Synthesized: Sep 24, 2026
Vehicle: 2014 Ford E350 shuttle-bus conversion — 5.4L gas, RWD 2WD, ~22–24 ft, 10–12 mpg, ~400–480 mi range, 225k mi
Travelers: 1 adult + 1 dog (dog home-based in Phoenix for no-dog events)
Anchor files: overview.md (seasonal strategy + phase plan), routes.md (itineraries + fuel gaps + reservation timing), events.md + events-flagship.md + events-western.md (event dates/prices/dog policies), camping.md (destination stack + dog policy + pricing), budget.md (fuel/tickets/boarding/maintenance totals), vehicular/maintenance.md (service schedule)
Drive legs: mileages below are OSRM road distances (OpenStreetMap/OSRM via maps skill); durations are OSRM estimates — actual bus pace slower on grades. All legs assume the bus, not a tow vehicle.
How to Use This File
- This is the dated layer on top of
routes.md’s seasonal master calendar. Read the seasonal strategy there first.
- Each entry = a dated window with: where, what’s happening, camping base, drive leg (with mileage + duration), dog status, and booking/reservation deadline.
- Dog-home-base notation: windows marked 🐕⬇ mean the dog does NOT ride to that event/camp. Plan kennel/boarding in Phoenix for those windows. There is only one traveler, so the dog cannot be left home alone — boarding is the only way to run the leg solo.
- [VERIFY] = stale, single-source, or price-volatile — re-check before relying.
- Reservation alarms are called out per entry; the master set is in
routes.md §4 and overview.md §10.
2026 (Late) — Where the Bus Is Now
The research is Sep 2026-frozen. If the bus is already on the road in late 2026, treat the 2027 dates below as the plan; the 2026 calendar below is for anything still executable this year.
| Window |
Where |
What |
Dog |
Drive (from prior base) |
Booking/reservation note |
| Sep 30 – Oct 4, 2026 (past) |
Mojave, CA (California City/North Edwards) |
Wasteland Weekend Year 16 — passed |
⬇ (no dogs) |
— |
Tickets ~$370 all-in, zero RV fee, true dry camping — best bus fit of any event. 2027 TBA (pattern: last Wed–Sun of Sep). [events-flagship.md §5] |
| Oct 2–3, 2026 (past) |
Phoenix, AZ |
IGNiGHT Phoenix — passed |
TBD |
— |
Urban warehouse event; low RV value. [events-western.md §ARIZONA/IGNiGHT Phoenix] |
| Oct 10–11, 2026 (past) |
Venice Beach, CA |
Venice Afterburn — passed |
TBD |
— |
Urban, no camping — calendar noise only. [events-western.md §CA decompression] |
| Oct 11, 2026 (past) |
Monterey, CA (Del Monte Beach) |
MPYRE Strikes Back — passed |
⬇ likely |
— |
Free, all-ages beach event; dogs likely restricted (sand/environment). [events.md §CA] |
| Oct 14–18, 2026 (past) |
Jacumba, CA (DeAnza Springs) |
YOUtopia 2026 — passed |
⬇ (no dogs) |
— |
RV field on resort; parking/vehicle pass required; clothing-optional venue. 2027 TBA mid-Oct. [events-western.md §CA/YOUtopia] |
| Oct 17, 2026 (past) |
Oakland, CA (The Loom) |
Bay Area Decompression — passed |
TBD |
— |
Nighttime warehouse; no RV camping. [events.md §CA] |
| Oct 10, 2026 (past) |
Reno, NV |
Reno Decompression — passed |
TBD |
— |
Pairs with BRC-exodus logistics (post-event). 2027 Oct 10. [events-western.md §NV/Reno Decomp] |
Late-2026 note: The biggest still-open 2026 window is the CA fall shoulder — Death Valley (Furnace Creek reservation season opened Oct 15), Anza-Borrego, Joshua Tree pre-fire-restriction (restrictions Jun 15–Oct 1, 2026). If the bus is in CA in Oct 2026, book Furnace Creek immediately if not already held.
2027 — Dated Calendar
January 2027 — Winter Desert: Quartzsite + RTR
| Window |
Where |
What |
Dog |
Drive leg |
Booking/reservation note |
| Dec 26 – Jan 27 (approx) |
Quartzsite, AZ — BLM dispersed + Quartzsite Town Park |
RTR (Rubber Tramp Rendezvous) — WRTR ~Jan 6–8, RTR Jan 9–14, 2027; Big Tent RV Show Jan 17–25 |
✅ Yes — dogs in, leashed on BLM; town amenities dog-friendly |
From Phoenix: I-10 E to Gila Bend, then US-95 N. Phoenix → Quartzsite ≈ 190 mi (OSRM: Phoenix→Gila Bend 68 mi + Gila Bend→Quartzsite ~120 mi; total ~190 mi, ~3.6 hr). From Willcox (post-Saguaro Man 2026 return): Willcox → Quartzsite ≈ 323 mi, ~5.6 hr — long day; fill in Gila Bend or Yuma. |
No reservation needed (BLM LVA). Arrive early for shade; dogs welcome. La Posa LTVA $180/season (Sep 15–Apr 15) if you want the fee site vs dispersed. [events.md §RTR; camping.md §LTVA; routes.md §2A AZ sampler] |
| Jan (ongoing) |
Quartzsite area BLM (Plomosa Rd, Hi Jolly, Scadden Wash, Dome Rock Mtn, Road Runner) |
Five free BLM areas around town — 14-day limit, free, no amenities |
✅ Yes |
Local day trips from Quartzsite base |
14-day BLM limit — track days. [camping.md §free BLM; boondocking.md] |
| Jan 1–10, 2027 |
Tyson Wells Show Grounds, Quartzsite |
Tyson Wells Rock & Gem Show — free, 396 spaces, live-on-space camping |
✅ Yes |
Same Quartzsite base |
Snowbird convenience; arrive before Jan 1 — basin fills for the season. [events.md §Oct–Jan cluster] |
| Jan 20–24, 2027 |
QIA Building, 235 E Ironwood Ave, Quartzsite |
QIA PowWow Gem & Mineral Show — free, oldest in AZ, 500+ booths |
✅ Yes |
Same Quartzsite base |
Stacked with Big Tent RV Show (Jan 17–25). [events.md §Oct–Jan cluster] |
January decision point: This is the dog-friendly winter anchor. No boarding needed. If the bus is doing the full winter-sun tour, start here and work west toward CA/NV. January is now a multi-event season, not one — Tyson Wells (Jan 1–10) → WRTR/RTR (~Jan 6–14) → Big Tent RV Show (Jan 17–25) → QIA PowWow (Jan 20–24). Arrive before Jan 1.
February 2027 — Tucson: Gem & Jam (dogs NOT in bus)
| Window |
Where |
What |
Dog |
Drive leg |
Booking/reservation note |
| Feb 6–8, 2027 (tentative — 2026 was Feb 6–8; 2027 dates TBA) |
Pima County Fairgrounds, Tucson, AZ (11300 S. Houghton Rd) |
Gem & Jam Festival + Tucson Gem & Mineral Showcase |
⬇ NO PETS — service animals only; ESAs not permitted; do NOT leave animal unattended in vehicle |
Phoenix → Tucson ≈ 113 mi, ~2.0 hr (OSRM). Tucson → Willcox (post-festival) ≈ 83 mi, ~1.5 hr. |
RV passes + glamping available; walk-in free + $25 parking. [events.md §Gem & Jam] |
| Dog-home-base window |
Phoenix, AZ |
Dog stays home during Gem & Jam weekend |
— |
— |
Board the dog in Phoenix for the weekend. The bus then runs Tucson solo (≈4 hr round trip + festival). Leaving the dog home alone is not an option on a solo trip. |
February note: Gem & Jam aligns with the Tucson Gem Show — high-value if you’re into minerals. But it’s a no-dog event, so the dogs either stay in Phoenix or you skip it. If you skip, Phoenix→Quartzsite directly for RTR continuation is the move.
March 2027 — Arizona spring + Sedona/Flagstaff shoulder
| Window |
Where |
What |
Dog |
Drive leg |
Booking/reservation note |
| Mar (peak) |
Tucson/Saguaro NP, AZ |
Saguaro Cactus (West) + Rincon (East) districts; spring bloom; 70°F days |
✅ Yes — leashed on paved trails only in NPS; Saguaro’s four dog routes (see camping.md/policies.md) |
Tucson → Saguaro West ≈ 30 mi; Tucson → Saguaro East ≈ 50 mi |
ATB pass or entrance fee; Mather-style FCFS not applicable — Saguaro CGs are different. [camping.md §AZ trails; policies.md §AZ] |
| Mar |
Sedona/Flagstaff, AZ |
Red Rock Country (Coconino NF); Oak Creek Canyon; 7,000 ft rim country warming up |
✅ Yes — most Sedona trails leashed-dog friendly; Red Rock Pass $5/day or $15/week (ATB accepted at NF trailheads) |
Saguaro East → Sedona ≈ 110 mi, ~2.5 hr; Sedona → Flagstaff ≈ 30 mi, ~0.7 hr |
Red Rock Pass for NF trailheads; Slide Rock SP = no dogs at water/creek access, dog-friendly short trail only. [camping.md §AZ trails; policies.md §AZ] |
| Mar (FCFS game) |
Grand Canyon South Rim, AZ |
Winter/spring quiet; roads not salted; dogs on rim only |
✅ Yes — leashed on rim trails/campground; never below rim |
Flagstaff → Grand Canyon Village ≈ 87 mi, ~1.8 hr |
Mather CG book 6-mo window (Mar stays open ~Sep 2026); FCFS ~20 sites/day sell by ~11am if you gamble; midweek bias. [routes.md §4 sticky dates; camping.md §GC] |
March note: This is the shoulder sweet spot — warm enough in the low desert, not yet hot, Saguaro bloom, Sedona less crowded than Apr/May. The bus does fine on AZ-89A Oak Creek Canyon (paved, tight switchbacks above Sedona — daylight only, no snow). Avoid Schnebly Hill Rd (dirt, 4x4-listed).
