iBurn 2025 icon
iBurn 2025: Comprehensive Offline Navigation for Burning Man Festival

by Chris Ballinger

4.9
IOSNavigation
iBurn 2025 provides essential offline navigation and event discovery for Burning Man participants. The iOS app offers real-time location tracking, comprehensive event listings, and survival tools specifically designed for the challenging Black Rock Desert environment.

Detailed Review

iBurn 2025 represents the latest iteration of the essential navigation and information platform for Burning Man participants. Developed by Chris Ballinger as a community gift, this iOS application addresses the unique challenges of navigating the temporary city in Nevada's Black Rock Desert. The app maintains its position as the definitive digital companion for the event, built specifically for the extreme conditions and unique spatial organization of the festival grounds. The application's core functionality centers around comprehensive offline mapping and location services. The geocoder feature translates GPS coordinates into the festival's street address system (e.g., 6:30 & B), while the compass mode assists with orientation during frequent dust storms that obscure visual landmarks. Nearby Mode enables real-time discovery of events and installations, complemented by full-text search capabilities that allow users to find specific offerings like food, beverages, or activities. The app incorporates walking and biking time estimates between locations, though these calculations face inherent challenges due to constantly changing terrain conditions and crowd densities. User experience prioritizes functionality over aesthetic refinement, with an interface designed for quick access to critical information. The offline-first approach proves crucial given the unreliable cellular service on the playa, though this requires users to download all data before arriving at the event. Real-world usage patterns show heavy reliance during navigation emergencies, with user Phat Man Dee (2024-09-14) reporting using the app to reorient during dust storms when traditional navigation methods failed. The favorites system allows for quick access to frequently visited camps and events, while comprehensive filtering helps users manage the overwhelming number of activities. User feedback consistently highlights the application's indispensability, with numerous five-star ratings reflecting widespread satisfaction. Reviewer DustEcho (2024-12-04) described the app as 'absolutely indispensable' for navigation, while Dr Mrs tan (2025-07-24) noted its value in preventing disorientation during challenging conditions. The reviews demonstrate particular appreciation for the offline functionality and accurate location services, though some users have expressed desire for more frequent updates during the event itself. The developer's commitment to annual updates receives consistent praise in user comments across multiple festival seasons. The application's primary strength lies in its specialized design for extreme environmental conditions, though this specialization limits its utility outside the Burning Man context. The complete offline functionality ensures reliability but requires advance planning from users. While the interface lacks some modern design elements, the practical utility outweighs aesthetic considerations for most users. The app serves as an essential tool for both first-time attendees and veteran participants, particularly those venturing beyond the main thoroughfares or navigating during reduced visibility conditions.

Key Features

  • Offline mapping system providing reliable navigation without cellular service in remote desert environment
  • Geocoder translating GPS coordinates to playa addresses using the festival's unique radial street system
  • Nearby Mode detecting and displaying events, art installations, and services within immediate proximity
  • Full-text search functionality enabling discovery of specific offerings like food, beverages, or activities
  • Compass mode assisting orientation during frequent dust storms that eliminate visual landmarks
  • Walking and biking time estimates helping plan movement across the expansive festival grounds

Why Users Love It

Complete offline functionality
Specialized desert navigation

Perfect for: Burning Man participants requiring reliable desert navigation

Screenshots

iBurn 2025 screenshot 1iBurn 2025 screenshot 2iBurn 2025 screenshot 3

User Reviews

StellaDella88882
Aug 19, 2018

Although I love free wandering around the playa like a leaf on the wind this app has helped me discover some really cool camps and events I may not have found otherwise, it’s easy to use and well designed, thank you for this gift ! Will def use it again this year ! Great App! Although I love free wandering around the playa like a leaf on the wind this app has helped me discover some really cool camps and events I may not have found otherwise, it’s easy to use and well designed, thank you for this gift ! Will def use it again this year !

iamaaronfeld. thebougiehippie.
Sep 19, 2019

Just one question. How does this app utilize gps to help get you around but you are unable to use your phone to text or call (for some people). Hmmmmm. I have zero desire to use my phone in that capacity but it makes me wonder...I think the Playa does provide. Welcome Home. Amazing! Just one question. How does this app utilize gps to help get you around but you are unable to use your phone to text or call (for some people). Hmmmmm. I have zero desire to use my phone in that capacity but it makes me wonder...I think the Playa does provide. Welcome Home.

Waiola 4441
Sep 4, 2019

A great experience ! Awesome, eye opening , fun, meeting so many beautiful people, making new friends, learning so much, sharing ideas, hope , love, metamorphosis, release, letting go of crap, setting mind more free, making commitments to self. There are so many more adjectives and phrases that describe the experience! Again, great and awesome! My First Burn A great experience ! Awesome, eye opening , fun, meeting so many beautiful people, making new friends, learning so much, sharing ideas, hope , love, metamorphosis, release, letting go of crap, setting mind more free, making commitments to self. There are so many more adjectives and phrases that describe the experience! Again, great and awesome!

Snopaw
Aug 30, 2019

I volunteer for both on- and off-playa teams and ALWAYS recommend iBurn to participants! The timing feature for walking and biking and the Favorites markers are great!!! Great app I volunteer for both on- and off-playa teams and ALWAYS recommend iBurn to participants! The timing feature for walking and biking and the Favorites markers are great!!!

CaliRunning
Aug 16, 2022

Love the app, would be awesome to see it again this year! Anything coming in 2022? Love the app, would be awesome to see it again this year!

App Details

Developer

Chris Ballinger

Platform

ios

Rating

4.9

Last Updated

9/7/2025