Howdy Folks (aka directions to the gathering)

 

Updated information will be posted here as it becomes available over the next week or so. Check back frequently as information will be refined. New directions may be added. Existing directions may be clarified.   Site specific information will be added.

Last updated Wednesday, July 2nd at 10:30  AM Central Time. 

 I was at the site until approximately 10:30 PM on July 1st.

This is what I know.

 

This gathering is so sweet, I cried at dinner circle last night. Lot's of love and hugs. Great tasting food.

 

Medical is coming together and supplies seem to be taken care of. 

 

Great places to get into very cold water including off dinner circle / main meadow which is really a lovely clearing under a bunch of shade trees. Thank you family for clearing this space. 

 

There is parking available off FS Road 4150 . For those who have cars that can take parking on the side of the road there is parking on FS Road 3173. A shuttle was running periodically yesterday up and down FS Road 3173 to get people to the back gate. The walk in to main meadow from back gate is short. There is a creek crossing that is pretty shallow. Or you can do the bridge, but the bridge is not wheelchair accessible. 

 

The undergrowth is very thick and if you want to pitch a tent you will need to clear your own space. Please do not camp in main meadow as it's small enough as it is and we need places to be together. As for the rest, come home, we love you!

 

 Update from June 30th.

 I left the site at 10:15 PM Central Time on Monday, June 30th. Here are my updates

If you and your car are not 100% legal you risk getting pulled over.  Read my tips on how to avoid getting pulled over.

PARKING: The main parking area is 2.5 miles from Main Meadow. The trail is doable with a wagon. Keep in mind that due to the heat and humidity it is slow going. The trail is very muddy. This is the parking area that is on the turnoff in the directions below. However, this area if pretty full and parking is very tight here. There was almost no parking left on the night of June 30th.

 However, you can pass the first turn off and keep going on  FS Road 3173 past  towards the back gate and park on the right hand side of the road as you drive in (south side) as long as ALL 4 WHEELS ARE OFF THE ROAD. There are some small clearings down this way where people are parking and setting up sweet spaces Keep driving until you see cars.  Remember, all 4 wheels off the road or you will be ticketed.

There is talk of setting up shuttles on July 1st. If you get in a shuttle, stay with your gear at all times or you and your gear may end up in different parts of the gathering.  When shuttles come by, look around and see who most needs it and who could walk if need be as there is no set schedule for shuttles.

The back gate is ~ 1 mile to the main part of the gathering. Shuttles would drop people there.  

COPS: Like flies on shit in any hot area. I noticed them staging at Hwy 99/US Route 160, at Hwy 99 and Oregon County Road 430, and in bunches along Oregon County Road 430/FS 3173.

If you are coming in around dusk or dawn, be on the lookout for dear. After dark, huge clouds of steam are coming off the road. Be careful as it can be clear and then steam cloud that obstructs visibility.

It is hot and humid. It is hot and humid.  Be prepared. Please bring sugar-free electrolyte powders for yourself and to share with others.  The gathering is very spread out. 

 MEDICAL SUPPLIES: Are in short supply, but unfortunately I did not get a shopping list. We need more EMTs, RNs, and or MDs on site. There is a CALM / First Aid station set up but they need more bodies and more supplies.

Preamble worked out by folks at spring circle / counsel / council

 All beings are hereby invited to the annual prayer for peace during the Gathering of the Rainbow People of Living Light, to take place from July 1st-7th, 2025, in the land currently known as the Mark Twain National Forest, having given all due consideration to sites in the land currently known as Oklahoma and in solidarity with all those who gather in prayer for peace everywhere. 
Directions start from Thomasville, Missouri (near West Plain) (RECOMMENDED) and from Birch Tree, Missouri. Family has recommended avoiding Shannon County (where Birch Tree is) due to a strict sheriff. 

 LEO Harassment Update

 

Update  6/26/25 at 9 PM Central Time

Rumors are that some people who are being pulled over for traffic/vehicle offenses are getting the group use tickets. Before you drive into the gathering, please read Getting Into the Gathering without a Citation. 

