CAMP LOGISTICS | rootpile

logistics

2026 CAMP LOGISTICS OVERVIEW

ALMOST EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU COME TO ROOTPILE CAMP:

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

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 • haulage • required contributions • tickets • general

TENT CAMPING SPACE

Shaded tent spaces approximately 15 ft × 15 ft × 8 ft high are included with your Mission Contribution.

Please note:

You must provide your tent dimensions before the event so we can plan shade placement.
Shade cannot be guaranteed if dimensions are not submitted in advance.
Spaces include one 5-amp extension cord.
Personal generators are not permitted due to safety and noise concerns.
Tents are not provided.
Tent camping is for 2026 Rootpile members only.
Car camping is no longer considered tent camping. Vehicles are not permitted in the shaded tent area

VEHICLE & RV CAMPING

Vehicle/RV Camping Space:

Under 20 ft: $125
20–30 ft: $250
Over 30 ft: $375
Shaded vehicle camping (under 18 ft): $100

Unshaded vehicle camping does not require this additional contribution.

Vehicles towing campers must park separately unless prior arrangements have been made.

Camping vehicles over 30 feet must have a minimum occupancy of two people.

RV camping is available only for Rootpile members. Rootpile does not provide RVs but can recommend rental vendors.

Vehicle/RV Power: To reduce noise, fuel use, carbon emissions, and safety risks, personal RV generators are generally not allowed.

Campers may choose:

No Camp Power
30-amp service — $1,000 fuel contribution
50-amp service — $2,000 fuel contribution

Unauthorized connections will be disconnected.

Campers using Rootpile power must provide compatible power cords.

Please note that Rootpile volunteers maintain the camp power grid only. They are not responsible for troubleshooting or repairing individual RV electrical systems.

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 $100 extra contribution for space for personal yurts. This contribution is for a space to set up your own oversized camping structure, and Rootpile 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 2026 Rootpile camp members can stay in this camping area.

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 TBA, 2026. New info announced in May.
BXA tickets go on sale May 1, 2026.
If you are coming in on Burner Express Bus or Burner Express Air, one of our Rootpile 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.

MEALS/KITCHEN

Meals are provided only for 2026 Rootpile members.

During Burn Week:

Continental breakfast (coffee, fruit, and light breakfast items)
Communal dinner each evening
Lunch is self-reliant

Breakfast and dinner are also served during Build and Teardown.

The main kitchen is open only to campers working scheduled kitchen shifts. It is not a self-service kitchen.

WATER, COFFEE & ICE

Rootpile provides:

Cold drinking water
Electrolyte water
Morning coffee
Handwashing station
Drinking water refill station

Please conserve water, as it is expensive and difficult to supply.

Ice:
Ice is sold at Arctica and other locations on Playa. Rootpile organizes at least one ice run each day for campers who wish to purchase ice. Additional ice runs may be organized by campers if needed.

Campers should:

Bring cash
Store ice in their own coolers
Avoid using Rootpile freezers or coolers for personal ice

SHOWERS

Two shower rooms 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

**Rootpile will not be offering bathrooms in 2026.**
Porta potties are conveniently located throughout Black Rock City
If you plan to use a personal toilet setup in your tent, you must dispose of contents in porta potties. DO NOT POUR YOUR WASTE INTO THE SHOWERS OR GRAY WATER TANKS. THIS WILL CONTAMINATE THE TANKS.

TRASH/MOOP

Every camper is responsible for packing out all personal trash after Burning Man.

Camp Trash:
Camp trash receptacles are only for:

Plates, bowls, and utensils
Food waste from meals
Crushed aluminum cans

Do not place personal trash in camp receptacles.

At the end of the event, leftover food or drinks will only be accepted if needed by the kitchen. Alcohol donations will not be accepted.

Precycle Before You Arrive:
Help reduce waste by:

Removing unnecessary packaging before coming to Playa
Bringing reusable water bottles
Choosing products with minimal packaging

Plastic, glass, and tin cannot be recycled on Playa. Aluminum cans are the only recyclable material accepted.

Leave No Trace (MOOP):
MOOP ("Matter Out Of Place") includes anything not naturally found on Playa, including:

Food scraps
Dirty water
Ashes
Hair
Leaves
Feathers

Help keep camp clean by watching for MOOP throughout the week.

Do not burn trash or cardboard in the camp fire pit. Only firewood may be burned.

Burner Express riders may take one bag of trash and one bag of recycling to the bus depot. Rootpile can often provide transportation to the depot if needed.

