INFORMATION
Madeline Welch, Aerial Artist
@madelieeene
GENERAL INFORMATION
Age Requirements
Southwest Flow Festival is a family-friendly event. All ages are welcome to attend, with certain restrictions.
Participants 13 years of age and older require an Adult GA Weekend Pass to be admitted for the entirety of the event or a Single Day Pass to be admitted for a single day.
Participants under the age of 13 require a Child Full Weekend Pass to be admitted for the entire weekend, or a Single Day Pass to be admitted for a single day.
** Minors must be accompanied at all times by an adult over the age of 21.**
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Gate Hours
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The gate hours are as follows:
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Friday, Sept. 20th: 12pm - 12am
Saturday, Sept. 21st: 10am - 12am
Sunday, Sept. 22nd: 10am - 12am
Monday, Sept. 23rd: Exodus 8am - 2pm
All guests are expected to leave the grounds by 2:00pm on Monday, September 23rd.
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Vehicles and RVs
A Vehicle Pass is required for all overnight camping vehicles under 24 feet in length, and is valid for all three (3) days of the Southwest Flow Festival.
An RV Pass is required for all overnight camping vehicles over 24 feet in length, and are valid for all three (3) days of the Southwest Flow Festival.
For the safety of SWFF participants, the moving of vehicles and RVs on the property will not be permitted between midnight (12:00am) and noon (12:00pm).
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Amenities
The Southwest Flow Festival is a self-reliant, pack in/pack out (meaning everything you bring with you, you take with you when you leave) event held at Gateway Ranch; an off-grid, 80 acre portal, located 40 minutes northeast of downtown Flagstaff, AZ. While we will provide some waste services at Gateway Ranch, we ask that all participants assist us by properly disposing of their waste, including taking as much of your own waste as possible with you when you leave.
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Note: There will not be available drinking water at Southwest Flow Festival. In the spirit of radical self-reliance, we recommend that you bring 2 gallons of drinking water per day.
The following amenities will be provided for festival participants:
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Car camping (with purchase of Vehicle Pass)
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RV camping (with purchase of RV Pass)
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Your favorite DJs, playing your favorite songs
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Comfy Chill Spots
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Performances by world-class Flow Artists
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Fire Gathering Areas (no unsanctioned fires outside of designated areas)
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On-site outhouses
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Medical Staff
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Harm Reduction staff
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A packed schedule of daily Flow workshops, touching all of the major flow modalities and catering to all skill levels
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All ages activities
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Daily yoga classes
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Vendor village with Southwest Flow Festival merch, a wide variety of flow props, clothing, wearable art and more!
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Health & Safety
The health, safety and positive experience of our participants is our number one goal. In order to ensure that we achieve this goal, medical staff, harm reduction services and security rangers will be on site throughout this event. The SWFF harm reduction team will be working hand in hand with emergency teams and YOU, to provide education and services that promote safer partying practices, de-escalation techniques, consent culture and overall well-being.
We will be providing daily workshops on harm reduction and communal safety, to empower and encourage participants to contribute to the safety and well-being of our peers. Check the SWFF event schedule to learn more about their workshops and other opportunities to learn, grow and contribute.
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Leave No Trace
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Leave No Trace means much more than just taking your trash home with you. It means making as little impact on the landscape and wildlife as possible. While plants and wildlife should be revered and protected in ALL environments, the natural environmental conditions at Gateway Ranch create a particularly sensitive environment for life to thrive. We ask that you join us in honoring and protecting this beautiful sacred land.
The following steps will help you minimize your environmental impact during your experience at Gateway Ranch and your experience on this planet:
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Plan ahead and prepare - Bring containers for your trash, recyclables and compostable material. Opening packages before coming to the ranch and using reusable containers is super helpful with managing your MOOP (matter out of place)!
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Travel and camp on durable surfaces - Stay on designated paths and do your best to avoid stepping, driving or camping on plants and wildlife.
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Dispose of waste properly - Waste and recycling receptacles will not be provided at the Southwest Flow Festival. This is a pack in/pack out event. Make arrangements to leave with everything you bring with you.
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Leave what you find - The beautiful wildlife at Gateway Ranch is exactly where it belongs. Please leave it that way.
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No unsanctioned campfires - Leave the fire to us. There will be ample spaces provided for you to warm yourself around the fire. It’s our job to provide fire. It’s your job to spin it.
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Respect wildlife - Do not touch, get close to, feed or pick up wild animals. It is stressful to the animal, and it is possible that the animal may harbor rabies or other diseases.
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Be respectful of others - Be mindful of the ways that influencing and impacting the natural environment affects the experience of your peers.
Learn more about how to Leave No Trace.
