What is Refuge Outdoor Festival?
Refuge Outdoor Festival is a 3-day outdoor recreation and camping experience geared toward people of color.
Our 8th Annual festival took place August 22-24, 2025 and we’re already looking forward to the next one!
Who is Refuge Fest for?
This is for you if you:
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- Are a BIPOC person that wants to build community with other BIPOC and allies.
- Are a white person that respects, supports, and want to build community with BIPOC and other allies.
- Have an interest in the outdoors but don’t know where to start.
- Love the outdoors and are looking for a community to share it with.
What can you expect at Refuge Fest?
This GBE signature event features a fun-filled weekend of informative workshops, crowd-rocking DJs, holistic activities, performances/ art, outdoor recreation, and so much more. We are excited to return to King County’s Tolt-MacDonald Park & Campground in Carnation, WA for our 8th year on August 22nd-24th, 2025.
The 2025 Festival Schedule is now available — click on the button below to view!
Tickets
Ready to buy your tickets and need help? Follow these easy steps:
Step 1: Select your festival pass (Village Builder Festival Pass, Unity Festival Pass, Early Bird Festival Pass, Kid Festival Pass, Youth Festival Pass)
Step 2: Select your lodging in the Add-ons section. (Options: Field Camping, Private Car Camping, RV or Campervan, REI Pre-set 2-person Camping, Yurt)
Step 3: Select payment. (If you would like to pay via alternative methods, please contact us at info@refugeoutdoorfestival.com)
Join us next year at our 9th annual festival!
Plan Ahead
GENERAL
Who can come?
All are welcome! Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) and allies. This event is meant to be a safer space for BIPOC outdoor enthusiasts and novices to celebrate and explore in one amazing weekend. We will center and uplift BIPOC folks.
Can children come?
Yes. We are building an intergenerational event and community. Bring your kids and grandparents: all are welcome.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes! Well-behaved pets of all kinds are welcome at the festival. For everyone’s safety and comfort, pets must remain leashed or securely contained and under control. Service dogs will be present on-site. Please be mindful of interactions between animals to ensure everyone’s safety and comfort. If a pet becomes disruptive or is off-leash, please be aware that you may be asked to leave. Thanks for helping us keep the space safe and enjoyable for all!
Where is the event taking place?
This year’s festival will take place at King County’s Tolt-MacDonald Park & Campground in Carnation, WA.
How do I get there?
We recommend carpooling with people in your household. Need transportation? If you’d like to book transportation through us, please select the transportation deposit add-on option via our festival ticketing link on Eventbrite. For more info, please visit our Event Info page in our 2025 Know Before You Go.
Whom can I reach out to with other questions/concerns?
Please reach out to our Event Manager at info@refugeoutdoorfestival.com for any questions/concerns. In addition, please review our 2025 Know Before You Go to find helpful resources and details about the festival.
CAMPING
Will the festival be canceled if it rains?
No, the festival will happen rain or shine. Our team is always monitoring weather-related risks (severe heat, storms, air quality, etc) and will modify or cancel the festival in the interest of safety.
Are there bathrooms? Showers?
There will be a number of portable and permanent restrooms at the campground. Unfortunately, there will not be showers open during the event so please plan/pack accordingly.
I would love to camp but I don’t have gear?
No problem. With the support of our partners and sponsors, we have gear that attendees can access for the weekend; including tents, sleeping bags, and more. If you have a gear request, please use THIS FORM and make your request by Weds. August 13th, 2025.
Will the gear be provided for activities/workshops?
Most activities do not require gear. We encourage you to bring your own gear, such as bikes and water activity items. Individual workshops also notate recommended materials to bring.
What should I bring?
For a helpful packing guide, please check out our 2025 Know Before You Go. Please plan/pack accordingly for your own comfort, activities, and weather. There are a number of lodging and activity options to choose from for your festival experience. You will need to bring your own camping supplies (unless requested via our Gear Bank) based on your lodging selection and food needs.
What if I forget to pack/bring something?
We encourage you to first check-in with fellow attendees, visit our Outpost for basics (toothbrush, sunscreen, etc), visit the registration desk, or to write-in your need on the Community Board. The local town of Carnation also offers a local thrift store, grocery, gas stations, and cafes.
Can I leave the festival grounds and re-enter?
Yes, re-entry is allowed. Wristbands/lanyards are given to pass/ticket holders at registration.
HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?
Can I volunteer?
A: Absolutely. We have loads of opportunities for people to get involved before and during the festivals. Both individuals and groups can participate! Volunteer Invitation opening soon. Please fill out our Volunteer Application Form to note your interest. Thank you!
