Black Rock City · 2026

Thank you for the dust.

Another year in the Garden. Another home built by hand and packed out clean, leaving no trace. Thank you to everyone who played, built, cooked, danced, and held the space with us. Rest well. We'll do it all again.

Our ethos
The countdown to next year

The Man Burns

Saturday · September 4, 2027
Why we're here

We come to the playa to do one thing well: hold a warm, reliable home for sound. Whatever the weather does, the Garden keeps playing, the door stays open, and there's always room for one more.

Epic sound

A fully immersive sound system and a crew who loves to run it. The sound is our gift to the playa, music from one sunrise to another.

Your people

Once you're in the Garden, you've got people on the playa for life. Come as you are, there's a rug with your name on it.

Any weather

Shade, power, and a camp that keeps running, rain, heat, or whiteout.

The Garden

We come together to…

…build. Everyone has a hand in raising the Garden and packing it out, leaving no trace. Hot, hard, joyful work, and it's how a patch of desert becomes a home.
…play. A serious sound system, day and night. Headliner or sunrise set, the music keeps going.
…shelter. When the dust rolls in, our door opens wider: shade, power, good music, and a safe place to land, for our camp and the whole playa.
…rest. Slow mornings in the tea lounge, coffee in hand, a rug to sink into. A place to come back to and breathe.
Who we are

A tribe built around sound.

We're builders, DJs, dancers, and first-timers from all over. No single home base, but once you're in the Garden, you've got people on the playa for life. We gather in the dust to connect, play, and look after each other. Come as you are; there's a rug with your name on it.

What we stand for

Our ethos.

The 10 Principles are our foundation. These are the few things that make the Garden specifically the Garden.

Sound first

We're a sound camp, plainly. A serious system and a crew who loves running it, so there's always good music to come home to.

Always room for one more

The door stays open and the tent stays wide. Come as you are. There's a rug with your name on it.

We all build

Nobody's just a guest. The Garden goes up and comes down by all of us, together.

Shelter in the storm

When the weather turns, we open wider: shade, power, and a safe place to land, for our camp and the playa.

We show up

We do what we say and we do the work: for the build, for each other, for the music. That's the whole thing.

Leave it better

We pack it in, pack it out, and leave the playa cleaner than we found it.

What we give

Our gift to the playa.

Burning Man runs on gifting. Ours is the sound, and a place to enjoy it. Wander in anytime; everyone's welcome.

The sound

A reliable, safe place to find great music, any hour, any weather. Even without a headliner, the system's alive.

Shelter from the storm

When conditions turn, our shade and good vibes are open to anyone who needs a spot to ride it out.

Slow mornings

Coffee and the tea lounge, a calm corner of the city to ease into the day.

Camp dues 2026

What it costs.

Camp dues have two parts: the camp fee, charged per person, and power, added on by your setup. Dues for 2026 are closed, and 2027 pricing will be announced when signups open. Join the list below and we'll let you know.

The camp fee · per person
Camp fee
Announced for 2027
  • Paid in full at checkout
  • Covers your spot for the week
  • Includes shade, sound, and camp amenities
Power · added on by setup

Power is charged by hookup, not per person, so pick the draw that fits your setup. RV hookups are billed per RV and split among occupants; everyone still pays the camp fee. No personal generators.

Tent power · 15-ampExtension-cord draw
2027 TBA
RV hookup · 30-ampSmall RV or campervan · per RV
2027 TBA
Large RV · 50-ampBig rigs
2027 TBA

Dues for 2026 are closed

The numbers above are last year's, shown so you know what to expect. Join the list and we'll open 2027 signups right here when the time comes.

What's included
Playa-renowned sound systemThe heart of camp
Prime location & placement2:00 & Eternal
A real communityBuilders & friends
Communal shade for your tentOut of the sun
Bougie toiletsOur own Ecozoic bank
The Steam GardenRinse off the dust
Camp suppers at sunsetEvery night of Burn Week
Tea lounge & coffee barSlow mornings
Charging stationPower for your devices
Starlink internetStay connected
Not included
Burning Man ticketBuy yours from Burning Man
TransportationTo & from Black Rock Desert
MealsBeyond camp sunset dinners during Burn Week
Extra powerBeyond what you registered for ahead of time
Before you drive in

How to arrive at The Sound Garden.

Gates open Sunday, August 30. Please read this before you point the car at the desert. It takes two minutes and saves everyone a lot of grief in the dust.

Camp HQ · call or text (415) 649-0484

The three things that matter most

1 · Pull into the loading zone. Do not drive into camp. When you reach us at 2:00 & E, pull into the marked loading zone at the front of camp, by the Sound Garden sign. That is where everyone unloads.
2 · Do not place yourself. Even if you see a gap that looks perfect, it is probably someone's shade structure, a power run, or a walkway. Wait for a camp lead to give you your exact spot. Every inch of our footprint is mapped.
3 · Do not plug into the power grid yourself. Our electrical is planned and balanced across the whole camp. Plugging in on your own can knock out power for everyone, and it is genuinely dangerous. A camp lead will connect you. Just ask.

The front of camp

Camp map showing the loading zone at the front of The Sound Garden

When you arrive, step by step

  1. Come in through the entrance on our frontage and pull straight into the loading zone, by the Sound Garden sign.
  2. Find someone with a radio. They will be in the common area or at the front of house. They are expecting you.
  3. They will give you your exact spot and walk you to it.
  4. Unload your gear.
  5. Park your long term vehicle where the camp lead directs you. Following this matters so we don't block in people who need to leave earlier than you. Vehicle parking has been carefully thought out.
  6. Bikes go in the Camper Bike Park, not next to your tent. It keeps the walkways clear.
  7. Set up, drink some water, and come say hello.
Keep the fire lane clear. We have a fire and safety access lane running through camp. It has to stay completely clear at all times: no bikes, no gear, no vehicles, even for a minute. A camp lead will point it out when you arrive.

