![Burning man nevada](jpg/bb_desktop.jpg)
![black rock city badge](png/new-bb-logo.png)
Burner Byway
Find Freedom in the Black Rock
Route Distance
110 to 250 miles
Suggested Time
2 to 4 days
Come trace the art-lined route Burners take on their annual pilgrimage “home” to Burning Man, the wildest arts event on Earth in the mystical Black Rock Desert. For a week-ish each fall, the pop-up metropolis of Black Rock City Nevada springs to life and—just as quickly—disappears. However, around northwestern Nevada, the Burning Man spirit never does. Road trip the Burner Byway any time of year and you’ll discover how Nevada’s do-it-yourself verve, splendorous wide-open spaces, spunky “why not” attitude, and unmatched freedom energize people to come create something magical, from Reno to Gerlach and far beyond.
Highlights
- Explore the Black Rock Desert playa—one of Earth’s largest, flattest surfaces
- Gaze upon magnificent, kaleidoscopic Fly Geyser on a guided nature tour
- Cast for salmon-sized trout and discover Paiute culture at Pyramid Lake
Black Rock Bound on the Burner Byway
An Art-Tastic Odyssey to the Black Rock and Beyond
Each August the otherwise empty Black Rock Desert playa becomes Nevada’s sixth-largest city—the 70,000-person pop-up metropolis of Black Rock City Nevada—thanks to Burning Man, the world-famous celebration of art, technology, community, and radical self-reliance… for about a week. However, many Burners have infused the event’s spirit into northern Nevada’s soul, through public art, museums, shops, galleries, makers’ spaces, and more, keeping its rich vibes alive year-round. Feel it for yourself as you road trip from bohemian Reno—a hip town riding an art-fueled renaissance—to gorgeous, tribal-owned Pyramid Lake, the funky town of Gerlach, and off into the magnificent Black Rock Desert Wilderness.
![Burner Byway map](png/nv-map-bb.png)
COMMUNITIES ON THIS TRIP
Glovebox Essentials
Prepare for Your Adventure
Get ready to come chase some horizons with this handy tool kit. Here, you’ll find all the Burner Byway road trip essentials, including downloadable directions, maps, and podcasts, and tunes to complement your upcoming adventure.
Download Route
Featured Story
Burner Byway Playlist
Landscapes Sure To Inspire On Nevada’s Burner Byway | Part 1
Landscapes Sure To Inspire On Nevada’s Burner Byway | Part 2
Awaken Your Spirit on Nevada’s Burner Byway
Refuel Your Soul on Nevada’s Burner Byway
Discover Sacred Secrets on Nevada’s Burner Byway
Kick Up Some Dust
Find Yourself on the Burner Byway
Follow the pilgrimage route Burners take each August on their journey “home” to Black Rock City Nevada. Start in Reno—where burners have helped fuel an artistic renaissance—then visit the quiet, sunset-splashing shores of Pyramid Lake, and venture onward to delightfully eccentric Gerlach, the fabled Black Rock Desert playa, and the wilderness beyond.
Leg 1
Reno: Hippest Little City in the World
As the urban gateway to Black Rock City, Reno’s Burner vibes reveal themselves in “post-playa” sculptures, 120+ murals, a vibrant artist/maker scene, and eclectic food.
Leg 2
Pyramid Lake: Pristine Views & Paiute Culture
Tahoe-sized vistas… minus Tahoe-sized crowds. Stop by the Museum & Visitor Center to learn about the local Paiute guardians and snag a permit to fish for salmon-sized trout.
Leg 3
Gerlach: “Center of the Known Universe”
That’s the perfect slogan for this funky little Black Rock Desert basecamp, home to multiple saloons, a coffee bar, a pottery shop, and the launchpad for Fly Geyser tours.
Leg 4
To the Black Rock Desert & Beyond
The 200 square-mile Black Rock Desert playa hogs the spotlight, but this 1.2 million-acre wonderland harbors hot springs, emigrant trails, unbeatable stargazing, opal mines, and more.
