The Essential Burning Man Packing List

I’ve been going to Burning Man since 2016, and decided to write this post after getting inquiries from international virgin Burners for a Burning Man checklist. This post is my Burning Man packing list and is for anyone who’s headed to Burning Man for the first time and is looking for what supplies to bring to Burning Man. I’ll cover everything from the Burning Man essentials, to what Burning Man googles I like, and what I use as a tent for Burning Man. 

Please note: This post was originally published in March 2018 and updated in 2019 as I plan and prep for my third Burn this year.

As an international Burner coming almost 9,000 miles to Black Rock City every year, there’s a lot more that I have to think of than just having my Burning Man tickets and reading the Burning Man survival guide!

If it’s your first Burn, I know just how intimidating preparing for Burning Man can be. But, thankfully having access to the internet makes things easier – there are plenty of resources, like mine, to get your Burning Man tips and figure out what to bring to Burning Man. I hope my Burning Man packing list is able to help you plan for your first Burn.

What Is Burning Man?

It’s a week-long culture and arts event in the Black Rock desert where almost 70,000 people come together from all around the world to participate in a community that’s guided by ten principles: radical inclusion, gifting, decommodification, radical self-reliance, radical self-expression, communal effort, civic responsibility, leaving no trace, participation, immediacy. Click here to learn more.

P.S. Don’t forget to read my post on where to stay before and after Burning: the best hotels in Reno for Burning Man Man.It contains recommendations for Burner-friendly hotels in Reno as well as Airbnbs in the surrounding cities!!

Virgin Burners Guide: Burning Man Packing List

Burning Man Essentials

• Burning Man ticket
• Burning Man car pass
• Burning Man survival guide
• Your passport/valid Id + copies – Since I travel internationally for the Burn, I always keep my passport on me. But for the duration of the Burn, I use my Id on the playa – almost every bar will now check your id before serving alcohol
• Drivers License and Auto Insurance
• Medical/Travel insurance – it’s one of the harshest environment’s I’ve experienced, you never know what might happen out there
• Cell phone, charger, and battery pack (mine is by Mophie, like this one) – we use our cell phone for directions, but save the map on google before our drive since we lose service for part of the way to Black Rock City. Alternatively, you could print out driving directions/get a map
• Money – the only two things you can buy on the playa are ice and coffee/tea
• Water – Being radically self-reliant is making sure you have enough water for the entire time you’re in the desert. You’ll need it most importantly for drinking and staying hydrated, but also use it for cooking, taking a shower etc – the estimate according to Burning Man’s website is 1.5 gallons per person per day. I cannot live without my Hydroflask – it keeps my water refreshingly cold all day even when I’m out in the hot sun.

Burning Man Tent, Accessories, & Gear List

Burning Man Tent Options

Our Burning Man theme camp (we’re part of an international wine bar on the playa) provides a shade structure where Karla and I pitch our tent aka our Burning Man shelter for the week. During our virgin Burn we used an extra tent that our camp had in storage, which was spacious BUT had too many mesh openings. A tent with a lot of mesh openings is bad because the interior gets dusty sooo quick…I mean dust is inevitable when you’re on the playa, but we like to try and minimize it in our living quarters. So, last year after a lot of research on the best tent for Burning Man (reddit is a great resource, FYI) we invested in this 6-person Coleman tent as our official Burning Man tent with a cubby for our four storage bins.

Burning Man Sleeping Supplies

It was large enough to fit a queen-size inflatable air mattress – look for one with a battery-powered pump like this one from REI, with room to stand up and get dressed in the center. We also use inflatable camping pillows (I like these Sea to Summit ones), a fleece blanket, and we each have our own sleeping bags. To keep the dust off when we’re not using it, we cover it with a blue tarp we got at the hardware store. The weather is so unpredictable, last year was unbelievably hot but the year before the temperature dipped down to freezing and I was so grateful to crawl into my sleeping bag at night! This is the one I have that I got for free from Kiwanis in Reno when getting my playa bike.

