Dumb Question about Tent Only sites

I stay at mostly NFS campgrounds. A truck with a camper shell is usually OK. The exception would be those campgrounds that have a parking lot with tent sites surrounding it. They don't want people camping in the lot itself.

Full size truck campers are a bit different. Depending on why they made that section or campsite tent only. Sometimes they make a site tent only because there is too much tree cover that would cause problems (and complaints) with RV campers. Sometimes it is the size of the pad - too short to allow a small trailer and tow vehicle. Sometimes it is the access road and tree growth, tight turns, etc. They just don't want people trying to take longer vehicles or trailers on that loop road.

Then there are some campgrounds that make a tent only loop because their campers have pushed for it. Those are unlikely to make exceptions.

As for tent campers moving into their vehicles on a given night or weekend due to temps, wind, rain, etc., that is completely different than camping in your truck camper.

You're most likely to get OK'd outside of peak season. Sites with individual parking pads in amongst standard (tent or RV) sites are your best bet - they are just usually set aside for tenters due to a separation of the pad and the picnic table and fire pit area. And since there are RVs camping around them, there is unlikely to be complaints.

As tent campers are just as likely to have generators, etc., these days, I have found that "noise" is usually not a concern for not allowing truck campers, etc.

Hi Maria, not sure what bed-size is on your Tundra. Assuming it’s the mid size, a Four Wheeler Hawk should fit. Being on the West coast, where their manufactured, I would look for a nice clean used unit.
In regards to your question, we were heading out to the West coast and it was time to call it a day. We were coming up on Cheyenne,WY, it was a busy weekend, we called the KOA and all they had was a tent site with water and 20 amp electric, our AF 990 on our 1 ton dually fit wit no problem. That is the beauty of a truck camper.

Sorry to say my Hawk must go in an RV site. Tent only means TENT ONLY. And that was the 1st night out in the rain and it was not even complete then. Jim my hosts were not as genial as yours. Have fewer problems at the 'parks' than say 'KOA type' How ever 'walk in tent campsite means car parked somewhere else

JM2¢ ~~ YMMV ~~

Didn't see anything about National Parks in the original post so I'll jump in. I have camped many times on tent sites but mostly in private rv parks that were happy to have a no hook up small popup slide in truck camper parked in the low rent district instead of taking one of the premium spots.

Varies, we have stayed many times in the tent section after checking with the camp host or park ranger. Sometimes the designation just means no hook ups and shorter parking spots. Sometimes it just means that they have a flat graded spot that better suits a tent. Other times the specifically don't want RV's amongst the tenters. Sometimes it depends on how full the park is. With a more minimal camper you will probably have a little more flexibility.

GordonThree wrote:
Hmmm ... I've seen plenty sleeping in their cars in tents only sites... at Zion.

Yes, they setup a tent, but when it dipped into the 30s overnight, their skin tight yoga pants and northface parka didn't keep the youth warm and they retreated to their vehicles, starting the engine even.

I don't know how the rangers draw the line, sleeping in a car at a tent site is OK, but sleeping in a truck, at a tent site maybe not?

When I inquired, they screened by type and configuration of vehicle at entry. Car? OK. Truck? OK. Truck plus shell higher than roof, go apply over at the RV campground to confirm you are not staying in this park tonite. I don't think they check the vehicles parked in the tent campground after it's full and the sun goes down.

Non sequitur: I was at a campground last year where many tent dwellers slept in their cars right after the evening bear visit. :E

Hmmm ... I've seen plenty sleeping in their cars in tents only sites... at Zion.

Yes, they setup a tent, but when it dipped into the 30s overnight, their skin tight yoga pants and northface parka didn't keep the youth warm and they retreated to their vehicles, starting the engine even.

I don't know how the rangers draw the line, sleeping in a car at a tent site is OK, but sleeping in a truck, at a tent site maybe not?

RickW wrote:
Maybe, but probably not.

There was a long thread about this a year or two ago.

My experience from interviewing a ranger at Zion NP is that "tent only" there was to fairly allocate scarce camping real estate. They even had a placard at the fee station with all kinds of trucks, vans and campers that were not permitted in, even if you "promised" to sleep in a tent. Basically, no pop ups or heat or water on the rig.

In other locations, the camping site is a walk away from the parking, hence, tent only.

In other situations, it is justified by citing reduced environmental impact. Some cite fire marshal restrictions.

You can always ask, but don't get offended and be prepared to be denied and look elsewhere.

Interesting. Thanks for the explanation. :B Guess I'll have to plan ahead and contact the campgrounds and ask about our setup specifically (just a shell, no water, heat, LP, elec, etc). I'd rather sleep with the tents than big ol' RVs :W

Thanks again!

Maybe, but probably not.

There was a long thread about this a year or two ago.

My experience from interviewing a ranger at Zion NP is that "tent only" there was to fairly allocate scarce camping real estate. They even had a placard at the fee station with all kinds of trucks, vans and campers that were not permitted in, even if you "promised" to sleep in a tent. Basically, no pop ups or heat or water on the rig.

In other locations, the camping site is a walk away from the parking, hence, tent only.

In other situations, it is justified by citing reduced environmental impact. Some cite fire marshal restrictions.

You can always ask, but don't get offended and be prepared to be denied and look elsewhere.