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LOCATION, DIRECTIONS & WEATHER
LOCATION:
Gateway Ranch is located on 80 acres of rolling grasslands, 40 minutes NE of Flagstaff, between Winona & Leupp. Set under one of the darkest skies in the United States, prepare yourself for the most breathtaking views of the galaxy and stunning views of The Painted Desert that you’ve ever seen. The grounds consist of volcanic rock that's been ground down over many years. The vegetation predominantly consists of russian thistles or tumbleweeds. We ask that you stay on the designated paths exclusively to lessen the impact on the vegetation.
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Directions to Gateway Ranch:
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IMPORTANT: Searching for “Gateway Ranch” in your GPS app will NOT get you to Gateway Ranch. This venue does not exist in any GPS app. After purchasing your ticket, you will be sent detailed driving directions and GPS coordinates to navigate to Gateway Ranch.
Directions to Gateway Ranch will be provided after purchasing a ticket to Southwest Flow Festival.
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Weather:
Southwest Flow Festival is a rain or shine event, so please come prepared for all weather events, as no refunds will be issued in the event of inclement weather.
In late September, Gateway Ranch typically enjoys mild and pleasant weather as it transitions from summer to fall. Daytime temperatures usually range from the mid-70s to mid-80s Fahrenheit (24-30°C), while nights can be cooler, with temperatures in the mid-40s to mid-50s Fahrenheit (7-15°C). Please make sure you bring layers, warm blankets, thick socks, boots, and hand warmers. High winds are always a factor at Gateway Ranch, so please consider bringing rebar or 12”+ lag bolts to provide extra security to your canopies and tents.
During this time, our region generally experiences drier weather with clear skies and low chances of rain, but ya know… acts of God and whatnot.
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Remember that year-to-year variations can occur, so it's advisable to consult a reliable weather forecast as your travel date approaches for the most precise information.
GATEWAY RANCH
SURVIVAL GUIDE
Southwest Flow Festival is a 3 day camping event at Gateway Ranch, an off-grid ranch in Northern Arizona. As such you will need to be fully self-sufficient and self-reliant. This includes food, water, shelter, and adequate gear for warm days and chilly nights. Here’s a list of recommended supplies to make your experience at Southwest Flow Festival 2024 comfortable, safe and enjoyable*:
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Tent or other shelter: A 3-season tent will suffice for the mild weather, but bring extra stakes and guy lines as winds can pick up unexpectedly. Due to potentially extreme wind gusts, we recommend securing all temporary structures, such as tents and pop-up canopies, with 12” lag bolts instead of tent stakes.
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Sleeping bag: A sleeping bag rated for 20-30°F should keep you warm on cooler nights.
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Sleeping pad: A sleeping pad will provide cushioning and insulation from the ground.
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Sunscreen: The sun can be intense in northern Arizona throughout the year, so bring a high SPF sunscreen.
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Hat: A wide-brimmed hat will provide additional protection from the sun.
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Sunglasses: Sunglasses will help protect your eyes from the bright sunlight and glare.
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Water: Bring at least 2 gallons of water per person per day to stay hydrated in the hot, dry climate.
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Food: Bring non-perishable food that is easy to prepare, such as trail mix, granola bars, and canned goods.
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Cooking equipment: Bring a portable stove, fuel, and cookware if you plan on cooking meals.
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First aid kit: A first aid kit is important in case of injury or illness. Include any necessary prescription medication.
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Lighting: Bring a flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries for nighttime use. It’s also recommended to attach a light to your body at night, such as an LED wristband or clip on LEDs on your shoes so others can see you when you’re walking around. Seriously, it’s really really dark out here.
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Personal charging device: If you plan on charging your phone, lights, etc., bring a charging source. There will not be any outlets available for personal device charging.
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Clothing: Bring lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that covers your skin to protect against the sun. Also, bring warm layers for cooler nights and a big coat if you tend to get cold. A light rain jacket or poncho may also be useful.
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Personal hygiene items: Not required, but do us all a favor by bringing toiletries such as toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, wet wipes and hand sanitizer.
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Trash bags: Pack out all your trash and leave no trace. Bring trash bags to store and transport your garbage.
*If you’re flying in from out of town, and would prefer to rent camping supplies for the weekend, here are a few local resources for gear rental:
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Camping Crates 4U - Local pickup in Gilbert, AZ only. No shipping currently available. If you’re flying into Phoenix and driving up, this is a good option.
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Peace Outfitters - Local camping gear rental located in Flagstaff, AZ.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If you don't find the answer to your question here, contact us and we will be happy to help.