![reno to black rock desert](jpg/burnerbyway1-1024x956.jpg)
Leg 1
Reno: Find Your Vibe
Local Miles
- Explore 120+ vibrant murals in Midtown and Downtown Reno
- Browse sensational exhibits at the AAM-accredited Nevada Museum of Art
- Scope out sculptures, debuted at Burning Man, along the Downtown Reno Riverwalk
You certainly don’t need fluffy pink boots, sparkly glasses, or other outlandish garb to enjoy the Burner Byway. But if you want ’em, Reno’s definitely got ’em—in a district defined by locally owned vintage shops, costume boutiques, and funky antique stores. Reno also sets the right artistic mood with “post-playa” Burning Man sculptures planted around town, more than 120 vibrant murals popping up everywhere, and the fabulous Nevada Museum of Art, accredited right up there with the Met and SFMOMA.
The part lodging / part gallery Morris Burner Hostel, a burner go-to, is open year-round. For vintage-meets-modern vibes, check into Kramer’s Midtown or 1907-built The Jesse Hotel & Bar; or live it up at a casino-resort.
![Kramer’s Midtown](jpg/kramers_featured-300x169.jpg)
Kramer’s Midtown
Reno
![Peppermill Reno Resort Spa Casino](jpg/peppermillreno_featured-300x169.jpg)
Peppermill Reno Resort Spa Casino
Reno
![THE ROW Reno](jpg/therow_featured-300x169.jpg)
THE ROW Reno
Reno
![Nugget Casino Resort](png/business-placeholder.png)
Nugget Casino Resort
Sparks
![The Jesse Hotel & Bar](png/business-placeholder.png)
The Jesse Hotel & Bar
Reno
![Grand Sierra Resort and Casino](png/business-placeholder.png)
Grand Sierra Resort and Casino
Reno
![Whitney Peak Hotel](png/business-placeholder.png)
Whitney Peak Hotel
Reno
![Renaissance Reno Downtown Hotel](png/business-placeholder.png)
Renaissance Reno Downtown Hotel
Reno
![Atlantis Casino Resort & Spa](png/business-placeholder.png)
Atlantis Casino Resort & Spa
Reno
Get your trip off to a colorful start with a mural tour, a trip to the Nevada Museum of Art, or a stroll along the sculpture-lined Downtown Reno Riverwalk; then score vintage duds at funk-tastic local shops and boutiques.
![Nevada Museum of Art](png/business-placeholder.png)
Nevada Museum of Art
Reno
![Downtown Reno Riverwalk](png/business-placeholder.png)
Downtown Reno Riverwalk
Reno
![The Generator Maker Space](png/business-placeholder.png)
The Generator Maker Space
Sparks
![Reno Playa Art Trail](png/business-placeholder.png)
Reno Playa Art Trail
Reno
![Sundance Books and Music](png/business-placeholder.png)
Sundance Books and Music
Reno
![The Melting Pot World Emporium](png/business-placeholder.png)
The Melting Pot World Emporium
Reno
![Junkee Clothing Exchange](png/business-placeholder.png)
Junkee Clothing Exchange
Reno
![Reno Neon Line District](png/business-placeholder.png)
Reno Neon Line District
Reno
![Midtown Reno](png/business-placeholder.png)
Midtown Reno
Reno
![Weird Reno Walking Tour](png/business-placeholder.png)
Weird Reno Walking Tour
Reno
Reno’s cuisine scene is haute, fresh, and tasty. Gourmet grub is everywhere, from fresh vegan fare to gourmet mac ‘n’ cheese. Be sure to wash it down at dozens of swanky cocktail lounges, wine bars, tap houses, and more.
