State Park Stay Limitations-how to deal?
Hello, we would like to retire with our rv full-time. We plan to stay in state/national parks and on federal lands such as BLM, state forests, etc. and do not plan on using any private campgrounds or ...
Forum Discussion
Former (now retired) federal campground manager here.
What most of the others have said is true - both the length of stay and the reasons for the rule. There are a few (pretty rare) exceptions. There are some National Forests that have season-long sites available for a seasonal fee. However, these only exist at a select few campgrounds that do not get a lot of use and the sites within those campgrounds are the least desirable for location, physical features like slope, etc. In other words, the sites don't get much use and that is why the agency puts them up for a longer stay...to generate more use and more revenue for the government and/or the concessionaire.
The sites are advertised early in the year and are awarded on a lottery basis, and the locals jump on these sites quickly.
So your chances of
1) Finding out which national forests and campgrounds have such sites
2) Finding when they advertise and make the lottery available; and
3) Actually winning a site
Are very slim indeed.
And chances are, there may not be another long-stay opportunity anywhere close to the one you may get. Perhaps not even in the same state.
I will second the advice that many others have provided:
Either be content with the 14 day stay and then move on to new adventures and exploration;
or
Volunteer to be a campground host at a federal or state campground - you can usually stay for a month, or perhaps for the whole season.
or
Find a private campground that will allow a lengthy stay and may have monthly or seasonal rates.
Good luck with your full-timing. It can be a wonderful experience, whatever you decide to do.
What most of the others have said is true - both the length of stay and the reasons for the rule. There are a few (pretty rare) exceptions. There are some National Forests that have season-long sites available for a seasonal fee. However, these only exist at a select few campgrounds that do not get a lot of use and the sites within those campgrounds are the least desirable for location, physical features like slope, etc. In other words, the sites don't get much use and that is why the agency puts them up for a longer stay...to generate more use and more revenue for the government and/or the concessionaire.
The sites are advertised early in the year and are awarded on a lottery basis, and the locals jump on these sites quickly.
So your chances of
1) Finding out which national forests and campgrounds have such sites
2) Finding when they advertise and make the lottery available; and
3) Actually winning a site
Are very slim indeed.
And chances are, there may not be another long-stay opportunity anywhere close to the one you may get. Perhaps not even in the same state.
I will second the advice that many others have provided:
Either be content with the 14 day stay and then move on to new adventures and exploration;
or
Volunteer to be a campground host at a federal or state campground - you can usually stay for a month, or perhaps for the whole season.
or
Find a private campground that will allow a lengthy stay and may have monthly or seasonal rates.
Good luck with your full-timing. It can be a wonderful experience, whatever you decide to do.
