Hi loves! Kimberly Kennedy here (playa name: Bubbles), founder of Coherence Retreats.

And you might be wondering… why the hell is there a Burning Man blog on a retreats website? Fair question.

Here’s the thing: I believe in living a soul-led life. Saying "YES" to experiences that crack us open. Exploring new communities, new landscapes, new edges of ourselves. Burning Man is not a retreat (not even close lol) but it is a transformational container. And a lot of what I experienced on the playa this year is stuff I’ll be integrating into our retreats and my own life.

We also had multiple Coherence team members go this year, and I personally went to my first Burn in 2025. So this post is me sharing my heart and my hard-earned tips with you...because that’s what we do here. We grow, we experience, and then we give back to our community!

So whether you’re a future Burner, or you’re just curious what the hype is all about, here’s my first-timer’s guide to Burning Man.

1. Plan Early & Energetically Commit

Burning Man isn’t something you casually slot into your calendar. You have to decide you’re going.

I literally blocked off my calendar a year in advance. And honestly, that’s pretty normal for me since I plan retreats over a year in advance, so this kind of long-range planning is just how I live my life. But this time it wasn’t for a retreat...it was for the Burn. I carved out the week of Burning Man and decompression (yes, you will need time to rest), and made sure nothing else could touch that time.

And that mattered. Once I carved out the time, everything else started aligning...the camp, the RV, the e-bikes, even my outfits.

So if you want to go: don’t half-ass it. Speak it into existence. Protect the time. Commit!

2. Go With a Camp

Yes, you can go solo. People do it every year. But as a first-timer? I cannot recommend enough: join a camp.

We got invited into The Gong Spot (Austin-based) and shared a little village with Legendary Camp (also Austin-based). Being in a camp gave us:

• A built-in support system.

• Electricity, a shower, ice cold water, and daily meals.

• A box truck to transport all our bins to playa...actually directly to our camp! (we just flew in with small bags).

But even more than logistics...it gave us community! 

If you don’t have an invite, no worries...tons of camps accept applications. Yes, you’ll pay camp fees. But the stability, support, and family are totally worth it!

3. Get a Burning Man Sherpa (or two!)

A Sherpa = your Burner angel.

We had someone who vouched for us getting into our camp, someone who helped us plan, pack, and get + pick up an RV, and also (by divine timing) one of our sherpas was literally the first person we saw when we rolled up after 18 hours in line. He showed us where to park, showed us The Man, oriented us to the playa, and basically initiated us into the Burn.

Having someone who knows what’s up makes everything less overwhelming. If you can, find a Sherpa.

4. Packing (where the real work *and money* happens)

Here’s the truth: the ticket isn’t the expensive part. The prep is.

You’re going to spend money on gear, rv/tent, bikes, food, outfits, goggles, gifts, water, random playa things… the list is endless. Especially for your first time.

I’ve got so many packing tips that I made a master list you can download here: Download the Burning Man Packing List (you'll need to make a copy)!

And just so you know, I can’t take full credit for this. It’s one of those lists that’s been passed down and modified by Burners for years. I just added my own tweaks after my first time.

Some highlights:

• Outfits: Pack two per day. Daytime outfit for heat, nighttime for the cold. Wool socks are a must. Pack them in vacuum-sealed bags (or ziplocks) with everything (clothes, accessories, socks, masks, etc.), label them! This will keep you organized, plus prevent your fits from getting dirty and dusty in a suitcase. 

• Traditions: Tutus on Tuesday, white on Wednesday, red on Saturday (this is new I heard). You def don’t have to, but it’s fun.

• Totes: Get the very specific 27 gallon black/yellow totes from Home Depot. When everyone has these, they stack perfectly in trucks. You can get them HERE. Also get fun tape/paint around each side of the tote so you know which ones are yours + label them with your names/camps. 

• Shoes: I brought three pairs of boots, flip-flops, and sneakers. Only wore the hiking boots once (strike day).

• Civilian clothes: Bring one little bag of “real world” clothes for after. You will not want to wear dusty fur on your flight home.

