The Playa Store saves you time by delivering all the essential items you need for Burning Man, in a few clicks. Skip the research and prepping, just buy and go at theplayastore.com.
For many burners, tent camping is the quintessential way to experience Burning Man's radical self-reliance in the desert. While not for the faint of heart, tent camping can be managed with the right preparation. Here are some hard-earned tips from experienced tent campers:
Tents & Shading
- Use a tent with no mesh panels or openings - the playa dust will coat everything mesh. Zip/seal all vents completely. A good option is the Kodiak 10x14 tent ($879).
- Bring fitted sheets to tuck your entire bed and bedding under when not in use to keep it clean.
- Shade your tent - erect a carport canopy ($279) or use your vehicle to create vital shade. This buys you a few extra cool hours in the mornings before the tent becomes too hot to sleep in.
- Bigger tents that allow standing are preferable for the week, like an 8-person Coleman tent for two people.
Competitive Edge (https://www.competitiveedgeproducts.com/; no affiliation with The Playa Store) often has the best prices.
Lodging Upgrades
- For more comfort, consider upgrading to a shiftpod tent (~$1500 new) which can hold air conditioners and is sometimes available used for under $1000.
- A hexayurt is actually the cheapest longterm option as you build it yourself, but requires the most effort to transport and install. Plan to bring AC and electricity for a hexayurt.
- Use carport canopies to create shaded living spaces. One for your tent area, another for cooking/lounging.
- A capable solar power setup with 400W panels, 2000Wh batteries, and inverters can run a small AC unit for partial cooling for about 6 hours per day.
Hygiene
- Pack bulk unscented baby wipes for sponge bathing - you'll want the cleansing relief. We have these in our Hygiene Pack, here: https://theplayastore.com/products/burning-man-hygiene-pack
- Some camps provide shared shower facilities for campers - check if yours does or be prepared to barter/gift for access to rinsing.
- Dealing with greywater makes private shower setups for just two people overly complex.
Power
- Gas generators require isolating the fuel properly, clearing an area, having fire extinguishers - a lot of complexity.
- As two people, a solar setup like the $1500 Costco kit may be sufficient rather than your own generator.
The key is maximizing shade, air flow, and dust protection. With the right affordable setup and radical self-reliance skills, tent camping can be an amazing way to fully embrace the playa experience. Invest in proper gear without blowing your budget on an RV rental, which runs $5000-8000 and requires days of cleanup. Embrace the dusty challenge!
The Playa Store saves you time by delivering all the essential items you need for Burning Man, in a few clicks. Skip the research and prepping, just buy and go at theplayastore.com.