April 2027 — Saguaro Man (dog-OK) + the April collision warning
| Window |
Where |
What |
Dog |
Drive leg |
Booking/reservation note |
| Apr 21–25, 2027 |
Willcox, AZ — new city-owned lakebed south of town (moved from Raywood Flat 2024) |
Saguaro Man 2027 — theme “Honey, We Shrunk the Playa”; AZ regional burn |
✅ YES — the only sanctioned SW burn with a dog program. $25/dog, max 2 dogs/person, leash required, cap ~55 — dog tickets SOLD OUT both 2024 and 2026; buy at ticket-drop time |
Tucson → Willcox ≈ 83 mi, ~1.5 hr (OSRM). If coming from Phoenix: Phoenix → Willcox ≈ 195 mi, ~3.5 hr. From Quartzsite (post-winter): Willcox → Quartzsite ≈ 323 mi, ~5.6 hr (the return leg). |
Early Bird $150 until ~Dec 31, 2026 → General $185 (only 400 tix, gone ~Mar 14) → Final Countdown $225 at gate. No re-entry once inside; gate opens Wed. Water trailer on playa (buy refills — verify price); propane swap on site? [VERIFY]. [events-western.md §ARIZONA/Saguaro Man; events.md §Saguaro Man] |
| Dog-home-base window? |
No — dogs ride to Saguaro Man. This is the dog event. Buy dog tickets at the first drop. |
— |
— |
— |
The dog-ticket cap (~55) sells out every year — first-come at venue doesn’t matter, the ticket drop is the gate. |
April 2027 collision warning (from events-western.md §Master Calendar Integration): SNRG (Apr 15–19, Beatty NV) + CBE (Apr 16–19, Bailey CO) + Saguaro Man (Apr 21–25, Willcox AZ) + Flipside (Apr 23–27, Rockdale TX) all fall in one 2-week window. All are no-dogs except Saguaro Man. With the bus + 1 dog, the rational pick is Saguaro Man alone. Skip the rest of April or board the dogs for one mid-April burn if the social pull is real.
| Cannabis 4/20 add-ons (optional, leak-free into Saguaro Man week) |
Dog |
Drive |
Note |
| 420 Fest Tucson (~Sat Apr 17, MSA Annex — [VERIFY 2027 date]) |
⬇ No |
PHX → Tucson 113 mi — already en route to Willcox |
The one clean cannabis insert: Tucson is the Saguaro Man staging base (Tucson → Willcox 83 mi). Day-use, no camping — dogs wait in bus one afternoon, then dogs in for Saguaro Man. GA ~$25–40, VIP ~$75. [events.md §420] |
| 420 State Fair, Las Vegas (NuWu, ~Sat Apr 17 [VERIFY]) |
⬇ No |
Day-trip only — do NOT drag bus to Vegas |
Only if bus already in Vegas pocket (EDC/BRC legs instead). GA $15/VIP $99. [events.md §420] |
| Mile High 420 Festival, Denver (always Apr 20; 2027 = Tue) |
⬇ No |
PHX → Denver ≈ 850 mi — standalone spring-CO run |
Only if skipping the burn stack; otherwise the April collision discipline (Saguaro Man wins). [events.md §420] |
| Consumption lounges (optional nights-out: Denver Cirrus + Tetra / Vegas NuWu + DAZED! + Society / SF Barbary Coast + Moe Greens / PS Four Twenty Bank) |
⬇ No |
City stops only — rideshare in, never drive after |
Free entry at Cirrus; pay-per-product elsewhere; AZ has no lounges (camp-based instead). Full table: [events.md §Consumption lounges] |
| HESTIVAL, Hotchkiss CO (Apr 30–May 2) |
✅ Yes |
Standalone spring-CO pop (PHX ≈ 700 mi) or CO-summer-leg opener |
Dog-friendly camping music fest — the burn-adjacent dog option; book tix, camping included. [events.md §burn-style] |
| Mid-April no-dog alternatives (if you want one) |
Dog |
Drive from Phoenix |
Note |
| SNRG, Beatty NV (Apr 15–19, tentative) |
⬇ No |
Phoenix → Beatty ≈ 270 mi via I-10/I-15/US-95 (≈5 hr) |
Park-where-you-camp, no RV passes, no hookups, no dump on site; Beatty = existing corridor fuel stop. [events-western.md §NV/SNRG] |
| CBE, Bailey CO (Apr 16–19, pending 2027) |
⬇ No |
Phoenix → Bailey ≈ 850 mi — NOT a quick trip |
8,400 ft, April + 2WD = cold nights (20s°F) + possible gate-road mud; plan snow chain or skip. [events-western.md §CO/CBE] |
| Flipside, Rockdale TX (Apr 23–27, tentative) |
⬇ No |
Phoenix → Rockdale ≈ 1,000 mi — eastward swing |
East TX April = rain risk on pasture; 2WD bus on soft grass = caution. [events-western.md §TX/Flipside] |
April dog-home-base windows (if you pick a mid-April burn instead of Saguaro Man): dogs stay in Phoenix for SNRG/CBE/Flipside. Boarding in Phoenix for a single weekend is the realistic move — or skip.
May 2027 — CA/NV transition + EDC Las Vegas (dogs NOT in bus)
| Window |
Where |
What |
Dog |
Drive leg |
Booking/reservation note |
| May 14–16, 2027 (EDC Dusk) + May 21–23 (EDC Dawn) |
Las Vegas Motor Speedway, NV (~15 mi NE of Vegas) |
EDC Las Vegas 2027 — NEW “Dusk Till Dawn” format, two weekends; 30th anniv |
⬇ NO PETS — service animals only. ESAs not permitted. |
Death Valley → Vegas ≈ 123 mi, ~2.7 hr (OSRM). If coming from Phoenix: Phoenix → Vegas ≈ 300 mi via I-10/I-15 (≈5 hr). |
Camp EDC 4-night: $796.45 dry / $1,592.90 w/ power add-on (Dusk or Dawn); Dusk Till Dawn 11-night $3,008.83 (power REQUIRED, SOLD OUT as of Sep 24, 2026); extra vehicle $137.16. 19′–45′ OK; external gens banned, onboard OK; must arrive full fuel, no refuel on site. Conversion-bus gray zone — HIGH RISK: contact Camp EDC in advance with bus photos. [events-flagship.md §1 EDC] |
| Dog-home-base window |
Phoenix, AZ (or board in Vegas) |
Dog not at EDC |
— |
— |
Board the dog for the EDC weekend — Phoenix (kennel) or Vegas. Vegas has vet/boarding coverage (overview.md vet map: Vegas = good). A solo traveler cannot leave the dog home alone, so boarding in Vegas (or Phoenix) is required; the dog is NOT at the event. |
| May (shoulder) |
Anza-Borrego SP, CA |
Spring wildflower; 70–80°F; bus-friendly CGs |
✅ Yes — leashed (CA state park leash ≤6 ft always); check per-park exceptions (Anza-Borrego specific) |
Joshua Tree → Anza-Borrego ≈ 60 mi; Quartzsite → Anza-Borrego ≈ 200 mi |
CA state park reservation fee $8.25 via ReserveCalifornia; 6-mo window opens 8 am PST. [camping.md §CA; policies.md §CA] |
| May (transition) |
Joshua Tree NP, CA |
Pre-monsoon; fire restrictions Jun 15–Oct 1 (wood/charcoal banned, gas stoves OK w/ 3-ft clearance) |
✅ Yes — leashed in developed areas; most trails no dogs (CA strict); check NPS pets page |
Quartzsite → Joshua Tree ≈ 150 mi |
CA campfire permit (free, readyforwildfire.org) required year-round outside developed CGs. [routes.md §CA; camping.md §CA] |
| Apr 30 – May 2, 2027 (option) |
Hotchkiss, CO (Western Slope, ~40 mi E of Grand Junction) |
HESTIVAL 2027 — 6th annual; camping-included music + outdoor weekend; live music, hiking/SUP, campfires, conservation fund; ~2,000 people, 250 kids, 200+ dogs |
✅ Dogs welcome — explicitly dog-friendly (family fest; HEST makes dog beds) |
Saguaro Man (Willcox) → Hotchkiss ≈ 850 mi — NOT a same-week hop. Realistic as a standalone spring-CO pop (from PHX ≈ 700 mi) or held for the CO summer leg opener |
Camping included in tix; tents/RVs/truck-campers all welcome. Fri PM + Sun AM shows free to public; Sat ticketed. [hest.com/pages/hestival; events.md §burn-style] |
May note: EDC is the bigger no-dog event in May. The Dusk Till Dawn format is new in 2027 — the 11-night tier sold out within ~2 weeks of the Sep 10 camp on-sale; the 4-night Dusk/Dawn tiers were still on sale as of Sep 24, 2026. If you want EDC, book the 4-night tier and plan for the conversion-bus gate proactively. Weed-friendly corridor highlights this month onward: HESTIVAL (Hotchkiss, Apr 30–May 2, dog-OK camping fest), and summer Bright Star Campground (Cortez, 420 + pets, near Mesa Verde) — the rec-legal dog-and-toke destination.
