Boondocking in a national park lodge parking lot?
Any rules against overnighting in the parking lot of Old Faithful Lodge, or some other busy place? What if you have a room, and some of the family were to sleep out in a camper?
Forum Discussion
toedtoes wrote:JimK-NY wrote:toedtoes wrote:DownTheAvenue wrote:JimK-NY wrote:
You will not get away with boondocking in any of the major national parks. I did get away with it in Rainier.
:? I guess this means that Rainier is not a "major national park."
Actually, from his entire post, he did NOT get away with it. He asked the rangers before he parked if it would be OK - they said it was as long as he left very early.
He was given an exception due to a specific circumstance (sunrise photography). Had he just parked there without asking, he would have been sent on his way.
If there is a good reason for an action, most rangers are understanding if you talk to them first. If it's just about being cheap, or you don't bother talking to them first, you will get stopped.
There are a lot of incorrect assumptions here. The rangers did not say it would be OK to park at the sunrise overlook area. They said it was not patrolled after 5pm. Had I parked without asking, the result would have been the same. No rangers would have been around to send me on my way.
BTW, I had actually paid to stay in one of the campgrounds. A vacant parking lot was a whole lot better than dogs and music and crowded conditions.
I don't consider Rainier to be one of the major national parks. It is 17th for the number of visitors, but that is deceptive. It is so close to Seattle that it gets a lot of local, day visitors.
My mistake. I was giving you credit you didn't deserve.
I can't think of a National Park or one I have worked in that stops patroling at 5 PM. That seems really strange. I am sure that many LE Rangers would love to have Banker's Hours!
Yes, it never hurts to ask. But, be prepared to pack up and move on down the road. Think of it this way; "Do you believe this is the first time a NPS Ranger has been asked to stay in a parking lot or pull out?" Actually no. Most times during the summer months it happens many times an evening. Plan ahead. If you are entering a National Park the End of June to the first two weeks of August, get your campsite, room or lodging before 10 AM or sooner. Otherwise plan on staying outside the park and entering the next morning even earlier and get a site before going sightseeing or hiking.
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