HQ4 Store Camp 2024 at Campfield

Last Year's HQ4 Store Camp was an extreme of weather, and in keeping in tradition this was as well. However, the pendulum swung the other way with a damp and at times full on rainy weekend. 

However, that’s where the similarities end for the two events. The most dramatic shift for Store Camp this year was the location - moving from a farm sourced via Hip Camp to Snow Peak’s own Campfield shifted the feel and how the event worked start to finish.

The Campfield Setup

We’ve written about Campfield (link to Snow Peak blog) a couple times already - notably opening weekend and our experience with the Tent Suite during another rainy weekend this past April. So to visit as part of a large group instead of as individuals offered a new way of experiencing the grounds.

For this event, Snow Peak sectioned off one of the fields purly for the 20 or so attending groups. This allowed us not only to be near one another, but for the HQ4 location to set up amenities for us like a communal kitchen, seating area and coloring books. It also gave the first look and feel to me of what the Campfield will feel like when busier.

To date, there’s been other groups. But half as many and spread out over two to three times the area. With such a unique layout compared to most American campgrounds, with an openness and lack of privacy that many Americans are used to, we never really felt the same as when we were able to visit HQ1 during Snow Peak Way Premium 2023.

Getting to Snow Peak's Campfield

There was a cost for this event at around $85 after processing fees. I mention this for context, last year's event was $35 per person, so with the two of us in 2023 we spent about the same. This year, as I traveled solo it was a little harder pill to swallow. However, I reminded myself that had I come out and booked directly through the site for a random May weekend, my total would have been nearly 3x as high - with that in mind this felt like a great deal.

I pulled in after a comfortable drive. To get to Snow Peak's Campfield from Portland, I like to drive I-5 north to Longview, Washington (not Long Beach where Campfield is located) and then take 4 along the Columbia River dropping directly in to Long Beach. It's a pretty quiet drive, and while slower than highway 30 it's a much less traveled experience. 

While the event started at noon, I took my time along the way hitting a few thrift stores and the like, finding some records and artwork, before pulling in. But even though I arrived at 2:00 that afternoon, only one other group was already there. This worked well, as I was able to take advantage of the golf cart to bring my gear in. Even though I packed light (see below for full gear list on this trip) I have mentioned before that this is my least favorite part of the Campfield experience.

The Store Camp Run of Show

Once set up, it's the usual say hi to people you know and introduce yourself to those you don't. 

Gear List On This Trip:

Shelter: