Burning Man, Coachella, Airventure — How Staying in an RV Can Make Your Experience Better

Miami Herald

26-02-2025

Burning Man, Coachella and AirVenture are massive, multi-day festivals that attract people from all over the world in search of an immersive and memorable experience. Camping in the main areas of these events is non-negotiable for many attendees but other festival goers may prefer the comforts of sleeping in an RV — even if it means staying further away from the action.
Read on for more information on how staying in an RV can enhance your festival experience.
Burning Man: Comfort in the chaos of Black Rock CityCoachella: Beat the valley heat in an RVAirVenture: A quiet RV home base amidst the airshow buzzFAQsSummary
What started as an obscure gathering of artists in the late 1980s has become one of the most unique and popular festivals in the United States. Once a year, thousands of people flock to the playa of Nevada's Black Rock Desert and set up camp in Black Rock City, a temporary city built on the festival's guiding principles of self-reliance, inclusion and self-expression.
Festival Goers (also called 'burners') camp in tents, yurts and customized vans, and you'll see all sorts of theme camps — from minimal setups to wildly creative ones to high-end camps with luxurious amenities.
Staying in an RV rental at Burning Man can be worthwhile if you want a comfortable space to retreat to. Motorhomes feature air conditioning, a small kitchen, sleeping quarters and, most importantly, a private bathroom. Many rentals are also now equipped with solar panels for a more sustainable power source.
However, bringing an RV to Burning Man could be more of a hassle than camping, especially if it's your first time. Most RV owners are reluctant to rent their vehicles for the event due to the harsh environment.
Dust storms are common at Burning Man, and renters have been known to return the vehicles in poor condition. The few RV owners willing to rent out their vehicles will likely charge much more than the average of $2,000 for ten days (plus cleaning fees and deposits) to offset any potential damage.
Burners who manage to get an RV must also be familiar with the festival's rules regarding waste disposal, black and gray water management, fuel consumption and noise. There are designated dump stations, RV servicing areas and clean-up rules that all burners must follow.
Park the RV in a spot that doesn't obstruct the view of the Burning Man statue or interfere with the camp's layout. Also, consider newer RV models with quiet power generators.Attach a beacon with flashlights to avoid getting lost when exploring the camp at night.Protect the RV from dust as much as possible: seal gaps with painter's or stucco tape (duct tape leaves a sticky residue), put protective covers on the floor and leave dusty shoes outside the trailer.Identify the last gas station en route and make sure to bring enough propane; RVs are not eligible to refill their fuel with Black Rock City's Fuel Program.Before you arrive, ensure your RV isn't leaking blackwater, greywater or freshwater, especially if it's old. Check for oil leaks and any other fluid leaks.Leave no trace: bring a five-gallon bucket to catch any spills and store trash. Follow Black Rock City's official RV guidelines to ensure the best Burning Man experience.
Coachella is one of the most famous art and music festivals in the world. Last year alone, it drew over 500,000 people who came to watch both emerging and established artists perform over two weekends.
The festival is held at the Empire Polo Club in the Coachella Valley in California, where desert temperatures soar during the day and plummet at night. Despite this, most festival goers camp within the festival grounds in tents, campervans or cars with awnings.
RV rentals at Coachella are a good alternative if you don't like to camp or missed out on securing a car or tent camping spot. After a long day of dancing and walking, returning to the comfort of an RV with a cozy bed, refrigeration and a private bathroom is invaluable. Plus, you can prepare your own food and snacks, avoiding long lines and high prices at festival vendors.
Depending on where you're staying, you can walk, drive, or take public transport to Coachella. However, if you're staying in an RV, the best mode of transportation is the shuttle service. RVs larger than campervans are not allowed on the festival grounds.
Many RV parks offer efficient shuttle services that take guests to and from the festival at designated pick-up points. These shuttles drop you off right at the gate and you don't have to stress about traffic, designated drivers or rideshare apps when it's time to go home. Visit Coachella.com for more information.
Tips for RV camping at Coachella
Check the Coachella website for a full list of approved and banned vehicles.Consider a car camper or minivan for the convenience of camping within festival grounds. Plan ahead and look for RV camps nearby. You won't be allowed to bring an RV larger than a campervan inside the festival. Look for RV resorts that offer shuttle services to the festival, such as Shadow Hills or Indian Waters RV Resort & Cottages.
AirVenture: A quiet RV home base amidst the airshow buzz
Drive-in camping is one of the most popular ways to experience EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, an annual week-long airshow that attracts nearly 700,000 aviation enthusiasts to Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Camping at AirVenture is a great way to immerse yourself in the event, where more than 10,000 aircraft fly in to participate. You'll see daily airshows, aerobatics and pyrotechnics, and participate in hundreds of workshops and forums.
Attendees can bring their RV, camper van, or tent to Camp Scholler as long as at least one member of their party belongs to the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). Some camping sites include electric and water hookups, making RVing even easier, and you'll enjoy amenities like home-cooked meals and the comfort of a real bed after a long day.
However, getting an RV spot with full hookups at Oshkosh is challenging, as these sites sell out quickly. Most RVers end up in fields without hookups, requiring generators and water tanks. Many motorhomes come with built-in generators, and there are places at EAA to fill fresh water tanks and pump trucks available to empty waste tanks.
Basic sites cost $28 a night, with a three-night minimum, and offer first-come, first-served open grass spots. Sites with water and electric hookups become available later and cost $70 a night. You must be an EAA member to book a site. For more details, visit the EAA camping and lodging page.
Tips for RV camping at AirVenture
Camping areas must be reserved for a minimum of three days, and at least one person in your party must be an EAA member. Reserve in advance online if you want to secure a spot at an improved RV camp with electrical and water hookups.Remember that you'll pay for your spot from the day you make your reservation, not the day you actually arrive at camp.Bring water and fuel if you're camping in areas without electricity and water hookups.
How to prep your RV for Burning Man?
To prep your RV for Burning Man, first ensure it is operating properly and free of plumbing or mechanical leaks. Next, plan for the harsh weather conditions by minimizing dust damage. While you can't fully dust-proof your van, you can cover the interior in plastic, place floor protectors, reinforce window seals, enforce a 'no-shoes inside' rule, and keep the doors closed.
How much is it to camp at Coachella?
Tent and car camping spots cost $149 plus fees and measure 10 by 30 feet. You can camp within the festival grounds in a passenger car, truck, or pop-up campervan, but RVs, trailers, U-Haul trucks, and motorhomes are prohibited. 'Preferred camping spots' are those closest to the festival entrance and cost $375 plus fees.
Staying in an RV at events like Burning Man, Coachella and AirVenture can be a great way to experience these festivals without sacrificing privacy and comfort. You'll have access to AC, heating, home-cooked meals, a private restroom (no need to use public porta potties) and your own bedding.
That said, RV travel isn't always the most convenient or the most affordable lodging, so here are a few details to keep in mind:
Look for local RVs through rental companies such as RVShare, a peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace.Prepare to pay a premium to rent an RV for Burning Man. You should also thoroughly study the camp's motorhome guidelines. 'Dust-proof' your RV for the desert using painter's tape and floor coverings.Coachella only allows tent, car or campervan camping inside the festival. If you're bringing a larger RV, research RV campsites near the event and reserve in advance.Reserve RV spots at AirVenture early, and ensure that at least one member of your party is a member of the EAA.