28 Things I Wish I Knew Before My First Burning Man
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I’ve been going to Burning Man for a decade now. That’s right, I’ve been to the Black Rock Desert ten times and now proudly classify myself as a veteran Burner.
You can feel super ready but nothing can prepare you for every surprise on the playa! There are many things nobody warned me about, and even after ten Burns, I still learn something new every year.
In this post, I’ll share practical tips and the things I wish I knew before my first Burning Man. I hope this list helps you avoid some common first-timer mistakes, know what to expect, and spend more time enjoying everything Black Rock City has to offer.
Burning Man Slang
In This Post
Playa — A playa is a geographical term for a dry, alkaline desert lakebed such as the environment where Burning Man is held. So playa has become the name for the area of Burning Man.
Soft Playa –– Areas on the playa ground that are so soft, basically piles of dust. Very hard to bike in and you’ll want to bring a tennis ball for your kickstand so your bike can survive it.
Deep Playa –– the vast, open area stretching behind the central city, the Man, and the Temple, and all the way to the perimeter trash fence.
The Burn — Just another name for “Burning Man” ie “enjoy your Burn!”
Black Rock City — The temporary city where Burning Man is held. Black Rock Desert is the land.
Burner –– A participant at Burning Man.
10 Principles — The ten “rules” to respect and follow for the festival.
Leave No Trace –– I would say this is the most important Principle! It’s simply packing out your trash and anything non-native to the desert to help preserve the ecosystem and respect the Indigenous land.
Here are more quick Burning Man resources and more slang to know before your trip to the playa!
Tips I Wish I Knew Before My First Burning Man
These Burning Man first-timer tips are things I wish someone had told me before my first trip to the playa!
If you’re still planning your trip and need help with tickets, camping, and everything else you’ll need to know before arriving to the playa, check out my How To Prepare For Burning Man: The Ultimate First-Timer’s Guide.
That guide should cover all your preparation needs, while this list focuses on lessons I learned only after experiencing Burning Man and practical tips that have made my experience easier each time.
1. Light Your Body
Lighting at Burning Man is important for safety and Radical Self-Expression (one of the Principles). I always bring lights for my bike but then sometimes forget lights for my actual body!
Bring many headlamps and extra batteries. I don’t recommend glow sticks because they can leak chemicals if broken, making them a Leave No Trace hazard. My favorites are sphere light necklaces and LED rainbow capes.
2. It’s a Sensory Nightmare
The whole experience of living in the desert is rough. At the end of each Burn, I’m congested, puffy, and feeling too dusty. It takes multiple showers and a swim in Lake Tahoe to feel un-dusty.
I always keep a tiny bottle of lotion on me because I have sensory difficulties and can’t stand the playa dust all over my hands.
3. You’re Going to Be Cranky
My ex partner told me at my first Burn that if you’re cranky, drink water. If you’re upset, drink water. When you’re arguing, drink water!
You WILL get cranky at some point, because Burning Man is a challenge!! Not everything goes according to plan. You might lose something, your lights could stop working, your bike could get a flat tire (it’s happened to me three times), and things will go wrong.
It’s best to make sure you’re well-fed, watered, and organized to try to prevent these things but if they happen –– take a moment to appreciate that you’re in a beautiful desert enjoying this crazy event!
If you’re having a bad trip or very overwhelmed, I suggest getting a Black Rock Ranger (the ones wearing khaki –– they are not Law Enforcement and will not get you in trouble) and asking for a Green Dot Ranger, who offer mental health services.
Project Zendo will not be on the playa 2026. They usually offer a safe space and psychological aid but don’t have the resources to come this year. Zendo aims to be back on the playa in 2027.
4. MOOP Is Important
MOOP is Matter Out Of Place or anything non-native to the desert ecosystem! So, if trash, hair, zip ties, or even plant matter end up on the ground, they need to be picked up (check here to see the actual Burning Man items that are forbidden to help reduce MOOP on the playa.
You and your campmates should do regular MOOP sweeps and I recommend that you always have a small bag with you to pick up anything you see on the ground.
5. Know How to Find Your Camp
Black Rock City is arranged like a giant clock face, with radial roads marked by clock times from 2:00 to 10:00. Those streets intersect with lettered streets (A, B, C, etc.), which form circular rings around the city. For example your camp address could be 7:30 and B (I marked that address on this map).
Study the map layout ahead of time and familiarize yourself with it!