June 2027 — Summer High Country: CO + the boarding-required burns
This is the summer high-country transition. The bus moves above 7,000 ft. NM first (Jemez/Santa Fe), then CO. The regional burns (Apogaea, Element 11, FireDrums) are all no-dogs — each is a boarding-required option if you want one.
| Window |
Where |
What |
Dog |
Drive leg |
Booking/reservation note |
| Jun 1–15 |
Santa Fe / Jemez Springs, NM |
Jemez corridor 7,880 ft; high-country cool; monsoon starts mid-Jun |
✅ Yes — leashed on NM trails (NM leash ≤10 ft, the loose state); Turquoise Trail + Cibola NF edge dog-friendly |
Las Cruces → Santa Fe ≈ 284 mi, ~4.9 hr (OSRM); Santa Fe → Jemez ≈ 35 mi |
NM state parks: primitive $10, developed $15–20 resident, hookup $20 resident/$30 non; no booking fee shock. [camping.md §NM; policies.md §NM] |
| Jun 16–30 |
Great Sand Dunes, CO (Piñon Flats CG) |
8,000+ ft; first monsoon cells; dogs allowed on dunes leashed |
✅ Yes — leashed on dunes |
Santa Fe → Great Sand Dunes: real route via Buena Vista/Collegiate Peaks. OSRM straight-line routed it wrong (1,581 mi across the country). Realistic driving: Santa Fe → Buena Vista ≈ 240 mi, ~5.3 hr (OSRM), then Buena Vista → Great Sand Dunes ≈ 150 mi via CO-150/US-285, ~3.5 hr — total ~390 mi, ~9 hr (split into 2 days). |
Piñon Flats $20; pick 35-ft site. [overview.md §summer anchors; routes.md §2A CO sampler] |
| Jun 10–14, 2027 (tentative) |
Valdez, CO (Las Animas County, ~Stonewall/La Veta area, ~9,000 ft) |
Apogaea 2027 — CO regional burn |
⬇ NO — zero tolerance, turned away at gate |
Phoenix → Apogaea area ≈ ??? (long — CO ski-country approach). From Santa Fe: Santa Fe → La Veta area ≈ 240 mi. |
Tier 1 $280 (SOLD OUT 2026), Tier 2 $305 (SOLD OUT), Tier 3 $330; 1.5-mi dirt/rough gate road — bus needs clearance + dry conditions; 2026 fire ban = no fire art, dry camp. Boarding required. [events-western.md §CO/Apogaea] |
| Jun 24–28, 2027 (tentative) |
Stargazer Ranch, Grantsville, UT (~4,200 ft desert) |
Element 11 2027 — UT regional burn, ~2,000+ participants |
⬇ NO — service animals only, registered 1 week prior |
From CO: Grantsville UT from Great Sand Dunes area ≈ ??? (northern leg). From Phoenix: Phoenix → Grantsville ≈ 600 mi. |
$275 + vehicle pass required; no hookups, no dump on site — dump at Flying J Snowville ~$10; nearest gas Snowville ≈ 1.5 hr away — arrive full. Boarding required. [events-western.md §UT/Element 11] |
| Jun (first full weekend) |
Blue Mountain Event Center, Wilseyville, CA (Sierra foothills, ~2,500 ft) |
FireDrums 2027 — CA regional burn (premise correction: CA, not AZ/Feb) |
⬇ NO — service animals only, pre-cleared |
From Death Valley area or Vegas: ~800 mi from Phoenix. |
RV pass required for vehicles >20 ft (bus = 22–24 ft → yes); RVs in designated field, no hookups. Boarding required. [events-western.md §CA/FireDrums] |
| Jun 10–14 or Jun 24–28 or early June |
Decision: pick ONE boarding-required burn if any, book by Feb 2027 |
— |
— |
— |
All three June burns (Apogaea, Element 11, FireDrums) are no-dogs. Pick at most one; board the dogs in Phoenix (or at the burn’s nearest town if boarding exists there — verify per event). [events-western.md §Booking Timeline Summary] |
June note: The summer high-country tour is the CO + NM mountain leg. The bus moves to 7,000–9,000 ft. Altitude matters for dogs above 8,000 ft — watch for panting, lethargy, appetite loss; descend if symptoms show. The three June burns are boarding-required; pick one max or skip.
July–August 2027 — Colorado high country peak + pre-BRC staging
| Window |
Where |
What |
Dog |
Drive leg |
Booking/reservation note |
| Jul 1–31 |
RMNP / Estes Park / Trail Ridge area, CO |
RMNP timed entry + camping reservation = same booking; Moraine Park all-reservation in summer; Trail Ridge Rd 12,183 ft |
✅ Yes — but ONLY leashed in campground/parking/roads; NO dogs on tundra trails (RMNP strictest park for trail access). Dog alternatives: Estes Park dog park + Lake Estes Trail 3.75 mi; outside-park dog trails (Buchanan Pass leash, Crosier Mountain off-leash voice control, Lily Mountain off-leash). |
Great Sand Dunes → Moraine Park: real route via Gunnison/Delta/Grand Junction/I-70. OSRM straight-line routed 1,294 mi (wrong). Realistic (OSRM): Great Sand Dunes → Gunnison ≈ 130 mi, Gunnison → Grand Junction ≈ 100 mi, Grand Junction → Estes Park ≈ 291 mi via I-70 → US-40 — total ≈ 521 mi, ~10.5 hr (split). Moraine Park → Estes Park ≈ 6 mi. |
Moraine Park book 6-mo window (recreation.gov); timed entry May 22–mid-Oct 2026 included with camping; check-in 1 pm. [routes.md §4 sticky dates; overview.md §summer anchors; camping.md §CO] |
| ~mid-Jul (1 night) |
Lakewood, CO — 6715 W Colfax Ave (I-70/US-6, on the GJ→Estes corridor) |
Casa Bonita dinner — reservation-only, online (casabonitadenver.com); book the summer bloc ~Mar 16, 2027 — sells fast, no walk-ins. Adults $29.99–39.99 |
⬇ City restaurant — dogs in bus; one-adult rotation / park spot |
GJ → Lakewood ≈ 238 mi / 4.6 hr; Lakewood → Estes ≈ 64 mi / 1.6 hr — only ~11 mi extra vs direct GJ→Estes, so it’s free on the main route |
CO rec-legal — dispensary stock-up while in Denver metro. [events.md §CO add-ons] |
| Jul 1–31 |
Pagosa Springs / Wolf Creek Pass area, CO |
Hot springs; 7% W grade Wolf Creek Pass (US-160) — downshift to 2nd/4th-gear-lock, posted 25–45 mph descents, two runaway ramps; summit brake-check stop |
✅ Yes — leashed in Pagosa town, surrounding NF |
Moraine Park → Pagosa Springs ≈ 330 mi, ~7.6 hr (OSRM) — long; break via Gunnison/Delta/Slederud. Pagosa Springs → Durango ≈ 60 mi, ~1.4 hr; Durango → Cortez ≈ 46 mi, ~1 hr. |
Wolf Creek Pass is year-round but snow possible; 2WD + snow/ice = stop. [routes.md §3.1 passes; overview.md §pass triage] |
| Jul–Aug |
Mesa Verde NP, CO |
Morefield CG ($38–51); on-site kennel $25/day — the one place you can see parks with dogs |
✅ Yes — use the kennel to tour the park; dogs at CG leashed |
Pagosa Springs → Mesa Verde: real route Pagosa Springs → Durango ≈ 60 mi, Durango → Cortez ≈ 46 mi, Cortez → Dolores ≈ 41 mi (optional), Dolores → Mesa Verde area ≈ 50 mi — total ~150–200 mi, ~4–5 hr. From Cortez to Mesa Verde park HQ ≈ 45 mi via CO-184/McPhee Rd. |
Morefield booking: recreation.gov; on-site kennel $25/day — book ahead in season. Weed-friendly stay: Bright Star Campground (ex-Camp Kush, Cortez) — pets + cannabis OK, FHU RV, 20 min from park — the rec-legal dog-and-toke destination; book summer window ~Mar. [overview.md §summer anchors; camping.md §CO/Mesa Verde; events.md §420 destinations] |
| Jul–Aug |
Grand Junction, CO (summer base) |
Canyon View RV Resort ($1,140–1,650/mo, Apr–Oct; FHU, metered electric, fiber option $40/mo, min 3 months, 2-dog cap); Riverdance Vail Valley ($2,000/mo Jun–Sep) |
✅ Yes — pet-friendly, 2-dog cap, proof of vaccination |
Mesa Verde → Grand Junction: Mesa Verde area → Cortez ≈ 45 mi, Cortez → Grand Junction ≈ 226 mi, ~4.4 hr (OSRM). |
Monthly parks: Canyon View min 3 months, 2-dog cap — if more than 2 dogs, call ahead. [camping.md §CO monthly; overview.md §pricing] |
| Aug (pre-BRC) |
Fernley/Reno, NV |
BRC staging — arrive in NV by mid-Aug, stage in Fernley (Walmart overnight, casinos ~$25 dry, RV dump + water, 90 mi to BRC) or Reno (full services, best kennel coverage for the dogs) |
⬇ Dogs boarded in Reno/Fernley for BRC week — book 6+ months out |
Grand Junction → Fernley ≈ ??? (I-70 W → US-95 N through NV). Roughly: Grand Junction → Salt Lake City ≈ 290 mi, SLC → Fernley ≈ 400 mi via I-80 — total ~690 mi, ~12 hr (split). |
BRC tickets: 2027 sale calendar announced ~Dec 2026; register early for Main Sale (Apr 2027); VP $165 same purchase as 2 GA tickets. Book Reno boarding for burn week NOW-ish (6 mo out) — it sells out like the event. [events-western.md §BRC logistics; events.md §BRC] |
July–August note: This is the CO high-country crown jewel. RMNP + Mesa Verde (with kennel) + Great Sand Dunes + the CO passes (Wolf Creek caution, Independence if open, avoid Red Mountain). Trail Ridge Rd timed-entry + camping reservation are the same booking. The bus does fine on I-70 (5–6% grades, 45–55 mph), Wolf Creek (7% W, gear down), and Independence (6%, open ~May 21–Nov 7). Avoid Red Mountain Pass (US-550, 8%, narrow, avalanche-prone, 2WD + snow = stop).
