The best and worst Burning Man 2023 photos

The yearly event in Nevada attracts roughly 80,000 attendees, who this year faced a challenge seldom seen in the Black Rock Desert: rain. Muddy conditions, along with an early climate protest, became the narrative of this year’s Burn. But despite shocking early videos of flooded tents and mud-caked toilets, veteran Burners still had high spirits, according to on-the-ground reports from SFGATE California parks editor Ashley Harrell.

Even though the rain halted much of the partying, the elaborate art and creative costumes that the festival is known for were still ubiquitous on the playa. Veteran Burning Man photographer Jane Hu captured scenes of the art before things got soggy.

“Mariposa” by Christopher Schardt at Burning Man 2023 in the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

“Mariposa” by Christopher Schardt at Burning Man 2023 in the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Jane Hu/Special to SFGATE

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“This year’s rain and mud obviously threw a huge wrench in my week, both in terms of survival and photography. Generators were turned off in the rain, portos filled up quickly, and the mud caked in layers on my shoes, making it challenging to walk even short distances,” Hu wrote to SFGATE in an email. “That said, Radical Self Reliance was an apt principle this year — our camp of 40 worked together to pool available resources, ration remaining hot food, and secure our shade structure from constant gathering pools of muddy rainwater. You won’t see any muddy photos in these galleries because, once the rain hit, I spent my time working and helping folks around our camp.”

Footwear adapted for the muddy conditions at Burning Man 2023.

Footwear adapted for the muddy conditions at Burning Man 2023.

Ashley Harrell/SFGATE

Meanwhile, Harrell spent much of her time documenting adaptations people made to thrive in the harsh conditions, and the cathartic moments, along with fellow Northern California-based photographer and graphic designer Jonah Page.

Scroll down to see more photos of what both sides of the Burn looked like. 

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“Burden of the Beast” by Walker Babington and Sabatom Studios at Burning Man 2023 in the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

“Burden of the Beast” by Walker Babington and Sabatom Studios at Burning Man 2023 in the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Jane Hu/Special to SFGATE

“1000 & 1” by Tyler FuQua at Burning Man 2023 in the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

“1000 & 1” by Tyler FuQua at Burning Man 2023 in the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Jane Hu/Special to SFGATE

The cracked landscape of the Black Rock Desert at Burning Man 2023.

The cracked landscape of the Black Rock Desert at Burning Man 2023.

Ashley Harrell / SFGATE

“The Hedgehog Temple” by Yaroslav Korets and Kurenivka at Burning Man 2023 in the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

“The Hedgehog Temple” by Yaroslav Korets and Kurenivka at Burning Man 2023 in the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Jane Hu/Special to SFGATE

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Artist NiNo Alicea in front of his piece “ATABEY’s Treasure” at Burning Man 2023 in the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Artist NiNo Alicea in front of his piece “ATABEY’s Treasure” at Burning Man 2023 in the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Jane Hu/Special to SFGATE

Lamplighters heading toward the Man at Burning Man 2023 in the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Lamplighters heading toward the Man at Burning Man 2023 in the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Jane Hu/Special to SFGATE

Golden Gate art car founded by Johnno Lazetich at Burning Man 2023 in the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Golden Gate art car founded by Johnno Lazetich at Burning Man 2023 in the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Jane Hu/Special to SFGATE

Ship art car at Burning Man 2023 in the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Ship art car at Burning Man 2023 in the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Jane Hu/Special to SFGATE

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Miss Kitty Oaks of Fou Fou Ha performs at Burning Man 2023 in the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Miss Kitty Oaks of Fou Fou Ha performs at Burning Man 2023 in the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Jane Hu/Special to SFGATE

“El Pulpo Magnifico” art car by Duane Flatmo at Burning Man 2023 in the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

“El Pulpo Magnifico” art car by Duane Flatmo at Burning Man 2023 in the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Jane Hu/Special to SFGATE

Xuza art car at Burning Man 2023 in the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Xuza art car at Burning Man 2023 in the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Jane Hu/Special to SFGATE

Robot snail at Burning Man 2023 in the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Robot snail at Burning Man 2023 in the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Jane Hu/Special to SFGATE

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SFGATE California parks editor Ashley Harrell drags her bike across the Black Rock Desert at Burning Man.

SFGATE California parks editor Ashley Harrell drags her bike across the Black Rock Desert at Burning Man.

Jonah Page

An unprecedented amount of rain turned Burning Man 2023 into a muddy mess.

An unprecedented amount of rain turned Burning Man 2023 into a muddy mess.

Ashley Harrell / SFGATE

The portable toilets at Burning Man 2023.

The portable toilets at Burning Man 2023.

Ashley Harrell/SFGATE

“The Temple of the Heart” by Ela Madej and Reed Finlay at Burning Man 2023 in the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

“The Temple of the Heart” by Ela Madej and Reed Finlay at Burning Man 2023 in the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Jane Hu/Special to SFGATE

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Marlowe Bassett of Metamorphosis Ballet wearing her own designs and dancing on “Touch the Sky” by Martin Taylor and Chromaforms at Burning Man 2023 in the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Marlowe Bassett of Metamorphosis Ballet wearing her own designs and dancing on “Touch the Sky” by Martin Taylor and Chromaforms at Burning Man 2023 in the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Jane Hu/Special to SFGATE

“Chapel of Babel” by Michael Garlington at Burning Man 2023 in the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

“Chapel of Babel” by Michael Garlington at Burning Man 2023 in the Black Rock Desert of Gerlach, Nevada.

Jane Hu/Special to SFGATE

A view of Burning Man’s sacred temple as it goes up in flames at the conclusion of the 2023 festival. 

A view of Burning Man’s sacred temple as it goes up in flames at the conclusion of the 2023 festival. 

Ashley Harrell/SFGATE

A double rainbow appeared at Burning Man on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.

A double rainbow appeared at Burning Man on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.

Courtesy of Jennifer Murphy

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An overhead view of the Black Rock Desert in Gerlach, Nevada at Burning Man 2023.

An overhead view of the Black Rock Desert in Gerlach, Nevada at Burning Man 2023.

Jonah Page / Special to SFGATE

A car caked in mud in the Black Rock Desert in Gerlach, Nevada at Burning Man 2023.

A car caked in mud in the Black Rock Desert in Gerlach, Nevada at Burning Man 2023.

Ashley Harrell / SFGATE

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