• Home
  • About
  • Campsites
  • Knowledge Base
  • Blog
  • Ask a Question
  • Home
  • About
  • Campsites
  • Knowledge Base
  • Blog
  • Ask a Question
home/Knowledge Base/Arizona/Arizona Rest Area Rules

Arizona Rest Area Rules

19118 views 64 August 13, 2020 Updated on September 1, 2023

Can you park overnight at an Arizona Rest Area? How many hours can you stay at an Arizona Rest Area? Is camping permitted at an Arizona Rest Area?

arizona rest area
Ajo Mountain Wayside, AZ-85, 20 miles south of Ajo, AZ

Arizona Rest Area Rules

These are the “official” rules that apply to all Arizona Rest Areas maintained by ADOT (Arizona Department of Transportation)…

  • Please keep pets on leash and clean up after your pets
  • Keep all vehicles in the parking area
  • Place trash and recycles in the receptacles provided
  • Please use water wisely, every drop counts

The following are prohibited in the rest area

  • Unauthorized solicitation or advertising
  • Camping/campfires
  • Vandalism of any kind
  • Unloading Livestock
  • Dumping of sewage and household trash
  • Salvaging from trash and/or recycle receptacles

Can You Park Overnight at an Arizona Rest Area?

Yes. ADOT does not specifically prohibit parking your vehicle or RV overnight at a rest area. As long as you and your vehicle do not cross the line into “camping” you’re welcome to park overnight at an Arizona Rest Area.

Can You Sleep Overnight at an Arizona Rest Area?

Yes. ADOT welcomes travelers to sleep in their vehicles at all Arizona Rest Areas. One of the primary goals for a rest area is to promote safety, which is why ADOT uses the term, “Safety Rest Area”. You are not allowed to “camp” at a rest area, however.

How Many Hours Can You Stay at an Arizona Rest Area?

There is no policy adopted by ADOT limiting the number of hours you can stay at a rest area. But that is not to stay you can stay there indefinitely. One of the purposes of rest areas is to support safe driving. You’re expected to leave the rest area once you have rested enough to resume driving safely.

How Does ADOT Define “Camping” at Rest Areas?

ADOT does not have an official definition of “camping” with respect to enforcing its prohibition on camping. It would be up to a highway patrol officer to make that determination. However, you are allowed to sleep overnight in your vehicle. So, what is difference between camping and sleeping in your vehicle?

Generally, the difference is recreation. That is, if an officer determines that you are at a rest area for enjoyment, rather than rest, they could argue you are camping. For example, if you are sleeping in your vehicle, AND you have rolled out the awning on your RV, or put out your leveling jacks, or your patio chairs, this could be construed as camping. If you and other members of your party are sitting outside your vehicle, enjoying a meal and watching the stars, that could be construed as camping.

If you have pitched a tent on the ground, or made some other temporary shelter, that could be construed as camping.

However, if you remain in your vehicle, aside from using the restroom facilities, or using the facility picnic tables, you’re generally fine to remain overnight.

Your best bet is to not make a scene, and not draw attention. The more you remain inconspicuous, and under the radar, the more you will be left alone to remain overnight.

Where to Find a List of Arizona Rest Areas

We have published a map of all known Arizona rest areas. Visit, “Arizona Rest Area Map“.

More About Boondocking in Arizona

  • A Guide to Boondocking in Arizona
  • Camping Laws and Regulations in Arizona

More About Overnighting at Rest Areas & Truck Stops

Available at Amazon.com...

Truck Stop & Rest Area Guidebook: A comprehensive database of travel stops across America and Canada including Alaska Paperback – June 30, 2020, by A.J. Ford, Clifford T. Hall Ph.D.
Interstate Rest Areas: Guide to 1,451 Rest Areas along Interstate Highways Paperback – May 5, 2022, by William C Herow
The Ultimate Truck Parking Guide 9th Edition Paperback – January 18, 2020, by LeRoy D Clemmer

Note: the above list of books are not endorsed by Boondocker's Bible, but are recommended because they provide information relevant to this article. Boondocker's Bible will earn a commission on the sales of these books to help support our goal of providing free boondocking education to the public.

Tags:ArizonaRest Areas

Was this helpful?

64 Yes  1 No
Related Articles
  • 12 Free Camping Sites Near Sedona, AZ
  • Can You Remove Small Plants from Arizona State Trust Land?
  • Dispersed Camping Near Lake Havasu, AZ
  • Is Nude Camping Legal in Arizona?
  • Arizona Camping Laws
  • Army Corps of Engineers Campgrounds in Arizona

Didn't find your answer? Contact Us

1 thought on “Arizona Rest Area Rules”
  • GOD says:
    Reply

    Well done, answered the question simply and thoroughly. Now everyone get some rest.

    November 14, 2020 at 7:05 pm
Leave A Comment Cancel reply

  Arizona Rest Area Map

boondockers bible logo footer

We answer your questions about Boondocking, Free Camping, and Overnight Parking using facts and actual experiences. Dispell the myths of boondocking and arm yourself with the laws and truths. Elevate your RVing and car-camping and become a boondocker!

Useful Help Links
  • Weekly Boondocking Series
  • About Us
  • Ask a Question
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • © 2019-2023 Too Much Tina. All Rights Reserved.