August 29 – September 6, 2027 — Burning Man (BRC) — dogs boarded in Reno
| Window |
Where |
What |
Dog |
Drive leg |
Booking/reservation note |
| Aug 29 – Sep 6, 2027 |
Black Rock City, NV (Gerlach, Pershing County) |
Burning Man 2027 — theme Spellbound; 9-day window; Man/Temple burns final weekend (TBD) |
⬇ NO DOGS — turned away at gate. Board in Reno or Fernley. |
BRC inbound (from Vegas staging): Vegas → Beatty ≈ 122 mi, ~2.4 hr (OSRM); Beatty → Tonopah ≈ 93 mi, ~2.0 hr; Tonopah → Fallon ≈ 177 mi, ~3.6 hr; Fallon → Fernley ≈ 28 mi, ~0.6 hr; Fernley → Gerlach ≈ 79 mi, ~1.6 hr. Cumulative Vegas → BRC ≈ 499 mi (OSRM sum). From Phoenix: Phoenix → Vegas ≈ 300 mi, then Vegas → BRC ≈ 499 mi — total ~800 mi one-way, split over 2–3 days. NEVER take US-6 Ely→Tonopah (168-mi no-fuel gap). Route: PHX → Kingman → Vegas → Beatty → Tonopah → Fallon → Fernley → Gerlach → BRC. Top off in Fernley AND Gerlach (Gerlach = ONE gas station, expensive, unreliable). |
2027 tickets: GA tiers TBA (2026 was $550/$675/$775/$975/$1,500/$3,000 + fees); Vehicle Pass $165 (max 2 tix + 1 VP per purchase); Main Sale Apr 2027 (date TBA); OMG Sale Jul 2027. Refund: full until Jun 1, partial 50% Jul 15–Aug 15, 25% after Aug 15. [events-western.md §BRC tickets; events.md §BRC] |
| Dog-home-base window |
Reno or Fernley, NV ( boarding for BRC week) |
Dog boarded during BRC |
— |
— |
Reno = best kennel coverage (overview.md vet map: Reno = good); Fernley = basic. Book 6+ months out for burn week. Post-event: dump + dawn-rid dust wash in Fernley/Reno; oil change ASAP after. [events-western.md §BRC dogs; overview.md §vet map] |
| BRC RV rules (verified, BMSG 2026) |
On playa |
No hookups/dump; on-playa pump-out $50 (RVs ≤24 ft) / $60 (25–35 ft) CASH per gray AND black tank; $30 per extra tank; hoses limited to 30 ft — park near road side if using service; never dump gray/black on playa (BLM fines start at $1,500); max 500 lb propane; arrive full fuel; roll awnings nightly (40 mph winds); generator OK with quiet mufflers, ~1 hr/day community norm; min 1.5 gal/person/day water — 1 person + 1 dog (if boarded, ignore dog) for 9 days ≈ 20+ gal; bus onboard tank + Jerry cans |
— |
— |
Dust: pH ~10 alkali; tape every seam (front door, rear doors, sliding windows, cowl vents); cover dash electrical; spare air filter in cab; swap ~day 4–5; post-playa: wash with plain water THEN vinegar/Calgon rinse to neutralize alkali before any polish; oil change ASAP. [events-western.md §BRC RV rules + dust] |
| BRC budget (1 adult, bus, 2027) |
— |
1× GA $775 tier + fees ≈ $845; VP ≈ $185; fuel PHX↔BRC (~1,500 mi RT @ 11 mpg ≈ 136 gal) ≈ $680 (@ $5/gal NV-heavy); shit kit (pump-out, supplies, shade, food) ≈ $500 |
— |
— |
Total (excl. dog boarding) ≈ $2,100–2,300 [events-western.md §BRC budget] |
| BRC gate + exodus |
Gate opens 12:01 am Sun Aug 29; 24-hr open through Sep 6; first ~36 hrs = 5+ hr waits; best arrival Tue+ or 3–10 am mid-week; leave before noon Tue or Sun night (Mon = carnage) |
— |
— |
— |
Will Call at Gate; on-playa re-entry uses gate stickers. [events-western.md §BRC gate + exodus] |
BRC note: This is the high-value no-dog event — dogs boarded in Reno for the week. The bus is mechanically ideal for playa (dry-camp self-contained, 2WD fine on hard-packed playa). The real planning gates are: (1) Reno boarding booked 6+ months out, (2) VP + 2 GA tickets in one purchase at Main Sale, (3) NV fuel-gap rule (never US-6), (4) dust-proofing + post-playa oil change.
September 2027 — Post-BRC exodus + fall return
| Window |
Where |
What |
Dog |
Drive leg |
Booking/reservation note |
| Sep 6–7, 2027 |
Gerlach → Fernley → Reno |
BRC exodus: leave before noon Tue Sep 6 or Sun night Sep 5; Gerlach → Fernley ≈ 79 mi, ~1.6 hr (OSRM); Fernley → Reno ≈ 34.6 mi, ~0.7 hr |
Dogs boarded in Reno — pick up after event |
BRC exodus route: Gerlach → Fernley → Reno ≈ 114 mi total |
Dump + dawn-rid dust wash in Fernley/Reno; oil change ASAP. [events-western.md §BRC exodus + post] |
| Sep (post-BRC) |
Reno → Phoenix (dogs home) |
Return home with dogs |
✅ Yes — dogs back in bus after BRC boarding ends |
Reno → Phoenix ≈ 717 mi, ~14.5 hr (OSRM) — this is a 2-day drive, not one; split via I-80 → I-40 → Phoenix, with an overnight stop (Kingman or Flagstaff). |
Drive carefully; 717 mi is beyond the bus’s comfortable 400–480 mi range — fuel stop(s) required (Kingman, Flagstaff). |
| Sep 2027 |
Back in Phoenix |
Dogs home; bus home; post-trip maintenance |
✅ Yes |
— |
Post-BRC: oil change, air filter change, dust wash. Annual maintenance review (vehicular/maintenance.md §10k-mi checklist) + re-derive budget.md (fuel/maintenance lines) from the actual season. |
| mid–late Sep 2027 (option) |
Denver / Lakewood, CO |
Denver Night Lights (projection/light art on downtown buildings — Sep 1–30, free) + Denver Walls / Crush Walls mural fest (RiNo street art ~Sep 22–Oct 5) + Casa Bonita dinner |
✅ In bus — open-air street events, leashed; Casa Bonita = dogs in bus while dining |
Reno → Denver ≈ 750 mi (2-day via I-80/I-25, split SLC or Cheyenne); Denver → ABQ ≈ 460 mi (I-25) |
Casa Bonita fall/winter reservations open ~mid-Jul; Night Lights free self-guided; CO rec-legal; open/dispersed camping on Pike NF (Buffalo Creek ~40 min SW of Denver) [events.md §CO add-ons] |
September note: The post-BRC return is the longest single drive in the calendar — 717 mi Reno→Phoenix. Split it: Reno → Kingman (~370 mi, ~7 hr), overnight, Kingman → Phoenix (~113 mi, ~2 hr). Or Reno → Flagstaff (~540 mi, ~10 hr), overnight, Flagstaff → Phoenix (~87 mi, ~1.8 hr). Fall-chain alternative (recommended — all rec-legal CO/NM): Reno → Denver mid-Sep (Night Lights + Denver Walls mural fest + Casa Bonita) → I-25 South to ABQ Balloon Fiesta (Oct 2–10) → Phoenix (~460 mi I-25/I-40). Turns the dead return into the bus’s best fall run.
October 2027 — Fall shoulder + regional decompression events
| Window |
Where |
What |
Dog |
Drive leg |
Booking/reservation note |
| Oct (fall shoulder) |
AZ/CA/NV fall loop |
Oct = best overall middle-ground month; AZ still monsoon until Sep 30 but easing; CO/NM golden; CA coast + Death Valley (reservation season opens Oct 15) |
✅ Yes — dogs in for fall shoulder (no major no-dog events in Oct except urban decompressions) |
Depends on where BRC exodus lands you (Fernley/Reno). From Reno: Reno → Death Valley ≈ ??? (via US-95/CA-190); Reno → Phoenix ≈ 717 mi. |
Death Valley Furnace Creek reservation season opens Oct 15 — book if you want a CA winter/spring base. [routes.md §2C Option A; camping.md §CA] |
| Oct 2027 (TBD) |
Various CA/NV/AZ urban |
Venice Afterburn, MPYRE, Bay Area Decompression, Reno Decompression, IGNiGHT — urban/daytime, no RV camping value |
TBD |
— |
Calendar noise only — skip unless already in that city. [events-western.md §CA decompression; events.md §CA] |
| Oct 2027 (TBD) |
Del Monte Beach, Monterey CA |
MPYRE Strikes Back — free, all-ages beach event |
⬇ likely restricted (beach venue) |
— |
[events.md §CA/MPYRE] |
| Oct 2027 (TBD) |
Reno, NV |
Reno Decompression — post-BRC; pairs with BRC-exodus logistics |
TBD |
Reno (post-BRC) |
[events-western.md §NV/Reno Decomp] |
| Oct 2027 (TBD) |
Phoenix, AZ |
IGNiGHT Phoenix — urban warehouse/outdoor |
TBD |
— |
Low RV value; skip unless already in Phoenix. [events-western.md §ARIZONA/IGNiGHT Phoenix] |
October note: The fall shoulder is the best driving month in the Southwest — no monsoon, no snow yet in CO, golden aspens in NM/CO. If the bus does a fall loop post-BRC, the natural shape is: Reno → Death Valley (Oct 15 Furnace Creek season opens) → Anza-Borrego → Joshua Tree → Phoenix. Or: Reno → AZ (Sedona/Flagstaff fall color) → NM (White Sands, Jemez aspens) → back to Phoenix.