Mandatory court appearance tickets have been issued for violation of the Group use Regulations.  Please note, that before your court date, you will have the opportunity to pay online. Talk to people at the gathering about what makes sense for you. However, if you chose to pay online, make sure to get "collateral forfeiture" before you pay so nothing appears on your record and you are not admitting guilt. If the price of this year's tickets are similar to 2024, the cost would be $160-180. 

 

  

Warning it is very hot and humid. You should be drinking a minimum of 1 gallon of water per day.  Bring at least 2-3 one gallon containers full of water that you can refill daily. Leave one gallon in your car for the hike out. Take rest breaks, work early and late and spend time in the shade during the middle part of the day.

 

DO NOT STOP ON THE ROADS INTO THE GATHERING AS THE LEOs MAY HASSLE YOU FOR STOPPING. Drive slow but keep going until you get to parking.  There seems to be a lot of cops on the roads today, June 24th 

Arriving at the Gathering 

Read Tips for Arriving at the Gathering, especially if this is your first annual gathering. 

*** HEAT WARNING  ***

 

 This part of the country is experience severe heat for the next week or so. Please plan accordingly. If you have serious health concerns, consider staging someplace cooler until the temperatures come down.

 

Learn about staying safe in the heat. 

 

Heat Advisory Recommendations: Drink plenty of fluids, stay out of the sun, and check up on other gatherers. Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Please don't be a martyr by overworking and then collapsing.  Please take it slow and easy.

 

Main Meadow Update 

 Main Meadow is rough and bumpy and not safe for bare feet or bums at this time. Bring heavy blankets, buckets, and/or small folding chair to sit on for dinner circle.

 

Osage (Indigenous People on this land in Missouri) 

On June 23rd, folks working on tribal outreach received this message from the Osage Archaeologists.

"Good morning! Thank you again for keeping our office in the loop on the new location and for your patience. I was able to review the Missouri site this morning. While the location has a long history of occupation, we did not identify areas that are culturally sensitive or should be avoided.

It is very possible you may come across Indigenous artifacts during the Gathering. We would respectfully request that you all encourage folks to leave them where they are found. While interacting with the objects is fine, these items are part of the landscape and belong to the people who came before us. We’d like them to stay there.

Again we appreciate all of your support and communication these last couple of weeks. C and I both hope the Gathering is a wild success and uplifting for you all. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. We look forward to hearing about how everything goes."

 

Law Enforcement:

 

Be prepared for a heavy law enforcement presence although as of Saturday morning things had been mellow. However, that can change at any moment. If you haven't already, read How to Get Into the Gathering Without Getting a Mandatory Court Appearance Ticket.

 

The Consensus: (updated 6/23 @ 10:30 AM Central Time)

 

 According to my sources there was a call for a consensus to do site selection as consensus minus one as one person had said she would continue to block until July 1st if the consensus was not for Oklahoma..  

 

I am getting two different versions from 4 different people about how this went down. I wasn't there so am relying on others to tell me what to happened.
 

The minus 1 person consented to the "Consensus to do site selection minus one."

OR 

The minus 1 person said "this is not a valid consensus" to the "Consensus to do site selection minus one." But she did not say "I block"

 

Then the site selection consensus by silence and a pass of a feather minus one person, who was quiet during the second consensus when the feather was not passed to her. "Then everyone but her left the council and most went to the Missouri site listed below. (aka consensus by foot as well as consensus minus 1).

 

Then the object used to facilitate the circle was dismantled and two duck feathers were returned to the person who had donated them (the minus 1).

 

After everyone but the minus 1 person had left, two people returned to spring council / circle / counsel (from being in town over night), not knowing the process very well, nor that a consensus had been reached and the three people there "confirmed" a consensus for going to Oklahoma.  

 

Go where your heart directs you to do. 

 

 

 I will update this blog post once I have more info. 

 

2025 Annual Rainbow Family Gathering of the Tribes

End of June to July 7, 2024

We invite all to the 2025 Annual Rainbow Gathering to participate in a silent meditation for peace, love, and harmony amongst all beings. We call for intentional action to experience the peace that is present within each and every one of us, guiding us toward a regenerative path for the future generations.

Our dream is for personal and collective healing so that we might honor our symbiotic relationship with our most beloved and beautiful world. We aspire to build together cultures of peace, justice, and love for our children and the unborn generations yet to come.