• Camp clothes + cozy clothes: don't forget your cozies for lounging 
• Warm clothes: the playa gets COLD at night and sunrise. Bring furs, hats, gloves, layers! 

5. Ladies: To Braid or Not to Braid?

This is such a common question: should you braid your hair for Burning Man?

Here’s the thing...there’s a reason people braid. Showers may be rare. Dust storms are real. Braids are practical and keep your hair manageable.

I got mine braided and honestly? I loved it. They looked amazing, I felt like a total baddie, and an alter ego came out of me on the playa.

But when I got home… different story. I got COVID post burn (yep), and I sat in the bathtub undoing my braids. When I washed my hair, handfuls of hair came out. Like, fistfuls. My fine, thin hair could not handle it. I was crying, sick, holding clumps of my hair in the tub. It literally felt like half my hair fell out. Heart breaking.

So will I ever do braids again? Probably not. Now, I’m on a whole scalp-care plan...collagen, serums, the works.

My advice: if your hair is strong and you want the playa braid look, go for it. But if your hair is fragile like mine, be cautious. Wigs, hats, and bandanas are solid alternatives.

Also, if you're going to do it...book your appointment a few weeks ahead of time!

6. RV + Electric Bikes = Absolute Non-Negotiables

I will never do Burning Man without an RV and an e-bike. Period.

The RV:
Yes, it costs thousands and thousands of dollars. Most people split with friends to make it doable. But it’s worth every cent.

We rented with Indie Campers in Vegas. When the gates to the playa closed during a storm and we were stuck in line for 18 hours, we had AC, food, beds, and a bathroom. On playa, it was our oasis. We slept comfortably, ate, hosted dinners, and survived rain + dust storms with ease. Plus...AC.

If you don’t do an RV, please don’t just show up with a little Coleman tent. The playa can be brutal. At minimum, go for a ShiftPod or Kodiak tent with an AC unit.

RV setup hacks:

• Line the floors with painter’s plastic (painter’s tape only).

• Reflectors + blackout fabric on windows for heat prevention (we did this on the inside).

• Painters tape around the cracks of the windows for dust prevention (painters tape only! any other tape may tear off the paint from the RV).

• Rugs inside and a big outside one for dust.

• String lights + colorful lights for vibes.

• Trow a tarp up for more vibes + heat protection

• Whiteboard outside so friends can leave notes.

7. E-Bikes

Burning Man is a city...its MASSIVE. A regular bike will drain you. E-bikes give you freedom and conserve your energy so you can actually enjoy the Burn instead of collapsing into bed every night.

We rented from Jager Bikes in Reno. They are burners themselves and totally understand what’s needed for playa conditions. Their bikes were incredible, with lights and setups ready to go. Tell them Kimberly Kennedy sent you and they'll take care of you! If you're part of my direct community, I'm happy to share the phone number with you. 

Why an e-bike?

• The city is massive...you’ll go from deep playa to camps on the opposite side constantly.

• Saves your legs (regular pedaling out there will drain your energy).

• Lets you see more, do more, and still have energy left for nighttime magic!

Honestly, I’ll never do Burning Man without an e-bike. Never have, never will. Will it cost you more? Yes. Is it worth it? Yes. We’re even talking about buying our own for future Burns.

Your bike is your lifeline. Treat it like your child.

Our setup:

• Lights all over the frame (seriously LIGHT UP!)

• Walmart basket zip-tied on, decorated with neon chili pepper lights. We're getting better baskets next time.

• Fuzzy seat cover (pleather in the desert = burnt booty).

• Bike bag for essentials.

• Flagpole with a giant silk flag...absolute game-changer for spotting our bikes. You can also do any totem..Such a good tip from a friend!

• Lock it with a code lock (never keys). I literally watched someone’s bike get stolen in front of me. It happens. LOCK UP!

8. Download the iBurn App

Works offline. Has the full map, camps, art, and events. It’s basically your playa GPS. Don’t skip it.

9. Phone & Notes Hacks

Before you lose service:

• Make a note with all your friends’ camp names + addresses. (Multiple camps can be on one block.)

