Say if you own either a truck camper or a trailer, are you allowed to leave your RV at the trailhead parking lots? I'm not talking about huge trailers, may be 24ft maximum or a regular truck camper. This is during those multi-day backcountry camping times.

They are usually small, 3-4 cars, as they are for hikers to park....not RVs.

I wouldn't leave my TT at a trailhead even if there was room and it was permissible. Some trailhead parking areas have been targeted as "easy pick'ns" for thieves.

3oaks wrote:I wouldn't leave my TT at a trailhead even if there was room and it was permissible. Some trailhead parking areas have been targeted as "easy pick'ns" for thieves.Very true. Leaving any vehicle at a trailhead says "I'm hiking and won't be back for a long time". If at all possible, leave the RV in a campsite and have somebody drop you off.

Acei wrote:Say if you own either a truck camper or a trailer, are you allowed to leave your RV at the trailhead parking lots? I'm not talking about huge trailers, may be 24ft maximum or a regular truck camper. This is during those multi-day backcountry camping times.Each park has it's own rules.I agree with leaving the camper at a camp site. That's what we did years ago at Yosemite. They have a shuttle bus that goes through the park. I think they had us park in an overflow spot.

I was looking at rules in some National Forests and in those, you are not allowed to leave your equipment (inc RVs?) in the campsite unattended for more than 24 hours. I am assuming this means you can't go backcountry camping... True or not?

Parking RV overnight at trailheads within national parks?

18 Replies

ORbiker
Explorer
Mar 27, 2016
korbe wrote:
Many of those trailheads have campgrounds nearby. We camp at the campgrounds and then go to the trailheads.

Most National Forests have designated parking at the trail heads.

In Oregon the Forest Service charges for a trail head parking permit. $5.00 per day. The more remote the site, the safer (I think).
Acei
Explorer
Mar 27, 2016
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?
korbe
Explorer
Mar 27, 2016
Many of those trailheads have campgrounds nearby. We camp at the campgrounds and then go to the trailheads.
Acei
Explorer
Mar 27, 2016
I was looking at rules in some National Forests and in those, you are not allowed to leave your equipment (inc RVs?) in the campsite unattended for more than 24 hours. I am assuming this means you can't go backcountry camping...

True or not?
ORbiker
Explorer
Mar 27, 2016
Acei wrote:
Say if you own either a truck camper or a trailer, are you allowed to leave your RV at the trailhead parking lots? I'm not talking about huge trailers, may be 24ft maximum or a regular truck camper. This is during those multi-day backcountry camping times.

Each park has it's own rules.

I agree with leaving the camper at a camp site. That's what we did years ago at Yosemite. They have a shuttle bus that goes through the park. I think they had us park in an overflow spot.
TucsonJim
Explorer II
Mar 27, 2016
3oaks wrote:
I wouldn't leave my TT at a trailhead even if there was room and it was permissible. Some trailhead parking areas have been targeted as "easy pick'ns" for thieves.

Very true. Leaving any vehicle at a trailhead says "I'm hiking and won't be back for a long time". If at all possible, leave the RV in a campsite and have somebody drop you off.
3oaks
Explorer
Mar 27, 2016
I wouldn't leave my TT at a trailhead even if there was room and it was permissible. Some trailhead parking areas have been targeted as "easy pick'ns" for thieves.
IDman
Explorer
Mar 27, 2016
They are usually small, 3-4 cars, as they are for hikers to park....not RVs.

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Parking RV overnight at trailheads within national parks?

18 Replies

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