Are you still accepting sponsors?
A: Yes, we actively seek opportunities to collaborate with organizations and individuals whose missions, values, and work align with our own. For more info, please visit our Partnerships page.
I can’t attend. Can I support you via a donation?
A: Thank you so much for your interest in donating to GBE/Refuge Outdoor Festival. Funds raised go toward supporting community access. Donations can be made via Paypal.
WORKSHOPS
Q: Do I need to reserve my spot in the workshops?
A: Workshop participation is on a first-come, first-served basis. Some workshop leaders request an attendance cap for a variety of reasons, so it’s important to arrive at least 10 minutes early to reserve your spot. The cap for each workshop can be found in the online program guide, which becomes accessible after you purchase a pass/ticket to the festival.
Q: Will workshops be recorded?
A: At this time, we will not be recording sessions.
Q: What is the Community Market?
A: The Community Market is an opportunity to meet with various organizations, artists, and vendors. The Market takes place on the Saturday of the festival from 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm. This isn’t just a fun weekend, it’s about creating connections for ongoing engagement.
HEALTH & SAFETY
What do you mean by a “safe” event?
Refuge Outdoor Festival is committed to creating an accountable and transparent space and acknowledging the inherent lack of safety in our systems and institutions. Please review our Community Agreements section below.
Do we have to be vaccinated to attend the festival in-person?
No. While we highly encourage people to get vaccinated, we understand and respect each individual’s right to make this decision.
How are you addressing COVID or other health risks during the festival?
We continue to monitor CDC and local guidelines. Our plans will comply with the latest guidelines released by the Washington State Governor’s Office and Public Health, the City of Carnation & King County.
Where do I find information in case of emergencies during the festival?
Please visit our Event Info page in our 2025 Know Before You Go for additional information during the festival.
Read our Know Before You Go guide!
Already purchased your festival tickets and lodging? Wonderful! A great next step would be to read through our 2025 Know Before You Go — your go-to-guide for packing essentials, park & campground info, the festival map, our guiding principles, and more!
We are strongly encouraging folks to download and use the WHOVA event app once you’ve purchased tickets/passes to the festival. Why? It is our centralized platform for event information, networking, and engagement. It allows you to access the festival schedule, workshop information, and other important details all in one place, making it easier to navigate the event and stay informed. Download the mobile Whova Event App here!
If you’d rather not download the app, you may also access and download a PDF of the festival schedule HERE.
Help! I would love to camp but I don’t have gear.
No problem! With the support of our partners and sponsors, we have gear that attendees can access for the weekend; including tents, sleeping bags, and more. If you have a gear request, please use THIS FORM and make your request by Weds. August 13th, 2025.
We provide a variety of lodging options to match different comfortability levels with camping. Options include field camping, private car camping, RV or campervan, REI pre-set 2-person camping sites, and yurts. But move quickly- some of our specialty lodging options sell out fast! Check out this video to see examples of the lodging options.
A communal camp kitchen will be available for use, including eight camp stoves and cookware (list of Kitchen Contents). You are also welcome to bring your own camp cooking equipment (including stoves and grills) and food items. Pressurized gas, propane (LP Gas) stoves, and fire pits are permitted. There is access to potable water and a greywater dump area near the camp kitchen. Greywater is old dishwater (and other contaminated water), which must be dumped in a specified area.
A limited assortment of pre-packaged meals will also be available for purchase from our Outpost, which will be located near the camp kitchen.
There will also be food for purchase onsite or nearby, so bring your cash and cards.
Due to King County regulations, you are not allowed to bring in outside adult beverages.
We are committed to continuing to make Refuge as accessible as possible, and welcome you to share accommodation requests in the event registration. Our event will be held at Tolt-MacDonald Park. Accessible parking spaces are available. The event area does consist of uneven terrain in some locations. We will have six portable bathrooms available at the event, two of which will be ADA accessible, with additional park facilities throughout the park. There will be loud music at this event and flashing lights. If other accommodations are needed, please email info@refugeoutdoorfestival.com.
We are committed to creating an accountable and transparent space and acknowledging the inherent lack of safety in our systems and institutions. These are our grounding practices:
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- We will center and uplift Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). We encourage folks that identify as BIPOC to take up space and invite white-identified folks to be intentional about the space they take at this BIPOC-centered event.
- We will share from personal experiences and not share the experiences of others.
- We acknowledge that we are all learning and we all make mistakes. We remain committed to accountability as we make those mistakes.
- We acknowledge the difference between intent vs. impact, and take responsibility for any harmful impact we may have on members of marginalized communities.
- Harassment or bullying will not be tolerated.