I won't be going to Burning Man this year, but a ton of my of friends of mine will be there.  They've asked me for helpful tips and a list of items to bring.  I wrote this five years ago, and just recently updated it.  Here it is again, you can find my full guide here.  An abbreviated version is below.


Wesley's Burning Man Packing Guide

I wrote this as my personal list of stuff you need to bring to Burning Man.  I assume you are going to be part of a camp so I didn't include a bunch of community items normally supplied by a camp (e.g. shade structures, furniture & chairs to sit on, hammock, grill or stove, pots, camp shower, etc.).  If you are going as an individual without the support of a camp, you should check visit one of the lists that other burners have put together for a more comprehensive list of things to take with you (I've included a bunch of links below).

Remember everything you bring to the playa will get covered in dust no matter what you do.  Whatever you bring may get trashed or lost, so don't bring stuff you're too attached to. And washing all of the playa dust out of your stuff is nearly impossible.  

Rule #1: Everything you bring should be "disposable."  Don't bring anything you aren't willing to part with.

Transportation, Shelter & Sleep

• Sleeping Bag (get a cheap bag you don't mind throwing away; Costco or WalMart sells cheap ones for $10).  It does get kind of cold at night (50 deg F or so), so if you're not sleeping in a SUV/Van/RV, get something warm or bring a bunch of blankets).
• Pillow (again this will get destroyed so bring something you don't mind throwing away)
• Air Mattress & Pump (you want to be comfy, esp if you are sleeping in a car or tent.  No need if you're in an RV)
• Shelter/Place to sleep in: Tent, RV, Cargo Van, or SUV.  
• Eye mask (it will get light really early, and you'll probably be sleeping mostly during the day)
• Pack of Earplugs (everyone around you will be partying and w/out this you won't get any sleep!  Bring a big pack!)
• Heavy-duty aluminum foil or opaque/foil "bubble wrap), and masking tape (if you plan to sleep in your vehicle, you cover your windows to keep the light out).  Plus, foil is very useful in many other situations!

Food, Water, & Personal Items

• Rule #2: Bring extra toilet paper as the porta-potties run out
• Rule #3: Piss clear, drink lots of water
• Rule #4: Apply a ton of sunscreen, the heat/sun is nasty
• Water (2 Gal/Day per person in addition to what your camp will provide) & containers to hold them
• Toilet Paper
• Food (non perishable/canned tems are key; stuff you can boil in a pot or heat w/ hot water works well).  If you're lucky enough to have a RV/fridge/cold ice chest, steaks, salad, fruit is fantastic.  But bring non-perishables in case your fridge fails or you forget to fill your ice chest!.  Thoughts below:

•             -Mac & Cheese (makes a great casserole if you mix in tuna or salmon)
•             -Cheese, Crackers & salami
•             -Ramen
•             -Beef Stew
•             -Red Bull and other drink mixers
• Goggles (you will be miserable without them, buy a pair at a army/navy surplus store)
• Face Mask or bandanna (again, necessary for duststorms)
• Water Bottle
• Camelback or other water-holding hydration backpack
• Powdered gatorade, or crystal light.  (The water starts tasting nasty after a couple of days in the sun)
• Suncreen (SPF 30 or higher).  Bring several bottles, apply liberally.  Being sunburned sucks.
• Plates, bowls, cups, forks, spoons – things you need to eat with
• Plastic zip-lock bags to store all this stuff to keep some of the dust out
• Trash Bags (we need to pack all the trash out)
• Big Plastic Drink Cup (you bring this with you on the playa at night to parties for alcohol) that you can attach to your costume or backpack
• A couple of rolls of toilet paper (there are porta-potties but they run out of TP frequently, which really sucks if you're w/out TP)
• Your own stash of alcohol – for the pre-parties and for new friends
• Gifts for your new friends – BM is a barter economy; frozen otter pops or mini bottles of liquor are really popular at night on the playa
• Chapstick
• A couple of towels
• Biodegradable soap or shampoo, if you can find a shower/bring one.
• Handy wipes
• Moisturizing lotion - esp for your feet which will get nasty due to the alkaline playa dirt.
• Vaseline
• Duct tape - emergency repairs do occur!

Getting Around on the Playa
Rule #5: It will really suck if you don't have a bike.  Oh and cover it in fur (so you can find it) and blinky light up stuff (so you can be seen at night).

• Old, trashy bike (you'll be REALLY unhappy without one), and cover it with fur or something festive!
• Extra tire tubes, bike repair kit, and mini bike pump (don't get screwed by a flat tire, I've had a couple happen before)
• Headlamp, EL Wire, Blinky LEDs, or whatever else you want to light up your bike (you don't want people running into you at night.)  

Clothing & Costumes
Rule #6: You will be lame w/out an awesome costume.  Make or buy one (or more!).

• Sunglasses (bring 2 pairs, one will break or get lost)
• Costumes (jumpsuits or flightsuits are key; they have lots of pockets to hold stuff.  Furry clothing is also a big hit.  You generally want one costume for every 2 days, so if you are out there for a week bring 3-4 costumes!)
• Clothing you need to wear on the playa: shorts, shirts, pants, a couple of sweatshirts, etc.
• Wide brimmed hat and baseball cap - it gets nasty hot!.  Cowboy hats are fantastic!
• Lots of clothing made of fake fur - great for parties at night
• Light-up stuff  and blinky shit (EL Wire, glow-sticks, etc.)
• Shoes (trail running shoes work well)
• Socks (bring a couple of pairs PER DAY, it gets nasty)
• Flip-flops (need for the 5am bathroom run)

Other Things to Bring
Rule #7: Be seen at night.  Nothing sucks more than being run over by an art car because they can't see you.

• Camera (disposables work best unless you have a trashy digital camera you don't mind breaking or throwing away)
• Flashlight & extra batteries.  Buy a big pack at Costco.
• LED Headlamp (be seen at night!)