Hinterlands Music Festival: A Rural Retreat for Music Lovers
Set against the backdrop of Iowa’s rolling hills, Hinterland Music Festival is gearing up for its 10th anniversary celebration from August 1–3, 2025, in Saint Charles, just 30 minutes south of Des Moines. Described as a weekend for those who love music and the outdoors, the three-day event offers a single-stage experience (so you don’t miss any sets), late-night campground sets, and camping options nestled in the countryside.
The Hinterland Music Festival 2025 Lineup
The Hinterlands 2025 lineup is the genre-diverse combination of sounds that calls to us. Pop and Americana are set to take center stage for the three days of the festival. Here are some highlights:
Headliners
Tyler, the Creator (Friday)
Visionary rapper, producer, and fashion icon Tyler, the Creator headlines Friday with his signature blend of genre-bending hip-hop, jazz, and soul influences. Known for explosive performances and deeply conceptual albums like IGOR and Call Me If You Get Lost, his shows are part concert, part theatrical experience. This marks his first appearance at Hinterland and adds a bold energy to the festival’s opening night. It’s also a chance for a redo for those of us that missed Tyler at Bonnaroo due to the rain!
Kacey Musgraves (Saturday)
Kacey Musgraves returns to Hinterland with her shimmering mix of country, folk, and pop, bridging Nashville roots and modern storytelling. Since her breakout with Golden Hour, she’s become one of the genre’s most progressive voices, using lush arrangements and personal lyricism to draw in fans far beyond country radio. Based on our past experiences catching Musgraves live, the set is expected to spotlight both timeless hits and share her more recent material that has propelled her to even wider popularity.
Lana Del Rey (Sunday)
Sunday’s closer, Lana Del Rey, brings a haunting and cinematic sound shaped by Americana, noir pop, and confessional songwriting. With albums like Born to Die, Norman Fucking Rockwell!, and Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd, her influence spans over a decade of mood-driven music. Her performance style is immersive, often blending nostalgia with quiet grandeur.
Note: As of now, Sunday-only General Admission and VIP tickets are sold out. So if you’re hoping to sing along to “Summertime Sadness” with Lana Del Rey this summer, you’ll need to grab a 3-Day pass—and with limited availability remaining, it’s best to act fast before those are gone too.
The Undercard
Hinterland’s undercard offers strong depth and discovery appeal. Artists like Sierra Ferrell, Still Woozy, Wyatt Flores, and Glass Beams span genres from roots to psych-pop, while rising acts like Gigi Perez, Michael Marcagi, Royel Otis, and Rebecca Black round out a lineup that leans into indie variety.
Late-night Campfire Stage acts haven’t been announced yet, but past years suggest it will continue as a place for after-hours sets in the campground.
Expected Future Announcements From Hinterland 2025:
While the main lineup is out, some details are still on the horizon:
- Campfire Stage performers
- Daily set times
- Vendor lineup
The festival sticks to a single-stage model, so there’s no need to worry about overlapping sets—but those day-by-day details will help attendees plan their arrival times, meals, and after-dark plans.
How to Attend
*Note: camping or lodging is not included when you purchase a ticket. Details regarding camping are below
Ticket Information:
Hinterland 2025 offers both 1-Day and 3-Day passes, giving attendees flexibility whether they’re coming for a single headliner or the full weekend experience. Tickets are available now via the Hinterland ticketing page, with options across General Admission (GA), VIP, and SAINTS tiers. The festival had payment plans earlier in the process, but those have closed with the festival rapidly approaching.
Children 10 and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult, making it a family-friendly option.
