Parking RV overnight at trailheads within national parks?

Yes, I would be very surprised if I didn't need a permit to do backcountry camping. :)

We would be doing mostly day hiking but once in a while, we'd like to do some multi-day hiking hence this discussion was brought up.

Just to clarify what 2 gypsies have posted, we always had a backcountry permit before we parked at the trailhead.

Dave

I have personally parked my TC at NP trail heads for a number of days when backpacking. One is Grand Canyon and others are in the Canadian Rockies.

Dave

No...for national parks you cannot leave your RV at a trailhead or leave it unattended overnight.

If you're backpacking, you need a permit and at that time they will tell you where to park. You can't just go out on your own to backpack in a national park.

Also, for some trails you can't even get a backpacking permit for the same day. Sometimes you have to get it in advance.

It's best to pick your park and contact the backcountry office before you go so you're not disappointed.

Thanks guys. Looks like there's no way around it - near by RV parks is the answer.

I agree - I would not leave my rig at a trailhead for reasons already identified. I think your best bet is a private CG nearby. They will often have an area for RV "storage" - lower daily rate than occupying a site. If you are towing a trailer, makes it easy - just take the TV to the trailhead (with all gear left at the trailer...). Certainly worth a phonecall to whichever park/forest you are hoping to visit - they will likely have suggestions to offer. ST

Acei wrote:
In the National Forest website, it specifically says you can't leave your equipment unattended for more than 24 hours in your campsite. Same for the BLM. I can't find the same text in the National Parks though, so perhaps the rules are different there...

The OP was specifically asking about National Parks, not National Forests. (as was said, different agencies and sometimes different rules). But since NFs were raised by others...let's chase that rabbit! :)

The 24 hour rule is true for the national forests.
I would talk with a ranger/volunteer/host (if you can find one) to see if it would be OK, once you explained your situation.

The unattended for 24 hour rule was largely developed so people wouldn't "squat" on a first/come, first/served site. Get there on Wednesday with the trailer, park it and leave it unattended, while they return in the tow vehicle to their house a couple of hours away. Then come back with the family on Friday and are guaranteed a site, because all the weekenders have filled up the campground.

Here's a link from Glacier NP:

https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/camping.htm

If you search for '24', you'll get to this:

--
Sites may not be left unattended for over 24 hours.
--

I'm pretty sure this applies to all National Parks as this was the case with NF and BLM...

Hmmm.

In the National Forest website, it specifically says you can't leave your equipment unattended for more than 24 hours in your campsite. Same for the BLM. I can't find the same text in the National Parks though, so perhaps the rules are different there...

Acei wrote:
So are you allowed to leave your campsite with your RV parked in it for more than 24 hours while you are backpack camping in the trails?

The parks I've stayed in basically didn't care if you were at the campsite or not as long as you'd paid for the spot. But I'd check with the Ranger or Campground Host before doing this if you planned on being away for more than the day.