How to Prepare for Burning Man

Radical self-reliance begins with thorough planning. The Burning Man website is your friend, because there you will find all you need to follow the lead of experienced Burners. Use it well and you will find that the preparation--both the logistical nuts and bolts and the funky, creative preparation--is part of the fun.

Things You'll Need

• Everything you need to survive in the desert for 3 to 5 days
• Art supplies, costumes and props (optional)

Instructions

Read Survival and Preparation Materials

1. Go to the Burning Man Preparation webpage and read and familiarize yourself with all mandatory and recommended reading that is linked there (see Resources below).

2. Make a point of downloading and printing out the 16-page PDF version, which is far more comprehensive than the set of links on the web page.

3. Take notes and build a thorough checklist and timetable that you will maintain before and during your Burning Man experience.

4. Pay special attention to preparations for kids, people with disabilities, special health conditions, law enforcement and any material that applies especially to your situation.

Make a Thorough Provision List and Bring Everything You Need

1. List the items you need to bring to Burning Man: 1.5 gallons of water per day, food and beverage, and shelter, but that's just a start. You may also need camping gear, a bicycle with lighting, sunscreen or sunblock, lip balm, skin lotion, warm clothing for evenings, warm sleeping bag, sunglasses, wide-brim hat with windstrap, bicycle tire repair kit, flashlights and batteries, goggles, extra set of car keys, portable shower with collection drain, prescriptions, contact lens kit, earplugs, complete first aid kit, umbrella for shade, garbage bags and one-ply toilet paper. That may still be just a start. Bring ample supplies of whatever may run out.

2. Remember that the only things for sale in Black Rock City are ice and coffee. If you need to leave to pick up supplies or make an emergency phone call in the nearby towns of Gerlach or Empire, there is an inexpensive hourly bus trip. It operates during mid-day hours Wednesday through Saturday, and you can buy a ticket and get information at Center Camp.

3. Bring aluminum cans, not bottles, for liquids. Bottles cannot be recycled at Burning Man, but you can recycle cans at the Recycling Camp.

4. Make other plans for your dog. The playa is not a pet-friendly place.

Tips & Warnings

• Get a planner-binder with calendar, notepad and pockets for documents, journal and notes as a CPU for your preparation and enjoyment of Burning Man.

• Without radically thorough planning, you will be a burden to the community and your Burning Man experience may be a disaster.

Resources

• The Burning Man website Preparation page for more details