Burning Man: Fly to Black Rock City? It'll Cost a Fortune

Black Rock City Opens as Storms Loom

Black Rock City is now open, with both air and automobile access available as of 11:30 a.m. on Monday. This comes ahead of late afternoon storms expected to hit the area again. Burning Man officials estimate that around 40,000 people are already on the playa, with expectations of over 70,000 attendees for the full event. However, the wait to get into the city was nearly nine hours on Monday morning.

The entrance to Burning Man was closed for almost 12 hours overnight on the first day of the festival. Reno Gazette Journal reporter Ariel Smith spent 19 hours in line Sunday into Monday morning. The gates reopened early Monday, allowing vehicles to begin moving into Black Rock City after the storm conditions eased.

Weather Forecast and Potential Risks

Storms are developing across western Nevada but are moving slowly northward, so they are not expected to reach the playa for the next few hours, according to the National Weather Service in Reno. Meteorologist Gigi Giralte mentioned a 30-40% chance of storms over the Black Rock Desert later in the day. Although the area is not under a flood watch, outflow winds could reach 50 mph if a storm moves close, bringing the risk of sudden dust storms. Another active storm day is possible on Tuesday before conditions begin to dry out later in the week.

Flight Costs and Availability

The Black Rock City Airport also opened on Monday after being shut down due to weather conditions. However, getting a flight from Reno is nearly impossible and expensive. The Burner Express, the airline that runs flights in and out of Black Rock City, operates only when weather conditions are favorable, from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

There are a few seats left from Reno to Black Rock City on Friday and Saturday, with flights lasting about an hour. A one-way ticket costs $902.26. Flights returning to Reno from the playa were sold out on Friday. From Burbank, Calif., there were a few seats available on Thursday and Friday for $2,394, while flights from the Bay Area’s San Carlos Airport to Black Rock City on Thursday and Friday cost $1,749.

Updated Travel Advisory and Traffic Conditions

Burning Man has updated its advisory, and travel from Reno to Black Rock City is no longer discouraged. As of 7:30 a.m., wait times for the 8-mile stretch from County Route 34 to the gate are expected to be 6 to 8 hours, though this may change with the weather. The weather today is expected to be similar to Sunday, with potential rainfall in the afternoon and early evening, continuing through Wednesday.

Center Camp, located at the heart of Black Rock City, is currently closed due to mud. The area is still recovering from wind and rain storms on Saturday and Sunday. The Burner Express Bus is departing Reno and San Francisco on schedule today.

Gate Road and Traffic Updates

Vehicles on the Gate Road into Burning Man are starting to move into Black Rock City after the gates reopened early Monday. However, traffic is still being turned around on Highway 447 at Wadsworth, and Burning Man is recommending people stay in Reno if they have not yet departed for the playa.

The gate into Burning Man was closed around 6 p.m. Sunday after wind and rain hit the playa, causing muddy and white-out conditions. "The rain and wind have stopped in BRC. The ground is drying up and vehicles on Gate Road are starting to move into the city," Burning Man posted on its website early Monday. "Take your time and follow instructions from staff."

Long Wait Times and Participant Experiences

Reno Gazette Journal reporter Ariel Smith was in line on Gate Road for more than 16 hours Sunday. The approximately 8-mile stretch of unpaved road leads into Black Rock City. Parts of the line became a party Sunday night, with people playing loud music and opening trailers to those walking up and down the muddy road. Those getting out of their cars and walking around had an inch of mud on their shoes.

First-time Burner Chloe Winslow said, "Your burn begins when you leave your house." Veteran Burner Santiago Pariz described this year's wait to get into Burning Man as his longest, having been in line for over seven hours before the gates closed.

Weather Alerts and Safety Measures

Burning Man is monitoring National Weather Service alerts for the region. The NWS issued a flood warning for Sunday through 9 p.m. that includes the Black Rock Desert. People on the playa should be prepared for thunderstorms and have a way to receive alerts. Forecasters noted a risk of flash flooding across the region if storms stall or intensify.

From Monday through Wednesday, storms could leave the playa muddy, with rain, lightning, and gusty winds possible before activity tapers midweek. Winds over the playa are expected around 10-15 mph, but gusts near storms could reach 50 mph — and up to 60 mph on Monday.

Art Piece Destruction and Community Response

A large scale Burning Man art piece from Ukraine, titled "Black Cloud," was destroyed in Saturday's windstorm. The work, 100 feet long and 50 feet high, was made from 4,300 yards of fabric and included sounds of artillery fire, explosions, drones, and military vehicles. It was meant to evoke the invasion of Ukraine since February 2022. The founder of the Ukrainian Witness Project, Vitaliy Deynega, shared his disappointment on Facebook.

Burning Man participants and the public can monitor the BRC Dashboard for the latest weather and traffic updates for Black Rock City. The Burning Man Survival Guide, provided to all participants and available to the public, contains detailed information on preparedness and safety.