New to Burning Man?

Like being tied up and hung in mid-air... the experience of going to Burning Man is difficult to describe. 

Start with the official website, then read the First Timer’s Guide. 

As soon as you’re thinking seriously of going, read the entire thing.

What about the dust? Is there a lot of dust?

There’s no more dust in Black Rock City than, say, water in a rain storm.

Which is to say there’s a lot of dust and it’s a constant presence. Not wanting to get dusty in Black Rock City is an exercise in futility. But much like getting caught in a rain storm, you quickly get over it. 

Everyone reaches the playa for the first time and intends to minimize dust exposure. Everyone forgets about the dust in 24 hours, usually much less.

The Basics

The event itself takes place during the week before Labor Day in the Black Rock desert near Gerlach, Nevada. The critical point here is the desert part: before we arrive, Black Rock is a dry, empty pre-historic lakebed. When we leave, it’s a dry, empty pre-historic lakebed. What this means for you:

• You need to bring everything that you’ll need during the week. Other than ice and coffee, you can’t buy anything in Black Rock City. Be prepared.

• The environment is brutal and inhospitable. Temperatures range from over 100 during the day to the low 40s at night. Fierce dust storms regularly appear without warning. Be prepared.

• Burning Man is a Leave No Trace event. Everything you bring with you has to go home with you again. See our MOOP plan.

So, why go?

• Because of the art. Burning Man is home to an unparalleled collection of art, ranging from sculpture to art cars to gigantic fireballs. Nowhere else in the world comes close.

• Because of the unique culture of radical self-expression, self-reliance, and non-commercialism. 

• People who go to Burning Man routinely describe the experience as transformative.

• Because Suspended Animation will be there (we’re a pretty big deal)