Also, know how to get back to your camp from open or deep playa (the areas without camps)! Find an art installation (that doesn’t move) near the street entrance closest to your camp.
Use that as a reference point to get back to your camp! Know what this art installation looks like in the day and lit up at night so you can see it from across the playa.
6. Bike Basket
Using a bike basket is great way to avoid feeling bogged down while riding your bike everywhere! I keep my DSLR camera in my bag, which can get pretty heavy to carry around all day in the hot sun.
Check out my Burning Man bike guide to find out why you should bring a bike, where to get one, and how to prepare it for the playa.
7. The Roads May Be BUMPY
During my first Burning Man in 2014, it rained the first night! When I woke up, the roads were destroyed –– wet playa sticks to everything like bike tires, people’s feet, and vehicles and it creates deep holes that harden as the playa dries and make the roads very bumpy.
I don’t think it had ever rained on the playa during Burning Man before, so no one warned me about the roads!
I was actually surprised during my second Burning Man because the ground was so flat in comparison! Bring a sports bra and a comfy bike seat!
8. Bring Anti-Diarrhea Pills
I’ve needed anti-diarrhea pills three times at Burning Man so far. That’s crazy to admit but being in the hot desert with potential dehydration and too much pickle juice (a natural laxative) can upset your body!
Here’s a full list I’ve created with everything you need to pack for Burning Man, even with things you may not consider like anti-diarrhea pills.
9. Consider Volunteering with Gate
I wish I knew this tip before my first Burning Man because I waited 6 hours to get a free flight at the airport and still didn’t get on a plane! I volunteered with Gate the next year and signed up for an airport shift (“Point 5” on the locations list for shifts). You’ll work with a lot of pilots and one may offer you a ride.
Here’s a video of me on a glider plane taking off on the playa.
Gate wasn’t my first option! I actually tried being a Greeter and realized I’m not super chipper on command and a friend told me that Gate accepts more salty, direct individuals like myself.
Read more about my actual volunteering experience at Gate and see what it’s like. GP&E (Gate, Perimeter & Exodus) is a great way to volunteer and get earned credits towards a free or discounted ticket for the next year.
In my budgeting guide, I explain how volunteering helped me attend Burning Man for just $120.
10. Bungee Cargo Net
If you have a truck, consider buying a bungee cargo net (with a tighter-grid) so things don’t fly out of your truck bed. It’s likely it will be fully loaded and at risk of something jumping out while on the highway on your trip to the playa.
I lost a penguin blanket this way! We thought it was secure under a tent bag but noticed it had flown away when we stopped for gas.
11. I Packed Too Much Food and Clothing
As a first-time Burner, I brought three garbage bags full of clothes and got annoyed whenever I needed an outfit. It’s hard to rummage through the bags when you’re in a rush to a disco party! 🪩
Plus, everything will get dusty and you’ll have to wash it all when you get home, so try to minimize your outfits!
With food, the desert heat has always lowered my appetite and I always eat way less than I think I will.
Before you finish packing, check out 23 Things You Should NOT Bring to Burning Man to avoid common packing mistakes.
12. Have a Day Bag
Your life will be easier on the playa if you organize your go bag ahead of time. Whether you carry a backpack or use a bike basket, always keep these items always on you –– water, sunscreen, a headlamp, eye drops, dust goggles, and a scarf with you just in case a dust storm rolls in or you’re away from camp longer than expected.
13. Bring a Portable Cup
You can get a lot of free drinks (alcoholic & non-alcoholic) at Burning Man but you have to bring your own cup! I like having one with a lid so I can bring my drink to go. I added a magnet to the lid so I don’t lose it which is very easy to do on the playa.
14. Book a Hotel
I’ve always been low maintenance, but one year my carpool buddy stayed in a hotel on the way to Burning Man from Portland and I’m so glad that I joined her. It was nice to feel refreshed before arriving to the playa instead of driving straight for 12 hours (which I normally do).
15. Cable Bike Lock
Bring a cable bike lock so you won’t have to worry about losing a key! The alkaline playa dust can get inside the lock and jam the mechanism over time, so a cable is better.
Always lock your bike even when going to the porta-potties because you may find a disco-themed bathroom and spend more time than you expected having a solo dance party in there!
16. Group Meetups
To find your friends or campmates, you can set up group meetup points. For example if you’re all headed to a disco party together at 8pm, you can agree to meet at Spanky’s Wine Bar at 9pm and then Opulent Temple at 11pm.
That way if anyone gets lost at the party or in transit and can’t find the group at the current location, they can still show up at the meetup points and hangout later in the night.
