Country Thunder Arizona is rolling back into Canyon Moon Ranch from Thursday to Sunday, turning Florence into a four-day country music campout. The 2026 lineup is topped by Gavin Adcock, Lainey Wilson, Zach Top and Brooks & Dunn, with everyone from buzzy newcomers to seasoned road warriors filling out multiple stages. With campsite inventory already tapped out and big crowds expected, organizers are urging fans to plan ahead for traffic, lines and limited on-site services.
When, Where And Hours
The festival runs Thursday through Sunday, April 9-12, at Canyon Moon Ranch outside Florence. Front gate and will-call open around 9 a.m. daily, the main concert bowl opens in the early afternoon, and campgrounds are available for early arrivals starting the Wednesday before the event, according to Phoenix New Times. RFID wristbands are mailed out in advance and must be activated before you roll up, and information booths are stationed across the grounds.
Tickets, Camping And Access
Tickets are sold through the festival's official ticketing partner and at the on-site box office, with choices ranging from single-day general admission to reserved seats and Platinum upgrades. Per Country Thunder, Platinum and catered camping packages can include reserved parking, a skybox, Oasis lounge access, upgraded restrooms and campground entry. Many campsite categories are already unavailable, so late planners may be stuck piecing together alternatives. Organizers stress that wristbands are non-transferable and that fans should verify delivery and activation before heading to the ranch.
Lineup And Set Times
Headliners close out the nights. Gavin Adcock caps Thursday at 10 p.m. after Waylon Wyatt at 8 p.m.; Lainey Wilson tops Friday at 10 p.m. following Ian Munsick at 8 p.m.; Zach Top closes Saturday at 10 p.m. after Lonestar at 8 p.m.; and Brooks & Dunn wrap Sunday at 9 p.m. after Scotty McCreery at 7 p.m. The full daily schedule, including afternoon and early evening sets from Logan Layman, Jay Webb, Jackson Dean, George Birge, Lauren Watkins and others, is broken down in local coverage, according to Phoenix New Times.
Parking, Transit And Rules
Parking prices and options vary. Day lots open at 9 a.m. and vehicles must be cleared out by about 2:30 a.m. Single-day parking currently runs around $30, weekend day parking about $70 and weekend overnight parking roughly $103, according to the festival's official ticketing partner. Shuttle pickups in Mesa and Apache Junction and ride-share pickup zones in Florence are promoted as alternatives to driving, and organizers recommend reserving those in advance. The event enforces a strict bag and item policy, including a limit of one factory-sealed bottle of water per person and bans on glass, drones, umbrellas, chairs with canopies and outside food, per Front Gate Tickets.
Quick Tips For The Weekend
Build in extra travel time, pack sunscreen and keep your phone charged, and consider booking shuttle seats early to avoid the Highway 79 crawl. State tourism counts Country Thunder as one of Arizona’s biggest music weekends, drawing more than 100,000 attendees across the four days, so expect heavy crowds and limited nearby lodging. For last-minute updates, maps and vendor listings, keep an eye on the festival's official pages and the coverage linked above.
