Camp Life
A Week You'll Never Forget
Life at Rootpile moves to the rhythm of the day.
Mornings begin slowly with fresh coffee, conversations under the shade, and stories from the night before. Afternoons are filled with workshops, music, building projects, and people wandering in from all over Black Rock City. As the sun begins to set, everyone gathers for dinner before another unforgettable night of live music, dancing, and celebration.
It's a rhythm you'll settle into quickly—and one you'll miss long after the Burn is over.
Mornings at Rootpile
There aren't many alarms at Rootpile.
People wake when they're ready, grab a cup of coffee, find a shady chair, and catch up with friends. Some head out to explore the city. Others stay in camp, tune instruments, help with projects, or simply enjoy a quiet morning before the day's activities begin.
It's one of the most peaceful times of the day.
Rootpile University
Every afternoon our camp comes alive with workshops and hands-on learning.
Whether you're picking up a banjo for the first time, learning to call a dance, exploring live instrument DJing, or joining one of our discussion panels, there's always something happening.
Curiosity is encouraged, and everyone is welcome to participate.
Community Dinner
One of the best parts of each day happens before the music even starts.
Every evening our camp gathers for a shared meal. It's a chance to reconnect, welcome new faces, tell stories from the day's adventures, and prepare for another night together.
The dinner bell brings everyone home.
When the Sun Goes Down
As the desert cools, Rootpile transforms.
The lights come on.
The dance floor fills.
The first fiddle tune rings out across camp.
For five nights, our stages host incredible musicians performing everything from bluegrass and Americana to country and late-night dance music. Visitors from across Black Rock City stop by to dance, listen, and become part of the experience.
By the end of the night, strangers have become friends.
The Bar
The Rootpile Bar is more than a place to grab a drink.
It's where conversations begin, old friends reunite, and newcomers are welcomed into camp. Whether you're sharing a whiskey after a long day or raising a toast to another unforgettable sunset, it's one of the gathering places that helps turn a collection of campers into a community.
Everyone Participates
Rootpile exists because everyone lends a hand.
Each camper take a single camp shifts during the week, whether that's helping in the kitchen, tending bar, greeting visitors, supporting events, or assisting with camp operations. You will be spending that day in camp, that way you can enjoy the rest of your week. 1 day shift during the week,
Many hands make light work, leaving everyone with more time to enjoy everything the week has to offer.
Our Camp Layout
Rootpile is designed to feel like a neighborhood.
At the center you'll find our community spaces, bar, kitchen, stages, and gathering areas. Campers set up around these shared spaces, creating an environment that's lively when you want it to be and comfortable when it's time to relax.
Whether you're heading to a workshop, grabbing dinner, or walking over for the evening show, everything is just a short stroll away.
Quiet Hours
Even a camp full of musicians needs time to recharge.
After the night's festivities wind down, we ask everyone to respect our quiet hours so campers can rest, recover, and get ready for another incredible day.
A well-rested camp is a happy camp.
What Makes Rootpile Different?
There are plenty of great camps at Burning Man.
What makes Rootpile special isn't just the stages, the workshops, or the music.
It's the people.
It's sharing dinner with sixty campmates before the evening show.
It's dancing with someone you've never met while a bluegrass band plays under the stars.
It's picking up an instrument during the day and hearing someone else playing that same tune around the campfire later that night.
It's waking up each morning surrounded by neighbors who quickly become lifelong friends.
That's Rootpile.
And once you've experienced it, you'll understand why so many people come back year after year.