Late August–early September · Black Rock Desert, Nevada
Burning Man
packing list
Water, dust protection, visibility, shade, repair supplies, and Leave No Trace planning come before optional comfort upgrades.
At a glance
- Venue
- Black Rock City, Black Rock Desert, Nevada
- Typical dates
- Last Sunday of August through Labor Day
- Base city
- Reno (2.5 hr)
- Fly into
- RNO (Reno-Tahoe)
- Crowd
- ~75,000 participants
- Running
- On playa since 1990
- Music
- Art and participation — not a music festival
- Format
- Camping festival
Plan at your pace
The starting list
0 of 20 packed
Clothing & weather
Use this list in four passes.
- Start with ID, ticket, payment, water, phone power, and medical basics.
- Add the festival-specific items, then adjust for camping, travel, and expected conditions.
- Use the linked official source shortly before departure to confirm bag, entry, and permitted-item policies.
- Save or print the final list after your last forecast and travel check.
The kit, checked weekly
Gear that earns its space
Every pick below is a real product we chose for Burning Man specifically — checked for price, rating, and availability, and re-checked weekly. Prices move; treat them as ballpark.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It never changes what we recommend.
If you buy one thing
DeWalt Concealer sealed goggles
The unofficial official goggle of dust storms. Anti-fog, fully sealed, and about the price of two lemonades.
Check price on Amazon
02
Obacle dust bandanas
Breathable face cover for dust, wind, and sun. Works soaked in water as emergency AC.
Check price on Amazon
03
LED light-up shoelaces
Cheap, silly, and genuinely useful: being visible at night is a safety feature that happens to look great.
Check price on Amazon
04
LHKNL rechargeable headlamp (2-pack)
Finding your tent at 2am is a hands-free job. USB-rechargeable, with a red mode that won't blind your neighbors.
Check price on Amazon
05
Rechargeable camping lanterns (2-pack)
One for the tent, one for the camp kitchen. Doubles as a site marker so your row of identical tents is findable.
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06
Ultima electrolyte packets
One stick per bottle refill on hot days. Water alone stops being enough somewhere around hour six.
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07
Surviveware biodegradable body wipes
The closest thing to a shower at a campground. Thick, unscented, and biodegradable so you're not hauling out guilt.
Check price on Amazon
08
oaskys 3-season sleeping bag
Light, packable, and warm enough for desert nights that drop 40 degrees after sunset.
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09
Protect Life mini first aid kit
100 pieces in a pouch smaller than a paperback. The med tent is for emergencies; this is for everything else.
Check price on Amazon
10
INIU 10,000 mAh power bank
Two full phone charges, flight-safe, and small enough for a fanny pack. Your ticket, your ride home, and your group chat live on this.
Check price on AmazonThe full kit runs about $160 — and most of it follows you to every festival after this one. Start with the top three if you’re choosing.
Pack for this place.
The playa can bring extreme sun, dust, wind, cold nights, and long distances. Prepare for self-reliance and follow current official guidance.
Read the survival guide early, build a water and waste plan, and never assume the event can supply a basic need you did not bring.
Rules are the final word.
Preparation requirements and safety guidance are extensive and change with conditions. Use the official preparation materials as the source of truth. Read the rules-check guide.
Dress for it.
Sun-blocking coverage beats skin: light long sleeves, ventilated layers, and colors that hide playa dust (everything ends up beige eventually). Costumes are the culture, but the ones that survive are the ones you can move, bike, and sweat in. The full what-to-wear guide covers night layers, footwear, and the extras.
Quick answers
Burning Man, asked and answered
How much water do I need at Burning Man?
The survival guide baseline is 1.5 gallons per person per day, covering drinking, cooking, and washing. Nothing is sold on playa except ice and coffee — you haul in every drop.
Will sunglasses work in a dust storm?
No. Whiteouts require sealed goggles; sunglasses let fine playa dust straight into your eyes. Bring two pairs — tinted for day, clear for night.
What is the most dangerous thing to skip?
Lights on your body and bike. Unlit people at night are invisible to art cars and cyclists. Pack more LEDs and spare batteries than feels reasonable.
Can this replace the official rules?
No. This is planning guidance; the official policy linked above controls what is permitted at your edition.