Every year, the Burning Man Festival pops up in the Nevada desert for nine days around Labor Day weekend. This is a magical festival that includes an entire pop-up city and is “dedicated to community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance” and is well-worth checking out. That said, staying onsite really is the best way to go and if you want to do that in comfort, you’re going to need a Burning Man RV rental.
In this article, we will cover how to find Burning Man RV rentals, how much you can expect to pay, how to care for the rental, and more.
Lodging Options at Burning Man
The first thing you’ll want to do when planning your Burning Man trip? Find a place to stay. There are three options available to you. You can:
- Stay in a hotel
- Tent camp onsite
- RV camp onsite
Burning Man RV Rental
In our opinion, the best lodging option is to grab a Burning Man RV rental and park it onsite. This allows you to be totally immersed in the Burning Man experience while also enjoying a real bed, an occasional shower, and maybe even a little bit of air conditioning if you’re willing to run the generator here and there. RV camping is much more comfortable than tent camping, especially in the hot and dusty desert.
Hotels Near Burning Man
You could, of course, snag a hotel room, but because the event is so remote, there aren’t any rooms that are super close. Bruno’s Motel is the closest option and it sits a good 25 minutes away from Black Rock City and books up in no time. Beyond that, you’re looking at driving at least an hour and a half or two hours, meaning a hotel is really only a good idea if you’re just planning a day trip to the festival.
That said, there are a number of Burners who choose to stay in Reno before and after the event. Many of these people stay at Grand Sierra Resort, but really, any Reno casino hotel is likely to be hosting Burners in the days surrounding the festival.
Onsite Camping at Burning Man
Whether you plan to tent camp or grab one of the many Burning Man RV rentals, you will need to buy a ticket, get a vehicle pass for any vehicle you plan to drive into Black Rock City (RVs count, but towed vehicles do not need a ticket). You don’t need to make a campsite reservation, but you will want to learn about the various camping option before you arrive.
One option is open camping. This is open to all ticket holders. There is a lot of open camping in Black Rock city and it is all first-come-first-served. You will need to make sure you avoid reserved placed camps, which are marked with blue flags. You’ll also want to talk to your potential new neighbors before you park to make sure they are alright with having you nearby.
The second option is to host or join a registered/placed camp. Joining a placed camp allows you to camp near a party with similar interests and gives you a smaller, closer-knit community within the community. Many new Burners find it helpful to be a part of a placed camp, as experienced campers within the camp can help them out.
RV Rental for Burning Man Tips
Here are some more Burning Man RV tips to help ensure your time on the playa is safe and enjoyable.
- Minimize your generator use. Yes, it’s nice to cool down from the hot desert sun with your own air conditioning unit. But propane-burning generators are noisy and produce fumes that could irritate other festival-goers.
- Make sure your fresh water tank is full — and bring extra! You can’t stay too hydrated in the desert and running out of water could be a very dangerous situation.
- Don’t forget: Leave no trace. Packing out everything you pack in is one of the main tenets of Burning Man. Have a plan for every ounce of garbage or drop of dirty water you produce.
- Be prepared and keep cool. The desert sun is no joke! Make sure you have everything you need to stay safe and healthy including extra food and water, sunscreen, and an emergency kit. Check out Burning Man’s own guidelines for RV camping.
Keeping the RV Clean
While the desert’s playa is beautiful to look at, RVs can take a beating thanks to the dust. The combination of playa and hard winds can send dust into any crevice and surface of the RV, including the engine and vents. Since the sand has such a fine texture, it can cause damage if not tended to properly. This is why you may see cleaning fees or higher deposits for Burning Man rentals – the playa gets everywhere!
Luckily, we have some tips that can help keep dirt as contained as possible once you get the keys.
- Keep everything covered – Floors can easily be covered with plastic or thick paper. Seams for windows and doors may be taped. Renters may cover furniture and windows with plastic. Most windows can also be covered with a reflective wrap on the outside to keep the RV as cool as possible. Just be sure to tape the wrap securely because the wind does pick up. You’ll also want to leave a window or two without reflective wrap, so they can be opened for ventilation. Cover these windows along with all vents to the outside with air conditioner filters instead. These provide some airflow while also preventing excessive amounts of dust from entering the RV.
- Be mindful of the door – Keep an old rug outside the door (make sure it’s weighed down), and brush your feet off before entering the RV. Maybe even leave shoes outside in a tub or bucket to avoid additional dust that can be tracked in. Also, try not to leave the door open except for the brief moments you’re going in and out!
- Clean as you go – The last thing we want is to take away from your time at Burning Man with chores. However, this will make your temporary home much more comfortable! Simple tasks like wiping down counters, changing sheets, and inspecting the unit will go a long way.
- Keep the awning closed – Owners may even include this in rental instructions. Not only will keeping the awning closed prevent it from getting dirty, the winds there are no joke. Owners can provide additional shade options for your renter or renters can bring their own.
- Consider having the RV waxed beforehand – This adds a protective coating to the rig, making it much easier to clean later.
Post Burning Man RV Rental Cleanup
Want to clean the RV up before returning it to its owner? Good call! Here are some tips for doing just that.
- Remove all coverings.
- Wash the vehicle immediately.
- Use an air compressor to blow all the dust out of the engine and other areas.
- Open all the windows and turn the AC fan on high to help get the dust out of the vents. (Be sure to wear glasses or goggles!)
- Change all air filters, including the engine air filter, cabin air filter, AC air filter, and generator air filter.
- Vacuum everything – floors, window treatments, furniture.
- Clean all hard surfaces with white vinegar to cut through the dust.
Burning Man RV Rental FAQs
Still not sure you know everything you need to know about RVing at Burning Man? Here are a few of the most common questions people have about the Burning Man festival.
How do I buy an event ticket?
Event tickets are available during certain windows in the months leading up to the festival. Those who wish to attend the festival must register for a ticket during a sales event. If they are selected to purchase a ticket during a given sales event, they may not register for tickets again that year. If you are selected to purchase ticket, make sure to buy your vehicle pass simultaneously, as you will not have another opportunity to do so.
When should I reserve a Burning Man RV rental?
Burning Man RV rentals tend to book up months in advance. We recommend booking your RV rental for Burning Man as soon as you possibly can, preferably at least 6 months before the festival begins.
What can I expect to pay for a Burning Man RV rental?
Because Burning Man RV rentals are limited and in high demand, you can expect to pay much more for an RV rental for Burning Man than you might normally pay for a rental RV. An RV that is 2-3 times the usual price is not uncommon and things like deposits and generator fees will also be higher.
How can I make sure my rental RV is fully insured when heading to Burning Man?
Rent through RVShare! We help make sure your RV is safe no matter where it goes by providing excellent insurance coverage for each and every rental. This includes Burning Man rentals, meaning you can rest easy when you rent your RV through RVshare for the Burning Man event.
Burning Man is one of the most amazing events in the entire country. It is the perfect opportunity for creative and free-thinking people to come together and make memories that will last a lifetime. If this sounds like something you want to do, be sure to secure your RV rental for Burning Man today, so you can enjoy this incredible experience in comfort!