Burning Man Bicycles

2019 Update — A friend and fellow campmate custom made a bicycle for me this year since I had a hard time the past years with saddle soreness. So, I’ll be donating my bike from Kiwanis before I head to the playa on my new wheels. I have yet to fit it with lights for exploring the playa at night (remember always be well lit at night, the playa is dark af) and am thinking about adding these spoke lights to really shine. Here are a few more options:

Speaking of Burning man bikes, I got mine through the Kiwanis Burning Man bicycle program – they’re a non-profit based in Reno where you can reserve bikes (starts at $50) for the playa. Make your reservation in advance because they always tend to sell out of bikes. At the end of the Burn, you can donate your bike back to the program – they’ll tune it and get it ready for next year’s Burn – or you can keep your bike, which is what I did. I just make sure to clean mine once I get off the playa, pump air into the tires, and tune it up before heading back to Black Rock City, and I’m good to go!

Your bike needs to be accessorized to differentiate it from the thousands of others out on the playa. Next year, I’ll be investing in a bike basket – I’m going to see if I can thrift one, if not, I have my eye on this front basket. For those of you not used to riding bikes for long distances on a daily basis like me (I ended up with saddle soreness during my first Burn), you need to invest in a comfortable plush seat like this. Also, consider adding a headlight to your bike for your nighttime playa escapades – red lights are less blinding. Don’t forget there’s no lights on the playa at night except for the ones on yourself and your bike. Light up or you’ll have people yelling darkwad at you or worse yet, you’ll get into an accident because people can’t.see.you. I recommend getting strings of fairy lights or multiple EL wire, and bike spoke lights (here’s a 2 pack) aren’t a bad idea, either.

Most importantly, you’ll need a bike lock. I use a simple numerical lock like this one. Unfortunately not keeping your bike locked, EVEN when it’s at camp, means there’s a chance of it getting stolen – so lock it everywhere you go. Trust me, the last thing you want is having your bike stolen halfway through the week.

Burning Man Tent Accessories

Karla has these cool inflatable solar powered lights (here’s a two pack) that we leave out in the sun during the day to charge, and use at night to light the entrance to our tent, and the inside of our tent. We also have these and these (with an interchangeable lens) headlamps just in case the lights go out and we need to get up and go use the portapotties at night.

Burning Man Toiletries List

The two most important items on our toiletries list for Burning Man every year are a giant bag of baby wipes (this is what we got last year), 1-ply toilet paper, and mini garbage bags to store our trash while we’re out on the playa. While the portapotties generally have toilet paper (1-ply only, anything more and it clogs the toilets!), I prefer using baby wipes. Always keep your trash with you – just a part of leaving no trace. 

Don’t forget the basic toiletries like a toothbrush, tooth paste (I’m going to try these toothy toothpaste tablets by Lush this year), soap, and deodorant. We have a 5-gallon bucket in the trunk of our car that we use just for brushing our teeth and washing our face. We normally take only one/two showers the entire week we’re out on the playa (our camp sets up an outdoor Burning Man shower, so don’t forget your towel) and our daily routine consists of wiping down with witch hazel, and baby wipes. Since the playa dust is alkaline in nature, witch hazel is great for breaking it down (we use this one that smells like rose petals), and for use in foot baths – it also smells much much better than plain ‘ol vinegar. Whenever I’m headed out from camp, I make sure to have a spray bottle filled with cold water and a couple drops of peppermint or lavender oil – it’s great for keeping cool during the hot days.

Ok, time for some woman talk…about HAIR CARE. The playa dust wreaks havoc on my long hair every year, and each time I come back from the playa it takes a few months for it to recover. The dust takes out all the moisture from my hair to the point that it begins to form dreadlocks. I make sure to brush my hair out on a daily basis, keep it in a bun or braided. Wigs are also a great option for keeping your hair protected, and switching up your looks. One of the highlights of my Burn every year is heading to to the camp, Astral Headwash, to get my head massaged and my hair thoroughly washed. The service they provide to Burners on the playa is invaluable, and I’m so grateful I get to volunteer while waiting my turn in line for someone to wash my hair. When I leave the playa, I have had a lot of success with this avocado and olive oil hair mask when I wash my hair.

When heading to bed at night (or during the day if you’ve been out exploring the playa all night), be sure to have a pair of ear plugs because it can sometimes be a little too noisy outside. My camp has a wine bar and while they’re generally good about shutting off the music around midnight, there were a few times the party stayed put until sunrise. But, thankfully, I had my ear plugs in, and my eye mask on, so I got my much needed beauty sleep.

