still attending every year, even the High Times year. glad to see it back and thriving. 2024 was amazing. 2025 is Buju again! see you there

Reggae on the River is place where you can do almost anything you want. You can just camp- jump in river, enjoy the music, food,Just have fun meeting your neighbors in close quarters. Everyone camps Very close to each other so you meet/drink/smoke/eat with a lot of cool chill people. There are a LOTTTT of performers.. if you want to stay up all night and party you can do that.. The party slows down around 6am but starts up a couple hours later and continues till Sunday Night.. At night you can walk around, meet people and go to the late night dances till about 6 am ..the main area music starts around noon and goes till midnight .. Then the after party starts and doesn't end until 6am.. They also have with have a bus guy that takes you to the top of the entrance if you need to go to the store and town to pick up any food/drinks etc free of charge...They also do have showers/ lots of bathrooms on the camp ground that are free so you can use to clean up whenever you like which is awesome.. This is a very family friendly environment. Some people bring kids seen a couple pets.. This is an awesome experience I highly recommend you all to try at least once in your life if you can,, the only part of the trip that was a bummer was all the huge rocks you camp on lol.. Make sure you bring some shoes you don't care about that have good rock grips with you and some strong sandals, I did see a lot of girls break there cheap thin sandals here.. They also have a lot of volunteer workers that are helping out.. the only down side with that is don't expect to get any of your questions answered if you talk to them . It seems like eaech one know something different.. I would just work on training them a little better or having them being more knowledgeable about things.. Other that that this was an awesome event.. It sucks its only once a year Also be very carful coming to this even , there is a horrible two lane freeway you take coming here in the mountains. IT you come into the wring lane just a little bit it could cause a huge bad crash .. read more

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Jerry S. I'm sorry you didn't have a good end to your 2012 ROTR. Having been to many shows in the US and in Europe, I don't know of any concert organizers that are 100% prepared to handle the needs to people with medical needs in the heat of the exit rush, this innevitable rush was why I chose to leave early both nights, but I agree that more shuttles at the end of the show would have been a basic addition. Don't give up on these guys, I'm sure they will be learning from your feedback and that 2013 will impress you :) This was however an amazing ROTR on many levels, the variety of great foods for veggies and meat lovers, the high quality vendors, the unique mellow mood by the river and of course a pretty great line up, Oliver Mtukudzi & Black Spirits was the highlight for me. ROTR remains a blessing and I'm counting the days to next year. My only request to the organizers (and one that I heard many people express at this year's show): 2013, make it One Love, One Stage!! read more

Compared the last years, 2016 and 2017, in 2018, the magic wasn't there! I was bought by "High Times Magazine" and the cut a day off the venue, a Friday entry instead of Thursday and raised the prices of everything related to tickets, entry, camping, RVing by 20% with related ticketing fees. More recorded music. The vendors said they were charged more and sales were down big time. Some vendors left Sunday, it was that bad for them. It was disorganized, which in itself isn't a biggie. The must have spent less on musicians, just wasn't the cool variety. Will pass next year unless they get back on track in pricing and entry. Still loved the river! Note my photos, a lot of folks didn't go for less at more money! read more

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If you like trees and smoking trees and really good music than this is the place for you! I've been 2 years in a row now and will never forget the good times shared. Sample Day- drink all day on the river with a variety of floating devices, via beer bongs and jack daniel shots, around 4pm head up to the bowl to watch steel pulse, come back down take a break to smoke some more, drink more, and take a pill of x, go back up to bowl and watch richie spice kill it, start trippin while you watch the beautiful lights and dance your ass off til 5 am, thats when you sleep until 12pm, wake up in a stupor and start it all over again. This year we had a crew of 15 people and all got along really well, it didn't hurt that there was lots of substances involved to aide in the positive vibes. word from the wise....don't think you are superman. know your limits, cuz it can suck if you trip out ...and nobody wants to babysit you. sample artists- junior gong, stephen marley, ziggy, don carlos, steel pulse, collie budz, sizzla, richie spice, morgan heritage, tanya stephens, buju banton, and more. this is a camping trip. you bring your camping gear and dont shower for 4 days. I like this venue better than other reggae fests b/c its organized and there aren't the annoying kind of hippies that refuse to shave their pits. there are lots of spoiled kids like me there who have mandatory waxing appointments. oh yeah and pack lots and lots lots lots of beer and weed cuz it seems to run out fast. and a smile ofcourse... read more

Still an amazing event put on by a non-profit organization and run by 90% volunteer labor. My favorites this year were Pato Banton & Toots and the Maytals. Next year the show will take place back at it's original location with on-site camping and no need to shuttle bus people back and forth to the campgrounds! Weather could not have been better high 80's with a breeze... Great food vendors and a wonderful family vibe! read more