![Basin & Range Cellars](png/business-placeholder.png)
Basin & Range Cellars
Reno
![Great Basin Brewing Co. – Reno & Sparks](png/business-placeholder.png)
Great Basin Brewing Co. – Reno & Sparks
Sparks
![Noble Pie Parlor](png/business-placeholder.png)
Noble Pie Parlor
Reno
![Louis’ Basque Corner](png/business-placeholder.png)
Louis’ Basque Corner
Reno
![Reno Brewery District](png/business-placeholder.png)
Reno Brewery District
Reno
![The Eddy Reno](png/business-placeholder.png)
The Eddy Reno
Reno
![The Depot Craft Brewery Distillery](png/business-placeholder.png)
The Depot Craft Brewery Distillery
Reno
![Beefy’s](png/business-placeholder.png)
Beefy’s
Reno
![Hub Coffee Roasters](png/business-placeholder.png)
Hub Coffee Roasters
Reno
![Black Rabbit Mead Co.](png/business-placeholder.png)
Black Rabbit Mead Co.
Reno
Reno loves art and wants you to know it. Especially in July, when Artown holds about 500 music, theater, dance, and visual art events. And in October when OffBeat Music Festival takes over Midtown with 100+ live bands.
![distance reno to black rock city](jpg/burnerbyway9-1024x956.jpg)
Leg 2
Reno to Pyramid Lake
50 miles
- Explore exhibits on the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe’s history and culture
- Fish for huge salmon-sized Lahontan cutthroat trout on a guided tour
- Camp on the sandy shores of sapphire-hewed Pyramid Lake
You’ll need more than your camera to take in the crowd-free, underrated scenic jewel that is Pyramid Lake. Tahoe-sized views, surreal colors, and remarkable silence… that’s the stuff northern Nevada memories are made of. Swing into the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Museum & Visitor Center to learn about the culture of the people who have lived in this sacred place for generations, as well as to purchase permits for camping or fishing for massive (and rare) Lahontan cutthroat trout—Nevada’s state fish—solo or with a local guide.
Pyramid Lake is entirely on tribal land. Get a permit to camp on the west shore; or, if you’d rather not rough it, Crosby’s Lodge offers rustic cabins and travel trailers with classic fishing resort ambiance.
![Crosby’s Lodge](jpg/original-crosbys1-sm-300x169.jpg)
Crosby’s Lodge
Sutcliffe
Although the record Lahontan cutthroat trout weighed 41 lbs, anglers seem content with the average being about half that. Not feelin’ fishy? Swing by the museum to learn about the Paiute Tribe who protect this place today.
![Anaho Island National Wildlife Refuge](png/business-placeholder.png)
Anaho Island National Wildlife Refuge
Fallon
![Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Museum & Visitors Center](png/business-placeholder.png)
Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Museum & Visitors Center
Nixon
![Reno Fly Shop](png/business-placeholder.png)
Reno Fly Shop
![Pyramid Lake](png/business-placeholder.png)
Pyramid Lake
Nixon
Although it’s nearly Tahoe-sized, what you won’t find at Pyramid Lake are shorelines swathed in resorts. What you will find is Crosby’s Lodge, the best (and only!) joint around, serving up tasty burgers, fries, and cold beers.
![Crosby’s Lodge](png/business-placeholder.png)
Crosby’s Lodge
Sutcliffe
![black rock desert](jpg/burnerbyway10-1024x956.jpg)
Leg 3
Pyramid Lake to Gerlach
60 to 80 miles
- Tour Burning Man-owned Fly Geyser with Friends of Black Rock-High Rock
- Ponder hand-painted words of wisdom and offbeat folk art on Guru Road
- Peruse out-of-this-world, landscape-inspired art at Planet X Pottery
Welcome to Gerlach, the last slice of civilization before 1.2 million acres of Black Rock Country. With advance reservations, take a Friends of Black Rock-High Rock nature tour of Fly Geyser, Nevada’s psychedelic riff on Old Faithful. Cruise to Planet X Pottery, a solar-powered studio and gallery filled with paintings and pottery inspired by the landscape, then reflect on whimsical art on Guru Rd. on the way back to town, where loquacious locals linger at Bruno’s Country Club and the Miners Club, often until the wee hours.
Travel Nevada Pro Tip
Bed down at Bruno’s, a meatball’s throw from the bar/café/mini-casino of the same name or go west (literally) to Iveson Ranch and Wildlife Preserve.
