1. Do I have to wear a post-apocalyptic costume?
Yes. The event aims to create a 360° post-apocalyptic environment! Post-apocalyptic costuming doesn’t need to be expensive. Rummage your closet, thrift stores and surplus stores! If you need costume help, this website is quickly becoming the premiere resource for post-apocalyptic costuming tips. Check out our Costume Tips posts or Bartertown page.
2. Do I have to have a themed vehicle or themed campsite to attend?
No. Themed campsites and themed vehicles are encouraged, but not required. Themed campsites and vehicles will be judged for prizes and can get you placed closer to the action (see our Tribes page). You don’t even have to camp if you don’t want to, although camping is included in your ticket price. You can just hang out to check out the atmosphere, entertainment and vendors. There is also a hotel about 20 minutes away you can stay at.
3. Do you sell one-day passes? I’m only planning to come for the day.
No. You will need to buy a ticket to get in, if even just for a few hours. “One-day passes” will not be available.
4. Can we bring out our own sound system so our DJ or band can play in our camp?
Check back with us later. We are currently reviewing this policy.
5. Is this a LARP or cosplay event?
No. This is a three day desert encampment and festival in a Mad Max world. We are requiring costumes because we don’t want there to be a distinction between participants and gawkers (like there are at many other events). Uncostumed attendees would take away from the environment we are creating, and thus the ability for all participants to enjoy the event.
As for LARP (Live Action Role Playing), no, this is not intended to be a LARP event. But I guess if you want to do that sort of thing while you’re out in the wasteland, we’re not going to stop you. But we reserve the right to make fun of you. Up until you wipe out all our hit points with a magic missile.
6. I saw that there are DJs. Is this a rave?
No. Our DJs will be playing an eclectic mix of everything from industrial, to metal and vintage hard rock, to snippets of movie soundtracks -anything that fits in with the post-apocalyptic, Mad Max vibe. There will also be a number of live bands. During the day, expect to hear Wasteland Radio – a diverse playlist of songs interspersed with our very own radio ads.
7. Is the event accessible by a regular street vehicle?
Legally, we have to say that street vehicles are not recommended in this off-road vehicle area, but our import cars with 6″ clearances make it fine every time. Actually, the dirt roads are regularly maintained by the city and are some of the best we’ve ever driven on. There’s really no cause for concern – after welcoming hundreds of attendees, no one has ever complained about vehicle access.
8. There is mention of campers, RVs, trailers and such. May we just bring a tent?
Absolutely. There will be an area for tents & encampments. Get creative, and decorate your tent(s) in post-apocalyptic décor! A contest will reward prizes for the best camping set-up & décor! There is also a hotel just 20 minutes away if your need to live out a post-apocalyptic dream ends at bedtime.
9. Will bathrooms be available?
Yes! We aren’t going THAT post-apocalyptic! Portable restrooms and sinks will be available for the entire event.
10. Will there be food vendors?
Yes, but they will probably not be open 24 hours a day. If you bring your own drinks, remember: try to avoid glass containers! It’s no fun to step or drive over broken glass!
11. Is this a “kid-friendly” event?
No, unfortunately, this most certainly is NOT a kid-friendly event. There will be large amounts of spikes, chains, large fast-moving vehicles and alcohol involved — probably not the best environment for children. You must be 18 years old or older to attend this event, NO EXCEPTIONS.
12. Can I bring my pets?
Dogs are the only pets that are allowed. They must be on leashes at all times and must be non-aggressive and get along well with humans and other dogs. Remember: This is the open DESERT. There could be rattlesnakes out there. Rattlesnake bite treatment could be hours away and could cost you thousands of dollars, so think twice before bring your dog. Also, the Desert Tortoise is protected, so PLEASE do not harm or touch any if you see them. You will get slapped with a HUGE FINE!
13. I understand that firearms are not allowed, but can we bring prop & replica weapons?
Yes. Bring your NON-FIRING/REPLICA weaponry. No real firearms are allowed, whether loaded or not. No real ammo is allowed, even if you’re just wearing it as part of a costume (dummy/deactivated bullets are fine however). Airsoft guns are allowed, but must not be loaded at any time. Bows and crossbows must NEVER be loaded while in the event area. Basically, if it’s a weapon that fires a projectile of any kind (even a Nerf gun), don’t even think of shooting it off in the event area. BLADES – Edged weapons must be VERY dull, or should stay sheathed while you are inside the event boundaries. Wasteland Weekend security and staff reserve the right to inspect and confiscate any weapons that appear to be unsafe, or are being used in an unsafe manner (they will be held for you until the end of the event). If you have questions about a specific weapon, better to ask us before you bring it out.
14. What will the weather be like for the event weekend?
The average weather for the area in late September is: HIGH 84° and LOW 57°. However, be prepared for heatwaves or cold spells – we can’t predict what Mother Nature will do. Make sure to bring warm clothing, as the temperature really drops at night in the desert! This event is set to start well BEFORE the rainy season, but you never know, so check the weather forecasts before you go. Either way, Wasteland Weekend is a rain or shine event.
