Tent Only Camp Sites

I had the same question concerning my 6.0 when I wanted to camp in IN.  I was told that "if it has wheels, it's considered an RV".  Probably best to call ahead and check with the campground that you want to use.

[david]

I agree that the generally accepted principle is that if it is designated tent only, that means something you bring in on your back, not on wheels. Tent campers enjoy the more rustic environment and don't want to be disturbed by someone backing a trailer in to a tent only site next to them.

But there are lots of multi purpose sites that are quite rustic and are as nice as most tent only sites. They usually don't have hookups but who needs hookups if you want a rustic experience. I look for smaller campgrounds or specific sites that have limited RV length specs- usually 20'. This doesn't always work because some of the best sites have long entrance roads that can accommodate a long RV but are nice and private, but in general it works.

Allstays is a great app for screening campgrounds. Their summary usually indicates if it is tent only and also gives maximum RV length for the whole campground. You have to click on the campground's web site to find specific site length accommodations and not all campground web sites give that information.

David

[admin]

I tend to assume if a site is labeled as Tent with no other references then it is not available for use with the QS. However I have been to a state park here in NC where they labeled some sites for tents simply because it had no water or electric. Long story short, there is no hard and fast rule so a phone call is usually my first choice before making a reservation.

-Sean

[chuck893]

I think it'll probably vary quite a bit from state to state. In Wisconsin, so far as I know, if a site is accessible from the road and the trailer will fit, it can be there. Wisconsin (for the most part) makes tent-only sites inaccessible to anything else. They're often designated "walk-in," and may be fenced and gated at the road to make it pretty obvious. Most of the time there is a designated parking area for the walk-ins only. Every Wisconsin state park we've ever been in (a lot) has basically two types of site: electric and primitive. The difference is just the electric. There are no "full hookups," no sewer or water, so you must use your tanks. There are hydrants of course, for filling containers. So far as I know, a tenter is welcome to pitch on an electric site, but most use primitive (non-electric) sites, or walk in. Electric sites are a few bucks more per night so maybe cost is a factor. I've often said that Rose, our 8.1, can fit just about anywhere a tent will. If the site is clearly walk-in-only that rules it out. I've also noticed that in a lot of RV parks (KOA's for example) they will welcome Rose in the tent areas on the grass. In fact, a QS is less damaging to grass than a tent; there is no footprint. 

Here's a shot of Rose in the tent area of Spokane KOA, where we've stayed now three times. 
[a href="https://flic.kr/p/cU5BVJ"]
, on Flickr

[stevesanders]

It's gong to vary from campground to campground.

Several years ago I took a motorcycle/camping trip with a couple of other guys to Daytona Beach and Key West.  I pulled a tent camper that was designed to be pulled with a motorcycle.  We stayed at KOA campgrounds in South Daytona Beach and Sugarloaf Key.  Both campgrounds considered my trailer to be a tent and let the three of us, and our three tents, share one tent site.

[aznighthiker]

Public land and private campgrounds are managed different but if a camp host knows you and you camper they may let you in a tent only camp site. We have a quicksilver camper and do not use a battery or a generator, so this may be why at times if the campground is nearly full we have been allowed to use a tent only site.