![Bruno’s Country Club, Motel & RV Park](jpg/brunos6-sm-300x169.jpg)
Bruno’s Country Club, Motel & RV Park
Gerlach
There’s a reason Fly Geyser made the cover of NatGeo’s “Rarely Seen” photo book; snap it yourself on a tour. Then shop for desert-inspired ceramics at Planet X and wander among witty art made by a revered local on Guru Road.
![Black Rock Desert](png/business-placeholder.png)
Black Rock Desert
Gerlach
![Planet X Pottery](png/business-placeholder.png)
Planet X Pottery
Gerlach
![Friends of Black Rock – High Rock](png/business-placeholder.png)
Friends of Black Rock – High Rock
Gerlach
![Black Rock Mud Company](png/business-placeholder.png)
Black Rock Mud Company
Gerlach
![Guru Road](png/business-placeholder.png)
Guru Road
Gerlach
![Fly Geyser](png/business-placeholder.png)
Fly Geyser
Gerlach
Bruno Selmi is no longer with us, but Bruno’s Country Club—which he started with gypsum mine cash in 1952—carries on his fire with baseball-size ravioli in his secret tomato sauce, mean Picon Punches, and warm hospitality.
![Miners Club](png/business-placeholder.png)
Miners Club
Gerlach
![Empire Store](png/business-placeholder.png)
Empire Store
Empire
![Bruno’s Country Club, Motel & RV Park](png/business-placeholder.png)
Bruno’s Country Club, Motel & RV Park
Gerlach
![burner mountain ranges](jpg/burnerbyway16-1024x956.jpg)
Leg 4
Into the Black Rock Desert and Beyond
20 to 200+ miles
- Stargaze in solitude in one of only seven “Dark Sky Sanctuaries” on Earth at Massacre Rim
- Rockhound for black fire opals—Nevada’s state gemstone—outside Denio
- Spot pronghorn antelope at 500,000-acre Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge
For Burners, the Black Rock Desert playa is the destination. For Burner Byway-ers, it’s just the beginning. And it’s true: one glimpse of the playa’s other-wordly majesty confirms why people love coming here for a week each year. But between you and us…it’s even better without 69,999 other people on it. And it’s only the threshold to some of the most remote country in the USA—a wilderness rife with natural hot springs, wildlife, starlit skies, and more—all spread across 1.2 million acres of pure, unwritten adventure territory.
Travel Nevada Pro Tip
“Hotels,” eh? Well, you won’t find any out here. Luckily, it’s public land, so as long as you’re up on your Leave No Trace ethics, you can camp nearly anywhere. If roofs are more your thing, lock these spots into your GPS.
![Rockin’ TD Ranch](jpg/rockintd1-300x169.jpg)
Rockin’ TD Ranch
Vya
![Old Yella Dog Ranch and Cattle Company](jpg/original-rno-vya-oldyelladogranch-300x169.jpg)
Old Yella Dog Ranch and Cattle Company
Vya
![Iveson Ranch](png/business-placeholder.png)
Iveson Ranch
Gerlach
Craving freedom? Burning Man certainly offers a certain kind. But the rest of the year—as long as you have the skills—an endless world of recreation, exploration, and fascination await you in the wider Black Rock Desert.
![Royal Peacock Opal Mine](png/business-placeholder.png)
Royal Peacock Opal Mine
Denio
![Massacre Rim](png/business-placeholder.png)
Massacre Rim
Gerlach
![Bonanza Opal Mines](png/business-placeholder.png)
Bonanza Opal Mines
Denio
![Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge](png/business-placeholder.png)
Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge
Denio
![Virgin Valley Campground & Warm Spring](png/business-placeholder.png)
Virgin Valley Campground & Warm Spring
Denio
![High Rock Canyon](png/business-placeholder.png)
High Rock Canyon
Gerlach
![Double Hot Springs](png/business-placeholder.png)
Double Hot Springs
Gerlach
![Friends of Black Rock – High Rock](png/business-placeholder.png)
Friends of Black Rock – High Rock
Gerlach
![Pine Forest Recreation Area](png/business-placeholder.png)
Pine Forest Recreation Area
Nearest Denio
![Rainbow Ridge Opal Mine](png/business-placeholder.png)
Rainbow Ridge Opal Mine
Denio
If you’re starting your day in Gerlach, fuel up for your Black Rock Desert odyssey with hearty omelettes at Bruno’s; then grab a smoothie, latte, or bar of locally made soap to go at the Miners Club.
