Gorge Amphitheatre Food, Seating, and Parking Tips
Update: This article has been updated to reflect upcoming events at The Gorge Amphitheatre for summer 2019!
Original Article: The Gorge is one of America’s premier outdoor concert venues, having hosted some of the globe’s biggest performers since it opened its doors in 1986. This 26,500-seat amphitheatre is located in George, Washington, skirting the foothills of the Cascade Range to offer sweeping views of the majestic Columbia River and Columbia George canyon. The scenery adds drama to any performance. It has won Pollstar Magazine’s award for “Best Outdoor Music Venue” nine times in a row, and The Wall Street Journal cited The Gorge as one of the most scenic concert locations in the world.
To help prep you for this experience of a lifetime, we’ve created an insider’s guide with useful tips on The Gorge, from parking to concessions. Whatever your music preference, a concert at The Gorge is one you can’t pass up. Come out to the next big show and see why ConcertBoom named it one of the “Best Concert Venues in America”!
Gorge Amphitheatre Fast Facts
| Owner: | Live Nation |
| Operated By: | Live Nation |
| Seating capacity: | 27,500 |
| Opened: | 1986 |
| Home To: | Sasquatch! Music Festival, held annually every Memorial Day weekend |
| Address: | 754 Silica Road N.W. George, Washington |
Gorge Amphitheatre Ratings
| Yelp: | 4.0 |
| Trip Advisor: | 4.5 |
| Google: | 4.7 |
Gorge Amphitheatre Features:
- Camping options for the adventurous to enjoy a night beneath the stars surrounded by the natural beauty of George, Washington.
- Reserved and lawn style seating
- Soak in the epic views with a picnic on the Terrace Camping area
- Outpost store for camping essentials
- Permanent water refill stations to help you stay hydrated
- Surrounding area attractions including the Cave B spa and winery
- Several food and beverage options, including Guy Fieri’s Burger Joint, The Coop, rotating food trucks, and bars that serve wine and beer.
Directions To Gorge Amphitheatre
From Seattle:
On I-90 east, take exit 143 Gorge Amphitheatre.
Follow the signs for the amphitheater for about 6 miles.
Approximate driving time from Seattle to the Gorge is 3 hours.
From Spokane, WA:
Take I-90 west and exit at 149 Gorge Amphitheatre.
Follow the amphitheater signs for approximately 7 miles.
The approximate driving time from Spokane to The Gorge is 3 hours.
From Quincy, WA:
Take Highway 281 south, exit at Beverly-Burke Road and again at the exit for Gorge Amphitheatre.
Follow the amphitheater signs for approximately 7 miles.
The approximate driving time from Quincy to the Gorge is 25 minutes.
From Portland, OR:
Take I-84 eastwards, and merge onto Highway 97 north, exit onto I-90 east, and take exit 143.
Follow the amphitheater signs for about 6 miles.
The approximate driving time from Portland to The Gorge is 5 hours.
From Vancouver, BC:
Take I-5 south to I-90 eastbound.
Follow I-90 east and take exit 143 Gorge Amphitheatre.
Follow the amphitheater signs for about 6 miles.
The approximate driving time from Vancouver, BC to the Gorge is 5 hours.
Gorge Amphitheatre Insider Tips
Gorge Amphitheatre Parking Tips
The parking lots at the Gorge open at different times depending on the event, but on average about 4 hours prior. General parking is included with your ticket price. You can also choose to upgrade to Gorge Amphitheatre Star parking for a fee of $30 per vehicle, so you can reserve a spot closer to the venue’s front gate with the disabled parking slots. Parking on the country roads or private property leading to the venue is strictly prohibited.
We recommend arriving in time for the gates to open to snag a spot, as this is a large, popular venue that draws huge crowds and heavy traffic on event days!
Gorge Amphitheatre Camping
The Gorge offers various camping options to suit your preference, whether you want to be in the heart of the action or in the privacy of a secluded area. If you’re camping in a group, we suggest you arrive together to ensure that you have spots next to each other.