The Rainbow Gathering is a non-commercial back country camping experience where we practice how to live in peace with people from many cultures, beliefs, traditions, and backgrounds. All people are welcome to fully participate in all Rainbow council circles and activities. This Gathering will take place on undeveloped land currently under the jurisdiction of the United States Forest Service. 

Rainbow Gatherings are non-aligned politically and spiritually. This is a totally free peace and healing gathering open to all peaceful people. The more you contribute, the more you will experience the magic that is the Rainbow Gathering. 

Feel free to arrive a few weeks early to create the gathering and/or stay a few weeks late to clean it all up. Please be respectful of the homelands of the Osage and other indigenous cultures. Please walk lightly on the land, avoid places that are roped off, and do not camp along creeks or ponds.   

Ticks, ticks and more ticks with a side of ticks!

Be prepared for ticks, more ticks, and a side of ticks. Be prepared to keep ticks off your body. Learn some tips and tricks on keeping ticks off your body.

Wear long sleeves and long pants! 

Do a twice daily tick check on you, your children and your pets. Learn how to do a Tick Check.

 

RAP 107 - Gathering 

Please protect this Beautiful Land. Walk softly. Harm no living thing. Harmonize - Blend in. Use only down, dead wood. Cut no living trees. Preserve the Meadows...camp in the Woods. We are caretakers of this land. Everyone sharing makes a strong Human Tribe!

Please Protect the Water Sources by staying out of DELICATE spring areas and the Upper Meadow. Avoid camping, peeing, washing above spring areas. Keep ALL soap out of streams, springs or the creek (even biodegradable soap)! Use a bucket to take your bath 60 feet away from the water source. To be certain of drinking water: boil it!  Use the slit trenches or covered latrines - cover your paper & waste with ashes or lime, wash hands. Break the fly/illness connection: shit-fly-food-you! Dig no shitters near water areas or kitchens.

Protect our Health! Use your own cup, bowl & spoon! Wash them after eating and rinse in bleach-water. Visit C.A.L.M./M.A.S.H. if you feel ill - especially if you have a contagious disease - or are injured. Camp Together - Establish neighborhoods. Community Fires only! ~ Each with 5 gallon water bucket and shovel for Fire Protection. If you are the last to leave a fire PUT IT OUT! Watch your gear: Be Responsible ~ "Tempt Not Lest Ye Be Lifted From." Pets are discouraged but if you must bring them keep them fed, on a leash and out of the kitchens, springs & fights. Clean up their poop. Love them.

!!! PACK IT IN - PACK IT OUT !!!

Cleanup begins when you arrive. Bring in only what is necessary. There is no janitor here...you are the cleanup crew. Separate garbage for recycling. Don't litter - find collection point. Compost in pits only. Take your trash out of the gathering and drive at least 100 miles before depositing it in an appropriate trash can. Do not burden the local community with our trash.

You are the Gathering! Participate in Shanti Sena, the peace keepers council, and all activities, councils, work crews, workshops. Volunteer wherever needed: kitchens, welcome home, firewatch, parking lot, shitter digging, supply, front gate, etc. R-E-S-P-E-C-T your siblings’ different energies. Keep the Balance: Earth, Sky, Trees, Water & People! Look out for those who are struggling physically or emotional and offer your assistance.

Alcohol is Discouraged, Guns are Inappropriate, Violence is contrary to the Spirit. Please take no photographs or videos of people without permission. Discourage Drug Abuse.
Buying and selling endangers our legal right to be here. The Magic Hat is our Bank, donate early to fund our Needs. The Magic Hat goes around at mealtime circles and with the Magic Hat Parade.

This is a 100% free event. Food is free, medical care is free, parking is free. No admission fee ever!

Directions & Site Specific Information 

Consensus minus one and consensus by foot was reached at spring circle / council / counsel on June 19th to use the Missouri site in the Mark Twain National Forest.

 

Please drive slowly on the 3 miles of gravel/dirt road off Hwy 99 so you don't kick up dust on the the farms/houses along this road. Plus, there are dogs hanging out on the road and you don't want to hit one.

