ROOTPILE

ALMOST EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU COME TO MOBILE 'PILE CAMP:

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If you don't see the info you need here, email us.

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tent camping • rv camping • domes/yurts/large tent space • parking • burner express meals/kitchen • hydration/ice • showers • toilets • trash/moop • medical • power • camp duty shifts • bikes • mobile 'pile radio system • haulage • required contributions • tickets • general

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TENT CAMPING SPACE

• Shaded tent spaces of approximately 15 x 15ft and 8ft high are available to all tent campers and are included as part of your Mission Contribution. If your tent size plus tie downs & stakes significantly exceeds this area, then we may not be able to guarantee shade in our shaded camping area.

• Campers must provide accurate tent dimensions in advance of the Burn. Shade placement is not guaranteed to those who do not provide dimensions in advance.

• Includes single extension cord 5 amp power. Due to noise and safety concerns, personal generators will not be allowed.

• Tents are not provided.

• Only 2025 Mobile 'Pile camp members can stay in the tent camping area.

• Car camping is no longer considered a tent camping space. See Vehicle/RV Camping Space section for contribution amounts for different size vehicle camping spaces. Due to safety concerns, cars will not be allowed to park in the tent shade area.

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VEHICLE & RV CAMPING

• Vehicle/RV Camping Space: Since space and real estate on Playa is very limited, and the space an RV or other camping vehicle takes up impacts how many members we can have in camp, we ask for a contribution for this vehicle/RV/camper trailer space. Camping vehicles under 20ft require a $250 contribution. Camping vehicles between 20 to 30ft require a $500 contribution. Camping vehicles over 30ft require a $750 contribution. Shaded car camping spaces (for cars, small trucks, and SUV's only) are available for vehicles under 18ft in length for a $200 contribution. If you wish to car camp without shade, you do not need to pay this contribution. Pull vehicles and other vehicles cannot be parked next to your camper, unless previously arranged. They must be parked in the Mobile 'Pile parking area. RV Power is an additional cost. Please see RV power options in the next section.
  
  We require a minimum of two person occupancy per camping vehicle over 30ft. RV space is only available to Mobile 'Pile camp members.
  
  RV's are not provided as part of this cost, but we do have a connection with an outside RV vendor if you need help finding an RV.
  
  Only 2025 Mobile 'Pile camp members can stay in the vehicle & RV camping area.
   

• Vehicle/RV Power: Due to carbon monoxide safety concerns, noise concerns, fuel storage & safety concerns, and in an effort to reduce our camp's overall carbon footprint, we cannot allow RVs to run their own generators unless there is a significant power outage of Mobile Pile's power grid, and only then with permission and planning from camp leadership.
  
  Camp members contributing to use space for their camping vehicle can elect to not have Mobile 'Pile supplied grid power, but are NOT allowed to run personal generators. If you plug in to the 30 or 50 amp power grid without permission, you will be disconnected. Minimum power supplied is a typical RV 30 amp connection. The minimum fuel share contribution for this is $1000. 50 amp power is selectively available for a fuel share contribution of $2,000, as it uses more than 3 times the power of a 30 amp connection.
  
  If you will be using Mobile Pile's 30 or 50 amp power, you are responsible for bringing at least one power cord which fits your RV.
  
  Please understand that contributing for power does not mean that Mobile Pile's DPW volunteer team is expected to repair, troubleshoot, or consult with you concerning power problems or other RV repair or maintenance issues that stem from your RV/vehicle and are not stemming from Mobile Pile's grid.

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PERSONAL YURTS

• There is limited space available for personal yurts.

• Since space limits the number of camp members, and to be fair to people only using a very small space, we will have a $200 extra contribution for space for personal yurts. This contribution is for a space to set up your own oversized camping structure, and Mobile 'Pile does not provide these yurts.

• Includes regular extension cord 5 amp power, but does not include 30 amp RV power. Due to noise and safety concerns, personal generators will not be allowed.

• Only 2025 Mobile 'Pile camp members can stay in this camping area.

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PARKING

• If you are bringing your own vehicle, please let us know in advance, as parking is very limited and we cannot promise parking in camp, and BMORG does not specifically allocate space in camp just to park cars.

• Parking is first-come, first serve, unless arranged in advance.

• If it is necessary to park your vehicle outside of camp, we can arrange rides. But we are usually able to accommodate everybody within our camp borders.