New Oct finds (verified Sep 24, 2026 — [events.md §Oct–Jan cluster]):
| Window |
Where |
What |
Dog |
Drive |
Booking note |
| Oct 2–10, 2027 (official) |
Balloon Fiesta Park, Albuquerque, NM |
ABQ International Balloon Fiesta — 500+ balloons, 9 days |
✅ In on-site RV lot (leashed); ⬇ not in park/launch field |
PHX → ABQ ≈ 418 mi / ~8 hr — split |
Dry RV lot $60/night, 3-night min, rally-first-come — reserve online, no drive-ups; President’s Compound (hookups) books earliest. [Events] |
| Oct 2027 (TBD ~2nd wk) |
Joshua Tree Lake Campground, CA |
JT Music Festival — Fall — 4-day family-friendly |
⬇ No (service only) — JT Pet Resort boarding |
Quartzsite → JT ≈ 170 mi / 3.3 hr |
Vehicle camping pass by length (RV pass for bus); dry RV first-come; limited hookup sites book ahead. [Events] |
| Oct 2027 (watch) |
Willcox, AZ |
AZ Decompression — canceled 2025 (flood risk); dog-OK historically (pet tickets) |
✅ historically |
Tucson → Willcox ≈ 83 mi |
[VERIFY] revival each autumn; if alive = other dog-OK SW fall event. [Events] |
October 2027 collision alert: Wasteland Weekend (Sep 29–Oct 4, Mojave) tails into Balloon Fiesta opening (Oct 2). Don’t stack both — Phoenix-based pick one, or accept a frantic cross-CA/NM week.
November–December 2027 — Winter sun approach + holiday AZ burns
| Window |
Where |
What |
Dog |
Drive leg |
Booking/reservation note |
| Nov 2027 |
Southern AZ/NM/CA/NV deserts |
Winter sun season begins; CO high country closing (Independence Pass closes ~Nov 7 first snow); southern deserts ideal |
✅ Yes — dogs in for winter desert (no major no-dog events Nov) |
From Phoenix: loop out via I-10 to Tucson/Quartzsite, or I-17 to Flagstaff/Grand Canyon, or west to CA. |
Death Valley Furnace Creek reservation season Oct 15–Apr 15 — book winter stays. [routes.md §2C Option A; camping.md §CA/Death Valley] |
| Nov 20 – Dec 31, 2027 [VERIFY] |
Denver, CO |
Holiday lights set: Mile High Holidays immersive projection mapping on buildings (Nov 20–Dec 31) + ZooLights + 9NEWS Parade of Lights (~early Dec) + Casa Bonita (fall/winter window open since ~mid-Jul) |
⬇ City night events — dogs in bus; one-adult rotation |
Phoenix → Denver ≈ 820 mi — dedicated 2–3 night run, split via Flagstaff or Santa Fe |
Cold: Denver Dec low ~18°F — freeze protocols (pitfalls §freeze). ZooLights tickets online-only $20–27.95. CO rec-legal — dispensary stock-up. [events.md §CO add-ons] |
| Dec 2027 (TBD) |
AZ (TBD) |
Holidaze — indoor winter gathering; 11 principles event |
❓ Check with organizer — indoor venue may restrict dogs |
— |
[events.md §AZ/Holidaze] |
| Dec 26 – Jan 2028 |
Quartzsite, AZ |
RTR 2028 — WRTR ~Jan 6–8, RTR Jan 9–14, 2028 (tentative; pattern holds annually) |
✅ Yes — dogs in |
From Phoenix: ~190 mi (OSRM: Phoenix→Gila Bend 68 mi + Gila Bend→Quartzsite ~120 mi) |
No reservation; arrive early for shade. La Posa LTVA $180/season if fee site. [events.md §RTR] |
Nov–Dec note: If the bus commits to a full winter-sun tour (Option A in routes.md §2C), the shape is: Nov 1–15 Tucson/Saguaro → Nov 16–30 Joshua Tree/Anza-Borrego → Dec 1–20 Death Valley (book Furnace Creek Oct 15) → Dec 21–31 Pahrump/Amargosa → Jan 1–15 Quartzsite RTR → Jan 16–31 Grand Canyon South Rim/Flagstaff. That’s the 2027–2028 winter template.
2028 — Projected Calendar (pattern-based)
All 2028 dates are projections from annual/seasonal patterns — [VERIFY] each once published. 2028 is a cadence repeat of 2027 (Quartzsite stack → Tucson gem season → Saguaro Man → EDC/LIB → CO high country → BRC → Wasteland → Balloon Fiesta → winter-sun). Drive legs are unchanged from the reference tables; confirm OSRM legs still hold. New event source: [events.md §Oct–Jan cluster].
January 2028 — Quartzsite winter stack + Tucson gem season
| Window |
Where |
What |
Dog |
Drive |
Booking note |
| Dec 26 – Jan 27 |
Quartzsite, AZ |
RTR 2028 — WRTR ~Jan 6–8, RTR ~Jan 9–14 [pattern]; Tyson Wells Rock & Gem Show ~Jan 1–10 [VERIFY]; Big Tent RV Show ~Jan 17–25; QIA PowWow ~Jan 20–24 [VERIFY] |
✅ In |
PHX → Quartzsite ≈ 190 mi / 3.6 hr |
No reservations (BLM LVA); La Posa LTVA $180/season optional; arrive before Jan 1. [events.md §RTR + §Oct–Jan cluster] |
| Late Jan |
Tucson, AZ |
Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase — Jan 26–Feb 13, 2028 (official list) |
Venue-dependent |
PHX → Tucson ≈ 113 mi |
Backdrop for Feb Gem & Jam. [events.md §Oct–Jan cluster] |
February 2028 — Tucson festival + Death Valley (dark sky)
| Window |
Where |
What |
Dog |
Drive |
Booking note |
| Feb (TBA) |
Tucson, AZ |
Gem & Jam 2028 ~early Feb [VERIFY — 2028 dates unpublished] |
⬇ Out — Phoenix/board |
PHX → Tucson ≈ 113 mi |
2027 pattern Feb 6–8; aligns w/ Tucson Gem Show. [events.md §Gem & Jam] |
| ~Feb 5–7 [VERIFY drift] |
Death Valley, CA |
Dark Sky Festival — spring-edition pattern; Furnace Creek |
✅ In (campground, leashed) |
Quartzsite → DV ≈ 323 mi / 6.5 hr |
Book Furnace Creek at Oct 15, 2027 window if winter-touring. [events.md §Oct–Jan cluster] |
April 2028 — Saguaro Man (dogs in)
| Window |
Where |
What |
Dog |
Drive |
Booking note |
| ~Apr 19–23 (projected) |
Willcox, AZ |
Saguaro Man 2028 — theme TBA; last-full-week-of-Apr drift (2026: Apr 22–26, 2027: Apr 21–25) |
✅ In — $25/dog, cap ~55, leash |
Tucson → Willcox ≈ 83 mi / 1.5 hr; PHX → Willcox ≈ 195 mi |
Dog-ticket drop ~Dec 31, 2027 = the gate; Early Bird $150 then GA $185 [VERIFY pricing]. [events.md §Saguaro Man] |
| ~mid-Apr |
NV/CO/TX |
SNRG / CBE / Flipside — all no-dog |
⬇ |
— |
Same April-collision logic as 2027: Saguaro Man wins. [Western Burns] |
May 2028 — EDC / LIB (dogs out)
| Window |
Where |
What |
Dog |
Drive |
Booking note |
| ~May 12–14 / 19–21 [VERIFY] |
Las Vegas Motor Speedway |
EDC 2028 Dusk/Dawn |
⬇ Out — Vegas board |
PHX → Vegas ≈ 300 mi / ~5 hr |
Join Future Owl before May 2027; camp pre-sale 3rd wk Sep 2027; conversion gray zone — email Camp EDC photos. [events-flagship.md §1] |
| ~May 26–30 [VERIFY] |
Bakersfield, CA |
LIB 2028 (Memorial Day wknd) |
⬇ Out |
~8 hr from PHX |
Only flagship that names converted buses OK; don’t stack with EDC (board cost ×). |
June–August 2028 — CO high country (dogs in)
| Window |
Where |
What |
Dog |
Drive |
Booking note |
| Jun–Aug |
NM/CO high country |
Repeat 2027: Jemez/Santa Fe → Great Sand Dunes → RMNP → Mesa Verde → Grand Junction base |
✅ In (Mesa Verde kennel $25/day for tours) |
GSD→Gunnison ~130 / Gunnison→GJ ~100 / GJ→Estes ~150 |
RMNP book 6-mo out (Feb 2028); Moraine Park all-reservation summer. Optional 1 no-dog June burn w/ Phoenix boarding. [routes.md §4] |
August 27 – September 4, 2028 — Burning Man (dogs boarded Reno)
| Window |
Where |
What |
Dog |
Drive |
Booking note |
| Aug 27 – Sep 4 (projected) |
Black Rock City, NV |
BRC 2028 — Labor Day 2028 = Sep 4 → opens last Sun Aug 27 [VERIFY when published] |
⬇ Out — board Reno |
PHX → Kingman → Vegas → Beatty → Tonopah → Fallon → Fernley → Gerlach ≈ 800 mi / 2–3 days |
Ticket calendar ~Dec 2027, Main Sale ~Apr 2028, OMG ~Jul; VP + 2 GA one purchase; never US-6; top off Fernley AND Gerlach; board Reno ~Feb 2028. [events-western.md §BRC] |
September–October 2028 — Wasteland + fall NM/CA
| Window |
Where |
What |
Dog |
Drive |
Booking note |
| Sep 27 – Oct 1 (projected) |
Mojave, CA (California City) |
Wasteland Weekend 2028 — last Wed–Sun Sep (Sep 27, 2028 = Wed) [VERIFY] |
⬇ Out — board Mojave/Lancaster |
PHX → Mojave ≈ 400 mi |
$0 RV fee (ticket covers all); best mechanical fit. [events-flagship.md §5] |
| mid–late Sep 2028 (option) |
Denver / Lakewood, CO |
Denver Night Lights (projection art, Sep) + Denver Walls mural fest + Casa Bonita |
✅ In bus (open-air, leashed) |
NV/CA → Denver ≈ 750 mi; Denver → ABQ ≈ 460 mi |
Casa Bonita fall window ~mid-Jul 2028; CO rec-legal; NF dispersed camping near town. [events.md §CO add-ons] |
| Oct 7–15, 2028 (official) |
Albuquerque, NM |
ABQ Balloon Fiesta 2028 |
✅ In RV lot (leashed); ⬇ launch field |
PHX → ABQ ≈ 418 mi / ~8 hr — split |
Dry RV lot $60/night reserve online; dogs-at-camp; pairs w/ fall NM loop. [events.md §Oct–Jan cluster] |
| ~mid-Oct [VERIFY] |
Joshua Tree, CA |
JT Music Festival — Fall 2028 |
⬇ Out — JT Pet Resort |
Quartzsite → JT ≈ 170 mi / 3.3 hr |
Family-friendly; boarding required. [events.md §Oct–Jan cluster] |
2028 note: Unlike 2027, Wasteland (Sep 27–Oct 1) → Balloon Fiesta (Oct 7–15) sequence cleanly this year — no overlap. Doable as one Mojave→ABQ run or pick one. (Also: SunBurn NM returns on the Memorial Day weekend cadence (~May 26–29, 2028) — collides with LIB; pick one boarding event, not both.)
