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maria_bettina's avatar
maria_bettina
Explorer
Jun 29, 2022

Pop-up Truck Camper Peeps - question for you...

I see "tent only" campgrounds/campsites sometimes, and I wonder if a Pop-up TC would be welcome. Many times the camping/tent site is away from the parking strip. So that isn't something that would work for me. But sometimes I can't figure out why a particular site is tent-only because it looks like the RV site right next to it.

I know some campgrounds are very specific. I want to say Jenny Lake in Yellowstone is one. My understanding is they don't want to block the views with tall rigs.

I have called other campgrounds and so far all have accepted truck campers in "tent only" sites "as long as the camper fits" (length and height). Ok, maybe it's been only like 2 campgrounds that I've called.

I am going to call Kings Canyon/Sequoia NPS (California) tomorrow to see about Atwell Mill Campground. Has anyone camped there (or Cold Springs Campground) in a Pop-up TC?

My question is what has been your experience with tent-only sites? Do you ever use them? Have you been turned away ever?
Truck Campers
  • RickW's avatar
    RickW
    Explorer III
    Jul 01, 2022
    In yellowstone, the "no tents" (no canvas) camping area is because of the presence of bears.

    In other parks, (eg Yosemite) tents only require a short walk from the parking lot to the campsite. No vehicle camping in the small, dense parking lot.

    In Zion, I spoke with the gatekeeper of a tents only campground. It was a matter of environmental impact and camping equity. At this one, he had a placard of vehicle profiles that were not allowed, tent or no tent, including trucks with TCs, vans and other custom RVs. Basically, if it has propane, plumbed water, a heater or a refrigerator (easily seen from the outside) it is not allowed in tents only parking.

    I have not encountered RV camping that restricted pop ups (except Yellowstone).
  • mkirsch's avatar
    mkirsch
    Nomad II
    Jun 30, 2022
    Tyler0215 wrote:
    Tents Only seems pretty clear to me.


    So does "No truck campers" but if you grouse and complain and wine enough, anything goes.
  • 2112's avatar
    2112
    Explorer II
    Jun 29, 2022
    There is a private camp ground near us. He segregates the tent campers from the RV crowd because the tent crowd complains the RV crowd is too loud, light up everything at night and are inconsiderate. The tent area is much nicer.
  • maria_bettina's avatar
    maria_bettina
    Explorer
    Jun 29, 2022
    I emailed this morning and got a reply from NPS.

    "Thank you for contacting Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

    "Tall vehicles/vans are not appropriate in Cold Springs due to overhanging branches. Atwell Mill is more appropriate for them. When on www.recreation.gov do be sure to scroll to the bottom of the campsite page which will list the vehicle pad length."

    I am good to go. Lesson: Never hurts to ask them. :C
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Jun 29, 2022
    Tent camping is different from RV camping. When I tented I wanted to be with other tenters. Similarly, tenters are noisy IMO (pots and pans banging etc.) and I don’t want to be near when RVing. There’s a vehicle safety issue too in some campgrounds.
  • Deb_and_Ed_M's avatar
    Deb_and_Ed_M
    Explorer II
    Jun 29, 2022
    I've had mixed reactions - I always call and ask. As a generalization, tenters expect "quiet" - you aren't allowed to run a generator at all. So then the question remains: can you drive your camper into the site, or do you have to walk in. More often than not - we have been allowed in "tent areas" with both our pop-up TC and our former van conversion.
  • ticki2's avatar
    ticki2
    Explorer
    Jun 29, 2022
    The rules vary from campground to campground , you need to ask . Most of the time it’s a matter of consideration and accessibility. Being in a tent surrounded by RV’s is not wonderful. I know I don’t care to be sandwiched between 40’ MH’s , even in my TC . Sometimes is so the view is not completely blocked from those across the road . Most tent sites don’t have hookups . Sometimes it doesn’t matter at all .
  • Slymer's avatar
    Slymer
    Explorer
    Jun 29, 2022
    When we booked Fishing Bridge campground in Yellowstone the rep on the phone asked me three times if there was ANY canvas on our TC,...ie: was it a pop up? It wasn’t a pop up so he booked us in. We found out later that no tents or canvass was allowed in that particular campground because it was on a grizzly migration path. I can assure you our bbq was back in the truck before dark. It’s possible some campgrounds may reserve sites for tents so they at least have somewhere to set up. This doesn’t make sense though if an RV site is right next to a tent-only site.

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