Before leaving camp and heading out to explore the playa, moisturize and use plenty of sunscreen. I use coconut oil as a moisturizer and it works particularly well out on the playa, and for sunscreen, the highest SPF possible. My first year I tried using an organic all-natural sunblock from India and ending up getting pretty badly sunburnt, so I’ve learned my lesson! Don’t forget to pack chapstick with SPF – lips tend to get dry in the desert.

As someone who suffers from sinus problems, the playa unfortunately wreaks havoc on them. I ended up with a particularly nasty sinus infection last year as soon as I got off the playa, and it took more than a month to completely recover from. I recommend bringing a saline nasal spray, neti pot (I have this one), and saline to rinse out your sinuses daily and keep them hydrated. For 2019, I splurged and got this RZ mask that came recommended by other burners…we’ll see how it works on the playa.

The playa is one of the last places I’d want to get my period, but if you do get it the week you’re out there, consider getting a menstrual cup – you don’t have to change it as often as a pad or tampon, and it’s better for the environment.

I like to enhance my playa outfits with makeup, and make sure to pack my makeup essentials along with makeup remover, rosewater that acts as a toner (I LOVE this one by Mario Badescu), waterproof eyeliner, and plenty of colorful false eyelashes. Just make sure you don’t use glitter because it’s extremely MOOPy.

Burning Man Medical Supplies List

Burning Man is one of the harshest environments I’ve both experienced and survived, and I wouldn’t head to the playa without the following medical supplies:

• Prescription medications – be sure to refill any prescriptions you might need out on the playa, and don’t forget to take them. Time easily passes by when you’re on the playa, so you need to be extra vigilant with taking your meds
• Multivitamins – the playa dehydrates and you tend to eat less than you would in the default world, so don’t forget to take a daily multivitamin.
• Aloe vera and/or burn gel – I got a nasty sunburn my first year and thankfully had a bottle of aloe vera gel to soothe it
• Tiger balm – I walk and bike a whole lot more the week of Burning Man and spend a lot of time dancing the night away, it’s no surprise that my muscles are sore. Tiger balm or any kind of muscle rub is great at soothing sore muscles
• Medical tape/Moleskin – No matter how thick my socks are, I always tend to get blisters during the week. Having a roll of moleskin handy will really save you when your feet are covered in blisters but you still need to put your shoes back on and walk around!
• Electrolyte powder – I make sure to add an electrolyte tablet (Karla brings a variety of flavors of these) to my Hydroflask to make sure I’m properly hydrated throughout the day.
• First-Aid kit – you never know when you might need it!

Burning Man Clothing List aka What to Wear to Burning Man

One of the things I love about Burning Man is the freedom of expression you have when you attend. That means your Burning Man outfits and Burning Man clothing is entirely dependent on your style – you can wear whatever you want to wear, or not. I’ve seen people walking around completely naked, and if that works for you, go for it! Just don’t forget to slather yourself in sunscreen if you’re naked during the day. 

To develop your Burning Man style, I recommend going thrifting for your outfits. Just remember that anything you take out there will never be the same. The playa dust is incredibly brutal to anything you take out there, including yourself. So instead of spending tons of money on outfits that can only be used once, look in your closet for clothing to repurpose, find items you don’t mind taking to the playa like cheap eye shades.

Or do as Karla does, and make them yourself! Last year she made an insane Burning Man jacket with googly eyes, and even made a pair of googly-eyed sunglasses to match, which were a trip because you didn’t know whether she was looking at you or not! If you need inspiration for your Burning Man costumes or your Burning Man outfit ideas, check out my Burning Man fashion Pinterest board. 

Just make sure what you get doesn’t leave MOOP (matter out of place) behind…so sequins, glitter, feathers are basically no-no’s, and are even mentioned in the list of Prohibited Items of the BM Survival Guide.

Since you’re going to be on your feet a lot, the shoes you wear are important. I have two pairs of  Burning Man boots that I like to use during the week: these Timberlands, and these that I found brand-new at my local thrift store! I make sure to keep my feet moisturized and clean, and always have socks on because I don’t want to get the dreaded playa foot. I also have a pair of flip flops when I need to shower/walk around camp with.

It’s hard to predict exactly what the Burning Man weather’s going to be like, so come prepared for all weather conditions. I remember feeling so cold at night during my first year and wearing thermals under my outfits to keep warm. Last year? It was SO hot during the day, and pleasant at night, I didn’t need to wear any of the jackets or thermals I packed. Who knows what it’s going to be like this year, but I think if you get cold easily, it’s smart to have a couple of cold-weather items like gloves, instant hand-warmers, a pair of thermals, a warm jacket or two, and winter socks.