![Bruno’s Country Club, Motel & RV Park](png/business-placeholder.png)
Bruno’s Country Club, Motel & RV Park
Gerlach
![Empire Store](png/business-placeholder.png)
Empire Store
Empire
![Denio Junction](png/business-placeholder.png)
Denio Junction
Denio
![Miners Club](png/business-placeholder.png)
Miners Club
Gerlach
![Diamond Inn Bar](png/business-placeholder.png)
Diamond Inn Bar
Denio
Hitting the Road? Here’s the Map.
Our 10 Nevada Road Trips
Searching for road trip ideas? Look no further. Go ahead. Scroll around and click the road trip icons for the inside scoop on Nevada’s 10 best road trips, with detailed itineraries, maps, and tips for getting off the beaten track.
#BurnerByway
Bound for the Black Rock? Tag #BurnerByway so we can show major love for all your geyser-gazing, ravioli-scarfing, arty party snapshots along the way.
![The crew traversing the #Moon during the #PerseidMeteorShower (actually the #BlackRockDesert). F/8.0, 30 second exposure.
toyotausa fjjcruiser fjcruiser_toyota fjcruiser_allterrain #775 #northernnevada #nevada #nevadadesert travelnevada #dfmi #fjcruiserforums #fjcruisers #fj #fjcruiser #magmafj #desert #highdesert #4x4 #offroading #offroad #overland #overlanding #renonv #nv #nvoffroad #meteorshower renotahoe #nightride #stars #nightsky #starfield #headlights #playa](jpg/bd16ca4e9003c3e5ee99502789aaca024159729cbc238626fa9b23138b6cec5f-375.jpg)
![Pyramid lake is not all ladders and shoulder to shoulder fishing](jpg/bc2f66f2e18a57972ffd162dd271aa8961ee5d11013e7da200d08ac1001d16ec-375.jpg)
![It's time to apply for tickets to tour this gorgeous freak. Fly Geyser, not far from the putty-colored playa known as Black Rock Desert, is a technicolor blend of iron (red), sulfate (yellow), and algae (yup, the green crud) on private property in northern Nevada. It was born in 1964 when the drill from a geothermal company accidentally exposed it. After 55 years, it's getting a little taller and a touch lovelier by the year. Details and ticket info at blackrockdesert.org/fly-geyser
#dfmi #burningman #landscapephotography #westbysouthwest #earthescope #ourdailyplanet #wildernessculture #geology #theoutbound #americanwest #travelnevada #getoutside #optoutside #LPM #earth_pix #landscape_love #outside_project #geysers #blackrockdesert #wondersofourplanet #earthfocus](jpg/84a99eb5750f76bdbb73b55d2dc8996836108bbca564b7cc1a1129f09d298e66-375.jpg)
![Torchbearer maineflycastings doing work with his beast sling at Pyramid Lake with pyramidflyco while on the first vedavoogear Torchbearer RendezVoo -- 📸: jrizzle50 •
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#vedavoo #betteramericangear #handbuilt #handcrafted #americanmade #madeinusa #flyfishing #flytying #fishing #trout #keepemwet #travel #cutthroat #outdoors #pyramidlake #nevada #travelnevada #maplesyrup #vedavootorchbearers #lohantoncutthroat](jpg/7d823b1e033f3dfedb39fc830bc6e535e2dc75aee26f785e415219fbbb993305-375.jpg)
![Looking forward to returning to the Black Rock Desert for some quality glamping in the middle of absolutely nowhere. Hoping to return with many photos of starry and stormy skies.