• If you will be camping in your vehicle, please see Vehicle/RV Camping Space section with contribution rates above.

BURNER EXPRESS BUS (BxB) & AIR (BxA)

• We highly recommend taking Burner Express. This will allow you to skip the long lines into and out of Burning Man. Visit https://burnerexpress.burningman.org/ to learn more or buy tickets.

• BXB tickets go on sale Wednesday, May 14, 2025

• BXA tickets go on sale Thursday, May 1, 2025

• If you are coming in on Burner Express Bus or Burner Express Air, one of our Mobile 'Pile camp members with a disability vehicle may be able to pick you and your gear up from the BxB bus depot or BxA airport on Playa. We cannot guarantee this, but with pre-communication and communications with us after you arrive, a handicap vehicle and driver may be available to take you and your gear to camp from your arrival point at Burning Man.

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MEALS/KITCHEN

• Camp meals are for 2025 Mobile 'Pile camp members only. Campers should not bring Playa friends to meals without permission.

• Camp brunch and dinner will be served each day during Burn Week during set hours.

• Breakfast & dinner will be served during Build and Teardown.

• The main kitchen is only open to those who are on a meal team shift. There will not be self-serve food in this kitchen.
   

WATER, COFFEE & ICE

• Water, Electrolyte Water & Coffee: In the dining hall, there will be large containers for cold drinking water and also for electrolyte water. The elctrolyte water we use is gluten-free, sugar-free, non-GMO, and vegan. We will also have coffee brewing every morning. There will be a spigot to fill your personal drinking water containers, and there will be a hand washing station in the dining hall.

• We ask that all campers try to be conscientious of water use. Water is expensive and not easy to come by in the desert.

• Ice: Ice is for sale at Arctica in Burning Man Center Camp as well as two other locations on Playa. We will have at least one daily ice run if campers want to place orders/pay and not have to go separately. Ice should be stored in each camper's personal ice chest, and not in Mobile 'Pile's freezers/coolers. Have cash on hand to buy your ice. If you think additional ice runs are needed for camp beyond once per day, we welcome our camp members to take it upon themselves to arrange additional ice runs for camp.
   

SHOWERS

• Two shower rooms with warm water are available so that campers can take one daily shower. Campers are expected to conserve water as much as possible.

• Showers should not be shared with outside guests without explicit permission.

• Time in the shower room is limited to 15 minutes per day. If used more than this, we may run out of water, and shower rooms will be shut down.
   

TOILETS

• We have a commercially-built toilet trailer.

• Toilets and sinks should not be shared with outside guests without explicit permission. Black water capacity is limited, so use by guests will cause the tanks to fill to available capacity, and the bathrooms will be shut down for the remainder of the Burn in this case.

• Toilets are a gift and a privilege, and Mobile 'Pile reserves the right to also shut down the bathrooms if they are not kept clean or if they become out of order.

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TRASH/MOOP

• Campers must pack all of THEIR personal trash out.

• At the end of the Burn, leftover food or drink donations will only be taken if they are needed by the kitchen. NO ALCOHOL DONATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED. ALL other food must be packed out of Burning Man.

• There will be no common camp garbage cans. The only receptacles available will be usable at meal times. These are for plates, bowls, utensils, food waste, and crushed aluminum cans. No personal trash is to be placed in any camp receptacles.

• Avoid bringing in excess packaging. Please PRECYCLE all trash.

  • PRECYCLING means removing all unnecessary packaging before you arrive at Black Rock City.

  • Try to buy items that will not create more waste.

  • Bring reusable water bottles. We will provide drinking water, so you should not need to bring multiple plastic bottled drinks. There is no possibility of collection of recycled plastic, glass or tin cans at Burning Man.

• Do not put your trash or any cardboard into the fire pit, as it can cause MOOP problems. Only firewood can be placed in our camp fire pit, per Burning Man rules.

• MOOP includes anything that is not natural on Playa. Food waste, dirty sink water, even things like ashes, leaves, feathers, and hair are MOOP. Please keep an eye out for this kind of MOOP!

• All Burner Express riders can take one bag of trash and one bag of recycling to the bus depot at the time of exit. If you are taking trash to the depot, we will give you a ride to the Burner Express bus depot, if possible.
   

MEDICAL

• Mobile 'Pile will have a first aid station with extensive first aid/medical supplies. 

• Do not keep health concerns to yourself. "If you see something, say something." 

