Rules · the United States

Dispersed camping and overnight RV parking in the United States: what the rules say

On BLM public land dispersed camping is generally limited to 14 days within any 28-day period, and National Forests usually allow 14 days outside developed campgrounds, but both vary by local order. In National Parks, parking a motor home for the apparent purpose of overnight occupancy counts as camping, which is only allowed in designated sites. Rest-area limits are set by each state.[1][4][9][10][12]

Last reviewed October 13, 2026 against the primary sources listed below. Covers federal public land (BLM, Forest Service, National Park Service) and Interstate rest areas. State parks, cities and private land have their own rules. This is a summary of the law, not legal advice: local signs and bylaws can be stricter.

At a glance

WhereVerdictDetails
BLM public land, outside developed sitesAllowed with limitsGenerally 14 days in any 28-day period, unless posted "Closed to Camping"; limits vary by state and field office.[1][2]
National Forest, outside developed campgroundsAllowed with limitsUsually 14 days; each forest sets its own limit by order.[4][6]
National Park, outside designated campgrounds (incl. sleeping in a parked RV)Not allowedCamping outside designated sites or areas is prohibited, and an RV parked for overnight occupancy is camping.[9][10]
Interstate rest areaDepends on local rulesNo federal time limit; states set them (Oregon: 12 hours in any 24).[12][13]
Emptying holding tanks on public landNot allowedOnly at places or receptacles provided for that purpose.[3][11][8]

Where you can stay and service your RV in the United States

RV stopovers & parking
74
Of those, recorded free
25
Campgrounds
33,001
RV dump stations
1,672

Counts of places mapped in OpenStreetMap; 34% of aires and parking places are tagged free. Being on the map doesn't make overnighting legal at a spot: check its page and the signs.

Find the nearest RV dump station

BLM public land: the 14-day rule

The Bureau of Land Management says most BLM land allows dispersed camping unless an area is posted "Closed to Camping", and that dispersed camping is generally limited to 14 days within any 28-day period, though limits vary by state and field office.[1]

After reaching the stay limit, BLM says visitors must move to a new location, often at least 25 to 30 miles away. The exact distance is set locally.[1]

The federal regulation itself sets no number of days: it prohibits camping longer than the period permitted by the authorized officer (43 CFR 8365.1-2(a)).[2]

BLM's recommended practices: use sites that are already disturbed, camp within 150 feet of designated routes, stay at least 200 feet from lakes, rivers and streams, and don't camp within 1 mile of campgrounds, trailheads or picnic areas.[1]

National Forests: dispersed camping

The Forest Service defines dispersed camping as camping anywhere in the National Forest outside a designated campground. Its Pacific Southwest Region says you may stay "usually 14 days", which some areas limit further, and that dispersed camping is typically not allowed near developed recreation areas such as campgrounds, picnic areas or trailheads.[4]

Stay limits are set forest by forest, by order under 36 CFR 261.58(a). For example, Caribou-Targhee National Forest allows no more than 14 days in any 30-day period at the same dispersed area, after which you must move at least 5 road miles.[6][5]

Distances from water differ: the Pacific Southwest Region says not to camp within 150 feet of any water source; Caribou-Targhee asks for at least 100 feet from any stream and a campsite within 150 feet of a roadway. Check the forest's own page.[4][5]

Blocking, restricting or otherwise interfering with the use of a road, trail or gate is prohibited on National Forest land (36 CFR 261.12(d)).[7]

National Parks: designated sites only

In National Park Service areas the superintendent may designate sites or areas for camping, and camping outside designated sites or areas is prohibited (36 CFR 2.10(a) and (b)(10)).[10]

The regulations define camping to include parking a motor vehicle, motor home or trailer for the apparent purpose of overnight occupancy (36 CFR 1.4). So sleeping in an RV at a trailhead or pullout is camping.[9]

Unless designated, camping is also prohibited within 25 feet of a water hydrant or main road, or within 100 feet of a flowing stream, river or body of water (36 CFR 2.10(b)(3)).[10]

Rest areas

The federal rest-area regulation (23 CFR 752) covers what facilities rest areas should provide; it sets no time limit for stays. Limits come from each state.[12]

Oregon, for example, prohibits camping or remaining in a rest area for more than 12 hours within any 24-hour period, and dumping or leaking sewage or waste water from a vehicle.[13]

Emptying black and gray water

On BLM land it is prohibited to drain sewage from any trailer or other vehicle except in places or receptacles provided for that purpose (43 CFR 8365.1-1(b)(3)). National Parks prohibit draining refuse from a vehicle except in facilities provided for it (36 CFR 2.14(a)(4)), and National Forests require sewage and waste water to be removed or disposed of at places provided (36 CFR 261.11(d)).[3][11][8]

The EPA warns that emptying a holding tank treated with some chemicals into a septic system, or disposing of tank waste illegally, can create health and environmental hazards.[14]

Use a dump station, or find the nearest one.

Changes to this page

Sources

  1. Camping on Public Lands, Bureau of Land Management. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  2. 43 CFR 8365.1-2 Occupancy and use, eCFR. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  3. 43 CFR 8365.1-1 Sanitation, eCFR. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  4. Dispersed Camping (Pacific Southwest Region), USDA Forest Service. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  5. Dispersed Camping, Caribou-Targhee National Forest, USDA Forest Service. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  6. 36 CFR 261.58 Occupancy and use (prohibitions by order), eCFR. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  7. 36 CFR 261.12 Forest development roads and trails, eCFR. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  8. 36 CFR 261.11 Sanitation, eCFR. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  9. 36 CFR 1.4 What terms do I need to know?, eCFR. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  10. 36 CFR 2.10 Camping and food storage, eCFR. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  11. 36 CFR 2.14 Sanitation and refuse, eCFR. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  12. 23 CFR Part 752 Landscape and roadside development (rest areas), eCFR. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  13. Rest area rules (form 734-2119), Oregon Department of Transportation. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  14. RV wastewater: protect your septic system (EPA 909-F-99-002), US Environmental Protection Agency. Accessed October 13, 2026.

Written and checked by Campervan Atlas against these sources. Spotted a change in the law? Tell us.