A few practical things

Bring plenty of water, aim for 1.5+ gallons per person per day. Questions on the way in? Call or text Camp HQ at (415) 649-0484, or check the FAQ.

Stay in the loop: our WhatsApp community is where all last-minute updates land, including anything that changes on arrival day.

Join the camp WhatsApp

Good to know

Frequently asked questions.

What's included in my camp dues?
Your dues buy into the camp's shared home base for the week: our playa-renowned sound system, communal shade for your tent, The Steam Garden (a mobile steam just for our camp), our own private Ecozoic toilets, a tea lounge & coffee bar, device charging, Starlink internet, prime placement, and sunset camp dinners during Burn Week, plus a real community that's got your back on the playa.
What's not included?
Your Burning Man ticket & vehicle pass (buy those directly from Burning Man), transportation to and from Black Rock City, meals beyond the camp sunset dinners during Burn Week, and any power beyond what you register for here.
How much are camp dues?
Dues for 2026 are closed. The camp fee is charged per person, with power as a separate add-on by your hookup. We'll announce 2027 pricing when signups open, join the list and we'll let you know.
What are the power options?
Power is optional and added on by your setup. We offer tent power (15-amp, extension-cord draw), RV hookups (30-amp), and large RV (50-amp) for big rigs. Tenting without power is always an option too. 2027 pricing will be posted when signups open.
Can I pay for my camp dues and my power separately?
Yes. Pay your camp dues first: on the reserve page, choose "No power" if you're not ready to add it, and check out. When you're ready for power, come back to the reserve page, tick "Already paid your camp dues?" at the top, pick your hookup, and pay for just the power. Both payments are tracked to your name.
Are payments refundable?
All payments are non-refundable, but your spot is transferable. If your plans change, you're welcome to transfer or resell it to another camper; just let us know who's taking your place.
Do I still need to buy a Burning Man ticket?
Yes. Camp dues are completely separate from your Burning Man ticket and vehicle pass, which you purchase directly from Burning Man.
How do I reserve my spot?
Hit Reserve, choose your setup (campers and power), and pay in full securely right on the page. Card details are handled by Stripe, so we never see them.
What if it's my first burn?
You're welcome here. We're builders, DJs, dancers, and first-timers from all over. Come as you are, and you'll have people on the playa for life.
Can I bring an RV?
Yes. We welcome RVs, trailers, and campervans, with 30-amp hookups for smaller rigs and 50-amp for the big ones. Power is charged per RV. Spots and pricing for 2027 will open on the reserve page, join the list and we'll let you know.
Do you have water refills or pumpouts for RVs?
We have water refills, yes. Pumpouts aren't pre-scheduled, but our camp keeps radios connected with neighboring camps so we can arrange them day-of as needed. Bring cash: based on last year, pumpouts ran about $125 and water refills about $50, so prices may be a little higher this year.
Where are you located on the playa?
You'll find us at 2:00 & Eternal in Black Rock City. Come say hello.
Can I DJ or perform at the camp?
We'd love to hear from you. Our 2026 lineup is full at the moment, but slots open and cancellations happen. Join our performer waitlist and we'll reach out if a spot comes free.
Are you looking for help with the build or strike?
Yes, we are! Reach out at hello@thesound.garden and let us know whether you're interested in build or strike, along with the days and times you're available. If you meet the work threshold, your camp dues can be reimbursed upon approval from camp leadership.
Can I invite my friends to join the camp?
Please do. The Garden grows by word of mouth, and there's always room for good people. Send them to reserve a spot, or introduce us at hello@thesound.garden and we'll help them get settled in.
When can I arrive, and when do I leave?
Burning Man 2026 runs August 30 – September 7. We'll send arrival and departure details as the Burn gets closer. If you're on the build or strike crew, we'll coordinate your dates with you directly.
What should I bring?
Everything you need to be self-reliant for the week: your Burning Man ticket, plenty of water (aim for 1.5+ gallons per person per day), a tent or RV, warm layers for cold nights, and dust protection (goggles and a mask). We provide the shade, power, The Steam Garden, and community. A fuller packing list goes out before the Burn.
What about food and water?
During Burn Week we share a camp sunset dinner every night. Beyond that, plan to bring and prepare your own food and water. There are no stores on the playa, and Burning Man is a bring-everything, leave-no-trace event.
Do you have accessibility accommodations?
We want everyone in the Garden. If you have accessibility needs we should plan for, email us at hello@thesound.garden and we'll do our best to make it work.
Still have a question?
Email us anytime at hello@thesound.garden. We're happy to help.
Bring your art

Perform at The Sound Garden.

We love hosting DJs, musicians, and performers. Our 2026 lineup is full at the moment, but slots open up and cancellations happen. Fill this out to join our performer waitlist and we'll reach out if a spot comes free. No need to email us separately, this goes straight to our list.

How it works
Your submission drops straight into our performer list. If a slot opens or someone cancels, we reach out to the waitlist.

Questions
hello@thesound.garden

We can't promise a set, but we're grateful you want to share your art with the Garden and the playa.

Get in touch

Say hello.

Questions about camp, power, payments, or anything else? Drop us a note and we'll get back to you.

Email
hello@thesound.garden

Camp HQ · call or text
(415) 649-0484

Find us
2:00 & Eternal · Black Rock City

Follow
@TheSoundGardenEvents

Reservations are open for 2026. Come find your spot. Spaces fill fast, and there's always room for one more.