 

There are places to get into the creek near the road and other places but I don't have more details than that.

 

By Bus 

The closest Greyhound station is Springfield Missouri. That is approximately 130 miles west of the gathering. From there you would have to hitchhike east on US Route 60 to MO Route 99 and go south. 

From the North:

From Birch Tree, Missouri head south on Missouri Highway 99 for 13 miles just passed Pine Hill Church. Turn Left or East on Oregon County Road 430, which becomes Forest Service Road 3173.

OR

From the South:

From Thomasville, Missouri, take Missouri Hwy 99 approximately 3.5 miles north to Oregon County Road 430, and turn right (east). Road 430 becomes Forest Service Road 3173. If you pass the Pine Hill Church on Hwy 99 you missed the turn off.

 Everyone should now be heading east on Oregon County Road 430 

I will list the road names but none of these roads are signed including 3173.  However, if you're doing the map thing you should see these roads listed. Best bet on driving in is to keep your eye out for hippie signs like piles of rocks at intersections, rainbow colored ribbons, etc. 

PARKING OPTION #1 -- Almost full. Only recommended for handicapped folks at this time.

Travel east for 1.7 miles on County Road 430 then turn Right/South at the Rock stack (FS Road 4150). Drive about a half a mile past the first turn and park near the next meadow on the Left/East side of this road. This seems to be where Handicamp is found. PARKING IS TWO CARS DEEP OFF A ROAD (no further).

PARKING OPTION #2

Travel east for 2 + miles on County Road 430 which becomes FS Road 4150. Go past the turnoff. Keep going until you see other cars parked on the right hand side of the road (the south side).  Find a place with all 4 wheels off the road.  PARK WITH ALL 4 WHEELS OFF THE ROAD. There are some larger openings and talk to the folks already parked there to get the info.

Please note: parking is on one side of the road only. As you drive in you will see no parking signs on the left or north side of the road. Do not park there even if the gap between signs is long as they will ticket you even if some prankster removed the signs.   

Site specific information

 Filtered water is available in the parking lot. From the parking lot to main meadow is a 2.5 mile hike.

There is a supply drop-off point with a 1 mile hike to main meadow but no parking.  If you have a lot of gear, have mobility challenged folks with you, or are a kitchen, ask for supply drop-off. 

WARNING:  I have worked supply drop-off before and what this means is you pull in, unload and drive back to parking. Leave someone with your gear.   Don't plan on sticking around for more than a short period of time or people will start yelling as we need to keep the road open.

 Some GPS coordinates to the intersection of Hwy 99 and Oregon County Road 430 / FS Road 3173 are 36.829763, -91.513710.

Ride Share

The only place I have seen ride shares organized is on Facebook.  Visit 2025 Annual Rainbow Rideshare. 

There is someone shuttling people from Springfield, MO to the gathering.  If you want to try to get in on this (no guarantees), email z i r k k a r i n at gmail.  Include all the details, where you are arriving (airport or bus terminal), flight #s, dates/times and # of people and description of gear. You must include a phone #.  I will share this with the person doing this shuttling and you may or may not get a call/text back.

MISC. 

Here are some images from the intersection of Hwy 99 and County Road 430.

 

Oklahoma Update 6/23/25 6:00 PM Central Time 

I have been told there will be an Oklovehoma regional gathering in eastern Oklahoma with a council on June 26th to sort out details. Find directions by calling or texting 575-OM-LIGHT / 575-665-4448. This is one of many regional gatherings in the USA. Check out the lightlines to find out what is happening. I do not know anymore details than I have posted here.

Regional Information

If you are interested in regional gatherings, potlucks and/or smaller get togethers that may be taking place in your region, check out the lightlines. 

 

Misc. Information 

Weed is not legal in the Mark Twain National Forest (or any national forest). 

DRINKING WATER: Bring at least a 2 gallons of drinking water per person. Save your jugs for reuse and refill. Leave one gallon in your vehicle and carry the other one into the gathering with you to have until you get orientated.

Be your best self. Plug into existing camps to lighten the load. Meet new people, make new friends! 

Please copy and share this information freely.

Ignore all rumors of cancellation or organization.