This is a great party featuring lots of Reggae music (Midnite, Pato Banton, Toots, Lady Saw just scratch the surface), a wide variety of food/craft/merch vendors, local craft beers and wines all served to you by volunteers for the benefit of a great non-profit community center http://mateel.org that serves as the cultural hub of Southern Humboldt. One star off for poor transportation after the show. This won't be an issue next year because we'll all get to camp and make merry together. If that's not your cup of tea then at least the shuttles won't be so crowded. Sara S. This show is run by local volunteers, including some grandparents. That's one of the things I like most about it. Jerry S. I suggest you bring an extra insulin to all day events. Sam S. This is a reggae festival. People generally smoke pot openly at these events. All the ABC regulations were being enforced at the beer gardens to prevent underage drinking. I didn't see any vending of drugs in the parking lots or in the event which is also fairly common place at many festivals. State park Rangers were patrolling the event in addition to volunteer and professional security. They even told a topless lady to put her shirt on when somebody complained. Check out all the negative reviews. All posted by an "S." All out of left field. All with only one review. Same family? Same person? read more

how the fuck am i the first to review this music festival? it is a shame it looks like it is in jeopardy for 2007. that really sucks man. i have gone to this festival for so many years. please you land owners and whatever , and whomever figure your shit out and lets get this festival on. so many friends have been made. so many bowls have been smoked with these said friends. come on people work it out. 5 stars for past years and hopefully for future ones to!!!! read more

So, it's been about 2 weeks since the '13 fest wrapped, and no reviews yet? This was my 2nd ROTR, but 1st @ French's Camp. I arrived on Friday, but the event actually started this year on Thursday (4 days). Overall, I think most would say it was a HUGE success. The one thing that prevented a near-perfect experience was the frustrating SHUTTLE system. If they can work with the Humboldt Co. Sheriff & CHP next year to allow people to orderly cross H-101, this will be nirvana! When I got there Friday around noon, the French's Camp parking lot was already full (thank goodness in a sense, 'cause you pretty much need a 4 wheeler inside the venue). Got my wristband while still inside my vehicle and then was directed to overflow parking across the street @ Richardson Grove RV Campground. This is where I spent several frustrating minutes & hours waiting on the shuttle, which took festival goers on a 30 min. detour-ride simply to cross the street. The parking fee @ French's Camp was supposed to be $40, but Richardson tacked on another $20, so now the fee is $60. I & others were kinda irked bout that, but within 30 minutes of parking, I found a rolled up $20 bill in the grass, so I was even again. Would be highway crossers were warned by festival staff and on-duty police of $300 jaywalking tickets. Finding a place to pitch your tent was a challenge in the boiling afternoon heat! Need to drink lots of water folks. Due to low river flows, there was an advisory to be cautious swimming the Eel river--specifically the blue-green algae--it could be toxic. I chanced it, and saw many others doing the same without incident. Upshot: Just don't swallow the algae! A couple of MUST HAVE items for next year: dust masks & goggles! From the moment you arrive the festival you will be bathed & caked with Millennial dust! Dust to the power of 100###. Plus, if you're smoking herbs too, this can put a mild-to-moderate strain of your windbags. It's really best if you can get here Thursday and set up camp before everyone else streams in. By the time Julian Marley hit the stage Saturday night, the event was pretty much sold out, with last minute festival-goers having to park half a mile or more from the venue along 101. You'll really need to pick your spots in terms of artists that you'd like to see at the fest. Sitting for 12 hours in the H. County sun won't work unless you're a reptile. The festival smartly put up plastic tarp-like sun shades overhead, which were a small blessing, and there were free water refill stations & showers...all very much appreciated. The shower trucks actually worked quite well with hot water too! The artists, and everyone at the fest...total positive vibes mon! I'll never forget it! read more

The organization that puts this on should be put in jail!!! Saturday night following Toots performance, there was a crowd of ? 10,000 people waiting for the "shuttle" bus and it was complete chaos, lack of preparedness and organization. This created a life threatening situation for me and many others. i expected a caravan of buses to pull in to accommodate all these people,. Instead they had one bus pull in at a time and each one was going back to a different campground. There was so much pushing and shoving and panic that was totally unnecessary had the promoters had some form of foresight. I'll sit back and let others describe the situation, but i will tell you a bit more about my experience. I am diabetic and my insulin was at the campsite and I'm stuck with 10,000 other people trying to get back to the campsite but... I'm carrying a 30 lb. backpack and a folding chair. Tired (underestimated) and sweaty and just needing my insulin. I finally pulled that card out in desperation and got on the bus after an hour of being barked at by either sheriffs or security. And you know what the sheriffs did? THEY SPLIT!!!! IT WAS TOO MUCH FOR THEM to handle!! I would never ever go back to that festival!! Other people will surely write about their horrible experience, I'm sure! What a nightmare, it ruined any good feelings for me in terms of the music even though the performances were good! read more

