first timer, how does camping work?

No you don't get to pick your own spot.
However you can time your arival just right to get a good spot.

Here is a thread about it.
bonnaroo.proboards21.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1150668829&page=1

Sometimes you can time it so that you get a decent spot, or so I hear. It's always seemed random to me. In '04 we came in mid-day (3pm) thursday and were placed about 30-40 yards off of ShakeDown (5-10 minute walk to Centeroo), only waiting for about 45 mins in traffic. Last year we got to our usual entry point (down hwy 55) at about 10am only to find it blocked-off, adding an additional 3-4 hrs to our wait. We were then jammed into the rockiest, most over-crowded spot imaginable (30-40 minute walk to Centeroo). We don't seem to have any luck in timing-it-out. Hope you do better.

try the camping only section, it's right by centeroo and it's so nice to have a short walk to camp whenever you need to meet up or crash

there's a koa just outside the grounds but i hear it's pretty expensive

and nope, have never heard of larue

here is a link to the off site camping i found: www.laruecamping.com/

i've tried to contact them, but no response. perhaps its too early...

Yep plenty of room. We had 2 tents up and plenty of room in between for chairs, grill etc. Some people had their tent and a large shade tent in their spots.

you gotta have the expierence of camping inside the farm

great info, thanks to all for sharing. it seems like a pretty simple decision now, just drive in and start enjoying.

Man, half of the experience is the people anyway. I wouldn't have ever had anywhere near the fun I had without all the interesting people I met and talked to and walked around with. Love thy neighbor.

Does it really get any better than the Inforoo camp in tent only? Honestly last year was the first year and it went pretty well (the people who camped there can give you a better account). W e didn't "lug" our stuff up there but did hang out there quite a bit. I have a feeling this year is going to be 100 percent better. Plus we will be in VIP and hopefully have something organized there as well.

Just go with the flow and do what seems best when you get there, you will learn that any plans for anything when you get to roo is usually subject to change, just know your options.

Anywhere is great. We have been close and far, and this year VIP. No matter where you are, there will be teh Inforoo meet up in tent only and (hopefully VIP). If you decide to go tent only you get all of your walking out of the way first day.

Thanks much guys. This board is amazing, I love the community feeling. I'll definitely force my friends to walk on over to the inforoo gathering point to say "Hi!"

Has anyone ever had problems with any kind of theft? I think I want to do tent only, however my friend (whose car we'll drive) is anxious about leaving his car untended for 4 days.