VIP tickets include all GA benefits, plus elevated perks:
- Premium Viewing Area near the stage
- Shaded Premium Lounge with seating, misting fans, and free water
- Air-conditioned restrooms
- Private full-service bar and exclusive food vendors
- Dedicated lines for entry, merch, and showers
- VIP concierge service
- Commemorative festival T-shirt
SAINTS tickets (21+ only) are the most exclusive option, adding luxury and convenience:
- Access to the elevated Saints viewing deck and air-conditioned lounge
- Complimentary drinks within the premium area
- Catered lunch and dinner each day in the Premium Lounge
- Included premium parking pass, shuttle pass, and Saints tent camping pass
- Golf cart transportation between camping and parking
- Concierge service and a limited edition screen-printed poster
New in 2025, Hinterland is offering a “Free Look” policy for all 3-Day VIP and SAINTS ticketholders. After scanning into the festival grounds, guests have one hour to decide if the premium amenities meet expectations. If not, they can visit the premium concierge tent to request a return. To qualify, attendees must scan in before 6 pm on Friday, August 1, and the tickets must have been purchased directly from AXS.com. The Free Look policy does not apply to 1-Day, camping, parking, or shuttle passes. Full information about the Free Look program for VIP and Saint tickets is available on Hinterland’s website here.
As noted above, Sunday 1-Day General Admission and VIP tickets are sold out. There is currently a waitlist that you can join here.
Camping and Lodging
Tent Camping
Tent Camping is the most traditional option—set in a car-free area near the Campfire Stage, it offers a communal feel and first-come, first-serve space. You’ll walk in your gear from a nearby lot unless arriving by shuttle. Each ticket is sold per tent (up to 8 people), and you’ll need a separate $50 parking pass if arriving by car. A gear drop zone is available Friday during daylight hours.
Car Camping
Car Camping provides the convenience of parking right at your campsite, with a 20’ x 20’ spot for your vehicle and tent setup. It’s a straightforward option with less hauling and more flexibility. RVs and fuel generators are not permitted in this area.
RV Camping
RVs have two options:
- Powered RV Campground ($950) with 50-amp hookups
- Non-Powered RV Campground ($600)
Each 20’ x 40’ site includes one RV sticker for entry, and all campers must have admission tickets. Generators are allowed, but there are no water or sewage hookups. No RV deliveries are permitted, and there is no re-entry once your RV exits. Want to park next to friends? Arrive together.
Glamping
For those blessed with a festival-sized budget, Hinterland offers Glamping—a pre-set campsite with perks like air-conditioned restrooms, shaded seating, and a cozy Community Space stocked with lawn games, picnic tables, and free hot coffee each morning.
Two packages are available:
- Platinum ($1,800) – A Grand Bell Tent with A/C, cots, and premium furnishings
- Core ($1,250) – A cabin tent setup with sleeping gear and essentials
Both packages include sleeping mats, pillows, power, and basic comforts, but you’ll still need to purchase your festival ticket. Parking is not included, but premium spots are available nearby. Glamping sells out quickly—so act fast if your idea of camping includes electricity and espresso.
Hotel Shuttle from Des Moines
If you’re staying in Des Moines to enjoy the comforts of a hotel room (and maybe a real shower), Hinterland offers a shuttle service to make the commute easy and eco-friendly.
The shuttle runs between Wells Fargo Arena in downtown Des Moines and the festival grounds from 10am to midnight each day, Friday through Sunday. Free parking is available at the arena and surrounding streets.
Shuttle passes are $40 for a 3-Day pass or $25 for a single day. ADA-accessible buses are included in the rotation.
What’s Changing for the 2025 Hinterland Music Festival
While we haven’t been to Hinterland before, it looks like the festival got hit with a bit of a heatwave last year. Also, due to its popular lineups, the crowd has grown over the years. Therefore, Hinterland is rolling out several major improvements:
- Expanded festival grounds, with more room to spread out
- A relocated main stage with increased shade and more water access, including new refill stations and misting fans
- Additional food vendors, including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options
- Improved ADA access, with shaded viewing, better camping, and upgraded parking
- More entrances/exits and better shuttle logistics
New “90 Degree Guarantee”: If weather.gov forecasts a temperature of 90°F or higher for any festival day as of Tuesday, July 29 at 10am CT, ticket holders can request a pre-event refund for that day. Requests must be submitted before 1pm CT on 7/29 using the form at hinterlandiowa.com/tickets. Only tickets purchased through AXS are eligible; camping, parking, and shuttle passes are not included. More information about the 90 Day guarantee is available on the festival’s website here.
This year’s changes show a strong commitment to comfort, sustainability, and keeping the experience fresh—even as the festival grows.
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