The Yellowstone Burners are a social group based in Cody, Wyoming and we attend the annual Burning Man gathering in Black Rock City, Nevada each year. We were formed in 2016 when April Jones and Todd Evans moved here from the San Francisco area, where they had been involved with Burning Man for many years. The initial idea was to create a collaborative art group in Cody which could bring a western flare to Burning Man, and also bring the magic of Burning Man to Wyoming. We put on several local events where we transformed the spaces to the delight of those who attended.
We also tried to create a art car, similar in idea to a parade float but with a more extensive transformation. After acquiring a full sized school bus, we added a steel upper deck and tried to make the exterior design look like a saddle. However, we just didn't quite have the skillset among our team to make it look as great as we wanted so at this time, we have set that idea aside. |
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As we celebrated the arrival of 2020 with an epic new year's eve party at the Cody Club Room, we had no idea that it would be the last time we could safely gather in that way. We have not had an event since that NYE and have since decided to shift our focus away from putting on such extensive public events. We had also participated in local events like Yellowstone Beer Fest, Beartooth Music Festival, and Cody's 4th of July celebrations. However, our group will no longer be participating in those events. To save extensive transportation costs, we have moved the storage of our bus and camp infrastructure to Reno, NV.
So if we aren't doing a mutant vehicle and we aren't doing public events, what are we doing? We are getting back to our roots and focusing on what we can bring to our community at Burning Man. First and foremost we have a camp and in the past our offering has been as a water serving station to keep folks hydrated. In 2022, we harnessed the natural power of Yellowstone with a sprinkling of science to create the Playacebo experience.
So if we aren't doing a mutant vehicle and we aren't doing public events, what are we doing? We are getting back to our roots and focusing on what we can bring to our community at Burning Man. First and foremost we have a camp and in the past our offering has been as a water serving station to keep folks hydrated. In 2022, we harnessed the natural power of Yellowstone with a sprinkling of science to create the Playacebo experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get a ticket to Burning Man?
Burning Man tickets are not easy to get. Established camps like ours have to remain in good standing and then have to apply each year to get just enough tickets to have a crew that can set up camp, provide our gift, and clean everything up afterward. We unfortunately do not have extra tickets and the ones we get are not free; in 2023 they cost $575 plus fees and taxes. Do not under any circumstances purchase tickets above face value as they are likely fraudulent. That means do not purchase them from a third party sales site like StubHub or Viagogo. Burning Man regularly scours sites like these and they void any tickets being sold there. The only way to get a valid ticket is through someone you personally know or the Burning Man organization. Get all the details here.
How can I get a ticket to Burning Man?
Burning Man tickets are not easy to get. Established camps like ours have to remain in good standing and then have to apply each year to get just enough tickets to have a crew that can set up camp, provide our gift, and clean everything up afterward. We unfortunately do not have extra tickets and the ones we get are not free; in 2023 they cost $575 plus fees and taxes. Do not under any circumstances purchase tickets above face value as they are likely fraudulent. That means do not purchase them from a third party sales site like StubHub or Viagogo. Burning Man regularly scours sites like these and they void any tickets being sold there. The only way to get a valid ticket is through someone you personally know or the Burning Man organization. Get all the details here.

What is an art car?
An art car is a vehicle that becomes a piece of art, like a parade float. Some are modified to such a degree that the base vehicle is not immediately recognizable. Typically, that level of modification at Burning Man is what's required and they are called Mutant Vehicles. Some art cars are able to drive around with participants on board, others may drive to an event location but remain stationary while allowing people to climb on board. Visit photographer Scott London's page to see a wide variety of art cars.
An art car is a vehicle that becomes a piece of art, like a parade float. Some are modified to such a degree that the base vehicle is not immediately recognizable. Typically, that level of modification at Burning Man is what's required and they are called Mutant Vehicles. Some art cars are able to drive around with participants on board, others may drive to an event location but remain stationary while allowing people to climb on board. Visit photographer Scott London's page to see a wide variety of art cars.
Who can join Yellowstone Burners?
Camping together in the desert for a week is a big deal and for many, attending Burning Man is a special experience on their bucket list. We do not try to recruit people to join us, rather we serve as a place for information on what Burning Man is, what it isn't, and to offer advice to those who may want to go. Burning Man is not an event or a festival, it is a community. Members of our crew have part of that community for nearly 20 years. We might not be able to have you camp with us, but if you think you would like to join, contact us and we can chat.
Camping together in the desert for a week is a big deal and for many, attending Burning Man is a special experience on their bucket list. We do not try to recruit people to join us, rather we serve as a place for information on what Burning Man is, what it isn't, and to offer advice to those who may want to go. Burning Man is not an event or a festival, it is a community. Members of our crew have part of that community for nearly 20 years. We might not be able to have you camp with us, but if you think you would like to join, contact us and we can chat.

What's up with the "burners" part of your name?
The group gets its name from an annual gathering in the Nevada desert called Burning Man; people who attend are called “burners”. This week-long gathering of 80,000 people showcases hundreds of pieces of large-scale and smaller collaborative public art including spectacular art cars that are modified to an extreme. Learn more here.
The group gets its name from an annual gathering in the Nevada desert called Burning Man; people who attend are called “burners”. This week-long gathering of 80,000 people showcases hundreds of pieces of large-scale and smaller collaborative public art including spectacular art cars that are modified to an extreme. Learn more here.