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The Bureau of Land Management issues temporary closure on the Black Rock Playa

Nevada
Winnemucca DO
Black Rock FO
Media Contact

WINNEMUCCA, Nev. — The Black Rock Field Office 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 three percent of the Black Rock Desert playa.
  • Phase 2 covers approximately 51,149 acres, or 33 percent of the Black Rock Desert playa, but public access to the remaining 67 percent 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.

The Black Rock staff posted information signs and made maps available to the public that provide detailed information about the temporary closure and restrictions. This information is available at main entry points around the playa, the Winnemucca District Office, the Black Rock Visitor Center, and on the field office website https://www.blm.gov/office/black-rock-field-office .

For additional information call the Black Rock Field Office at (775) 623-1500. 

Related Files

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.