Forum Discussion

Lynndann's avatar
Lynndann
Explorer
Jan 12, 2018

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 rv parks.

Our question to all of you is this: How do you deal with the stay limitations of most state and national parks? I can't imagine picking up and moving every 14 days. We would like to stay in a lot of places for more than that time.

I know some people "pick up" and go down the street to another location and then come back, but I can't imagine doing that or how unsettling it must be to have to keep moving and hope there's a spot, then come back. That doesn't seem relaxing at all.

Please let us know how you full timers handle this particular issue, we would appreciate any and all advice. Thanks!
  • You are asking us to help you cheat the system - not a good idea.

    State and national parks are not housing ... we have short-stay rules so all of us can use the parks, not just a few long-terms.

    Think about it !!! If anyone can stay as long as they want, how many sites would be full of the same camper all year long. Then you would have NO sites, and neither would anyone else.

    We already have enough problems with campers that cheat the system now, let alone if it allows long-term stays, then one camper would just reserve the entire season.
  • donn0128 wrote:
    Camp hosting or volunteering will get you 30 days or more in any one place. If your looking for months at a time you might as well rent apartments.


    I would like to see the OP do that. Imagine if one of the duties was to keep records and notify the ranger of violators of the 14 day rule.

    HTH;
    John
  • That is a nice idea being able to stay in state and national parks, but from what I have seen, none or very few of them have a weekly or bi-weekly rate. With nightly fees around 30 to 40 dollars a night, that would be an expensive monthly cost compared to private rv parks that have weekly and monthly discounts.
  • Watch out for the parks with two limits: X days for a single stay and Y cumulative days for a year.
  • Just the way it works. You have to plan way ahead for the state parks reservations.

    We don't put a lot of things out or really carry more than the basics. That way you can be ready to head out in less than an hour.

    We have already made our reservations from June of this year till the middle of December.

    We are staying in Florida till March of 2019, then we are heading out of state to destinations unknown at this time.
  • Most, generally, have the rule that you can be on one site for 14 days than then have to leave for at least 3 days. Sometimes folks are able to get around this by staying the 14 days on one spot and then 14 days on another spot in the same park, but absolute no guarantees you'll be able to get along with this very long, if at all.

    If you are doing these type of campgrounds, then you'll need to make 14 day reservations at different parks, out as far as you can anticipate, and if you want to stay in the area, then cycle through again for more 14 day reservations.

    But the 14 day rule is there for a reason. Otherwise, you always have the option of private campgrounds that offer rates on a monthly, or seasonal basis and then just visiting by car the places you want to see.

    But yes, you'll have to move after 14 days.
  • I'm sure that if they were your rules you would want everyone to abide by them. Sounds like you don't want to pay regular camp site prices. Go up to a farmer and ask him if you can camp in his field for a month or so.
  • "How do you deal with the stay limitations of most state and national parks?"

    I follow the rules so others can enjoy the spot I was in. You are not special...follow the rules. It is not "unsettling" to move your RV. This may not be the life for you.
  • 14 day limit means 14 day and then get out

    That means you pack up and leave so that someone else can use the facility/park

    We FTd for 7 yrs and moved weekly/bi-monthly traveling to a new location within 250 miles so that we could explore that area and then move on
    Our whole idea of FTng was to 'travel'

    We used State/National Parks, City Parks, Fairgrounds, BLM/Boondocking and even private parks.
    Abiding by the 'rules/restrictions/limitations' that were in effect because they applied to us/others---everybody.

    Want to stay longer in a particulate area.........then move every 14 days to another park OR stay at a public/private CG and pay a 'monthly fee'
  • Camp hosting or volunteering will get you 30 days or more in any one place. If your looking for months at a time you might as well rent apartments.