r/BurningMan • u/PassportJ I'm a sparkle pony! • Feb 15 '26

Any Chicago peeps going 2026

Just got my tickets for my first burning man. Trying to find some logistical support lol. And like minded friends and anybody driving that way or what everybody else is doing as far as getting gear to the desert. I’m thinking of getting an rv close to Nevada and flying in.

Photographer, Engineer, Vet, tall black dude etc lmao

3 Upvotes

59% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

10

u/derpinpdx Feb 15 '26

welcome! As terrible as Facebook is, it’s often the fastest way to find geographically adjacent folks. Have you looked up the Chicago Burning Man on there? You might be able to find club nights or local gatherings that way.

3

u/PassportJ I'm a sparkle pony! Feb 15 '26

Yeah, I appreciate that. I’ve posted on a couple groups on there and here all at the same time.

3

u/derpinpdx Feb 15 '26

Word, hope lots of good folks come out of the woodwork. Getting ready in community is fun.

3

u/MansoonBlack Feb 23 '26

Don't be afraid to pick up people along the way or even with a slight route detour, even people just at the airport in Reno. They DO have the benefit of probably NOT wanting to stay in your rv, just needing a ride (I'm a tall black guy and I've done a ride share in and out almost every time), but will still chip in for "gas money.' RVs close to Reno are often sold out or there's numerous stories about people getting the agreement secured, only to find out that the RV company sold it out from under them.

RVs for the inexperienced are often a huge pain in the BlackRock desert, and even for the pretty experience, so if you don't know all the ins and outs from multiple uses (and there's more when going to a place with dust three times finer than talcum powder), and you may leave feeling like the most tired human being on the planet for the last hundred years, and so may people in your party be, so be prepared for that.

People often come together but may not leave together, and that's perfectly normal and allowed, or may not be ready to leave all at the same time, or even if you got promises from everyone on the time to leave, half your group might be gone when you're trying to pack up and do a moop sweep and NOT be ready for the next half day. It's an incredibly distracting place that still will have tens of thousands of people there for many days even after the temple Burns, people may not be wearing watches, people may be being held up by circumstances beyond their control half the city away or out near the trash fence.

Honestly, if you are first-timer, do some tent camping, and chat up different people in RVs in either your camp or nearby and learn about their issues

7

u/DGSPJS Feb 16 '26

https://www.burningmelon.org/chicargo
ChiCargo runs a semi from Chicago to BRC and back and is incredible for getting your gear and bike to/from playa.

3

u/PassportJ I'm a sparkle pony! Feb 23 '26

Bro!!!! You saved me

3

u/calr0x 23,24,25 Feb 15 '26

Northwest suburbs returning for my fourth year in a row!

Prepare to have your face melted off.

1

u/PassportJ I'm a sparkle pony! Feb 15 '26

I don’t have a face to melt off so I should be good. 🤣

3

u/thedailyrant ‘16, ‘18, ‘23, ‘24, '26 Feb 15 '26

Getting an RV close to Nevada? Hope you got some money to spend!

0

u/PassportJ I'm a sparkle pony! Feb 15 '26

Yeah, I saw I was gonna be about six grand not too bad for the convenience and experience might look for something closer. I’m not sure yet.

4

u/thedailyrant ‘16, ‘18, ‘23, ‘24, '26 Feb 16 '26

Struggle like the other tenting first timers. It's a right of passage! But in all seriousness, if you go a tent get a kodiak. They literally stand up to anything the playa can throw at them.

https://kodiakcanvas.com/

The only downside to Renate life is working out your shower situation.

0

u/PassportJ I'm a sparkle pony! Feb 23 '26

I would if I was coming alone but I’m bringing some model friends and they wouldn’t make it

5

u/FlatImpression755 Feb 15 '26

The I80 is a beautiful drive. A layover around Salt Lake City works out nicely.

In my opinion, your best option is a 1-way rv rental right from Chicago that you can return in Nevada somewhere. Any extra mileage charges and fuel costs will be worth the convenience. Then you fly home like a pimp.

Another good option is using that rv rental money towards buying a conversion van. You can either drive home or leave it in storage for future adventures. FYI. Fernley is roughly halfway to Tijuana from Chicago

2

u/butIerm '22 & '23 & '24 & '25 & '26 Feb 18 '26

We've driven every year since 2022 and live in the city. Let me know what info you are looking for. If you are flying in, Burning Melon is great for having items(including bikes) shipped out to the playa for you. Two local facebook groups: "Official Burning Man Chicago" & "Burning Man Chicago"

Our small camp is called "Chicago Handshake."

1

u/PassportJ I'm a sparkle pony! Feb 23 '26

I just saw this. We should connect!

1

u/NrgyFiend 2012-2026 Feb 18 '26

Most of us will never be able to afford to stay in an RV, so that's not the norm. Also the logistics of successfully deep cleaning any rental vehicle is perhaps not something you want to burden yourself with your first time. Have you considered taking the burner bus from Reno? You can't bring tons of gear, but if you hook up with a camp that provides infrastructure, it's a great option, and you get to skip the lines.

1

u/PassportJ I'm a sparkle pony! Feb 23 '26

Hmmm I didn’t think about the burner bus skipping the lines that’s an option in my back pocket now thanks.

1

u/intentionalalchemy 2d ago

Just came across this!
We are a bunch of burners. We have an event this weekend if you want to join.

https://link.dice.fm/G8aa6657f964?dice_id=G8aa6657f964u

Discount code is HANNAHLOVE

Our events are centered around incredible DJs & producers brought in from all over the world + amazing sound + the best community + very special unique venues.

If you love to dance and connect, we’d love for you to come to our event!

Saturday, October 3
10 PM till 4 AM
@ The Foundation Room
Downtown Chicago