Michigan Moving to Ban RV Overnight Parking at Rest Areas

The Michigan Department of Transportation has proposed a new set of administrative rules that would officially ban overnight RV stays at rest areas, scenic turnouts, welcome centers, and similar facilities. The rules were filed with the Secretary of State on June 26, 2025, and will take effect immediately upon approval unless a specific delay is triggered by certain provisions.

So what’s changing, and who does it affect?

How the Proposed Rules Work

The core issue lies in how the rules define “camping.”

Under Rule R 247.601(b)(ii), camping includes “the parking and occupancy of an enclosed, self-contained camping unit.” That covers motorhomes, travel trailers, camper vans, and other RVs if someone is staying inside them.

Then in Rule R 247.621(7)(j), camping is explicitly listed as a prohibited activity at all highway motorist service areas. These include:

• Rest areas
• Scenic turnouts
• Picnic sites
• Welcome centers
• Roadside parks
• Emergency pull-offs
• Parking areas

Basically, if you’re parking an RV at one of these facilities and sleeping in it, even just overnight, it would be considered illegal under the proposed regulations.

You’d still be allowed to stop, stretch, use the restrooms, and take a break. But once you’re inside your RV catching some Zs, you’re technically camping, and that’s no longer allowed without prior written permission from MDOT.

What About Time Limits?

There is a 48-hour time limit for parking under R 247.621(7)(g), but that only applies to “parking or storing vehicles, cargo, and trailers.” It does not override the camping restriction. So even staying for a few hours to sleep in your RV would be a violation if the rule is adopted as written.

Are Any Exceptions Allowed?

Yes, but they’re narrow. The rules allow for “official permission,” which means you would need a specific permit or written letter from a designated transportation official. That’s not a quick stop solution; it’s more like a formal request process, something most travelers aren’t going to deal with for a rest area nap.

The rules also say facilities may be closed or limited at the department’s discretion, and that rest areas, roadside parks, and picnic sites are already considered seasonal or limited-use in many cases.

Penalties and Enforcement

Violating any part of these new rules could be considered a misdemeanor under Rule R 247.633. That’s a criminal offense, not just a parking ticket.

It’s unclear how actively this rule would be enforced, but it gives the state the legal right to ticket or prosecute anyone violating the ban.

What It Means for RVers

If approved, this would formally restrict a common practice many RVers rely on, overnighting at rest stops when other options are unavailable, unsafe, or too far away. Michigan would join a growing list of states tightening rest area policies, even as boondocking becomes more popular.

No public comment period was mentioned in the filing, and since this is an administrative rule change (not a new law), it could take effect quickly. As written, the rules would go into effect immediately upon filing, unless exceptions under Michigan’s Administrative Procedures Act apply.

Read the official proposal here.