Campground Regulations

Reservations: Campground reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made six (6) months in advance of arrival online at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.

Check-in Time: 12:00 pm ET for all campgrounds except Bandy Creek Group Camp which is 2:00 pm ET. Commercial use or resale of campsites is prohibited.

Check-out Time: 12:00 pm ET for all campgrounds. Failure to vacate by assigned time may result in law enforcement action and/or a monetary fine. Any items remaining on the campsite after check-out time will be considered abandoned property.

Late Arrivals: Campers with a reservation arriving after business hours may proceed on to their site. Campers without a reservation arriving after business hours must call 1-877-444-6777 or go online to www.recreation.gov and make a reservation BEFORE setting up on a campsite.

Stay Limits: Camping is limited to 14 consecutive days and a total of 30 cumulative days in a calendar year. Camping and/or sleeping overnight are prohibited except in designated campsites.

Driving and Parking: Campground speed limit is 5 mph. Vehicles are to be parked on the pavement of an assigned site or in designated parking areas. All motorized vehicles operated on public roads must be properly registered and the operators licensed in accordance with state laws.

Campsite Occupant Limit: 6 persons (or immediate family) allowed per campsite. No more than one camping unit may be plugged into the electrical pedestal. All vehicle wheels and trailer wheels must be on the pavement. Parking is available at the bathhouses or next to the swimming pool near Loop A.

Group Site Limits: Groups up to 25 people may make reservations year-round up to one year in advance of arrival date. Registered group campers may only camp within their designated group site. There is an additional fee of $3/person per night if more than 25 persons in the camp.

Food/Drinks: All food and beverages must be stored in a hard-sided container (i.e. vehicles, locked coolers, or other latched storage) when not in use. Food items in use must be closely guarded by campers and their guests to prevent consumption by any wildlife, especially bears. Food items and unlocked coolers left out and unattended are subject to search and may be confiscated.

Quiet Hours: Quiet hours are from 10 pm ET. until 6 am ET. Outside of quiet hours every reasonable effort should be made by campers to maintain peace and tranquility. Please consider your neighbors before turning up the volume.

Generators: Generator use during quiet hours is prohibited. Idling vehicles during quiet hours to charge batteries is also prohibited. Generator use is prohibited in sites 11 through 49 in Loop A. Generator noise levels must not exceed 60 decibels at 50 feet as measured on the A-weighted scale.

Campfires: Fires must be started and contained inside an NPS provided fire ring or a privately owned, self-contained grill. Do not move provided fire-rings. Extinguish all fires before leaving the campground. Do not leave any fire unattended. Do not burn trash and food scraps in fire-rings.

Firewood: We are requesting that firewood not be brought in from outside the park due to non-native insects that can be transported on firewood. Be prepared to buy heat-treated firewood that is bundled and certified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) or a state agency; or collect your wood once you arrive at the campground. Learn more about the emerald ash borer [295 kb PDF]

Pets: Pets must be physically controlled and on a leash no longer than six (6) feet at all times. Owners are responsible for removing pet waste and for the health, welfare and behavior (including barking) of their pet. Pets must never be left unattended in vehicles or elsewhere in the park.

Site Set Up: Tent and other camping equipment must be placed within the gravel tent pad of the designated campsite. Do not hang or tie items on vegetation or fences.

Wastewater: Gray and black water must be emptied at one of the bathhouses or the dump station. Do not drain wastewater on ground. Strain dishwater to remove food particles and dispose strained water in the restroom utility sinks, while disposing food particles in a trash can. Trailers and RVs must empty sewage and wastewater at dump stations.

Trash: All trash must be properly discarded in the dumpsters provided in the park. Please separate trash and recyclables.

Recreational Equipment: Bicycle riders must observe traffic safety regulations and are restricted to public roads, parking areas or designated bicycle paths. Riders under age 16 are required to wear a helmet. Inline skates, skateboards and non-motorized scooters may only be used in Loop F at Bandy Creek Campground.

Security: Don't leave valuables at your site. Don't leave possessions unattended for extended periods of time. Please report all lost and found articles to a ranger or visitor center.

Hammocks: Hammocks may be used within established campsites. Established campsite is defined as within 50 feet of the existing grill/fire pit. They must be at least 20 feet from any public use areas such as trails, water spigots, restrooms, or other facilities. Hammocks may not be connected or tied to any facility. If tied to a tree, the tree must be at least 4 inches in diameter and anchor ropes/webbing must be ½ inch or greater in width. Padding must be used if less than ½ inch in width. Trimming of trees and underbrush is prohibited.

Animal and Plant Life: Wildlife must not be disturbed in any way. Do not interfere with animals by feeding, touching or teasing them. Plant life is protected, too. Do not drive nails into trees or strip bark, leaves or branches from trees or shrubs. Use the lantern posts provided at each site. Do not hang lanterns from trees or loop them over branches or vegetation; these practices always damage and sometimes kill trees and vegetation.

Weapons: Firearms are permitted in accordance with state law, but the use of any weapon on Parkway lands is prohibited. Firearms are prohibited in any government building where posted signs are present.