Here are two Burning Man accessories that should accompany all of your outfits:

• Everyone needs a pair of Burning Man googles – I have a tinted pair for the day and a clear pair for the night, like these. They’re my best goggles for Burning Man so far. Just make sure the one you have doesn’t have holes on the sides to let in dust particles, or you won’t be able to see during a white out
• Burning Man dust mask – these are especially important if you suffer from sinus infections. I make sure to take a few pairs to the playa, and recommend getting a dust mask like this one from the hardware store. Next year, I’m getting myself a pair of these nasal filters to try out – will keep you posted!

NOTE: Burning Man at Night

Just as you light up your bike at night, you need to make sure that you are lit up as well. The playa is completely dark except for lights from camps, art cars, and Burners themselves. Given the increasing popularity in Burning Man, there are more and more people that attend that do not bother to properly research what it means to be out there. If you wear a backpack, add some fairy lights like this to it, if you have a coat, you can stitch some lights on it. Or just wrap a bunch of fairy lights around you, like I end up doing. Just be sure people can see you in your Burning Man attire at night!

Burning Man Food List

One of the perks of our camp is that they have a full functioning kitchen and stove. Karla and I just bring our own plates, collapsible mugs like these for morning coffee, a set of camping utensils and knife, and aluminum foil. Oh, and don’t forget to have your own mug (+ carabiner so you don’t lose it!) whenever you’re out exploring the playa…bars generally don’t provide you with cups, so be self-sufficient and prepared!

I’m still figuring out efficient ways on how to pack food for Burning Man. The past two years a lot of the food I pre-cooked ended up going bad from the heat, or having melted ice get into it, even if I put them in Tupperware containers. So, I’m always open to suggestions because I love the option of having actual meals during the week. If you’re interested in what to pre-cook for your week on the playa, this is a great resource of 10 food prep tips + recipes for Burning Man.

Here’s a grocery list Karla and I have been more or less sticking to every Burn:

• Instant Coffee
• Non-dairy creamers
• Sugar packets
• Coconut water – great at keeping you hydrated
• Canned tuna
• Just Garlic mayo – this stuff is addictive
• Rice – I like to pre-cook a big batch of rice and freeze it. 
• Eggs – hard-boiled
• Energy bars – I find these really filling
• Mac & cheese bowls
• Canned soup
• Jar of pickles – pickles are insanely good in the desert when you’re craving salt!
• Chips & salsa – the saltier the better
• Chocolate & cookies – never know when you might have a craving
• Freeze-dried meals from REI – Karla swears by these, they’re mainly for meat-eaters
• Salad dressing
• Fresh fruit & veggies – big bag of salad mix, make sure to get enough fiber, oranges, apples, bananas, lemon, frozen grapes make for a refreshing snack

This is basically my Burning Man checklist and all what supplies to bring to Burning Man each year. Karla and I have a storage unit where we store most of our Burning Man gear and accessories, which is a huge help since I travel internationally and can only bring two suitcases with me on my trip.

We seem to get more efficient in our planning and packing as the years go on, and if you’re a virgin, don’t be afraid. Our first year, no matter how many articles we read, how many times we looked over the survival guide, we still didn’t feel prepared. And, I think that’s just it – you don’t really know what to expect, every year is different from the next, and you just have to embrace the unknown.

Recommended Reading for Planning Your Trip to Burning Man

• If you’re looking for a comprehensive packing list, this has been my go-to ever since my first Burn. It’s an amazing resource, and I make sure to go over it a couple of times before I head out to playa to see if I missed anything.
• Don’t forget to also read my Virgin’s Guide to Burning Man. It’s how I survived my first Burn and includes a number of resources I found while prepping for my first year at Burning Man
• Know the 10 Principles of Burning Man – I think as Burning Man gets bigger and more mainstream, it’s important to know the principles that make the community what it is today.
• The official Burning Man survival guide is where you need to start. The site has a ton of resources whether you’re a local Burner or an international Burner like myself. I also make sure to read through the Burning Man subreddit before every Burn.
• Be sure to find local Burner communities that you can join – there are plenty of local Burner groups on Facebook, I, myself, am part of the UAE Burner community which is where I first discovered my theme camp.

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