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When do the gates open and close?The gate hours are as follows: Friday, September 20th: 12:00pm - 12:00am Saturday, September 21st: 10:00am - 12:00am Sunday, September 22nd: 10:00am - 12:00am Monday: Exodus - Gates open at 8:00am All guests are expected to leave the grounds by 2:00pm on Monday, September 23rd.
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Are tickets available at the gate?Yes, tickets are available at the gate under certain conditions. However, we highly encourage you to not make us both do a bunch of unnecessary work by arriving without previous registration. Arriving at the gate, waving a wad of cash, does not guarantee entry to the event. ALL SWFF participants will be required to purchase a ticket to the event through our registration system. Since vehicles will not be allowed to move on the property between the hours of midnight and 8:00am, arriving after midnight is not advised.
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Is this event family-friendly?YES! Come one, come all! Flow artists of all ages, skill levels and flow modalities are welcome at the Southwest Flow Festival. Please refer to the Age Requirements section at the top of this page to learn more about ticketing for adults and children. **All minors must be accompanied by an adult aged 21+ at all times.**
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Are pets permitted?Pets are not permitted, however, registered service ferrets are permitted. We also allow other registered service animals, like dogs and cats; emphasis on registered.
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Can I bring my RV?Yes. Just buy an RV Pass and you’re golden. An RV Pass is required for all overnight camping vehicles over 24 feet in length, and is valid for all three (3) days of the Southwest Flow Festival.
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Is there access to water?This is a radically self-reliant event, which means you should bring all of the water you plan to consume. We recommend bringing 2 gallons per day, per person to Southwest Flow Festival. We will NOT be providing water for participants, so please please please, from the bottom of our hearts, prepare yourself for camping for three days in the desert. Hint* it gets dry out here folks!
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Are there restrooms?Don't worry, we've got you covered! We have porta potties on-site for your convenience.
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Will there be vendors?Yes, the Southwest Flow Festival will feature a variety of vendors, including top flow prop suppliers like Rave Circus and Fire Mecca. You'll find everything from flow props and apparel to jewelry and unique keepsakes. Additionally, there will be food vendors offering a diverse selection of delicious options to keep you fueled throughout the event. Whether you're looking to upgrade your gear, find the perfect festival outfit, or enjoy some tasty treats, our vendors have got you covered.
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Is Gateway Ranch wheelchair accessible?The top layer of earth at the ranch is composed of several inches of loose cinder, so unfortunately, Gateway Ranch is not wheelchair accessible at this time. However, we are working toward a solution to this for future events. Thank you for your patience. Accessibility in all ways is a top priority for Sondering and Gateway Ranch. If you have suggestions or would like to share your experience with improving mobility access in challenging terrain, please reach out to us via the contact form at the bottom of this page.
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What is your alcohol and substance use policy?Alcohol and other legal substances are permitted at SWFF, however, we do ask that all participants remain alert and mentally present throughout the event. There will be fire, juggling, aerial rigs, and people (beautifully) swinging objects around. In consideration of your own safety and the safety of others, we ask that you please consume consciously. Also, this is a family-friendly event, and we encourage of-age participants to set a good example for the younger participants at Southwest Flow Festival. If at any point, a participant’s over-indulgence in alcohol or another substance, results in the participant becoming a safety concern for themselves or others, the participant will be asked to refrain from group participation until our ranger and harm reduction teams agree that it is safe for them to join back in. The decision to remove participants will be made at the sole discretion of the SWFF safety teams. Illegal substances are not condoned or permitted on the festival grounds.
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Accessibility PledgeSouthwest Flow Festival is committed to making our event as accessible as possible. We believe that financial constraints should not prevent willing participants from contributing to the transformative energy of this gathering. To uphold this principle of inclusivity, we pledge to allocate 5% of registration revenue to the Southwest Flow Festival Flow Arts Scholarship Program. These scholarships ensure that more community members can partake in co-creating the festival, contributing their unique perspectives to our collective experience. To apply for a scholarship or reduced ticket cost, please click here. Thank you for contributing to the inclusive and vibrant community at Southwest Flow Festival. Your support makes a meaningful impact, creating a space where everyone can contribute, learn, and grow together.
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Can I volunteer?While many festivals offer free tickets in exchange for volunteer work, we believe this model unfairly burdens those with financial needs by making them work more than those who can afford full-price tickets. At Southwest Flow Festival, we ask everyone to sign up for a contribution shift, regardless of financial status, and offer scholarships and discounted tickets without requiring additional work. If you want to volunteer extra hours to support the event, we graciously welcome it; just mention your willingness to support the event with extra volunteer hours in your registration form. For financial assistance, fill out the Southwest Flow Festival FASP application and mention any extra volunteer interest there.