Hinterland Music Festival, official poster and event artworkSource: official site ↗
St. Charles, IA

Hinterland Music Festival

ConfirmedJul 30 to Aug 1, 2027
Camping, tentIndieAmericana
Buy tickets
Dates
Jul 30 to Aug 1, 2027
Status
Confirmed
Venue
Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater and Event Center
Price
Not announcedPayment plan available
Camping
Available
Last checked
Nov 10, 2026

Hinterland Music Festival returns to St. Charles, IA, Jul 30 to Aug 1, 2027. Froligo tracks ticket prices, camping, attendee feedback and travel details.

The experience

What's special

Hinterland Music Festival is a camping music festival in the Iowa countryside at the Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater and Event Center in St. Charles, about 30 minutes south of Des Moines, set for July 30 to August 1, 2027. Press counted the 2025 edition as its tenth year. The bill mixes established stars with rising acts, and the 2026 festival featured Lorde, Mumford and Sons, Santigold, Wet Leg and beabadoobee. Camping comes in tent, car, RV and glamping styles, with a Campfire Stage for every ticket holder and activities such as disc golf, a silent disco and yoga.

How it works

Tickets are sold through AXS, with a payment plan available from $19.99 down. Festival admission does not include parking, and camping, parking and a Des Moines shuttle are all separate passes. Parking lots open at 9 AM each day and require a window sticker and wristband, which can be collected at the box office with photo ID. Legged chairs, outside food and outside drinks are not allowed in the grounds, and trails link the lots to the venue.

Who it suits

This suits fans of indie, pop and rock who want a festival with on-site camping in a rural setting. Strollers are allowed, and the festival offers a nursing area, a sensory supportive space, an accessible viewing area, ASL interpretation on request and accessible parking and camping. Its code of conduct is zero tolerance for harassment. Summer heat and storms are real factors, so campers should plan for both.

What people love

Reviewers describe a relaxed festival in the rolling Iowa countryside that books established stars alongside up-and-comers. A review of the 2026 edition praised free water stations with short lines, big food portions, local craft beer and a thoughtful vendor village, and a 2025 report covered the festival's effort to recover from earlier heat, crowding and logistics problems. Extreme heat, humidity and sudden storms are the recurring complaints.

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Listen

Tap an artist to play them right here.

No official playlist linked yet. Find Hinterland Music Festival on Spotify.

Lineup

Here's who played in 2026:

Getting there

Nearest airport DSM.

How do I get to Hinterland Music Festival?

By car

Most people drive to Hinterland Music Festival. The nearest major airport is DSM, and from there it is a straightforward drive to the venue. Check current road and traffic conditions before you set off, and see parking below.

By train

No direct passenger rail to the venue was found. Drive, fly in, or use a shuttle instead.

By bus & public transit
DART (Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority), city-level only$1.75 single ride (metro-wide fare, city portion only, irrelevant once beyond the DART service area)

DART's metro bus network reaches Des Moines proper but a dedicated airport route wasn't confirmed, and DART does not reach St. Charles (a small town ~30 min south of the metro), not a practical last-mile mode for this festival.

Book / info
Festival shuttle
Hinterland Des Moines Shuttle (official festival shuttle)~30 min Southridge Mall to festival grounds (per 'approximately 30 minutes south of Des Moines' on the official Getting There page)

The festival's own official shuttle, but note it does NOT depart from DSM airport. It runs between Southridge Mall (1111 E. Army Post Road, Des Moines, pickup/drop-off on the mall's northwest side) and the festival grounds. If you fly in, you'll need a separate DSM-to-Southridge-Mall leg first (rideshare/taxi, about 10-15 min), then this shuttle for the last ~30 min to St. Charles. Runs Thursday-Sunday 10 AM-2 AM, with the last shuttle leaving the festival grounds at 2 AM; peak congestion 1-6 PM and each night at exit. Shuttle passes are digital tickets accessed via the AXS app (the festival's ticketing partner); buses with ADA accommodations are in rotation.

Book / info
Taxi & rideshare
Uber, Lyft, licensed taxi (Des Moines metro.

Standard rideshare/taxi from DSM to Southridge Mall or directly to St. Charles (~30-45 min total depending on drop point). Charles.

Book / info

Taxis and rideshare such as Uber and Lyft can be limited near the venue, especially late at night or in rural areas. Agree a pickup point and time in advance and keep a backup plan.

🅿 Parking

On site parking available. Cost General parking from $30. Premium Parking from $130. Prepay via AXS. Lot access is routed by pass type: North Route via Exit 56 (Box Office, 4-Day General, Premium, ADA, Tent Camping, RV Camping, Rideshare/Dropoffs) vs. South Route via Exit 47 (1-Day Parking, Car Camping). Exit 52 off-ramps are closed for the festival's main run (Thu-Sun) but open for Wednesday early camper arrivals. 1-Day Parking has NO re-entry; 4-Day/Premium/ADA lots allow daylight re-entry. Car Camping/RV Camping parking has no re-entry either.

🚙 Car hire

Compare car hire at DSM

On site parking is available; if you are hiring a car it is worth checking the cost and how early it fills.

Search car hire

Car hire links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.

Where

Map shows the center of St. Charles. The venue's exact point is not confirmed yet.

Venue

The venue has its own page with capacity, accessibility and parking.

Camping & Accommodation

Is there camping at Hinterland Music Festival?

Yes, on site camping is available.

Facilities

✓ Toilets✓ Showers~ ATMs / cash✓ Food~ Coffee~ Power / charging
Camping site types 3
Car / tent

Car Camping: one vehicle per 20'x20' site (vehicle + tent + gear must all fit inside), passenger cars/trucks/vans allowed, RVs and fuel generators explicitly NOT permitted in this tier, no re-entry once parked.

RV

Two RV tiers per the official campgrounds page: Powered RV Campsites (50-amp hookup) and non-powered RV Campsites (no power). No sewage/water hookups at either tier, a mobile pump-out and water-refill service is offered for a fee instead. RVs up to 40 feet permitted.

Van

No separate 'van' product tier exists, official Car Camping rules explicitly include vans alongside cars/trucks under the same 20'x20' Car Camping pass, so passenger/camper vans use that tier rather than a distinct one. Larger camper vans that function like RVs would presumably need the RV Camping tier instead, though this wasn't explicitly stated for van-specific edge cases.

Where can I stay near Hinterland Music Festival?

Airport hotels 3
Hampton Inn Des Moines
🚐 Free airport shuttle🍳 Breakfast

5001 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321

Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates

Check rates
AmericInn by Wyndham Des Moines Airport

1920 Hackley Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50315

Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates

Check rates
Days Inn & Suites Des Moines
🚐 Free airport shuttle🍳 Breakfast

1901 Hackley Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50315

Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates

Check rates

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Accessibility & comfort

The organizer does not publish accessibility details. Ask them directly before you travel about step-free access, accessible toilets, seating and anything else you need.

Pricing

Pricing not yet announced
Payment planAvailable, Payment plans available with $19.99 down

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Quick answers

When is Hinterland Music Festival 2027?

Jul 30 to Aug 1, 2027

Where is Hinterland Music Festival held?

Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater and Event Center, St. Charles, IA.