The Wilkesboro Wastewater Treatment Plant becomes one of several host campgrounds for Merlefest Music Festival and is sponsored by the Wilkesboro Fire Department. It was started in 1998 and the campers that stay with us have dubbed it “Sewerfest”.

Our campground is located about 2 miles east of Wilkes Community College just off US Hwy 421 at 700

Snyder Street, Wilkesboro, NC 28697. We have 69 acres of land and use the majority of it for camping. The Town of Wilkesboro Wastewater Treatment Plant is also located on the same property but we have never had any complaints about any odors in the 10 years of hosting campers for Merlefest. Most visitors say the area looks more like a park rather than a sewer plant.

We have approximately 450 tent sites and 150 RV sites that have electric (30 amp) hookups. We also have a dumpsite that you can empty your holding tanks before hitting the road. There are several yard hydrants around the grounds for your convenience to fill your water storage or other containers.

We are famous for our late night music pickin’ sessions of our guests. You have music to enjoy at the festival itself and at the campgrounds. Be sure to bring your instruments and join in the fun!

We offer firewood to all campers and free shuttle service to and from the festival. A local church provides the shuttle buses and the drivers greatly appreciate any donations that are received. These proceeds are put in a fund by the church for their Youth Fund. Shuttles run hourly to and from the festival locations.

Wilkesboro Fire Department also offers two heated & air conditioned shower houses that have all the hot water anyone could ask for.

The firemen have food for sale while festival is in swing. They have hot wings, hotdogs, and hamburgers for sale each day. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings, fresh biscuits are available with country ham, sausage and tenderloin. In addition, we also sell Pepsi products and ice for your coolers.

There have been people from almost all 50 states to stay with us. We almost always have people from Finland, France, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Japan, England, Canada and Australia. The different range of people we have here at the campground come from all walks of life including firemen, service technicians, doctors, lawyers, business owners, insurance adjusters, law enforcement, college students to retired couples and any walk in between. We also have some visitors that devote their lives to following music festivals all over the country.

The cost for a tent site is $65.00 per week for the event and $125.00 for a RV site with electric (30-amp) hookup. The RV Sites do not have water or sewer hookups; however, you can fill your water when you arrive and dump waste prior to hitting the road.

If you are interested in making reservations, Please complete the camping form and mail payment to Town of Wilkesboro, Attn: Camping, PO Box 1056, Wilkesboro, NC 28697.

For any additional information, you can contact Mike Testerman by email or call (336) 667-2391 Ext 21. We accept US Currency only by check or money order – no foreign currency is accepted. All proceeds go to the Wilkesboro Fire Department as a fundraiser for the Retired Firemen’s Fund.

Official Merlefest Website  Campground Map Camping Registration Form

CAMPGROUND COORDINATOR