Burning Man Storage Guide: Where, When, & How to Store Your Gear Before & After The Playa

Storage


Meg
July 16th, 2026


Burning Man is quickly approaching its 35th official year since it first landed on The Playa (39th if you’re counting its entire history since its birth in 1986)! This transformative gathering has come a long way since that treasured bonfire on Baker Beach in San Francisco all those years ago. For many, Burning Man is home. At the heart of this community- elaborate art, cosmic beats heard from every nook and cranny, themed camps, intricately dressed bicycles and mutant art cars, the air rich with enough magic to fuel a herd of majestic unicorns. As the excitement builds, or perhaps never stops, so does the planning. Tents, shade structures, bikes, trailers, RVs, supplies (not just for camping, but also the items to be gifted to your fellow Burners), art project materials, and generators, oh my! The challenge of storing all these items can be quite daunting. Many Burners have turned toward self-storage units as a solution to a growing collection of Playa supplies.

Prompt 1: Why Burners Choose Self Storage
Storing those beloved Playa items provides many benefits:
  • Frees up space in your home or garage-reduces clutter and makes room for items you use everyday (imagine the space to host your own decompression party AND have a dance floor!)
  • Utilizing a storage unit allows those items to be and stay organized in one central place, year-round. Think easy pick-up, easy drop-off.
  • Here’s a big one—you get to save money on flights by checking less items and not having to hassle with TSA.
  • Have a dedicated RV or Trailer just for the Playa? -Parking storage along your route to the Black Rock Desert might just be ideal. (CLICK HERE to secure a parking space with Carson City Storage! Just off Hwy 580 and Hwy 50 and only minutes from Reno!)

Prompt 2: What Is the Right Type of Storage for Your Burning Man Essentials?
  • Climate-Controlled Storage: Ideal for costumes, artwork and supplies, batteries, camp lighting, inflatable furniture, music equipment and other electronics. Climate-controlled will keep these items at an ambient temperature year-round, no need to worry about excessive heat or freezing temps!
  • Drive-Up Storage Units: Ideal for camping gear, bikes, shade structures, water containers, and bulk items. Drive-up units are the most easily accessible, you can pull right up to the front of your unit—making pick-up and drop-off a breeze.
  • RV and Trailer Storage: Ideal for camp trailers, toy haulers, cargo trailers, and RVs! Store a few weeks in advance for easy pick up on your way to the Playa or store after and switch to your car to make parking in downtown Reno a little less stressful! You can even park these items in storage long-term, keeping them on the route and easily accessible for pick-up/drop-off for your yearly burn!
CLICK HERE for Pricing and Availability on the above unit types at Carson City Storage!
Prompt 3: What Size Storage Unit Does a Burner Need?
  • For the Lone Burner: A 5x10 storage unit works well for a bike or two plus camp equipment—ceiling heights range from 8ft-11ft making space for stackable bins and water containers.
  • For Small Groups: A 10x10 often works quite nicely. Just enough space for several bikes, themed camp equipment, and plenty of room to stack some storage bins.
  • For Large Groups: A 10x20 can accommodate multiple bikes and structures, art installations, and plenty of camp gear and supplies.
Think of how easy it would be to fly or drive into Reno and meet your campmates from all over the country and with all of your camp supplies already organized in one place? After the burn, easily unload it into the storage unit so that it’s all ready for you next year!

Prompt 4: Preparing Your Gear for Storage
  • Playa Dust Removal: Cleaning your items before storing is recommended to prevent corrosion and mold, which can cause electronics to fail, bike chains to break, and fabrics to deteriorate. Cleaning your gear will help it last longer season after season.
  • Organize your items by camp function (label everything!): Kitchen supplies, lighting, shelter equipment, costumes.
Keeping your gear mostly dust free and labelled also makes for faster packing next year! Your items will already be clean and ready to go on their next burn. Prompt 5: When To Secure Storage Space for Your Burning Man Gear
Carson City Storage (located just minutes from Reno!) recommends securing storage space 1 month to 2 weeks prior to your trip to the playa. Doing so ensures the space is yours upon arrival thus avoiding the stress of looking for storage at the last minute and the possibility of no availability at your desired location. CALL or TEXT Carson City Storage at (775)350-4399 or secure a space online by visiting: Storage Units in Carson City, NV | (First Month FREE)

Blogs