When Where What?: Between the Highway and the Playa

By Hydro

In an effort to create the least entertaining, yet highly informative article, this burNVirgin traversed the last critical distance that many of you will have to endure. No, not the lethargic, entertaining, grueling, and most teasing feet represented by the lines through the Playa dust to the Gate. I’m writing about the miles of pavement between US Route 80 and the 8-mile entrance.

Have you considered how much gasoline your car, van, RV, or semi will need to get to the event? Have you wondered where you last best chance of getting cold beer will be? Have you considered your last possible option for non-Playafied food? Have you figured out what to do if your nightmare of arriving in Black Rock City without goggles and EL Wire comes true? If not, here are some options:

HOYA DELI - 100 Main St. Wadsworth, NV - Normal Hours: 7 Days 9 a.m.-9 p.m. This place has recently come under new ownership by Rosella and Jose. They are a warm, inviting couple with homemade food (VEGETARIAN options available), cold drinks (yes, BEER), ICE, and maybe some ice cream. They are considering staying open 24 hours during the event, so call ahead and let them know if you will be wanting late-night vittles. Folks coming from the East should definitely consider a stop in. (775) 835-0402.

I-80 SMOKE SHOP AND CAMPGROUND - 1000 Smokeshop Circle Wadsworth, NV - 24 hours a day during the event. This place is your typical GAS station, but they also have a CAMPGROUND with full hookups, a shower and laundry facility, and wifi. Beer, snacks, and ICE may also be found here. Be sure to call ahead if you expect to get a place to park your camp prior to your assault on the Gate. (775) 575-2185.

NIXON STORE - Corner of State Rt. 447 and 446 Nixon, NV - 24 hours a day during the event Local vendors will be selling art, crafts, and homemade food. More importantly, you can stock up on GAS, ICE, PROPANE, BEER, and snacks. They have run out of gas in the past, but keep a fuel truck on site for tank refills. (775) 574-0467

EMPIRE STORE - State Rt. 447 apprx 6 miles south of Gerlach - 24 hours a day during the event. GAS, WATER, ICE, EL WIRE, PLAYA WEAR, and a fresh deli. You’re so damn close, you might as well stock up. This place will be a mini-Mecca and one hell of a Burner-congested rat race. Stop in, support the owners, and meet other soon-to-be Burners. (775) 557-2311

GERLACH - This is your last stop!

The Shell station has GAS and provides portapotties, but will not let you use their bathrooms. 24 hours a day during the event.

Bruno’s bar has WIFI (which moves like molasses during the event), but will only stay open during normal hours.

It’s All About Radical Self-Reliance Until…

The Friends of Black Rock office (the historic Jalisco Club) will most likely provide some hospitality, but no one was home when I stopped to visit.ile professional team handles sexual assault, domestic violence, and psychiatric emergencies, as both patient advocates and law enforcement support.

The Jackass Flat has historically been home to vendors with ICE, BEER, PLAYA WEAR, WATER, hot food, and all kinds of little trinkets you didn’t know you wanted.

Stop in to these places, be polite, and prove that Burning Man is good for the local economy. Check the local businesses out on your preferred social media/ feedback site and let other Burners know the ups and downs. The more support the Burning Man event receives from local residents, the more likely it is that the federal Bureau of Land Management will continue to issue a permit for the event.

Lastly, this article is not comprehensive. If you see something missing, please let us know via email at questions@blackrockbeacon.org