Advice on open camping?

[mr chips]

Hello all. My group (in an RV) are three newbies and a 3rd-timer. We're well prepared, but I'm searching for some tips on open camping. We're not part of a theme camp. We just arrive at the gate, and then cruise until we find a spot to our liking? And assuming we chat with nearby campers and see if they're cool with the RV. We have one other friend in a theme camp, so we'll try to find a spot near them. Anything else you can think to share? I know there are different areas (music/loud areas, quiet/family areas), etc., but things have been so crazy lately, I haven't been able to map things out as much as I'd like. Thank you in advance for any notes!

[Wrath]

Read the map the greeters give you. The shaded areas are off limits.

Stop worrying about being near your friends.

Go for the east side of town, it's nicer.

[mr chips]

Everything I read says the playa is a big place, though... so it seems like being on the opposite side of the playa would make it hard to see your friends, no?

[maladroit]

Everything I read says the playa is a big place, though... so it seems like being on the opposite side of the playa would make it hard to see your friends, no?

The very best things on the playa happen during long trips to forgotten destinations and missed appointments.

[Wrath]

Everything I read says the playa is a big place, though... so it seems like being on the opposite side of the playa would make it hard to see your friends, no?

Seriously, stop worrying about it.

[uncle sticky]

Yeah, having friends a ways a way id's a great plan to see more and do more

[MadMelvina]

Yes, I totally get what everyone's saying, camp anywhere, you'll have a great experience. But it is understandable to at least want to be in the same part of town as people you know. Just shoot for the general direction - I'm in the same boat, I have friends in the 4:00-7:00 part of town, placed in A-D. I'm not part of a camp, so I'm just going as early as possible to gate time and heading straight for that part of town. But I probably won't get any closer than G, if I'm lucky.

But I was at J-6:30 last year, without bikes even! and it wasn't a terrible thing to walk into Center Camp and Esplanade every day/evening. Have a good burn! Cheers!

[mr chips]

Thank you @MadMelvina!

Preparing and asking for advice is not the same as worrying, FYI .

We hope to get there early as well, but I don't know how that will work, exactly. Sounds like people line up on the road before the gate opens, even though you're not supposed to.

[FIGJAM]

Early arrivals get placed in a staging area that can delay entrance for many hours as it is first in last out.

Punishment for showing up TO DAMN EARLY!!!!!!!!!!!

[Eric]

Everything I read says the playa is a big place, though... so it seems like being on the opposite side of the playa would make it hard to see your friends, no?

I've camped two blocks from friends before and barely saw them the whole event - and I wanted to. Distractions happen easily. Get as close as you can, let playadipity take care of the rest.

[mr chips]

"Playadipity" is my new favorite word.

The staging area sounds bad, ha.

[mr chips]

"Playadipity" is my new favorite word.

The staging area sounds bad, ha.