Is overnight parking allowed at Nevada Rest Areas? How many hours can you stay at a Nevada Rest Area? Is camping permitted at Nevada Rest Areas?
Nevada Rest Area Rules
Note: the rules presented below are not the “word-for-word” rest area rules. They have been edited for easier reading. You can see the full text of the rules, word-for-word, at, “Rules for Using Rest Areas in Nevada”
The follow rest area rules were adopted by the Nevada Department of Transportation and codified into Nevada Administrative Code under Title 408.595 through 408.615…
- Parking, camping, or occupancy is limited to 18 hours in any 2-week period.
- All animals and pets must be on a leash.
- Fires are not permitted, except for in a barbecue or gas grill.
- Trash receptacles may only be used for waste accumulated while traveling. You cannot dump trash brought in from home.
- Do not dump waste water anywhere, except in a RV dump station designed for such purpose.
- A sewer hose must be used when dumping tanks.
- Commercial vehicles cannot use RV dump stations.
- Commercial vehicles cannot use the rest area for unloading or transferring cargo.
- Exhibiting or using firearms or weapons is prohibited.
- Loitering near any toilet facility is prohibited.
- Drunkenness is prohibited.
- Any use of the electricity in a restroom to operate a home appliance is prohibited.
- Detaching a trailer from the tow vehicle is prohibited, except in the case of emergency repairs
What Does 18 Hours in any 2-Week Period Mean?
It means that starting with the first Nevada rest area you arrive at, you have 18 hours to spend at all rest areas in the state, over the next two weeks. For example, if you are driving through Nevada, you can spend 8 hours at one rest area, and then 8 hours at another rest area, and then just 2 more hours at another (18 hours total). Once you have exhausted 18 hours, you cannot stay at another Nevada Rest Area for two weeks, starting from the date/time of the first rest area you arrived at.
Is Overnight Parking Permitted at Nevada Rest Areas?
Yes. You are allowed to park overnight as long as you do not remain longer than 18 hours over a 2-week period.
Can You Sleep Overnight at a Nevada Rest Area?
Yes. Sleeping in your vehicle is permitted at Nevada Rest Areas. Because the purpose of rest areas is to promote safe driving, sleeping or napping in your vehicle is allowed.
Is Camping Permitted at Nevada Rest Areas?
Technically, yes. The Nevada DOT actually states in its first rule that you are allowed to camp at a rest area, just not for longer than 18 hours in a 2-week period. The Nevada DOT does not define what “camping” is with respect to rest areas. They do not have any other rules that prohibit you from pitching a tent or sleeping on the grass at rest areas.