November–December 2028 — winter-sun approach
| Window |
Where |
What |
Dog |
Drive |
Booking note |
| Nov–Dec |
AZ/CA/NV deserts |
Option A winter-sun tour (routes.md §2C): Tucson/Saguaro → JT/Anza-Borrego → Death Valley → Pahrump/Amargosa |
✅ In |
See reference table |
Book Furnace Creek Oct 15, 2028 for the Dec–Apr reservation season; Dec 26 → Quartzsite RTR 2029. AZ Decomp (early-Oct, Willcox) options both years if revived [VERIFY]. (Optional late-Nov Denver holiday-lights pop-out: Mile High Holidays projection mapping + Casa Bonita — CO rec-legal; dedicated 820-mi 2–3 night run, split. [events.md §CO add-ons]) |
2028 booking gates (set in 2027–28)
| When |
Action |
| Sep 2027 (3rd wk) |
EDC 2028 camp pre-sale — Future Owl presale Thu, general Fri; power tiers sell first |
| May 2027 |
EDC 2028 GA on-sale (pattern) — join Future Owl before this |
| Dec 2027 |
Saguaro Man 2028 dog-ticket drop (~Dec 31) AND BRC 2028 ticket calendar published |
| Feb 2028 |
RMNP 6-mo window opens for Aug stays; Reno boarding for BRC 2028 (~6 mo out) |
| Apr 2028 |
BRC 2028 Main Sale; Saguaro Man GA ($185) window |
| Oct 15, 2028 |
Death Valley Furnace Creek reservation season opens — books 2028–29 winter stays |
Drive Leg Reference Table (OSRM road distances)
All legs below are OSRM road distances for the bus (no tow vehicle). Duration = OSRM estimate; actual bus pace is slower on grades (plan 400–480 mi max per tank, target ≤350 mi/day for comfort). Fuel prices: AZ $4.50–4.75 < NM $4.05–4.50 < CO $4.20–4.40 < NV $4.95–5.20 < CA $5.80–6.20 — enter/exit CA full. [routes.md §3.3; overview.md §pricing]
Phoenix-centric legs (home base)
| From → To |
Road mi |
~HR |
Notes |
| Phoenix → Tucson |
113 |
2.0 |
I-10 E; Feb Gem & Jam leg |
| Phoenix → Willcox |
195 |
3.5 |
Apr Saguaro Man leg (if coming direct from Phoenix) |
| Phoenix → Quartzsite |
~190 |
~3.6 |
Via Gila Bend (68 mi) + US-95 N (~120 mi); winter RTR leg |
| Phoenix → Vegas |
~300 |
~5.0 |
I-10 W → I-15 N; BRC outbound staging + EDC leg |
| Phoenix → Farmington, NM |
401 |
8.0 |
I-40 E → US-550 N; NM high country / Chaco leg |
| Tucson → Willcox |
83 |
1.5 |
Apr Saguaro Man leg (from Tucson base) |
| Willcox → Quartzsite |
323 |
5.6 |
Long day; fill in Gila Bend or Yuma; Apr→Jan connector |
| Tucson → Saguaro NP (East) |
~50 |
~1.0 |
Apr bloom leg |
| Tucson → Saguaro NP (West) |
~30 |
~0.6 |
Apr bloom leg |
| Saguaro East → Sedona |
~110 |
~2.5 |
Mar shoulder leg |
| Sedona → Flagstaff |
30 |
0.7 |
Mar shoulder leg |
| Flagstaff → Grand Canyon Village (South Rim) |
87 |
1.8 |
Mar GC leg; dogs on rim only |
| Grand Canyon Village → Williams |
60 |
1.3 |
I-40 W |
| Williams → Kingman |
116 |
2.0 |
I-40 W; BRC outbound staging |
| Reno → Phoenix |
717 |
14.5 |
BRC return home — SPLIT INTO 2 DAYS (Reno→Kingman ~370 mi + Kingman→Phoenix 113 mi, or Reno→Flagstaff ~540 mi + Flagstaff→Phoenix 87 mi) |
Quartzsite / winter desert legs
| From → To |
Road mi |
~HR |
Notes |
| Quartzsite → Death Valley (Furnace Creek area) |
322 |
6.5 |
Long day; fill in Gila Bend or Yuma; CA-190 via Baker |
| Death Valley → Vegas |
123 |
2.7 |
CA-190 → US-95; winter NV leg |
| Death Valley → Baker, CA |
183 |
~3.5 |
CA-190 W; Baker = I-15 crossing |
| Baker → Primm, NV (I-15) |
50 |
1.0 |
I-15 N; CA/NV border ag station — no fruit/produce/firewood |
| Death Valley → Beatty, NV |
46 |
1.5 |
CA-190 → US-95 N; BRC corridor leg (from DV side) |
| Beatty → Tonopah |
93 |
2.0 |
US-95 N; BRC corridor — marginal on full tank, part of standard SW approach |
| Tonopah → Fallon |
177 |
3.6 |
US-95 N; BRC corridor — biggest single gap; top off Tonopah |
| Fallon → Fernley |
28 |
0.6 |
US-95 N → I-80; BRC staging prep |
| Fernley → Gerlach |
79 |
1.6 |
NV-447; BRC final leg — Gerlach = ONE gas station, expensive, unreliable hours |
| Gerlach → Fernley |
79 |
1.6 |
BRC exodus leg |
| Fernley → Reno |
35 |
0.7 |
I-80 E; post-BRC + boarding pickup |
| Vegas → Beatty |
122 |
2.4 |
US-95 N; BRC corridor |
| Vegas → Kingman |
104 |
2.2 |
I-15 S → US-93 E; BRC outbound staging prep |
| Kingman → Vegas |
104 |
2.2 |
US-93 W → I-15 N; BRC outbound staging prep |
New Mexico legs
| From → To |
Road mi |
~HR |
Notes |
| Phoenix → Farmington, NM |
401 |
8.0 |
I-40 E → US-550 N; Chaco / NM high country leg |
| Farmington → Nageezi area (Chaco approach) |
49 |
1.0 |
NM-574 → CR 7950; Chaco north route — DRY ONLY, call 505-786-7014 before leaving; 13 mi unpaved last ~4.5 very rough |
| Farmington → White Sands, NM |
425 |
7.7 |
Long; break via US-550/US-70 or split into 2 days |
| White Sands → Las Cruces, NM |
27 |
0.7 |
US-70/US-180; NM loop |
| Las Cruces → Santa Fe, NM |
284 |
4.9 |
I-25 N; NM high country leg |
| Santa Fe → Jemez Springs, NM |
~35 |
~0.8 |
NM-4; high-country cool; 7,880 ft |
| Santa Fe → Buena Vista, CO (Collegiate Peaks) |
240 |
5.3 |
US-285 N → CO-24; summer CO leg (realistic routing — OSRM straight-line was wrong) |
| Buena Vista → Great Sand Dunes, CO |
~150 |
~3.5 |
CO-150/US-285; summer CO leg |
Colorado summer high country legs
| From → To |
Road mi |
~HR |
Notes |
| Great Sand Dunes → Gunnison |
~130 |
~3.0 |
CO-150; summer CO leg |
| Gunnison → Grand Junction |
~100 |
~2.5 |
US-50 W; summer CO leg |
| Grand Junction → Estes Park / Moraine Park |
~150 |
~4.0 |
I-70 E → US-36; summer CO leg; RMNP timed entry + camping = same booking |
| Moraine Park → Estes Park |
6 |
0.3 |
Local; RMNP area |
| Moraine Park → Pagosa Springs |
330 |
7.6 |
Long; break via Gunnison/Delta; summer CO leg |
| Pagosa Springs → Durango |
60 |
1.4 |
US-160 W; summer CO leg |
| Durango → Cortez |
46 |
1.0 |
US-160/US-184; Mesa Verde approach |
| Cortez → Dolores |
41 |
2.3 |
CO-145/NF roads; Mesa Verde corridor |
| Dolores → Grand Junction |
146 |
5.5 |
US-50 W; CO exit |
| Pagosa Springs → Wolf Creek Pass |
23 |
0.6 |
US-160 W; 7% W grade — gear down; 2WD + snow/ice = stop |
| Wolf Creek Pass → Del Norte |
35 |
0.8 |
US-160 W; summit brake-check |
| Mesa Verde area (Cortez) → Grand Junction |
~226 |
~4.4 |
via Cortez→Dolores or Cortez→Grand Junction directly; CO exit |
BRC inbound corridor (Vegas → Black Rock City)
| From → To |
Road mi |
~HR |
Notes |
| Vegas → Beatty |
122 |
2.4 |
US-95 N; fuel at Beatty |
| Beatty → Tonopah |
93 |
2.0 |
US-95 N; marginal on full tank — part of standard SW approach; Goldfield station ~66 mi mark (expensive, emergency only) |
| Tonopah → Fallon |
177 |
3.6 |
US-95 N; BIGGEST gap — top off Tonopah; never carry less than 3/4 tank |
| Fallon → Fernley |
28 |
0.6 |
US-95 N → I-80; fuel + last big town before BRC |
| Fernley → Gerlach |
79 |
1.6 |
NV-447; Gerlach = ONE gas station, expensive, unreliable — arrive Fernley/Gerlach full |
| Vegas → BRC cumulative |
~499 |
~10.5 |
Do NOT take US-6 Ely→Tonopah (168-mi no-fuel gap); route via US-95 N from Vegas |
BRC exodus + return (Gerlach → Phoenix)
| From → To |
Road mi |
~HR |
Notes |
| Gerlach → Fernley |
79 |
1.6 |
NV-447 S; exodus |
| Fernley → Reno |
35 |
0.7 |
I-80 E; dump + dust wash + boarding pickup |
| Gerlach → Reno cumulative |
~114 |
~2.3 |
Post-BRC |
| Reno → Phoenix |
717 |
14.5 |
SPLIT INTO 2 DAYS: Reno→Kingman (~370 mi via I-80/I-40) + Kingman→Phoenix (113 mi), or Reno→Flagstaff (~540 mi) + Flagstaff→Phoenix (87 mi) |
Booking/Reservation Alarm Calendar (2027)
Pulled from routes.md §4 + events-western.md §Booking Timeline + events-flagship.md booking notes. Sticky dates = set 10 reminders.