• Add DJs/artists’ set times that are posted on Instagram. You're not going to catch them all...but at least you’ll have a wishlist.

• Change your phone background to a photo of you with your camp address + name. If you lose it, people can return it.

• Label everything. I labeled my phone, my bike lock, my actual bike, my gear. You can get a labeler HERE

10. Book Hotels & Massages Early

We actually had a hotel booked in Reno before the Burn, but the vibes were SO BAD that we bailed (never stay at the Silver Legacy Hotel in Reno or step foot in it...in fact, skip the strip altogether!) We went to a new hotel and it was sold out...and then called 20 others. Everything was sold out. We got lucky and found one in the next town over. 

• Book Reno/Tahoe hotels months out.
• And if you want a post-Burn massage? Book two months out minimum. We got one of the last slots and it saved my body....well, until I got covid at the spa 😅
• Common hotels for Burners = Grand Sierra Resort + Atlantis. 

11. Food & Water Strategy

• Water: 1.5 gallons per person per day. Confirm if your camp provides it (and even if they do, still pack water!)

• Electrolytes daily.

• Food: don’t overpack. You’ll eat less than you think. 

• Quick and easy food is the way to go!

• There are food camps at burning man! Coffee camps, waffle camps, pho camps, hot dog camps... people gift food all the time.

12. Daytime & Nighttime Packs

What I always carried when leaving camp:

• Water bottle holder with pockets.

• Phone on a chain around my neck.  with a clear case and my actual ID on the back side inside the case!

• Loop earplugs (after day one, I never left without them).

• Chapstick, tampons.

• Scrunchie with zippers for goodies.

• Goggles + dust mask.

• My gifts to the playa

• Wet wipes / toilet paper + sanitizer.

• MOOP bag (trash bag).

• My playa cup (carabiner hooked on to my bike bag)

• Bungee cords with hooks to strap my fur jackets to my bike!

• LIGHTS

13. Take Care of Your Body

The playa will chew you up if you don’t. Make sure you REST!

We took vitamins every morning:

• 5-HTP (supports serotonin + mood).

• Vitamin C, zinc, magnesium.

• Electrolytes in every water bottle.

• Milk thistle, Moon Juice Superhuman pills, + whatever you feel your boy needs

It’s so easy to not sleep, to overdo substances, to forget basic care. But your body is your temple. Treat it like one.

14. Strike & Timing

Strike = teardown. Usually starts Saturday for 90% of camps.

Which means Friday is the last day when all camps are alive with offerings. Explore earlier in the week.

And if you’re in a camp, participate in strike. Bring work gloves. Don’t ghost. It’s part of the Burner ethos: leave no trace.

15. Burn Your Plans & Protect Your Energy

“Plan your burn, and burn your plans.”

Things will change. Weather will mess with you. Artists will be late or not show up at all (or do surprise sets *yay!*). And you’ll end up exactly where you’re supposed to be.

But protect yourself, too. There are 70,000 people. Not all are angels. Bikes get stolen. People overdose. Art cars can hit you if you’re not lit up. Sadly, there was even a death this year.

So please:

• Light yourself and your bike.

• Stay with trusted people.

• Lock your bike.

• Know your substances. Don’t mix.

• Trust your gut. "No" is a full sentence!

And also...Burning Man is one of the most magical place on earth. A city built by dreamers, artists, musicians, visionaries. For one week, it becomes a playground for your inner child.

Protect your energy. And then let yourself PLAY.

Conclusion

So there you have it...these are my top tips that are coming through right now. I’ll probably update this over time as more lessons land, but I hope this helps you feel a little more prepared for your first Burn.

Burning Man is truly an experience like no other. People flock from every corner of the world...the most talented artists, DJs, builders, dreamers, and some of the most heart-open, generous, and accepting humans you’ll ever meet. It’s a place where people show up ready to expand, to see life through a different lens, to create magic together.

There’s a saying out there: you don’t get the Burn you want, you get the Burn you need. And I believe that wholeheartedly. So go out there with an open heart, with curiosity, with an open mind and have a fucking blast.

xoxo,
Bubbles

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