? Absolutely! It’s no secret that accommodations in New York and its environs aren’t exactly cheap, and you may not always get your money’s worth. But, staying in an RV — wherever you end up parking it overnight?
Well, that allows you to stay in familiar surroundings of your own choosing, and for a decent price!
RVs Give You a Chance to Explore the Area
What’s more, you’re not just an average tourist in town for Electric Zoo when you go there in an RV. You’re already more mobile than those flying in and having to rent a car or only rely on public transportation to see the sights. You can drive to the region in comfort, arrive as early as you want, and take your time exploring while you’re there, either before or after.
Traveling to Electric Zoo 2023 in an RV gives you freedom other electronic music fans don’t have and has other benefits, too. Overall, taking an RV on a road trip to the Electric Zoo festival simply makes sense while saving you cents!
Go to Electric Zoo 2023 in a Cruise RV!
Now that you know what’s in store for you if you go to Electric Zoo 2023 in an RV and where to stay for Electric Zoo, what’s next? Assuming you already have your tickets and passes for this year’s Electric Zoo, you need an RV — and Cruise America has just the vehicles for you!
Whether you’re looking for a camper or a full-size rig, Cruise America’s RV rental selection is second to none. Cruise’s fleet of RVs is packed with modern amenities sure to make all the difference as you enjoy Electric Zoo 2023 and all else that the New York City area has to offer.
Are you ready to get on the road to Electric Zoo 2023 in an RV? Get in touch with Cruise America today!