Finding Campsites for R1s

[Aardvark]

@Ckwest , it sounds like you already got a negative response from CA Parks, but I wonder if you were asking the right question. We've camped in CO, NM, AZ, and SD. Almost all state and national parks ban "cars" from RV-only sites. We always look for a tent site with either 50 A or 30A electrical hookup. We always use a tent, but in these sites I'm pretty sure you could just sleep in your car.
Last year at Golden Gate State Park in CO, we were 2 spots down from a Rivian couple that did just that.

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[Gurule92]

I use hipcamp to reserve spots here's a link if you want to try it out. Id filter down to tent camping spots and pick up a tent

https://www.hipcamp.com/i/connorg97d51e

 

[JM.]

Least surprising thing I've read today

Glad I could give you some enjoyment, it was calculated. You know why they have generator rules right?

 

[babock]

We camp all the time in CA but not with our Rivian. I have seen literally hundreds of people camping in their cars in CA state parks, county parks, US forest service campgrounds and US National park campgrounds!

 

[JM.]

We camp all the time in CA but not with our Rivian. I have seen literally hundreds of people camping in their cars in CA state parks, county parks, US forest service campgrounds and US National park campgrounds!

Yeah, it's common. Do not ask the squirrel police for permission, just do it.

 

[Rivian Owner]

The homeless in CA must be better off than I thought if they can afford a Rivian ! I'd ask for forgiveness instead of permission. I don't think a lot of people will bother you to make sure you don't Homestead the property. With the DOGE cuts, I have a feeling the National Parks will be unmonitored as DOGE fired most of the staff. Just go have fun and beg ignorance if you get questioned.

 

[Jakelake]

Camp where you want. Better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission. If you have your stove, cooking equipment set up, and camp chairs set out no one, but a real jerk camp host, is going to say anything. And even then they might just say you have to leave. But if YOU are not the jerk , they will most likely say enjoy your stay. Most camp hosts don't know about Rivians and the comfort afforded with heat and AC. Show them your set up, give them a tour of your vehicle, and they most likely will be very impressed and welcome you. Your other option is to go to BLM land and camp anywhere. No one can tell you to leave, it's your land. Plus you might learn how important it is that Federal and State governments don't open this land up for mining and development. Much of "our" land will go away if that happens. Out West BLM land is all over. National Forest land can be used the same way but you have to be careful you are not on private property. Lots of National Forrest has private land grandfathered in for private use. It was there before the forest was designated National Forest.

 

[JM.]

The homeless in CA must be better off than I thought if they can afford a Rivian

Joke aside, you know that a shitload of people became homeless while having a high end vehicle right? Because they overspent on credit and then failed.

Also, the state parks can't discriminate between a 1974 Pinto and a Rivian, unlike private places which often have an RV age limit.

 

[Ckwest]

My phone call:

So I can sleep in a trailer? Yes. Any kind of trailer? Um, yeah. So an open motorcycle trailer is a trailer and I can sleep "in" in it right?

Uuuuhhhm, well...

And if I get up in the middle of the night and go sit in my car and stare out the windshield that's ok, I'm camping "in" the trailer not the car?

............Well...

What if I fall asleep, am I now camping in the car?

So anyway, I booked it, had my empty motorcycle trailer, popped open my tent, and slept in the car. Fuck 'em.

Good advice - funny and sounds like my calls - I’m like I’m not homeless - it’s a Rivian!!

That is not correct

you mean we CAN sleep
In our SUV in CA State Parks?

So
What they say may not matter. Ask them to quote the rule against this.

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=21300

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1029

As it says nothing about type of camping you can do, then it's ok. Is that your point?

 

[babock]

you mean we CAN sleep
In our SUV in CA State Parks?

Yes....you can sleep in your SUV.

I see it all the time and nobody is being harassed.

We are retired...we use a travel trailer and camp often. We often have people sleeping in the site next to us. Our friend has a Toyota 4Runner and he camps with us and many other times and sleeps in his SUV. He has never been harassed.

I also see people sleeping on the ground in sleeping bags. I guess JM is going to come out and say you can't do that either.

 

[Ckwest]

Yes....you can sleep in your SUV.

I see it all the time and nobody is being harassed.

We are retired...we use a travel trailer and camp often. We often have people sleeping in the site next to us. Our friend has a Toyota 4Runner and he camps with us and many other times and sleeps in his SUV. He has never been harassed

Thanks so much!

 

[j.w.s]

Ok - we were all excited to go camping, but found out that we can’t sleep in the back of our SUV in most RV parks.

Some campsites require renting.

Soo - where does one camp? How does it work??

I have camped twice in the Rivian, in California, with no issues at all, save for lots of questions in the morning about what a "Rivian" is from a number of other campers.

 

[Ckwest]

I have camped twice in the Rivian, in California, with no issues at all, save for lots of questions in the morning about what a "Rivian" is from a number of other campers.

Happy to answer those questions....and good to know.....after all the comments we were thinking to buy the cheap tent....but maybe don't need to do that

 

[JM.]

I guess JM is going to come out and say you can't do that either.

I'm the one saying you CAN sleep in the campgrounds.

 

[Eeyore]

I have camped twice in the Rivian, in California, with no issues at all, save for lots of questions in the morning about what a "Rivian" is from a number of other campers.

I know it says Rivian on it, but who makes it? Is it a Tesla?

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