The Bureau of Land Management is implementing temporary closures on sections of the Black Rock Desert playa in connection with the annual Burning Man event.
The closures are intended to protect public resources, improve public safety, and allow BLM law enforcement to support state and local agencies.
The temporary closure order will take place in two phases:
• Phase 1 will affect approximately 9,941 acres, or less than 3 percent of the playa, from July 24 through Aug. 16, and again from Sept. 6 through Oct. 5.
• Phase 2 will cover about 51,149 acres, or 33 percent of the playa, from Aug. 17 through Sept. 5.
The rest of the playa will remain open for dispersed recreational use during these periods.
According to the BLM, “The temporary closure area comprises lands managed by the BLM and is located in the southern portion of the Black Rock Desert playa within the Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area.”
The Black Rock Field Office has posted signage and distributed maps with restriction details.
These materials are available at main access points around the playa, the Winnemucca District Office, the Black Rock Visitor Center, and online at the Black Rock Field Office website.
