Where to Stay Before and After Burning Man

Americas Destinations Stay
BY Christabel
August 12, 2018
Where to Stay Before and After Burning Man
I’ve been going to Burning Man since 2016, and decided to write this post after my accommodation plans fell-through last-minute. This post is for anyone who’s headed to Burning Man and are wondering about the best hotels in Reno for Burning Man. Read on to find out where to stay pre- and post- Burn, including the best Airbnbs in Reno, Fernley and Sparks for Burning Man.
 
Image of woman standing next to an Ursa Major bear sculpture made out of pennies during a white out at Burning Man, Black Rock CityAs an international Burner, prepping for Burning Man sometimes seems like it’s infinitely more work especially when your baggage is restricted and you factor in long haul flights, jet lag and not having the luxury of extra time-off. My first Burn went super smooth – my friend Karla and I stayed at her friend’s house in Reno a couple days pre- and post- Burning Man which was very convenient. We had a set location to gather our supplies, pack our car and have a warm shower (which is a necessity once you get off the playa!!)
 
Here’s a friendly PSA: P.S. Headed to Burning Man? Check out my essential Burning Man packing list. It has plenty of resources to help plan your Burn, including tents I like, what clothing to pack, what meals to prepare, groceries to buy, and more.
My second Burn was a lot more challenging. Less than 2 weeks before heading to Reno, we found out that our friend’s house would no longer be available to us, and so we had to scramble to find last minute accommodations.
 
Which. was. such. a. pain. 
 
So, my first tip about prepping for Burning Man is this: if you’re coming from abroad or cross-country, then after you get your tickets and sort your vehicle out, the third thing you NEED to do is to reserve a hotel/airbnb/room for a few days pre- and post- Burn to decompress.
 
We found out the hard way that pickings were slim, and hotels were super expensive (even budget options in Reno) especially because Burning Man ends on Labor Day weekend. In addition to 70,000+ Burners attending, you also have regular folks headed to Tahoe/Reno for the Labor Day holiday weekend.
 
We flew in to Sacramento — since that where our Burning Man storage unit currently resides — stayed there for 2 nights. Then headed to Reno to do our shopping and get all our last minute supplies – check out my packing list to see what I take to Burning Man and what I eat on the playa each year. All the hotels and airbnbs in Reno were sold out by the time we started looking, so we had to stay in Sparks, a city just east of Nevada.
 
Post-Burn we spent a couple nights in a town called Fernley to de-compress, clean up our gear and car rental, while I battled a nasty playa-induced sinus infection, before spending a night in Sacramento. You know what it ended up costing us? Over $400! Which at the time was money I did not budget for when planning for Burning Man.
 
For our next Burn (we will be back on the playa next year), we know better, and I was able to share my experiences so you know not to make the same mistakes we did.
 

The Best Hotels in Reno for Burning Man

I recommend staying at a hotel —maybe splurging a little for something —post-Burning Man because you deserve it.
Surviving a week in the desert in some of the most inhospitable living conditions on the planet is no joke, and you need to celebrate AND decompress after the Burn.
 
Here’s a list of great (unofficial) Burner hotels that host post-play decompression parties to help you reintegrate back into the default world.
 

Grand Sierra Resort & Casino

Need a little bit more luxury after a week out on the dusty playa? Then the sprawling Grand Sierra is the place to go post-Burn. With 1,900 rooms and suites to choose from, RV parking and plenty of pool area to relax by, it’s a good place to get acclimated to the default world. Oh, and a massage the spa won’t hurt either.  Click here to view the latest prices

Peppermill Resort Spa & Casino

Another Burner-friendly option, Peppermill Resort & Spa provides comfortable rooms to relax in, and plenty of great dining options which are so necessary both before and after your time in Black Rock City. Most importantly, there’s also a spa, plenty of parking even for RVs and they seem to have special deals for Burners, so call before making your reservation. Click here to view the latest prices. 

Sands Regency Casino Hotel

Each year, Barbie Death Camp gets burners a special deal for Sands Regency Casino hotel in Reno, and the prices are amazing…if you can book in advance! By the time we called, it was too late and all the rooms had sold out. Prices range from $39-$99 a night for a hotel room.

You’ll find Burners decompression in the sauna, the 15-person hot tub and large outdoor pool. If you’re looking for budget Burner-friendly option, then this is it! Click here to view the latest prices.

 

The Best Airbnbs in Reno and the Surrounding Areas for Burning Man

 
These are the Airbnbs’ we stayed in during our Burn last year and we loved all of them. The owners are all Burner-friendly and we had a great time talking to them about Burning Man – none had been! FIRST TIME BOOKING VIA AIRBNB? CLICK HERE FOR $32 OFF YOUR FIRST STAY.
View On Airbnb Private Entrance King bed suite with sitting room
View On Airbnb Blue Cottage
 
And, if you’re flying in from Sacramento, definitely stay here – their home is awesome and it’s in a quaint little neighborhood in Sacramento, with some great restaurants just down the street. Highly recommended!
View On Airbnb Private Rock ‘n Roll Room & Bath in Oak Park 

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[genesis_column size=”one-half” position=”first”]Image of a Chinese takeout sculpture out in deep playa at Burning Man in Black Rock City[/genesis_column][genesis_column size=”one-half”]Image of a metal sculpture of the Burning Man logo with a vibrant sunset at Black Rock City[/genesis_column]

Recommended Reading for Preparing for Burning Man

  • First off, read the 10 Principles of Burning Man. With the Burn becoming more mainstream each year, it’s important to truly understand the point of Burning Man. It’s not for everyone, and it’s certainly not one big party 24/7 like the media wants you to believe. There’s a community, and if you want to participate and not be a spectator, it will be a week you won’t forget for a long, long time!
  • If it’s your first Burn, be sure to read my Virgin’s Guide to Burning Man, including why I chose to go to Burning Man, tips for international Burners, how to get there etc.
  • Got your tickets? CONGRATS! Now the planning and prep truly begin. Check out my essential Burning Man packing list and how I plan for the playa every year
  • Decompression is so important after the Burn, especially if it’s your first year. I remember what a shock it was for both Karla and myself driving down the 99 and seeing all the signage and ads on our way to Los Angeles. Here’s some great decompression tips from the Burning Man blog.
  • One of the principles is radical self-reliance, which is relying on yourself and no one else. While I’m certainly here to help if you have any questions about attending Burning Man, I urge you to use the resources you already have in front of you…the answers are there, you just have to find them.

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About Author

Christabel

Christabel is the blogger and editor behind Where's Bel. She lives to travel, and is often restless if she's not out exploring, scoping out new restaurants or happy hours. Say Hello!

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