• If a medical emergency arises, go directly to the Mobile 'Pile N.O.A.H. station in camp durning office hours, otherwise look for the other trained medical persons staying in camp. We have at least a few doctors, nurses, EMT's and paramedics who are camp members every year. If further medical help is deemed necessary, campers will be advised to seek medical attention at Rampart on Playa. We will help find transport to the medical stations on Playa, if needed.​

• There are multiple medical stations at Burning Man:

  • Burning Man Medical Stations are located on C near the 3:00 and 9:00 plazas, and at 5:15 on the Esplanade. These are staffed with a mix of clinical (RNs, MDs, PAs, NPs, etc.) and field (EMT and Paramedic) volunteers. The stations are equipped with cots, basic medical supplies, quiet air-conditioned spaces, and plenty of medical providers to care for the urgent medical needs of the citizens of Black Rock City.

• Consider buying Care Flight evacuation insurance.

  • See the Emergency Medical Transport faq on the Burning Man website for links to buy this insurance. Care Flight insurance is very affordable.

• Bring any medications and personal care products you may need, as they may be difficult to find at Burning Man. Quick off-Playa trips for supplies are not possible.

• Stay hydrated. Make sure to drink plenty of water and electrolytes.  It is easy to get dehydrated in the desert!
   

POWER

•  Each camping space has the option of an extension cord with 5 amps of 110 volt power, included in the Mission Contribution.

• Due to noise and safety concerns, the running of personal & RV generators will generally not be allowed unless, for some reason, we lose our main power source. These generators are not allowed in tent camping areas at any time, due to safety considerations.

• RVs, campers, and camping vehicles have the option to go on the Mobile Pile's 30 or 50 amp power grid for an additional contribution. Personal generators will not be allowed, unless the main power grid is down.

• Fuel must be stored properly in the Mobile 'Pile fuel dump area. Gas cans cannot be stored next to your vehicle or tent.
   

CAMP DUTY SHIFTS

• Team participation shifts will be arranged in advance of Burning Man by each team lead. Each team will be organized so that team members will typically be doing a two to three hour shift per day, but shift lengths might vary by team.

• Campers are expected to do one shift each day of Burn Week. There are also opportunities to work Build or Teardown. Team Lead positions are also available.
  See the Camp Involvement page to find out more details about camp team options.

BURNING MAN DEPARTMENT VOLUNTEER SHIFTS

• Burning Man is a volunteer-driven event. Most of the work done on Playa is done by volunteers. Without these volunteers, Burning Man could not exist. Doing volunteer shifts at Burning Man is a great way to meet other Burners and expand your Burning Man experience.

• All Mobile 'Pile campers are encouraged to sign up for at least one Burning Man departmental volunteer shift during the Burn.
   

BIKES

• We will provide bike racks for you to safely lock your bike. Please bring a bike lock. Bicycles are commonly stolen, even within camps.

• If you left a bike with us in previous years, please do not expect that bike to have survived these past years. We were left with dozens upon dozens of bikes which we have had no way to safely store from the elements.

• We will arrange with an outside bike rental vendor for 2025. Details for pricing and reservations will be available soon. Expect this to be similar pricing to previous years. If you reserve through the bike rental link we provide, we will be able to bring in bikes for Mobile 'Pile camp members.
   

MOBILE 'PILE RADIO SYSTEM

• We will have a 2-way radio system so that campers can communicate with base camp, each other, or our multiple art cars and handicap vehicles.

• If you are interested in being able to communicate with camp and want to bring your own handheld radio, our system is VHF and a common radio used would be a Baofeng UV-5R.

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HAULAGE

• We will not be providing any haulage in 2025. If you would like to ship your gear to Gerlach, NV, we can arrange a destination for $25 per box + the cost of shipping.
   

CONTRIBUTIONS

• In order to accomplish our mission, it is necessary for our Mobile 'Pile campers to provide a significant amount of daily work in camp. It is truly a cooperative experience. In order to support our campers working this hard, we feel that it is important that the camp operation helps our campers to get their work done and also enjoy their Burn. Support includes meals, shade, warm showers, toilets, drinking water, electrolyte water, power, etc. All of this is accomplished through the team effort of our campers and also monetary contributions. These contributions are broken into two main parts required for all camp members—Yearly Dues ($250) & Mission Contributions ($1200). Additionally, new camp members are also asked to make a one-time donation ($200 minimum) to the Mobile 'Pile Pro-Bluegrass Musician scholarship fund. So,

  • Returning Camp Members 2025 total required camp contributions $1,450 total per person. 