All campgrounds include on-site security patrols, a convenience store with an ATM, and access to food trucks at The Pivot, a central gathering area to meet friends and enjoy craft vendors. RV/camp trailer pumps and water delivery services are available for a fee.
Standard camping is a fun place to meet new people and enjoy some good old-fashioned camping. Each spot is about 15’x25’, enough room for a single tent and one vehicle. Standard camping includes free comfort stations with water and hand wash sinks, portable bathrooms, and access to hot showers for a fee.
The Gold/Big Rig camping option includes extra roomy camping spots (20’x50’), enough room for 2-4-person tents and one vehicle. It is also located closer to the amphitheater, a short walk to the main gate. Campers will enjoy free showers and private restrooms.
Premier camping offers a larger campsite (18’x35’) to accommodate 2-4 people and one larger vehicle like an SUV or RV. The site is restricted and enclosed for a private and secure camping experience. It is located near the pathway to The Gorge, with awesome views. You’ll also get access to private restrooms, free showers, and free shuttle service to the amphitheater.
Terrace camping takes your camping experience to the next level, offering gravel parking and breathtaking views across the Gorge Terrace. Located between premier camping and The Gorge amphitheater, this area is the quietest camping area. Spots are 18’x40’, enough room for 2-4 people and one vehicle or RV. You’ll have private restrooms, free showers, and a free shuttle service to the amphitheater. There is also a concierge service and complimentary fresh coffee and pastries in the morning.
Glamping is an elevated form of camping offered by The Gorge that includes a furnished cottage-style tent for two people to enjoy. This option offers all the amenities of The Terrace without the hassle of bringing your own RV or tent.
The Gorge Oasis is a luxury camping community that includes either a deluxe canvas tent for two or a four-person tent. Each tent comes fully furnished, with a locking entrance, lighting, and air-conditioned restrooms/showers. The two-person tent has a memory foam mattress and bath linens; the tent for four includes 4 cots and sleeping bags. The Gorge experience offers bag service, a 24/7 concierge, and access to the Cliff House restaurant.
Gorge Amphitheatre Security
Although plentiful, security at The Gorge is moderately loose, so we suggest you keep a close eye on your belongings if camping. In addition, they don’t always enforce the rules that are in place and can be unsuccessful in solving problems with guests, particularly involving rowdy patrons and seating.
Getting through the venue gates is a hit or miss. Sometimes guests were able to go through the bag search fairly quickly without much trouble while other times security was very strict and thorough, thus leading to a slower wait to enter the venue.
Gorge Amphitheatre Prohibited Items:
- Alcohol, factory sealed beverages (with the exception of water)
- Laser pointers
- Hard coolers and ice chests
- Flash photography, videos or removable lens equipment (personal cameras are okay)
If you’re bringing food in, it must be in a clear, plastic gallon-sized bag. You can bring empty plastic water containers or sealed water bottles if they are 20 ounces. You can also bring short beach style lawn chairs.
Gorge Amphitheatre Seating
The Gorge has lawn-style seating, which either means metal folding chairs or the floor pit area depending on the type of seating purchased. You can bring your own beach chair if you’d rather not pay for the folding chairs on the lawn, or blankets for the picnic area at the top of the hill. Fans recommend the hill if you’re not a fan of crowds, don’t mind being immersed in the stage action, and are looking to make a quick and easy getaway after the concert.
The best views are the stadium-style lawn or hill seating area, as the floor pit general admission can get crowded and is not tiered so there will be heads in the way of the stage. You can sit or stand wherever you want within the ticket tier area purchased, or you can reserve a folding chair spot.
Gorge Amphitheatre Food Vendors & Concessions
Guests to The Gorge have reported that there are several delicious food options, although they are pricey. If you’re on a budget, we suggest bringing your own food in – but make sure you adhere to the specified guidelines!
