Visiting the Black Rock City Temple Safely and Respectfully

The Temple in Black Rock City is a profound gift — a space for honoring, celebrating, grieving, and finding solace. It holds both quiet reflection and joyous connection, from heartfelt memorials to spontaneous weddings. From the moment its doors open, Temple Guardians are there to create a safe, welcoming environment for all. This Temple belongs to everyone. As you enter, embrace the spirit of community, respecting each other, the structure, and the land. We are guests on the ancestral lands of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, who have cared for this desert for generations. Honor their stewardship by being mindful of your impact and treating this sacred space with reverence.

Understanding Temple Offerings

Temple offerings are heartfelt expressions of remembrance and celebration — tangible tributes to loved ones, cherished moments, and the connections we share. These may take the form of posters, photos, messages, or other meaningful items.

  • Where to Leave Offerings: You may place offerings on any available surface inside the Temple, on its exterior walls, or on the surrounding fence.
  • Height and Care: Offerings may be placed up to 10 feet high. Please be mindful not to cover or obstruct existing tributes, nor climb over another’s offering. If space is limited, Temple Guardians can help find a suitable spot.
  • Securing Items: To keep offerings secure in the desert winds, participants should bring their own attachment materials, such as a stapler or sturdy tape.

Privacy and Respect

Photographing or recording other participants – including anyone who may appear in your shot – is strictly prohibited without their consent. This applies to their personal moments or their offerings alike. This policy applies to all devices, including cellphones, cameras, and smart eyewear.

Beyond personal use, only official Black Rock City media badge holders may capture content in the Temple with permission from Media Mecca and Temple Guardians. Additionally, they must obtain explicit consent from everyone in frame, may never film offerings without permission, and may be asked to show credentials or be chaperoned by a Temple Guardian. Offerings are deeply personal and not for public sharing without consent. If documenting your own, ensure no others or their tributes are identifiable. Remain present and help preserve the Temple’s atmosphere of quiet trust. If anyone documents you or your offerings in the Temple without consent or behaves disrespectfully, report it to a Temple Guardian or Media Mecca, in person or at press@burningman.org (include their media badge number if applicable).

Temple Guardians will remove offerings that meet any of the following criteria:

  • Direct threats of violence or incitement to harm directed at a specific individual or identifiable group.
  • Hate speech targeting identifiable persons or groups.
  • Desecration of another participant’s offering with hateful or violent messages.
  • Intimidating objects, including realistic weapons or devices designed to threaten.
  • Physical safety hazards, such as items blocking exits or dangerously placed objects.

Any items removed under these criteria are documented and placed in the Temple offering box to be included in the Sunday Burn. Guardians do not remove offerings for being offensive, vulgar, or politically controversial. Angry or profane messages are generally viewed as part of a participant’s raw emotional process.

By following these guidelines, you help maintain a respectful and meaningful space for all who visit the Temple.

Flags and Symbols

Flags and other symbols often hold deep personal and political meaning. While diverse expressions are welcome, we ask all visitors to respect these symbols, regardless of personal views. Desecrating or intentionally damaging any offering, including those with political significance, is not acceptable.

A Note on Human Remains

While tributes and memorials are welcome, the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe has requested that cremated human remains not be placed or scattered within the Temple or on the playa. The Paiute people, as caretakers of this land, believe that leaving human remains here affects the living spirits of the Black Rock Desert. We encourage alternative ways to pay tribute. You are welcome to bring ashes into the Temple temporarily as part of a personal memorial, but please ensure they are removed before dawn on Sunday. Cremated pet remains are permitted.

No Climbing, No Leaning, No Fire

For the safety of all participants and the preservation of the structure:

  • No Climbing: Climbing on the Temple is strictly prohibited; the structure is delicate and not designed to support human weight.
  • Ladders: If reaching higher areas (up to 10 feet), you must use a stable, self-standing (A-frame) ladder with a spotter. Leaning ladders compromise the integrity of the Temple walls.
  • No Fire: No fire or smoke of any kind is permitted inside or near the structure. This includes smoking, vaping, smudging, candles, or incense.

Preparing for the Sunday Burn: Sunday Closure

The Temple closes to visitors at sunrise on Sunday, September 6, 2026, to secure the perimeter. After closure, Temple Guardian Offering Carriers can place offerings on your behalf — ask any Guardian at the perimeter for assistance. You are welcome to view the Temple from beyond the perimeter until the burn, scheduled for approximately 8 pm PT that evening, weather permitting.

Temple Practices for Connection and Respect:

To fully embrace the spirit of the Temple and contribute to a positive experience for all, consider these practices:

  • Share the space with kindness: be mindful of others’ emotional journeys. Respect personal boundaries and offer quiet support.
  • Respect all offerings: every offering has deep personal meaning to someone, and the Temple is a place of acceptance and respect for all. 
  • Capture memories with consent, even for posted offerings: photographing and filming within the Temple is generally discouraged. If you wish to photograph or film within the Temple, always ask for permission. 
  • Protect the Temple’s integrity: refrain from climbing the structure, and please do not introduce fire within the Temple or its perimeter. 
  • Seek guidance from Guardians: Temple Guardians are available 24/7 to assist and can be identified by their bandanas and ID laminates. Don’t hesitate to approach them for information, support, or assistance.
  • Honor the land: Remember that we are guests on the ancestral lands of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. Treat the land with respect and leave no trace.
  • Embrace the full spectrum: allow yourself to feel the range of emotions the Temple evokes. Whether you come to celebrate, mourn, or simply connect, be present in your experience.