The BLM announced temporary closure and temporary restrictions for activities on public lands for five years in June 2023.
The temporary closure will affect public land immediately surrounding the site of the Burning Man event to protect public resources, provide for public safety on the Black Rock Desert, and enable law enforcement personnel to support state and local law enforcement agencies with enforcement of existing laws.
A Federal Register notice regarding a temporary closure and temporary restrictions of areas on the Playa was published on June 20, 2023.
The "Closure Area” is a physical space that will be temporarily closed to unauthorized recreational activities and will last approximately 66 days. There are two phases of the Closure Order.
- Phase 1 covers approximately 9,941 acres, or less than 3% of the Black Rock Desert playa.
- Phase 2 covers approximately 51,149 acres, or 33% of the Black Rock Desert playa, but public access to the remaining 67% of the playa outside the temporary closure area will remain open to dispersed recreational use.
Future dates for Phase1 and Phase 2 closures through fiscal year 2027 will be.
- 2024
- Phase 1- July 25 through September 28 (66 Days)
- Phase 2- August 19 through September 7 (20 Days)
- 2025
- Phase 1- July 24 through September 27 (66 Days)
- Phase 2- August 18 through September 6 (20 Days)
- 2026
- Phase 1- July 30 through October 3 (66 Days)
- Phase 2- August 24 through September 12 (20 Days)
- 2027
- Phase 1- July 29 through October 2 (66 Days)
- Phase 2- August 23 through September 11 (20 Days)
Temporary restrictions are in effect to protect public safety and resources on the Black Rock Desert Playa public lands within and adjacent to the Burning Man Event authorized under a Special Recreation Permit.
(Bureau of Land Management)