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#blackrockdesert #milkyway #longexposure #longexposure_shots longexposure_features longexposure_pix #astralphotography #starrynight #highdesert #playa #nevada #travelnevada #fbrhr #desertsolitaire #dscvr_mood #ingenioustones #westbysouthwest #natureprimeshot #seekmorewilderness #nikon #nikonusa #nikond3s #nikkor #benro #themountainair #breatheitin](jpg/44ace63a9c546bc0aa49df28622c268250aa17eb79297482993f9a87002f3fef-375.jpg)
![Paintbrush and Lupine blooming with our camp behind it in the aspens. It was a cold and wet week up there but nothing beats camping and relaxing with friends.
#nevada #nevadaphile #exploreNevada #nevadasky #getoutside #Wilderness #travelnevada #howtonevada #nvmag #nevadawildflower #wildflower #flowers #wildflowerseason #nevadaflower #lupine #paintbrush #aspen #trees #greatbasin #mountains #peak #highcountry #canyon #dfmi #homemeansnevada #battleborn #nevadacamping #camping #scenery](jpg/0c904c382a695155ca8538ea9a6446c6724dc995672ab53708d51ba8c5e8c154-375.jpg)
![You say “mud bath,” we say “one of the best au naturel Nevada-style spa experiences in the whole dang state!” 🧖🏻♀️♨️🤩
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Blast up the #BurnerByway and indulge in some “me time” at a bevy of publicly accessible Black Rock Desert hot springs. These natural-bottomed pools are chock-full of nutrient-rich mud that would set you back a pretty penny at schmancy day spas, but out in the wild? Soak it up and slather it on!
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Afterward, if you find yourself homebound and longing for that amazing soak sesh, treat yourself to the next best thing and order up some @blackrockmud, a skin-pleasing mud mask (and worldwide luxury spa staple) family-harvested from a private hot spring on the outskirts of Gerlach. Get into this and nine other badass #OnlyInNevada adventures at the link in our bio! .
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#TravelNevada #NVRoadTrip #HotSprings #NVHotSprings #AdventureSeekers #Geothermal #ExploreNevada #OutWest #NevadaLife](jpg/e9413c0cd064d5d457dbf91beadbaa583aadefc036af92363081d281d2c631b8-375.jpg)
![Camp along side the water at Pyramid Lake this summer. Some campsites even offer amenities such as full hookups and hot showers.
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#DFMI 📷 by @christopher.burns71
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#TravelNevada #PyramidLake #Camping #CampingGoals #MansBestFriend #AdventureCulture #NV #Nevada #NVAdventure #DiscoverNV](jpg/16983c031c87806409473051395216bc787e043fcba6651de5cecc6e3f6f9b3e-375.jpg)
![Still one of my favorite scenes. I remember taking a few photos with a composition set-up looking east (toward Pyramid Lake) until I noticed a glow over my shoulder. I turned to witness this tableau unfolding before me. Definitely a surprise that pretty much floored me.
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#renotahoe #travelnevada #onlyinnv #cloudscape #eveningsky #nevada #nevadadesert #naturalnevada](jpg/1026ba0eb651107208c4cfd7091a0bec1e3dad05b63c679551f9c05211984d98-375.jpg)
![The sun sets on another adventurous weekend in Nevada. What memories did you make? .
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Thanks to this lovely shot of a playa sunset from dwayneburgess during Burning Man 2017 (don’t know what Burning Man is? Be sure to look into it! It’s a large part of northern Nevada culture). Tag us or use #naturalnevada to be featured!
#explorenevada #naturalnevada #naturalunited #howtonevada #homemeansnevada #dfmi #blackrockcity #blackrockdesert #burningman #keepitpublic #keepitwild #wildness #wildnevada #wildwildwest #greatbasin #sunset #summer #nevadasunset #nvmag #onlyinnevada #optoutside #outdoors #explore #adventure #adventurelikeyougiveadamn #industwetrust #instanature #naturephotography](jpg/00309cba674f3b321ddb9c03e5c834dd8717542a45ee4015e42b4634d97ab8b7-375.jpg)
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True Tales & Travel Tips
Featured Stories
Get our takes on must-experience attractions, excursions, restaurants, and lodging—as well as plenty of pro tips on visiting ghost towns, parks, historic sites, and far more—all curated by those who know this wild state by heart.