I'am a Guitarist who plays in various bands around the state, I have an emotional support dog. He goes where I go. I spent money to have his credentials so he CAN accompany me. I payed money to have him shipped from Belize. My experience at Reggae on the River was very disturbing. I'am of Moorish ancestry first off... The woman at the bridge was SO rude to me. Not only did I tell her I was performing with Gappy Ranks & I had my dogs credentials, she said Anyone could print that...I replied with the Government number & phone number to call? My wife then tried her luck and got thru, i met her backstage with the dog. I have my dogs card on my t-shirt at this point for ALL to see. 5 more times we were approached the last time I was "ON STAGE" got off and stood up for my rights... Please ROTR do your research... The Yosemite Sam looking guy on the Quad is racist. He was driving reckless and dangerous, and should not be allowed... Just because you have a little bit of authority, don't let it go to your head. read more

Some great Memories were made here! Music all day, camping, and lots and lots of friends, some new and some old but it has always been a fun experience. Its too bad it didnt come around this year but lets hope for next year! read more

Epic fail for your 1st event! In my pictures are my thoughts and anger about your box office being closed at 10pm on Friday the 1st day of the event. Dispite there being TWO fires that block the hywy leading to your event. After 10pm EVERYONE weather they had a ticket or not WAS TURNED AWAY stating, you need a wrist band from the ticket booth that's closed..come back at 8am. The amount of money you turned away that wanted tickets for the day, could have paid one of your employees to stay for another shift! The amount of money you turned away from your vendors who also paid you in advance is also inexcusable. Then being told the next day...oh we dropped the ball, we'll be open till 2am tonight! Still not acceptable when partying goes on till day light. I also see I've been blocked from Instagram page. Great! Between that action and fb allowing us to see " you read my message", I'll wait until your contract is up in 4 more events before I spend another dime at raggae on the river! read more

Let me start by saying I AM A HUGE FAN OF ROTR and had another fun experience there in 2013. Unfortunately 80% of the 30 or so people involved in our camp came home with food poisoning/ flu symptoms. At first we thought we partied to hard or ate something that disagreed with us but it just kept hitting new people all with varying diets. After some research i found this article. http://www.kmud.org/news-humboldt-california/safety-a-public-awareness/item/2954-blue-green-algae-warning-issued.html Apparently locals have know about this algae killing dogs and harming humans, and i felt as though festival goers should have been warned. I am most worried about young children/ infants I saw in the river, and could not ever accept the loss of a child. If the hosts of the festival were aware they should feel tremendous shame for not sharing this knowledge with there loving fans. I am interested if anyone else experienced the symptoms listed in this article and would appreciate any comments read more

I have missed the this place and the festivals over the years.:) The festivals at the Inn were one of the highlights of living down there. When I came across Reggae on the River I was thrilled. If the festival is back in 2013." I will be there for it" read more

Reggae RISING, formerly Reggae on the River KICKS ASS. =) I agree with almost everything ms leahnora said except, this dones't have to be a camping trip, granted it adds to the experience, but DON'T make yourself suffer by camping "on the river rocks" that's not the right place. There are also hotels, motels & inns, just up the "road" that have buses that come and go from town just for the reggae-goers. AND even when you are camping, THERE ARE MAKESHIFT SHOWERS PEOPLE!!! USE THEM!!! good lord, why wouldn't you take a shower when you're CAKED IN DIRTY DIRTY DIRT!!! =) The collection of artists that you can see all in one weekend is mind baffling. To go on..... This is an experience I will never forget, I can guarantee that sometime during the fest, you'll look around at the people you're with, and the people you love and know that you're content. Life is beautiful. Joy is surrounding you. read more

This event is moving back to its original site and as we all know it's all about LOCATIONLOCATIONLOCATION! :) Returning to its original site where the legendary event started, we'll be camping beside the river, reggae rhythms will be going more or less all day and all night and for three plus days we will live together as one tribe in true reality, in the sun, under the stars, with no need to leave to the concrete world of Babylon. It's Reggae on the River! ~~ this is any reggae lover's holiday and will fill your cup with all that you need. Looking forward and upward to joining with all those who heed the calling to make the pilgrimage..... read more

I went to this festival for 15 or 16 yrs in a row. Most of those yrs except 2 or 3 were at the original location. The last yrs that I went were on the new location which didn't have the same appeal as the original location. No hillside in the back of the bowl to sit and rest on, not the same vibe really, just too big and since the mateel organization had the festival permit stolen right out from under them, I found it hard to support reggae rising and stopped going all together. Now it's back and I'm excited to make this epic event and relive some of the best times I've ever had ! It's a homecoming that will spark the event back into the best reggae festival in the world. I'm back camping on the river rocks like the old days, but next year I plan to camp back at the best place for ROTR which I won't advertise. Sorry, somethings just need to be figured out through experience. Just like the best way to claim real estate on the river bar. You figure it out after a couple of yrs going. It's the experience that makes it all so fun. Oh and you can't forget the great reggae music that will stay with you for a long time after ! read more