What's it like camping on Rod's Road?

[Rebel514]

What is it like camping on Rod's Road? How does it differ from camping on the regular streets and radials? I hear centre camp area can be confusing to navigate and very loud?

[Gunslinger]

Do you already have a camp to camp with on Rods?
From what I've gathered, it is generally already taken and goes fast! by pre-entry ticket holders if not already claimed.

It's busy as hell because center camp is a central draw for the entire community all day, all night, all the time. But that can be cool if that's what you're looking for. If you're the kind of individual who does not like random people walking through your camp at all hours, I'd suggest against it.

But as for your getting lost on Rod's because it's confusing to navigate? Nah, if you're lost there's center camp! Can't miss the flags and huge ass tent, unless you are REALLY stoned and the dust massive. If you do end up getting lost on Rod's though, then you probably shouldn't be venturing out to 10 and 2 at night (without a sober guide. Key word, SOBER)

[Eric]

I've camped on Rod's Road almost every year I've gone - the 5:30 & 6:30 streets can get a little confusing the first time you head away from Esplanade since Rod's Road curves away from them and you can accidentally end up on it when you didn't want to.

As for camping there: the only camps on Rods Road (or anywhere in the Center Camp area) are placed camps - there is no general camping there. If you're in a camp that was placed there, your experience is going to depend on where you are on the road. Closer to Esplanade is going to be more active, the backside (furthest from Esplanade) tends to be fairly quiet. None of this is set in stone, however - there are some really popular camps on Rod's Road, and if you're near one of them it can be busy (Hair of the Dog bar, Lamplighters, ARTery, various other bars)

[Rebel514]

Do you already have a camp to camp with on Rods?
From what I've gathered, it is generally already taken and goes fast! by pre-entry ticket holders if not already claimed.

Yes my camp was placed there this year !

[BoyScoutGirl]

Center Camp is great! We're in the middle of it all but I would say we're not too loud, unless you mind the Lamplighters playing the same damn song for hours on end.*

There is easy access to Recycle camp, ice, playa info, Black Rock City Dimension of Accessibility (for injured or other burners who might need assistance making it to the distant parts of the playa), and Center Camp (if you feel like paying for coffee...). There are almost always a few camps with awesome live music, like Tango'd Up in Blues, Contra Dance Camp, and the Jazz Cafe. We have great bars, including Lamplighters (hey, I'm biased!), Champagne Lounge, Tiny Bar, Hair of the Dog... Lost Penguins used to be on Rod's, but I think their move to the 3 o'clock side is permanent; they'll be missed.

Every evening around 6, the Lamplighter procession leaves from Center Camp. This is really cool to watch and cheer on, and even more fun to participate in. Since you're nearby, please join us!

As far as navigation is concerned, anybody on Rod's will get a lot of lost passersby. Invite them into camp to hang out, or at least be prepared to direct them to the nearest Blue Rooms. We find having a map posted outside camp with a "You Are Here!" dot is very much appreciated.

A few other Center Camp specifics: the access road concentric with Rod's between Rod's and Inner Plaza is called Route 66:

This is not camping space - it's for the RV and porto-servicing vehicles, and for emergency vehicles. Cars parked here will be towed. Burners will sometimes wander into the backside of your camp thinking this is a public road. Just be aware.

Like many other highly-sought-after locations, space is at a premium in Center Camp. Pack your tents and structures in tight, and you may still need to park your car out in the parking lot on the 9 o'clock side.

Welcome!
*(I hope you like Toto's "Africa"!)

[trilobyte]

I've given this a nudge over to teh building camps & villages board, that's a better fit for general camp Q&A (the year-specific camp board is intended more for camp announcements, recruiting, and seeking camp posting. I think others have covered the question though - I've never camped in that neighborhood myself but have a number of friends who've been there and enjoyed the experience.

[sparr]

I hear centre camp area can be confusing to navigate

My limited experience so far is that it's not actually confusing if you know where you're going, but it's confusing to *talk* about navigating because there's no common/consistent way that people refer to the locations between rod's road and the center camp plaza.

Does "6:30 on Rod's Road" mean the shuttle bus camp (6:30-direction from the middle of center camp) or the jazz cafe (where rod's road meets the primary man-centric 6:30 road)?

[silas thatcher]

we camped with pandora's fix it shop and lounge last year... given it's location, it was a busy street and, yes, sometimes navigating the curve can lead one to get lost at times.... the lounge and fix it shop were also constantly busy due to its location.....

this year, pandora's was located at 5:30 and esplenade and was packed with all sorts of fix it problems and bar patrons...