Boondocking Laws and Regulations
Camping on public lands requires you to understand state laws on camping, boondocking, and overnight parking. These articles were carefully researched through state codes and administrative rules, including popular practices. But you also need to know how to look up these laws and regulations to stay up to date on recent changes.
Can You Camp on BLM Wilderness Areas?
Yes, you can camp on BLM wilderness areas. However, vehicles are not allowed. This means you must park your vehicle outside of wilderness boundaries and hike your camping gear in.
Can You Camp in a Wilderness Area?
Yes, you can camp in a wilderness area, however you have to hike your camping gear in because vehicles are not allowed, including bicycles. Wilderness areas were created by the federal government to preserve habitats and...
Do You Still Have to Pay $20.00 to Park at an Ohio Turnpike Service Plaza if You Don’t Use the Hookups?
This was question was asked by one of our readers today. Ohio's turnpike system has seven "service plazas" (14 if you count each direction). Four of these service plazas feature overnight RV parks. Learn more about these RV parks at...
Can You Sell Products at a Texas Rest Area?
Existing state regulations seem unclear on whether or not you can sell products at a Texas rest area. This is because existing Texas State Code and Department of Transportation regulations do not specifically address vending...
What is the Difference Between Camping and Overnight Parking?
The difference between "camping" and "overnight parking" is that camping involves a recreational purpose while overnight parking involves relieving driver fatigue. Camping can also include those who are sleeping on public...
Can You Park Overnight On the On-Ramp or Off-Ramp to a Rest Area in Texas?
Yes, you can park overnight on the on-ramp and off-ramp to a rest area in Texas. The Texas Transportation Code contains a section addressing parking in certain places, but does not...
Can I Leave My Pickup Truck Running All Night at a Rest Area?
There are some folks pulling a travel trailer who want to leave their pickup truck's engine running while parked overnight at a rest area. The idea is to use the truck's engine as a generator to power the trailer's 110 volt electrical system...
Is Boondocking in Connecticut Allowed?
No, boondocking in Connecticut is not allowed, at least not on public lands. Any boondocking or dispersed camping must be done on privately owned lands. This is because there are no national forests nor BLM lands in Connecticut...
Are E-Bikes Allowed on Army Corps of Engineers Campgrounds?
For starters, there is no single ACOE regulation that specifically identifies e-bikes as being banned on all their projects. However, the ACOE does have a rule that requires all vehicles to be operated in accordance to federal, state, and local laws...
How Close Can You Camp Next to a BLM Developed Campground?
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) does not currently dictate the minimum camping setback from a developed campground. There are no rules that specify how close you can camp next to a BLM developed campground. However...
