Parking a Truck Camper at a Tent Only space in Yellowstone

[jimh406]

Can I park a Truck Camper at a Tent Only space in Yellowstone? There are some spaces marked as Large Tent Only but with 2 vehicles, for instance.

As far as Yellowstone is concerned is my Truck with Camper a vehicle? 🙂 Has anyone used one these Tent Only spaces in Yellowstone with their Truck with Camper?

[rider997]

skipro3 wrote:
It was explained to me this way when I asked about my TC in a tent-only camp spot;
No. How would you like it if a tent was in an RV only spot?

He went on to explain that every spot would be filled with RV's/TC's if they allowed 'em into tent only spots.

He said tent-only spots were originated because RV's would always take every spot and tenters would never get one. Tent campers stay a few nights, RV's usually longer.

Anyways, that's how it was explained to me at Yellowstone.

I've often been granted leave to camp in a "tent-only" spot, with the caveat that each day I needed to check in with the ranger to ensure that there were still available "tent-only" spots in the campground. If all of the tent-only spots were consumed before check-in time, I would have had to have moved. There are many areas in which the tent-only sites seldom fill up, and the rangers and/or CG hosts would rather see the site occupied than sitting empty - with the caveat of no generators.

I typically dry camp, and I greatly enjoy going to campgrounds off-season where the tent loop is completely abandoned (and the RV section is loud and fully packed). Almost without exception I'm allowed to camp in the wide open, deserted "tent only" area once I've explained that no, I don't need electricity, I don't need water, I don't need sewer, and I don't carry a generator...

[Ski_Pro_3]

It was explained to me this way when I asked about my TC in a tent-only camp spot;
No. How would you like it if a tent was in an RV only spot?

He went on to explain that every spot would be filled with RV's/TC's if they allowed 'em into tent only spots.

He said tent-only spots were originated because RV's would always take every spot and tenters would never get one. Tent campers stay a few nights, RV's usually longer.

Anyways, that's how it was explained to me at Yellowstone.

[westernrvparkow]

dave17352 wrote:

Boatycall wrote:
Uhh boy... ok, I did... Twice. Not at YSNP, but here locally at Mt Rainier Nat'l Park. In both cases, the RV parking was full, and my truck/TC easily fit into the parking spot of the first-come first-serve tent area spot I found, so i parked there.

I then proceeded to put up a small 2-person tent I keep with me.

Both occasions, nobody said anything, and in fact, on one of the times I shared coffee with the people next door to me the following morning.

I think if you do/or are able to park in a tent space, respect the peace and quite the tenters came for -- No generator, no roof air, tv, radio, leave outside lights off, etc.

I agree with this.

"Tents only" rules are yet another example of stuff that was just made up for no reason. Can't imagine a Park Ranger actually enforcing such a rule. They have such a reputation for being lenient on rule after rule. And why not run your generator, your television, your roof air and turn on your outside lights? Any prohibition against those activities are just a bunch of rules like the tent only rule and should actively be disregarded.
If people would just take the initiative to take what they want, and not only what some bureaucrat decided they should have, the world would soon be a better place. I mean, why should a tent camper have a site free from motorhomes, fifth wheels and the like. If you can drive your rig in, you should park it wherever the heck you want. And who needs roads, a good 4x4 pickup in low range should get you where you want to go. Also, if you should encounter a fire ban during your stay, just cut down a few trees and light them on up. The park has billions of trees and no one will miss one or two. There is an entire infrastructure built to battle wildfires, so no one can say they don't plan for them. No big deal if one gets started from your campfire.

[dave17352]

Boatycall wrote:
Uhh boy... ok, I did... Twice. Not at YSNP, but here locally at Mt Rainier Nat'l Park. In both cases, the RV parking was full, and my truck/TC easily fit into the parking spot of the first-come first-serve tent area spot I found, so i parked there.

I then proceeded to put up a small 2-person tent I keep with me.

Both occasions, nobody said anything, and in fact, on one of the times I shared coffee with the people next door to me the following morning.