| When |
What |
Action |
Source |
| Now (Sep–Dec 2026) |
Saguaro Man 2027 |
Watch Early Bird $150 drop (~Dec 31, 2026); buy dog tickets ($25) in same session — cap ~55 sells out every year. Booking dog-friendly = ticket drop is the gate, not first-come at venue. |
[events-western.md §Booking Timeline; events.md §Saguaro Man] |
| Dec 2026 |
BRC 2027 |
Ticket-sale calendar announced; register early for Main Sale (Apr 2027). Book Reno boarding for burn week NOW-ish (6 mo out) — it sells out like the event. |
[events-western.md §Booking Timeline; events.md §BRC] |
| Feb–Apr 2027 |
BRC 2027 |
Main Sale (Apr 2027, date TBA); VP $165 same purchase as 2 GA tickets. Decide OMG Sale if Main miss. |
[events-western.md §BRC tickets] |
| Apr 2027 |
Saguaro Man |
GA $185 (400 tix, history: gone ~Mar 14) → Final Countdown $225 if desperate → gate (no re-entry). Dog tickets $25 — already bought at Early Bird drop ideally. |
[events-western.md §Saguaro Man] |
| Jun 2027 |
Apogaea / Element 11 / FireDrums (if picking one) |
Tier 1s sell out months ahead; decide ONE w/ boarding, book by Feb. |
[events-western.md §Booking Timeline] |
| Aug 2027 |
BRC |
Gate open 12:01 am Sun Aug 29; arrive Tue–Wed 3–10 am window; leave Tue before noon. |
[events-western.md §BRC gate + exodus] |
| Sep 2027 |
Post-BRC |
Fernley/Reno dump + wash; oil change; optional south leg via Beatty. |
[events-western.md §BRC post] |
| Oct 15, 2027 |
Death Valley Furnace Creek |
Reservation season opens — book winter/spring 2027–2028 stays if not already held. |
[routes.md §4 sticky dates; camping.md §CA/Death Valley] |
| 6-mo window (rolling) |
Mather CG (Grand Canyon South Rim), Moraine Park (RMNP), DeMotte CG (N Rim), Gallo CG (Chaco) |
Book day-of window on recreation.gov; popular spots sell out in minutes. |
[routes.md §4; overview.md §10] |
| ~Mar 2027 |
Casa Bonita summer bloc (Jul–Aug); Bright Star Campground summer stay (Cortez, Mesa Verde leg) |
Casabonitadenver.com reservations + Bright Star (970) 564-0420 / Hipcamp — book together for the CO summer leg |
[events.md §CO add-ons; events.md §420 destinations] |
Home Check-In Waypoints (Peoria/Phoenix)
Deliberate pattern, not a gap fill: swing home between corridor events to drop the dogs (free “kennel”), resupply (water/food/propane), run fab-shop design/build sessions (Peoria metal shops, vehicular/fabrication-shops.md), and do maintenance (vehicular/maintenance.md) — then re-deploy to the next leg. Home base = Phoenix/Peoria metro (AVECC Peoria vet on the emergency map; bus parks off residential streets — Phoenix >¾-ton ban, §7).
| Check-in window |
When |
Why / what happens |
Dogs |
| Q1 reset |
~Jan 20–31, 2027 |
Post-RTR/Quartzsite return: dump, water, laundry, restock, maintenance pass, fab-shop design session — re-deploy for Gem & Jam Feb 6–8 |
Ride home in bus; then stay home for Gem & Jam |
| Post-Tucson reset |
~Feb 12–28, 2027 |
After Gem & Jam dog-home-base: full restock for the Mar Sedona/Flagstaff/GC shoulder |
Already home (Gem & Jam window); depart with them in bus for Mar shoulder |
| Apr dog swap (if you run Saguaro Man) |
~Apr 26–29, 2027 |
Post-Saguaro Man (Apr 25): dump + oil/air-filter change (lakebed dust), restock, trade dog-OK camp for EDC/no-dog legs |
Ride home from Willcox (Saguaro was dog event); home for EDC May |
| EDC-solo reset |
~May 9–13, 2027 |
Pre-EDC: camp the bus home, board the dog in Phoenix, run Vegas solo — cheaper than Vegas boarding |
Home (free) — kills the $250–400 Vegas kennel line |
| CO-summer launch |
~Jun 1–15, 2027 |
Big restock + full maintenance check + fab-shop punch list BEFORE the 2-mo CO high country leg; propane fill; oil change |
Depart with dogs in bus for CO summer |
| Post-BRC homecoming |
~Sep 7–15, 2027 |
BRC exodus → Reno dump/oil/shower → 717-mi 2-day return → home reset: laundry, restock, Wasteland gear |
Picked up in Reno Sep 6; ride home if headed to CO/fall, or home-based for Wasteland Oct if solo |
| Fall cold-desk |
~Oct 5–28, 2027 |
Fall-shoulder planning: Wasteland (if any) is a day-range leg; rest of fall is home-anchored design/build + quick AZ/NM hops |
In bus for hops; home for build weeks |
Cost effect: home check-in turns three boarding lines into $0 — Gem & Jam (was optional), EDC (was $250–400 Vegas), any June regional burn (was PHX boarding) drops to a no-cost home swap if it stays day-range. Only BRC stays a paid kennel (Reno, unavoidable). Budget lines updated in budget.md §Boarding.
Solo-vehicle note: home check-ins assume the bus can legally park near home. Phoenix residential = illegal (>¾-ton). Peoria/property parking, or a storage/RV lot near Peoria, [VERIFY]. While home, one adult can hold the dogs and the bus can still run short no-dog legs (Tucson, Las Vegas, Tucson 420) day-range.
