Large RV and Trailer Parking Requirements at USFS Campgrounds

Information reproduced from the USDA Accessibility Guidebook for Outdoor Recreation and Trails.

Large recreational vehicle (RV) and trailer parking requirements at US Forest Service (USFS) facilities are covered in section 3.1 of the Forest Service Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Guidelines (FSORAG). The graphic on the right is representative of a large RV with a wheelchair lift.

The minimum number of 20-foot (6-meter) wide vehicle parking areas required in USFS campgrounds with units designed for large RVs and trailers is based on the number of camping units at the facility. See the table below.

Recreation Vehicle Parking Spaces Required at Campground

Using the table above, in a 50-unit campground that accommodates large RVs and trailers, a minimum of three (3) vehicle parking areas must be at least 20 feet (6 meters) wide. The vehicle parking areas for the remaining 47 camping units must be at least 16 feet (4.88 meters) wide.

There are separate slope requirements for vehicle parking areas and driveways because of the different functions they perform. The slope of the vehicle parking area should not exceed 1:48 (2 percent) in any direction. However, when the surface is not paved or built with boards, slopes up to 1:33 (3 percent) in any direction are allowed when needed for proper drainage.

When designing a new campground, remember that table 3 shows minimum requirements. Larger RVs and trailers with bump-out sections are increasingly common. Areas where many recreationists use larger RVs and trailers may require providing more camping units with a 20-foot (6-meter) -wide vehicle parking area.

FSORAG has USFS requirements for parking area or spur width, but not length. Length of parking area spurs depends on the terrain and the type of vehicles that are expected to use the parking area. Ordinary parking lots are normally designed with 18-20 foot long parking spaces to accommodate passenger vehicles, so parking areas should be at least 18-20 feet long. A large trailer with a towing vehicle could be up to 60 feet (18 meters) long and a bus-style recreational vehicle (RV) could be up to 45 feet (14 meters) long.

SUMMARY: USFS campgrounds have minimum parking space requirements for large RVs and trailers covered in section 3.1 of FSORAG. The minimum width of parking spaces is covered in FSORAG, but not the length. Areas where many recreationists use larger RVs and trailers may require providing more camping units with a 20-foot (6-meter) wide vehicle parking area.

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