Sunset Campout to Host Final Festival After 16-Year Run in the Sierra

Sunset Campout Bids Farewell After 16-Year Run in California’s Sierra Nevada

A beloved, independent music festival with deep roots in San Francisco’s underground rave scene is coming to an end. Sunset Campout, held in the tiny Gold Rush-era town of Belden in Plumas County, will take place for the final time this June, marking the close of a 16-year legacy.

The festival, launched by San Francisco DJs and producers Galen Abbott and Solar Langevin—known collectively as Sunset Sound System—has become an institution among fans of underground electronic music. However, the co-founders have decided to pull the plug after this summer’s edition, citing a combination of challenges including heightened competition and declining ticket sales.

“It’s the sweet 16,” Abbott said in an interview. “We’re incredibly passionate about this, but we’re calling it the end of a cycle. Maybe we’ll return one day, but for now, it feels like the right moment to bring everything full circle.”

A Final Celebration: Star Family Zenith

The final Sunset Campout is scheduled for the weekend of June 20, along the scenic North Fork Feather River—roughly 200 miles northeast of San Francisco. The event will carry the theme Star Family Zenith, promising an immersive and emotional farewell.

Abbott and Langevin began organizing the campout in 2009, originally hosting it in Willits, Mendocino County, before settling in Belden. Over the years, the event has become renowned for its eclectic mix of music, stunning light installations, interactive art, and healing spaces such as the Faerie Ring, which features yoga, sound baths, meditation, and workshops.

A Community Staple

Since its inception, Sunset Campout has been warmly embraced by the Belden community, a town of just about 15 residents. The festival is held near a one-lane 1937 bridge—topped with a martini glass—that leads to the town’s only major business, the Belden Town Resort and Lodge.

Jayme Kaufman, manager of the resort, expressed her deep affection for the event. “Half the people still come up even when it’s not festival season because they love this place so much,” she shared. “So many people have gotten married here after meeting at Sunset. I know of at least 20 weddings that came from that.”

Financial and Cultural Shifts

The festival hosts about 1,500 attendees and requires the help of around 500 staff and volunteers. Despite its loyal following, Sunset Campout lost money for the first time last year, a tough blow for the tight-knit team behind it.

“It wasn’t one specific thing—it’s a broader shift in the Bay Area’s socioeconomic landscape that began even before the pandemic,” Abbott explained. He also noted that festivalgoers increasingly wait until the last minute to buy tickets, which complicates financial planning for independent events.

These trends have affected other California festivals as well, including the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, Lucidity Festival, and even the once-unshakable Coachella, which has failed to sell out for two consecutive years.

Tickets for the final Sunset Campout start at $374, with payment plans and volunteer options available to help more fans attend.

A Lasting Legacy

While Sunset Campout is ending, its creators plan to remain active in the music scene. Abbott may move to Amsterdam to be closer to family, and Langevin intends to continue organizing local events. He noted that San Francisco’s underground scene is experiencing a resurgence, especially in East Bay warehouse parties hosted by emerging crews like Parameter and platforms like SutroFM.

Sunset Sound System has been credited with shaping the West Coast rave scene by introducing Chicago acid house and European techno to San Francisco and nurturing a uniquely inclusive party culture. Their events have long blended diverse backgrounds and strongly embraced queer communities, something Abbott is particularly proud of.

“We’ve made a real effort to keep different scenes connected,” Abbott said. “It’s not just about saying it—it’s about actually creating spaces where everyone feels welcome. That’s not always easy, but it’s something we’ve done with care.”

Even Kaufman, who admits she’s not typically drawn to festivals, said the Sunset Campout is one of a kind. “It’s the end of an era or something,” she said. “If you want to see one of the most amazing light shows in the world, this is it. Those guys have it dialed in perfectly. I stay up until 1 a.m. and then get up at 4 a.m. to cook breakfast for them.”

As the final Sunset Campout draws near, its legacy remains firmly rooted in the spirit of community, creativity, and freedom that first inspired it.