There are numerous restaurants and food trucks at The Gorge, offering food for different tastes to ensure that you never stay hungry. These include Guy Fieri’s Burger Joint, operated by the master grill chef for signature burgers. Beecher’s Handmade Cheese features a fresh selection of gourmet sandwiches; The Coop has some of the best seasoned chicken around; and Spuds takes fries to the next level, serving them as a meal with flavorful options instead of a side.
For a local taste, check out rotating food trucks like Willy’s BBQ, Dump Truck and Mini Donuts.
If you’re looking to get your booze on, the venue also has wine and beer options like Manny’s Pale Ale, Elysian Brewing, and bars serving cocktails and mojitos. Fans have stated that the drinks are not worth the price for the quality, so we’ll leave it up to you to decide on spending couple of extra bucks for a buzz.
The Gorge Amphitheatre Experience
The restrooms are located a bit away from the main stage area, so don’t hold it in until the last minute!
There are only two entry and exit points from the stage seating area. We suggest you leave a few minutes before the end of the show so that you aren’t caught in the bottleneck of guests attempting to exit.
Be careful when getting to your seat, as there are steep inclines and declines that can be tricky to maneuver.
Children under the age of 2 are free in general admission seating. Adults and children must have a ticket for reserved seating.
The sound quality has been reported to be clear and loud no matter where you are seated. The same goes for the view of the stage, unless you are in the pit area (minus the front row, of course!).
Dress comfortably! You will be hiking and traversing the natural landscape of The Gorge. Sneakers or hiking boots are recommended, along with blankets and sweaters for when the weather cools down in the evening.
Camping is a unique aspect of the venue that is recommended for a show, as you get the chance to make new friends, enjoy the scenery and enjoy a stress-free musical experience.
Overall, the atmosphere at The Gorge is unparalleled, offering a natural concert experience that is enhanced by the dramatic backdrop of the rivers and canyons that surround it. If you’re a music lover and concert enthusiast, don’t pass up a chance to witness your favorite artists at The Gorge.
10 Closest Hotels Near The Gorge
Note that due to its remote location the closest hotels to The Gorge are 11 miles out, and drivers must account for traffic and maneuvering treacherous roads with minimal lighting after a concert. For these reasons, we highly suggest camping at least for the night after the show. It is a part of The Gorge experience and will save you the hassle and potential dangers of driving.
Cave B Inn & Spa Resort (minimal availability)
344 Silica Rd NW, Quincy, WA 98848-9468
0.5 milesKnights Inn Quincy
710 10th Ave SW, Quincy, WA 98848-1389
11.2 milesSundowner Motel
414 F St SE, Quincy, WA 98848-1495
11.8 milesBest Western Rama Inn
1818 Basin St SW, Ephrata, WA 98823
27.7 milesCedars Inn
80 9th St NE, East Wenatchee, WA 98802
46.7 milesSureStay Hotel by Best Western Wenatchee
580 Valley Mall Pkwy, East Wenatchee, WA 98802
47.0 milesComfort Inn Downtown
815 N Wenatchee Ave, Wenatchee, WA 98801
48.8 milesRed Lion Hotel Wenatchee
1225 N Wenatchee Ave, Wenatchee, WA 98801
49.2 milesBest Western Chieftain Inn
1017 N Wenatchee Ave, Wenatchee, WA 98801
49.0 milesLa Quinta Inn & Suites Wenatchee
1905 N Wenatchee Ave, Wenatchee, WA 98801
50.1 miles
Upcoming Events:
Jun. 1 – Echoes Through The Canyon: Brandi Carlile, Emmylou Harris & Neko Case
Jun. 7 – Dead & Company
Jun. 8 – Dead & Company
Jun. 28 – Eric Church
Jun. 29 – Eric Church
Jul. 13 – Beck, Cage The Elephant & Spoon
Jul. 27 – Above & Beyond
Aug. 9 – Mumford And Sons & Portugal, The Man
Aug. 10 – The Avett Brothers
Aug. 30 – Dave Matthews Band
Aug. 31 – Dave Matthews Band
Sept. 1 – Dave Matthews Band
Sept. 6 – Bon Iver