I think if you do/or are able to park in a tent space, respect the peace and quite the tenters came for -- No generator, no roof air, tv, radio, leave outside lights off, etc.

I agree with this.

[Domo]

We often call ahead.

then we can always ask the question about trailer versus tent.

Use your tools and save the aggravation then simply sleep well and enjoy your travels.

I was sorry to hear you were rejected. Real bummer at the end of the day.

[Boatycall]

Uhh boy... ok, I did... Twice. Not at YSNP, but here locally at Mt Rainier Nat'l Park. In both cases, the RV parking was full, and my truck/TC easily fit into the parking spot of the first-come first-serve tent area spot I found, so i parked there.

I then proceeded to put up a small 2-person tent I keep with me.

Both occasions, nobody said anything, and in fact, on one of the times I shared coffee with the people next door to me the following morning.

I think if you do/or are able to park in a tent space, respect the peace and quite the tenters came for -- No generator, no roof air, tv, radio, leave outside lights off, etc.

[narcodog]

Here's the thing with Madison CG they have walk in sites and they have drive up tent sites. The drive in tent sites are to short for anything but a vehicle, no tow behinds. As a result they are inter-dispersed between the other RV's. So a short bed TC will fit in the space, a long bed or one with a slide in all likelihood will not fit.

Know your facts...

[Geewizard]

I found this thread pretty amusing too. How could you misinterpret "Tent Only" camping? Because you want to park your RV in with all the tents and you're tired of driving?

Kind of like you can "ignore" the signs that say "Stay on the boardwalk. Thin crust over boiling hot springs" because you want to walk out and look at the geysers up close in Yellowstone?

These kind of questions, when asked of the Park Rangers, are what cause them just shake their heads in amazement.

[bcbouy]

this thread really made me laugh. we were at a campground this weekend. as soon as you start up the road,big sign,no dirt bikes or atv's permitted beyond this point.our neighbour ran his atv in and out of the campground exactly once before the parkies turfed him.another camper decided the no cutting of standing or downed trees permitted didn't apply to him.he filled up his entire box of his truck before he too was tossed. i can see how tent camping only is pretty vague.

[narcodog]

I did not read all of the posts but I will say that two years ago I pulled in kinda late in the afternoon. All sites were RV sites were full but there were plenty of tent sites. The ticket taker gave me one, I was very appreciative.

[Kayteg1]

I wonder if you can set a tent and park camper at auxiliary parking?

[toedtoes]

anutami wrote:
What a great thread!! We have always been able to park in Tent only places but just had our first rejection at Crater Lake National Park 2 nights ago! I was a bit pissed about it. We drove all the way to Indian Flat campground and about 8pm pretty tired from driving all the way from Lassen. We parked in the campsite and on the picnic table it said if your rig has a toilet you cannot camp there! I wished we brought our tent to pitch in the campsite, but we had to drive to mazama campround and pay $35 for a site there. Boy they are making it harder and harder to enjoy campsites anymore.

Even if you have pitched a tent, they would have sent you away - it's not a tent & RV site, it's a tent ONLY site.

As for the ability to enjoy campsites anymore, I suspect there are a lot of folks thrilled with the policy.

[anutami]

What a great thread!! We have always been able to park in Tent only places but just had our first rejection at Crater Lake National Park 2 nights ago! I was a bit pissed about it. We drove all the way to Indian Flat campground and about 8pm pretty tired from driving all the way from Lassen. We parked in the campsite and on the picnic table it said if your rig has a toilet you cannot camp there! I wished we brought our tent to pitch in the campsite, but we had to drive to mazama campround and pay $35 for a site there. Boy they are making it harder and harder to enjoy campsites anymore.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

I wonder if the "fear" is that anyone with a "vehicle with amenities" will be running a genny, and disturbing that lovely tenting "peace and quiet"?

[qtla9111]

We were in Oregon last year and stayed at many of their state parks. Their tent sites are water only. We asked and they said if you can fit you can stay. Best sites in the parks we went to. We are only 24ft, had no issues and we had a great time with the tenters. Met a neighbor who was from the town where I live in Mexico.

It's just another site for rent.