INFORMATION
Madeline Welch, Aerial Artist
@madelieeene
SCHEDULE & LINEUP
Event Schedule
Here is the SWFF 2025 Workshop and Music Schedule. It's possible we may make adjustments to this schedule, so keep check back from time to time. ​
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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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10:00 AM to Midnight on Friday, September 19
10:00 AM to Midnight on Saturday, September 20
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All guests are expected to leave the grounds by 12:00pm on Sunday, September 21st.
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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
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RV camping
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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 / 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!
Food & Beverages
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We’ll be serving up delicious curry dinners both nights and offering a refreshing non-alcoholic elixir for sale throughout the weekend. While we do not sell alcohol at the event, participants are welcome to bring their own and enjoy it responsibly. Please keep in mind that fire spinning and alcohol don’t mix, so stay safe, stay hydrated, and come ready to savor the flavors! Cash and Venmo accepted.​
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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 ask that everyone be an active participant in the safety and well-being of yourself and others.
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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.
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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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Attention: If you ignore the directions below, there’s a good chance you’ll wind up lost or bouncing down a janky back road...
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If you're using Google Maps, click this link: Gateway Ranch Directions - Google Maps
Otherwise, Please Follow These EXACT Driving Directions:
Coming from downtown Flagstaff:
Head east on I-40 toward Albuquerque (12.6 miles)
Take exit 211 toward Townsend-Winona Rd/Winona Opas (0.2 miles)
Turn left onto Townsend-Winona Rd/Winona Opas (2.3 miles)
Turn right onto Leupp Rd (12.1 Miles)
Turn left onto the dirt road to Gateway Ranch (The entrance to this dirt road is exactly 1 mile past the Star Charter School. Your GPS app will be able to find the Star School, and you can navigate from here if you prefer)
Drive along the double-grated road for 7.4 miles and find Gateway Ranch on your left
The exact coordinates for Gateway Ranch are: 35°23'19.7"N 111°16'36.1"W However, following these coordinates will not necessarily lead you to the ranch, depending on which GPS program you're using. The best, most tried and true directions are written above.
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The speed limit on the dirt road is 30 MPH. Please do not exceed the speed limit, and watch out for the cows. There WILL be cows on the road. After 7.4 miles, you'll see Gateway Ranch on your left. You can't miss it. If you think you may not have made it yet, you probably haven't gone far enough. Please do not trespass on any of the neighbor's property. People live quietly out here, and they do not appreciate strangers showing up asking for directions. Just follow these directions listed above and you'll make it without any problems.
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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.