15. Are campfires/bonfires allowed?
Personal campfires are allowed, large bonfires are not. You may want to bring your own wood, and please be responsible with your fire pit! Never leave any fire unattended and always have a fire extinguisher or sand bucket within your camp. Burning of wood containing nails, screws or metal hardware is prohibited. (That means pallets!) BBQs are allowed, too. A firewood vendor may drop by occasionally. Tiki torches (or similar) are fine, but just be smart and don’t place them too close to your tent. Remember that there are strong and sudden wind gusts in the desert that could knock over flaming objects.
16. Will there be a power grid for all attendees to use?
No. There are currently no plans for a community power grid. Power will be reserved for official event use such as entertainment. If you need to charge your cell phone, please bring a car adapter, or find a friend with a generator or RV. Please be responsible for your own needs.
17. Can we use a camp shower / solar shower?
Yes. Spilling some water onto the ground is fine. However, emptying of grey water or black water tanks from an RV is NOT allowed.
18. Can I spin fire?
Probably not. We had a pretty strict safety agreement last year with the California City Fire Department. We agreed to have only have two areas in which fire performers could perform. One was the main performance area and could be used for scheduled performances only, and the other was the practice area, which was out of view of the attendees and was for practice only, not performing. Only those that had pre-registered as performers could light up in either of these areas, and they had to obey certain safety protocols when they did. Yes, we understand that some other events have more relaxed rules on this, and no, it’s not because we’re worried that you’re going to burn down the desert, and no, it’s not because we hate your freedom. This is the agreement we made last year to ensure that the Fire Dept. was comfortable that we had a safe event. We reevaluate all of our policies every year in discussions with local city officials, so we will wait and see what the rules are for this year. We want Wasteland Weekend to continue for many years to come.
19. Are there any off-road vehicle requirements?
Yes! PLEASE READ AND FOLLOW the below:
If you plan to off-road on your ATV or dirt bike and you want to do so outside of the general area of the event, you will need to purchase an $8 annual OHV permit (Street Operating Permit) from California City. On weekdays, they are available from the police department. On weekends, you can purchase one at Borax Bill Park. California City is the third largest city in California, in terms of area, and boasts hundreds of miles of dirt roads that criss-cross the desert.
Other California City services:
(1) City Fresh Water and R.V. Dump Service Permit: $25.00/year
A single Self-Contained Travel Trailer/R.V. Service Permit will entitle the operator of the assigned permitted vehicle to obtain up to 150 U. S. Gallons/Day at any of the designated “Fresh Water” dispensing stations. The permit holder would also be entitled to dispose of normal “Grey” or “Black” water waste in any of the City DUMP STATION sites. This permit is only valid to privately owned recreational vehicles. No commercially owned vehicle may dump or dispose of commercial waste at City DUMP STATION sites.
(2) Family Pack: $50.00/year
A Family Pack includes the issuance of four Street Operating Permits and one City Fresh Water & R. V. Dump Service Permit.
(3) City Fresh Water (Single Use): $ 5.00/day
A single Self-Contained Travel Trailer/R.V. Service Permit will entitle the operator of the assigned permitted vehicle to obtain up to 150 U. S. Gallons (one time only) at any of the designated “Fresh Water” dispensing stations.
(4) R.V. Dump Service Permit: $ 5.00/day
A single Self-Contained Travel Trailer/R.V. Service permit will entitle the operator of the assigned permitted vehicle to dispose of normal “Grey” or “Black” water waste in any of the City DUMP STATION sites. This permit is only valid to Privately Owned Recreational Vehicles. No commercially owned vehicle may dump or dispose of commercial waste at City DUMP STATION sites.
General California OHV rules:
All vehicles must have a muffler or spark arrester and have either a street-legal license or be registered as an off-highway vehicle.
· Vehicles operated at night must have head and tail lights.
· Helmets are required on all ATVs! Passengers are not permitted on ATVs.
OHVs owned by California residents must be registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and must properly display a valid “Green Sticker” or “Red Sticker” registration decal on the vehicle. (Red Sticker riding rules and schedule by area are available on the California State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division website at www.ohv.parks. ca.gov/ or by calling 916-324-4442. )
If you are not a resident of California and your OHV is not registered in your home state, you are required to have a “Nonresident” OHV permit, issued by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, to legally operate your vehicle in the state of California The Nonresident decal is to be displayed in the same location on the OHV as that specified for California Green sticker registration decals.
These Nonresident permits ($30 for one year, for each OHV) may be purchased in a variety of ways, including;
(1) from the Wells Fargo Country Store (72129 Baker Blvd.), in Baker, California, just off Interstate-15, between Barstow, California, and the California-Nevada state line;
(2) for ..Nevada.. residents living in the Las Vegas area, Nonresident permits may be purchased at the “Rip Cove” motorcycle store in Henderson, Nevada
(3) Nonresident permits may be purchased at Dumont Dunes from an authorized vendor on major holiday weekends (Thanksgiving, New Year’s, and President’s Day); and
(4) a Nonresident permit may be purchased by writing to California State Parks, Non-Resident OHV/OSV Permits, P.O. Box 942896, Sacramento, CA 94296-0001. Questions or comments may be directed to the OHMVR Division by calling (916) 324-4442.
PLEASE NOTE:
Draining of holding tanks, littering and trash dumping is prohibited. You must take ALL your trash out with you — no garbage collection in this area. Please “pack it in – pack it out!” THAT MEANS EVERY TINY THING!