  • New Camp Members 2025 total required camp contributions, including the scholarship fund contribution is $1,650 per person.

• Contribution Details:

  • Yearly Dues: Mobile 'Pile Yearly Dues are $250, and they cover our off-Playa expenses, which consist of, but are not limited to, storage, equipment maintenance/repairs, vehicle and trailer insurance, liability insurance, and replacement of equipment which is often destroyed by the Playa, such as refrigerators, instruments, etc.

    • One you have paid your Yearly Dues, your spot in Mobile 'Pile camp will only be held through July 1st, if you have not also paid your Mission Contribution.

    • Yearly Dues are not refundable for any reason, even if you can no longer attend, or if the Burn gets canceled.

  • Mission Contributions: The Mission Contribution of $1,200 is expected from each Mobile 'Pile camp member, and this helps to fund the camp's on-Playa expenses. On-Playa costs include tent space, shade, daily meals, drinking water and electrolyte water, warm showers, flush toilets, community space, trucking costs, support of Mobile Pile's Mission, and also the opportunity to hang out with real-life hillbillies. 

    • If you can no longer attend, and if you notify us prior to August 1, 2025, this $1,200 Mission Contribution is refundable, but the $250 Yearly Dues & New Camp Member Musician Scholarship contributions are not refundable, even if you cannot go or cannot find a ticket. If you notify Mobile 'Pile that you cannot attend after July 31, 2025, we cannot refund Mission Contributions.

  • New Camp Member Musician Scholarship Donation: First-time camp members will also be required to give a $200 minimum donation to the Mobile 'Pile Bluegrass Musician Scholarship Fund. This option will be available at the time you pay your Mission Contribution.

• Campers will receive a mandatory questionnaire after paying their contributions. This questionnaire will gather info about tent/camping vehicle/RV space needed, diet/food allergies/special health needs, emergency contact info, arrival/departure dates, generator electricity needs, etc.

• Prior to the Burn, all camp members over the age of 18 will also be required to fill out a liability and consent form. A sample of a previous form can be viewed here.

• We will begin accepting Mission Contributions in January. After you have filled out your Mobile 'Pile member application form, by clicking the "Join Us" tab at the top of this page, and once you are approved, we will send you a link to pay your contributions.
   

TICKETS

• Tickets can sometimes be hard to come by.

• You are responsible for getting your own ticket for Burning Man. There are many ways to get a Burning Man Ticket, which we will not take the space to explain here. But, we will help advise you on how to navigate the various sales. And we suggest that you network with your local Burner Community, which is a good way to get help finding a ticket. But the best way to get a ticket is to save your money, be ready, pay attention, and we will keep you up to date on ticket sales and tickets we may find.

• Once you have made the decision to attend Burning Man, immediately set up your Burner Profile here. You will need to set up a profile in order to purchase tickets.

• ***If you are provided a ticket of any kind through camp, and can no longer join Mobile 'Pile, you must offer first-right-of-refusal to Mobile 'Pile to buy back the ticket. so that it can be used by other Mobile 'Pile core members.

• We require camp members to choose WILLCALL ONLY for tickets allocated by camp. Due to risks of loss in mail, late delivery, or logistics of physical ticket transfer, we cannot guarantee refund of your Mission Contribution if you can no longer attend and you selected mail shipment for the tickets, rather than Willcall. ***
   

GENERAL

• Ice, fuel, and water are the only things available for sale at Burning Man. Anything else you may need must either be brought with you, provided by camp, or gifted to you. Practice Self-Reliance!

• See the About Burning Man and Resources pages for additional tools and info to help you prepare for Burning Man.

• Become aware of the The Ten Principles of Burning Man.

• If you are interested in joining Mobile 'Pile, click on the "Join Us" tab at the top of the page, and this will link you to an application to join our camp. We will then review your application, and if you are selected to be a member of our camp, we will email you a link to pay your Yearly Dues, Mission Contribution, and other options.

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If you don't see the info you need here, email us.

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tent camping

rv camping

domes/yurts/large tent space

parking
burner express

 meals/kitchen 

hydration/ice

showers

toilets

 trash/moop 

medical

power

camp duty shifts

bikes

mobile 'pile radio system

haulage

required contributions

tickets

general

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