Where do I set up a camp in Black Rock City?
Black Rock City is divided into several types of camping spaces: open camping, walk-in camping, or registered placed camping (offered by the Placement team). An annual City Plan is released each year that includes the locations of open camping and walk-in camping.
Open Camping
Open camping is first-come, first served and is located throughout many blocks between G-K Street. You won’t know exactly where you’ll be camping until you find the space. When you see a spot, talk to the people around your desired plot and make sure there is enough room for you and negotiate the space with your new neighbors if needed — they might turn out to be great friends!
Important things to keep in mind:
- Space for reserved, placed camps is marked on the playa with blue survey flags — DO NOT start setting up until you’ve confirmed the area in question is not reserved or else you might have to relocate. Please note: some of these plots are so large that they may appear unclaimed and available, when they actually are not.
- Only take what you need and don’t be a space hog. There is enough space for everyone in BRC and if you find that space is tight, you might even find a more suitable space a block or two away.
- If you need assistance determining if an area is available for open camping after talking with your potential neighbors, talk to a Black Rock Ranger or swing by the Placement Office at Esplanade & 5:50.
Walk-in camping
Walk-in camping is located outside the last street between 2:00 and 5:00 avenues. Vehicles cannot drive in walk-in camping – that’s why it’s called “walk-in.” What you lose in your vehicle you gain in wide-open playa. Park your vehicles on the outside of the last street, and walk in to set up your camp on the open playa side of the banner flag fence.
You may also camp along the banner flag fence line with your vehicle about 200 feet out from each entrance (at the :15, :45, and :30 intersections). Look out for the signs that designate the parking area vs. where you can camp.
Registered aka “placed” camping
There are over 1400 placed camps in Black Rock City find out more information about how to form one below and on the Placement Process and Timeline page.
Stop by and visit Placement Headquarters at Esplanade & 5:50 if you’d like to speak to someone in person or join one of our monthly office hours before/after the event.
Parking in Black Rock City
Unlike other events, there is no dedicated parking lot away from where people camp. Each camp is expected to accommodate parking for all campers’ vehicles, including RVs, mutant vehicles, vans, and personal vehicles. The only exception to this is within walk-in camping as described above. Also note that driving of personal vehicles is not allowed in BRC; the only vehicles that can be driven are those permitted by the Department of Mutant Vehicles.
RVs at Burning Man
Many people ask about how to find or bring an RV to Burning Man. There are many wonderful ways to camp at Burning Man — tents, living containers, RVs, and many more creative living solutions. The Burning Man organization does not provide or sell RVs to participants. You cannot buy an RV with your Burning Man ticket. We do not connect participants to RV companies.
If you’re joining an established camp, you’ll want to talk with them about how they handle RVs in their camp. Some camps don’t have or allow any RVs.
Pumping/Servicing: There is no way to pre-arrange for RV pumping at Burning Man if your camp is in open camping. Your only option is to flag down the service trucks that patrol the city. We strongly suggest that you limit your usage of water for showers, cooking, etc. so that you need as little pumping as possible while in BRC.
For more information about RVs in general, including generator etiquette and RV pumping procedures, please review the RV Guidelines.
If you encounter a company or are invited to join a camp that sells you a “Burning Man package” (all included ticket, transportation, RV, food, bikes, costumes, etc), please email doingitwrong@burningman.org to tell us more about this company or camp as these are not allowed in BRC.
Check out these additional helpful resources for your camp:
How to get registered/reserved camp placement?
The main event is everywhere, it’s where people like you contribute interactive, creative, incredible experiences to share with everyone. Camps are organized groups of people doing just that – bringing their own unique offerings for others to enjoy. Your experiences are brought by people like you, not produced by vendors or production companies. That’s why people who go to Burning Man are referred to as participants and citizens of Black Rock City.
If you’d like to be considered for a reserved camping spot for your group at Burning Man, you’ll need to learn the placement process, including forms you’ll need to complete like the Placed Camp Questionnaire, the annual timeline, and criteria for selection. Early planning is important since the Placed Camp Questionnaire is due in March/April each year.
If you’d like to stay up to date on all things Placement, including deadline changes, subscribe to the Placement Newsletter.
A quick note, if this is your first time coming to Black Rock City, we recommend being part of a returning camp for at least one year before starting a new camp (unless you’ve organized a camp at your local Regional or have other direct experience with Burning Man). Remember this isn’t like camping at a music festival, it’s being an active group contributing to the city. There’s a lot to learn and experience!