I explain this idea in my video with tips I made my third year. I think this is the best Burning Man advice I’ve received!
17. You Need Goggles
My first two years, I just wore sunglasses as eye protection. Don’t make my same mistake –– the playa dust is not good for your eyes and it burns! Now my eyes are more sensitive (or maybe that just happens when you get older 🫠 ).
I would recommend goggles with UV protection.
18. Always Wear Footwear
I know it’s enticing to want to feel the wet playa mud on your feet if it rains, but this is how I got playa foot for the first time! This is when the skin starts cracking and hurting because it’s so dry.
Even if it doesn’t rain, you should always wear socks and good shoes. Remember to moisturize and use vinegar to clean your feet each day!
19. Label Your Valuables
I attach a tag or use duct tape to label my name and camp address, hoping any valuables will be returned to me! Don’t rely on playa magic for them to find you again!
I lost my first Nalgene water bottle in an art car before I started labeling everything.
20. Don’t Trust Randoms
A random person might ask you for special substances. Even if you have those substances, do not trust anyone you don’t know because there are undercover officers around the playa.
In 2025, my campmates had quite a few issues dealing with these undercover cops so be safe! Here are some laws to be aware of in Nevada.
21. Plan to Not Have a Plan!
Plan everything BEFORE the Burn, that way you can be free to have fun when you are there.
You won’t want to spend a half hour looking for your lights or figuring out what to wear. Keep your items and clothing organized so you don’t waste valuable playa time.
Here’s a preparation guide to help you maximize your Burning Man experience.
22. Cut Tennis Balls
You’d be surprised how often you’ll need a cut tennis ball in the desert. These can go on the end of your rebar for your tent and shade structure, or on the end of your bike kickstand.
There are areas of the playa that are so soft (soft playa) that your bike kickstand will sink into the ground, causing your bike to fall over. A cut tennis ball on the end of the kickstand creates a larger base, helping keep your bike upright.
23. Everything Will Be Dusty
The dust is inevitable! There was one year I didn’t have a layer of dust on everything in my tent, then finally on the last day, a dust storm ruined that.
If you’re renting a vehicle, make sure to tell them you’re going to Burning Man! You can not hide the dust and some places have extra cleaning fees.
24. Don’t Rely on Phones
My first few years at Burning Man there was absolutely no phone service! I loved it, it’s nice to enjoy the playa without carrying a phone. I bring a journal to write events and my thoughts down and a disposable camera for photos.
The playa dust can potentially ruin your phone, and if you lose it, finding it again among the 70,000 participants in a city the size of Black Rock City will be hard!
25. Camping Chair
I forget to bring a camping chair every single year and regret it every single time. After 10 Burning Mans, that’s a lot of sitting on the ground! Somehow, I still haven’t managed to bring one to the playa, so this a reminder for me and you: bring a camping chair.
You’ll get tired of standing, walking, and biking everywhere and will probably enjoy having a comfy seat when eating dinner or hanging with new friends at your camp.
26. Roll of Toilet Paper
Sometimes even at the beginning of the week, I’ve seen the porta-potties be empty of toilet paper! I always keep a roll of toilet paper in my bike basket and bring it with me, especially if the toilets have a long queue because you don’t want to wait 5 minutes to realize there’s no TP in there.
Remember, bring only single-ply toilet paper so the porta-potties don’t get blocked!
27. Bring Lotion
My first two years I only brought coconut oil but lotion is so much better for hydration! Your skin will feel very dry and dusty and lotion is good to prevent cracking!
Bring a bottle with a pump dispenser so it’s easier to squirt out! Weleda is my favorite because its natural ingredients. 🧴
28. Join a Camp
I’ve always been in a theme camp instead of doing open camping so I might be biased but joining a camp is easier for first-timers because it saves you a lot of planning and decision-making.
Camps usually provide shade structures, meal options, water, and the opportunity to meet people and give back to the playa via bars, activities, or music.
Some camps I’ve been with have held silent speed-dating events, tropical bar dance parties, queer intimacy and connection workshops, and provided an art car (BAAAHS, the sheep art car below), and even a sauna!
Final Thoughts
Burning Man isn’t like anything else in the world to me, and no amount of planning can truly prepare you.
I hope my list of tips, mistakes, and lessons give you a better idea of what to expect on the playa, so you can spend more time enjoying Black Rock City. Have any other questions? Check out my other posts below!
See you in the dust! 🔥
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