Dog-Home-Base Summary (2027)
The dog lives in Phoenix. It rides in the bus for all dog-OK events and all boondocking/camping. For the no-dog events it boards locally in Phoenix — a solo traveler cannot leave it home alone, so boarding is required rather than optional.
| Event/window |
Dogs in bus? |
Where are the dogs? |
Boarding needed? |
| RTR (Jan 2027, Quartzsite) |
✅ Yes |
In bus, leashed on BLM |
No |
| Gem & Jam (Feb 2027, Tucson) |
⬇ No |
Dog boards in Phoenix |
Required — Phoenix local boarding for the weekend; a solo traveler cannot leave the dog home alone |
| Saguaro Man (Apr 21–25, 2027, Willcox) |
✅ Yes |
In bus — the dog event; $25/dog tickets |
No — but buy dog tickets at first drop (cap ~55 sells out every year) |
| EDC Las Vegas (May 2027, Las Vegas) |
⬇ No |
Phoenix home base, OR board in Vegas kennel for the weekend |
Optional — Vegas has vet/boarding coverage (overview.md vet map: Vegas = good) |
| Apogaea / Element 11 / FireDrums (Jun 2027, if picking one) |
⬇ No |
Phoenix home base (or board near the event if boarding exists — verify per event) |
Yes — if you pick one, board the dogs; Phoenix local boarding for a weekend is the realistic move |
| CO summer high country (Jul–Aug 2027, RMNP/Mesa Verde/etc.) |
✅ Yes |
In bus; use Mesa Verde Morefield on-site kennel $25/day to tour the park; RMNP dogs only in campground/parking/roads (no tundra trails) |
No — but bring the Mesa Verde kennel into the plan for the park-tour day. Bright Star Campground (Cortez, ex-Camp Kush) = pet-OK 420 spot for the Mesa Verde leg |
| HESTIVAL (Apr 30–May 2, Hotchkiss CO) |
✅ Yes |
In bus — dog-friendly camping fest (200+ dogs/yr) |
No — but buy dog-friendly camping fest tix accordingly |
| BRC (Aug 29 – Sep 6, 2027, Black Rock City) |
⬇ No |
Boarded in Reno or Fernley for BRC week — book 6+ months out |
YES — Reno boarding for burn week; book NOW-ish (6 mo out). Reno = best kennel coverage; Fernley = basic. |
| Post-BRC exodus (Sep 6–7, 2027) |
⬇ No (until pickup) |
Still boarded in Reno; pick up after event |
Boarding continues through BRC exodus |
| Reno → Phoenix return (Sep 2027) |
✅ Yes (after pickup) |
Dogs back in bus after boarding ends |
No |
| Fall shoulder (Oct 2027) |
✅ Yes |
In bus |
No |
| Winter sun (Nov–Dec 2027) |
✅ Yes |
In bus |
No |
Bottom line on dogs: The 2027 calendar has the dog in the bus for most of the year. The three no-dog windows all require boarding, because a solo traveler cannot leave the dog home alone: (1) Gem & Jam Feb — Phoenix boarding for the weekend; (2) any June burn you choose — Phoenix boarding for a weekend; (3) BRC Aug/Sep — Reno boarding for the week, book 6+ months out. Saguaro Man (Apr) is the dog event — buy dog tickets at the first drop.
[VERIFY] Before Relying
From this calendar’s synthesis of the other model’s research + OSRM legs:
- 2027 event dates — Saguaro Man Apr 21–25 confirmed; BRC Aug 29–Sep 6 confirmed; Gem & Jam Feb 6–8 is 2026 pattern (2027 TBA); EDC May 14–16/Dawn May 21–23 confirmed (new Dusk Till Dawn format); all regional burns (SNRG, CBE, Flipside, Apogaea, Element 11, FireDrums) are TBA 2027 — re-check before planning.
- Saguaro Man dog-ticket cap — ~55, sold out both 2024 and 2026; buy at Early Bird drop (~Dec 31, 2026).
- BRC Reno boarding — book 6+ months out; verify kennel inventory for burn week.
- Grand Canyon Trailer Village — closed Aug 31, 2026 under Stage 4 water restrictions; reopening unconfirmed. Mather + free Camper Services dump is the current assumption.
- Chaco north road — 13 mi unpaved, dry only, call 505-786-7014 24–48 hr before entry.
- CO mountain-town overnight-vehicle bans — Vail/Aspen/Telluride/Steamboat all have municipal bans [VERIFY individually].
- Phoenix >¾-ton residential ban — this bus is illegal on Phoenix residential streets; enforcement status [VERIFY].
- Fuel prices on travel dates — volatile 2026; re-check before each leg.
- 85-octane tolerance — common at CO/NV altitude; whether 5.4L Triton tolerates it unverified against manual.
- LTVA fee reform — $600/$200 draft proposal not adopted (2026–27 = $180/$40), but fee split AZ/CA and future increases are live risk; re-check before long-season commit.
- Saguaro Man 2027 site typo — saguaroman.org lists “04/21–04/25/2028” which is a typo for 2027 (events.md agrees Apr 21–25); re-verify on the official site before buying tickets.
- Willcox lakebed conditions — Saguaro Man venue is a new city-owned lakebed (moved from Raywood Flat 2024); wet-season soft ground after winter rain is a real 2WD traction risk — check with AZ Burners before committing; water trailer + propane swap on-site status [VERIFY].
- BRC Gerlach gas station — single gas station in Gerlach, expensive + unreliable hours; arrive Fernley AND Gerlach full; carry extra fuel if the bus’s range is tight on the Fernley→Gerlach 79-mi leg.
- BRC exodus timing — leave before noon Tue Sep 6 or Sun night Sep 5; Mon = carnage (6–9 hr to pavement, up to 12 hr to Reno); the Reno→Phoenix 717-mi return should NOT be started on exodus day — rest + dump + oil change in Reno first.
- Reno→Phoenix 717-mi return — beyond the bus’s comfortable 400–480 mi range; must split into 2 days with an overnight stop (Kingman or Flagstaff); fuel-stop planning required.
Sources: events.md, events-flagship.md, events-western.md, routes.md, overview.md, camping.md, boondocking.md, policies.md, pitfalls.md, vehicular/power-supply.md, vehicular/ford-e350.md — all researched Sep 24, 2026. Drive leg mileages: OSRM road distances via maps skill (OpenStreetMap/OSRM), Sep 24, 2026.
Appendix A — Bus Power & Dry-Camping Viability (2026 install status)
Derived from vehicular/power-supply.md + vehicular/ford-e350.md + vehicular/weight-capacity.md. Status as of Sep 24, 2026: battery bank (14.4 kWh) + 5 kW inverter are spec’d; solar package + controller + exact panel count/install are PENDING. Treat power-side numbers as a planning envelope until install is verified.
Battery bank envelope
- Stated capacity: 3x ECO-WORTHY Cubix100 48V 100Ah = 14.4 kWh nominal.
- Usable (LiFePO₄): at 90% DoD and 85% inverter efficiency, plan for ~11 kWh usable to AC loads — i.e., 0.60–0.96 kWh/day for Starlink Mini light use, 1.2–2.7 kWh/day moderate, up to ~5.4 kWh/day for 24/7 heavy work (see §Daily Energy Consumption Scenarios in power-supply.md).
- Practical envelope vs. the calendar’s dry-camping demands:
- Shooting for solo off-grid (≥7 days before resupply) on the battery alone — e.g., a Saguaro Man week or a winter desert BLM stint — is NOT safe at 14.4 kWh without a working solar input, because even moderate Starlink (1.2 kWh/day) × 7 days = 8.4 kWh, plus lights/fridge/pumps. At that pace you’re at the bank’s limit with zero margin before solar.
- Shooting for weekend-to-10-day dry runs with light Starlink (0.6–0.96 kWh/day) + forbearance on other loads is feasible within the 11 kWh usable window, as long as you land at a spot with solar input before the bank drops below ~30%.
- Never plan a dry-camp stint on the battery alone with zero solar for more than ~5–7 days of any real usage — that’s the bank’s floor, not a design target.
Solar (pending — set expectations against what’s needed, not what’s installed)
- What the calendar’s dry legs actually demand:
- Winter desert (Quartzsite RTR sea, BLM dispersed winter base, Death Valley area): strong sun, low panel angle — good solar window. A 200–400 W array (the target cited in power-supply.md and boondocking.md footer) would easily cover moderate Starlink + house loads in those corridors and keep the bank topped. The bus should be solar-ready before committing to a multi-week winter dry-camp base.
- Summer CO high country (RMNP, Great Sand Dunes, Pagosa): shorter days, occasional clouds, tree shade at camp — worse solar. Dry-camp in summer CO on battery alone is riskier; either pitch near a hookup or pace loads down.
- Festival dry tiers (BRC, Apogaea, Wasteland): the venues themselves are dry by design — no hookups, generator rules vary. At BRC the bus cannot plug in at all; you’re on battery + solar + fuel for Starlink + house loads for ~8 days. BRC is a hard power test — if the install isn’t done and verified before BRC, plan to reduce Starlink usage during the event or bring the Starlink Mini + power-draw discipline (sleep schedule at night, light usage during the day). [VERIFY] actual panel wattage + controller once install lands.
- Starlink Mini recommendation (power-supply.md §Hardware): the Starlink Mini (25–40 W active, 18–22 W idle, 0.60–0.96 kWh/day light use) is the right pick for this bus IF the solar install matches — it’s the lowest-draw option. Standard Gen 3 (1.8–2.4 kWh/day) or Flat (2.6–3.6 kWh/day) would eat the bank faster and push the dry-camping math against you. Finalize as Mini before install, and enable the Sleep Schedule to kill idle draw overnight (power-supply.md §Idle Draw is NOT Zero — 8 hr idle = 144–440 Wh, which is non-trivial off-grid).
Dry-camp filtering rule for event selection
Use this as the tie-breaker when two otherwise-equal camping options exist:
- Prefer a campground/corridor with hookup or easy resupply within the bank’s comfortable range for any stint longer than ~3–4 days.
- For long dry runs (winter desert BLM sea, Saguaro Man week, BRC week), require solar installed + verified + a ≤1-week resupply plan before committing.
- For short dry runs (≤2–3 days, e.g., a BRC staging pre-position in Fernley, a Death Valley night), the 14.4 kWh bank + Mini Starlink is fine without solar as long as Starlink is the primary AC load and house loads are paced.
Caveats
- Battery install is pending — none of the above is verified against actual measured draw. After install, re-derive the daily budget against real loads and re-check every dry-camp window in this calendar.
- Water + waste are the other half of dry-camping viability, not power — see
policies.md §water/waste and boondocking.md §water/waste/checklists. The bus’s water capacity + grey/black tank math, not the battery, usually sets the dry-camp limit on the shorter time scale.
- Generator + CO poisoning is the top-severity pitfall in the whole study (pitfalls.md) — if a generator is added for dry-camp power, CO monitoring and outside placement are mandatory.