From the pros at Dustproof Supply: a festival dust storm can take a sunny camp to a whiteout in minutes. The crews who ride it out calmly set up for it before it arrived. This is our practical checklist for before, during and after a dust storm at a desert or dry-field camp.
Short on time? Build your list in the free Pack Planner with the heavy-dust condition turned on.
The short version
- Anchor everything on day one. Don't wait for the first gust.
- Keep goggles and a respirator on your body, not back at the tent.
- Seal electronics, clean clothes and bedding before the wind picks up.
- When visibility drops, stop, stay put and wait it out.
- Clean up in layers afterward: shake, brush, wipe, blow out.
Before: set up camp like the wind is coming
Anchor the structures
- 12-inch rebar stakes for hardpack ground, topped with rebar safety caps so nobody trips on or gets cut by a bare stake
- Screw-in canopy stakes for softer ground where straight stakes pull out
- Ratchet straps and 550 paracord for tensioning frames and guy lines
- Orange flagging tape on guy lines, so people see them in low visibility
- Rubber mallet and work gloves for setup
Shade that lets air through, like the knit reflective cloth in the Shade Starter Kit, catches less wind than a solid tarp. Pop-up canopies catch a lot of wind. Read how to secure a pop-up canopy in wind before you rely on one.
Seal what dust ruins
- Sealed 62-qt bin for clean clothes and bedding
- Gallon slider bags for phones, cameras, chargers and snacks
- Roll-top dry bag for carrying electronics around the event
- A fitted sheet over the cot or pad, so you can shake it out instead of sleeping in grit
Pack a storm kit you carry all day
Storms don't wait until you're back at camp. Keep these in the day bag:
- Sealed dust goggles, plus a clear-lens pair for night, when tinted lenses are too dark
- NIOSH N95 respirators
- A neck gaiter or pashmina for sun and light dust
- A headlamp or clip light, so you stay visible when the air goes brown
- Water, because dry wind dries you out fast
Or grab it bundled: the Dust Defense Kit links goggles, a gaiter, N95s and tent cleanup as separate Amazon listings.
During: goggles on, stay put
- Eyes first. Sealed goggles keep grit out far better than sunglasses.
- Know what your mask does. A NIOSH-approved N95 filters at least 95% of airborne particles under NIOSH testing, but only if it seals to your face. A gaiter or bandana helps with light dust and sun, but it isn't a respirator.
- Whiteout? Stop. If you're on a bike and can't see, get off, stay where you are and wait for it to clear. Wandering in zero visibility is how people get lost or hit.
- Stay visible. Keep lights on if you're out after dark. See the festival bike lights guide.
- At camp: close the windward tent doors, pull loose items inside, and don't climb on a shade frame mid-gust. Fix it once the wind drops.
After: clean up in layers
- Shake out bedding and clothes downwind of camp.
- Sweep the tent floor with a dustpan and brush. A horsehair brush works on boots and gear.
- For bigger dust loads, a compact cordless blower clears tent floors and shade mats fast. Match it to the batteries you already run: HEINPRO mini (DEWALT 20V), DeForce mini (Milwaukee M18), RYOBI P755 (RYOBI ONE+), Makita DAS180Z (Makita 18V) or CRAFTSMAN V20 compact (CRAFTSMAN V20).
- Blow grit out of ports and zippers with a rechargeable air duster before you plug anything in.
- Rinse goggle lenses with water rather than wiping them dry, to avoid grinding grit into the lens.
- Re-check every stake, strap and guy line. Storms loosen things.
FAQ
Is a neck gaiter enough for a dust storm? For light dust and sun, it helps. For heavy dust, a NIOSH-approved N95 that fits well is the step up. Neither replaces sealed goggles for your eyes.
What should I do if a storm hits while I'm riding? Stop, get off the bike and wait for visibility to return. Keep your lights on after dark.
How do I protect my phone? Keep it in a zip bag or dry bag during storms, and blow out the port before charging.
Dustproof Supply: independent festival camping notes. Follow your event's official weather and safety instructions first.
Want friends to chip in? Turn this list into a shareable gift list with the Fest Registry.
Want it pre-packed? See our festival essentials kits, built by fest type and climate.