SOAK CAMPING VEHICLE (CV) POLICY


Sleeping in a vehicle — whether a traditional motor home, a tow-able camping trailer, a converted schoolie, etc — anywhere on-site at SOAK (regardless of the neighborhood or placement) all require you to have purchased an appropriately sized Camping Vehicle pass in advance. Read on for definitions of what qualifies as a Camping Vehicle, how to determine your required pass size, and how to contact us with questions.

All Camping Vehicles (CV) require a CV pass.  Instructions on how to buy a CV pass are below.  Sizing tiers do not apply to CV’s which will be within a placed theme or support camp’s footprint.

The State of Oregon defines a Camping Vehicle as a “vacation trailer or a self-propelled vehicle or structure equipped with wheels for highway use and that is intended for human occupancy and is being used for vacation and recreational purposes, but not for residential purposes, and is equipped with plumbing, sink or toilet.” (See ORS 446.310)

Theme camp Support Vehicles are distinct from and may not be used as Camping Vehicles. SOAK requires all Support Vehicles to be actively integrated into a placed camp’s infrastructure and interactivity. (See Vehicles in Camps)

Steps to bring a Camping Vehicle (CV) to Soak

Buy the right CV Pass for your CV’s length. Your CV will be measured upon arrival at Gate to be sure you bought the appropriate size pass for your camping vehicle. We use the length that is on your DMV registration (which rounds down to the nearest full foot) to determine which size of pass you are required to have. The sizes are as follows:

Tier I - Camping vehicle - Small - 20’ and under and all CV’s inside a placed theme camp (regardless of actual size)

Tier II - Camping vehicle - Medium - 21’ to 32’

Tier III - Camping vehicle - Large - 33’ and up

You can review the prices for each tier on the Tickets Page.

  1. Camping vehicles should be measured from bumper to tongue to determine length.

  2. If you plan to camp in a designated CV area, email rv@soakpdx.com for further placement information.

  3. If you plan to camp inside the footprint of a placed theme camp you still need to purchase a CV Pass, but you do not need to take further steps. Be ready to show your CV pass and the name of your theme camp when you arrive at Gate.

  4. If your plans change after purchasing a non-refundable CV Pass, email rv@soakpdx.com for more information.  

  5. CV Passes are transferable with some exceptions.  If you have bought the wrong pass or think an exception should be made due to your circumstances, please email rv@soakpdx.com. 

CV’s within a Theme Camp

Camping vehicles which will be placed within the boundaries of a placed camp must still buy a CV pass. Placed camp CV passes are not based on vehicle size – all theme camp DGS passes are considered Tier I, regardless of the length or make of the vehicle/trailer. CV Passes in a placed theme camp are refundable but are generally non-transferable.  Email rv@soakpdx.com for more information.

CV’s in Designated CV Areas

Camping vehicles that are not associated with a theme camp must park in a designated CV area. CV Area’s include:

  • Meadow

  • Other areas as determined by Placement and RV Wizard 

Re-sales and Transfers

CV passes can be re-sold, but only to CV’s the same size or smaller than the pass size dictates: A large CV pass can be transferred to a medium or small CV; A smaller CV pass cannot be transferred to a larger CV.

Theme Camps wishing to exchange or transfer CV Passes must email rv@soakpdx.com. 

FAQs 

Can I camp in my car that has the seats permanently removed?
No, there is no car camping at SOAK and you must meet the State of Oregon definition of a Camping Vehicle. 

I am a volunteer, do I get a free/included Camping Vehicle pass?
No, you must purchase one in the Main Sale or via the Ticket Exchange. 

I have a tiny teardrop trailer. Can I camp in the event core and not in the Meadow?
It’s possible: limited area inside the event core (as determined by Placement and RV Wizard) will be made available on a first-come, first-parked basis, until full. We highly recommend arriving as early as you can to increase your chances.

When can I buy my CV pass?
We will have them available for purchase in the Main Sale (date found on the Ticket Page), and if somehow we have space remaining, we will add additional passes to the OMG Sale in May. 

How do I determine what size CV pass to purchase?
SOAK uses the vehicle length you provided the DMV when registering your camping vehicle. The Oregon DMV measures:

  • “Campers” by the overall exterior length from the extreme front to the extreme rear, not just their floor length. 

  • Travel trailers from the front of the trailer hitch to the rear of the trailer. 

  • Motor home length based on the total length, not just interior living space. 

  • Any fraction is rounded down to the nearest full foot. 

See Oregon DMV Vehicle Types, Chapter L or Motor Home Registration for more information. 

All Soak policies are reviewed and updated annually.