MEDICAL

Rootpile maintains a well-stocked First Aid station.

If you or another camper has a medical concern, notify camp leadership immediately—don't keep health issues to yourself.

During NOAH office hours, report emergencies to the NOAH station. Outside those hours, seek one of our volunteer medical professionals, which typically include doctors, nurses, EMTs, and paramedics.

If additional treatment is needed, campers will be directed to Rampart or another Burning Man medical station, and transportation assistance will be provided whenever possible.

Before You Arrive, we recommend:

Bringing all medications and personal care items
Staying well hydrated with water and electrolytes
Considering emergency evacuation insurance, such as REMSA Care Flight, if appropriate

Medical supplies are difficult to obtain once you're on Playa.

POWER

Each camping space includes one 5-amp, 110-volt extension cord as part of the Mission Contribution.

To improve safety and reduce noise:

Personal generators are generally prohibited.
RV generators may only be used if the camp power grid fails and only with approval from camp leadership.

RV campers may purchase 30-amp or 50-amp power service (see Vehicle & RV Camping section).

Fuel must be stored only in the designated fuel storage area using proper secondary containment. Fuel containers may not be stored next to tents, RVs, or beneath shade structures.

CAMP DUTY SHIFTS

Every camper is expected to participate in camp operations.

Most team members work one 2–3 hour shift each day during Burn Week, although shift lengths vary by team.

Additional opportunities are available during:

Build Week
Teardown
Team leadership positions

Schedules are organized before Burning Man by each team lead.

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 Rootpile campers are encouraged to sign up for at least one Burning Man departmental volunteer shift during the Burn.

BIKES

**Rootpile will not be offering bikes or bike delivery for 2026.**
If you want to rent a bike that you take to Burning Man in your personal vehicle, you can rent through Playa Bike Repair. Rootpile WILL NOT be delivering bikes into camp in 2026.
If you will be riding the Burner Express Bus, it is possible to arrange to bring your bike on the bus.
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 NOT be making arrangements with an outside bike rental vendor to deliver bikes for 2026.

HAULAGE

We will not be providing any haulage in 2026.

CONTRIBUTIONS

Rootpile is a volunteer-supported camp that provides shared resources including shade, meals, showers, drinking water, power, community spaces, and camp infrastructure. These services are funded through volunteer work and member contributions.

Required Contributions:
Returning Members:

Yearly Dues: $250
Mission Contribution: $500
Total: $750

Mission Contribution increases by $100 after August 1.

New Members:

Yearly Dues: $250
Mission Contribution: $500
Bluegrass Musician Scholarship Donation (minimum): $100
Total: $850

Mission Contribution increases by $100 after August 1.

Yearly Dues: Yearly Dues cover Rootpile's year-round operating expenses, including:

Storage
Equipment maintenance and repairs
Vehicle and trailer insurance
Liability insurance
Replacement of camp equipment damaged by Playa conditions

Yearly Dues are non-refundable, even if you cannot attend or the event is canceled.

Paying Yearly Dues reserves your space only until July 1 unless your Mission Contribution has also been paid.

Mission Contribution: The Mission Contribution funds on-Playa expenses, including:

Tent space and shade
Meals
Drinking water and electrolyte water
Warm showers
Community areas
Trucking and infrastructure
Support of Rootpile's mission

Mission Contributions are refundable only if you cancel before August 1, 2026. After July 31, Mission Contributions are non-refundable.

New Member Scholarship Donation:
First-time campers also make a minimum $100 donation to the Rootpile Bluegrass Musician Scholarship Fund. This is paid when submitting the Mission Contribution.

Required Forms:
After paying your contributions, you'll complete a required questionnaire covering:

Camping needs
Dietary restrictions and allergies
Health concerns
Emergency contacts
Arrival and departure dates
Power needs
Other camp planning information

All campers 18 years and older must also complete a liability and consent form before the event.

TICKETS

Every camper is responsible for obtaining their own Burning Man ticket.
Rootpile is happy to help members understand the various ticket sales and will share information when opportunities become available.
Avoid purchasing tickets from third-party websites or untrusted sellers, as scams are common.
As soon as you decide to attend Burning Man, create your official Burner Profile, which is required to purchase tickets.
If Rootpile provides you with a camp-allocated ticket and you later cannot attend, you must first offer the ticket back to Rootpile so another camp member can use it.
Camp-allocated tickets must be selected as Will Call pickup whenever possible. Choosing mail delivery may affect your ability to receive a Mission Contribution refund if you later cancel.

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 Rootpile, 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.