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home/Knowledge Base/Overnight Parking/Oregon Rest Area Rules

Oregon Rest Area Rules

22799 views 49 August 11, 2020 Updated on August 8, 2023

Is overnight parking permitted at an Oregon Rest Area? How many hours can you stay at an Oregon Rest Area? Is camping permitted at an Oregon Rest Area?

oregon rest area
French Prairie Rest Area NB, I-5, Oregon

Oregon Rest Area Rules

The following rest area rules were adopted by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and are current as of this writing (August 11, 2020). These rules were edited for easier reading. For the full (word for word) text of the regulations, please visit, “Rules for Using Rest Areas in Oregon“…

As described in Oregon Administrative Rule 734-030-0010, to preserve state property and increase health and safety in Department rest areas, the following activities are prohibited:

  • Remaining in a rest area for more than 12 hours within any 24-hour period,
  • Setting up a tent or other structure, or camping,
  • Lighting a fire (except for portable barbecues and gas stoves),
  • Picking, removing, or damaging plant life or forest products,
  • Hunting, trapping, or injuring birds or animals,
  • Discharging a firearm, bow and arrow, or other weapon,
  • Discharging fireworks, explosives, or other similar devices,
  • Mutilating, defacing, damaging or removing any property, structure or facility,
  • Digging up, defacing, or removing any dirt, stone, rock, or other natural substance,
  • Operating a concession or selling merchandise, food, or services,
  • Smoking in a restroom building or within 20 feet of a restroom building,
  • Operating a motor vehicle in any area not intended for motor vehicles,
  • Parking a motor vehicle outside the designated parking area or parking in violation of any posted parking regulation,
  • Allowing a pet to run loose,
  • Allowing livestock to run at large,
  • Placing a poster, flyer, sign or other marker in or on any utility pole, sign post, building or other facility in a rest area,
  • Depositing garbage, recyclables, or refuse of any kind except in designated containers,
  • Dumping, spilling or allowing to leak any sewage, waste water, or other substance from the vehicle,
  • Using a restroom to bathe or wash clothing, dishes or other materials,
  • Participating in a disturbance or riotous or other behavior,
  • Obstructing, harassing or interfering with a Department of Transportation or Travel Information Council employee,
  • Creating noise by any means which interferes with the reasonable use of the rest area by other visitors

Failure to comply with rest area regulations governing health and safety in a rest area may result in a Class B violation. Upon receipt of a citation the person must leave the rest area immediately.

The rules of use for other rest opportunities are determined by the entity that provides the facility and may vary based on the site.

Is Overnight Parking Permitted at Oregon Rest Areas?

Yes. As long as your vehicle remains parked for no more than 12 hours, overnight parking is permitted at all Oregon Rest Areas.

Can You Sleep Overnight at an Oregon Rest Area?

Yes. You are permitted to sleep overnight in your vehicle while at an Oregon Rest Area. You just cannot stay beyond 12 hours. It’s worth noting that you must be inside your vehicle while sleeping overnight. This is because sleeping outside, either on the ground or on a bench could be construed as camping.

Can You Camp at an Oregon Rest Area?

No. The second rule prohibits camping.

The difference between “camping” and “sleeping in a vehicle” is generally based on recreational use. Most state transportation departments and law enforcement agencies look to see if you’ve rolled out your awning, set out patio chairs, put down your leveling jacks, etc. They could make the argument that you are camping. But if you are inside your RV sleeping, with nothing else set up, then they consider that as just “sleeping in a vehicle”.

Sleeping in a vehicle is permitted at Oregon rest areas, just as long as you don’t go over 12 hours.

Where Can I Get a List of All Oregon Rest Areas?

You can view of a map of all Oregon Rest Areas at, “Oregon Rest Area Map“

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:Overnight ParkingOregonRest Areas

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5 thoughts on “Oregon Rest Area Rules”
  • John C Mansfield says:
    Reply

    Rogue river rest stop has a 4 hour stop limit on how long you can for

    March 19, 2021 at 10:42 am
  • Laura says:
    Reply

    Brookings has a 4-hour rule also.

    July 20, 2022 at 10:20 pm
  • Russell Dilbeck says:
    Reply

    I had not not see or notice the sign boards or marks on the third large parking area, and I was sick and vomited for over 12 hours rules. I was not aware of oregon rest area rules and my rv parked in the third large parking area without sign boards or marks on parking. I got a notice paper which say the rules. Oh, I see and I am sorry that I hurt your rules. This is my first time for that. Very sorry.

    September 7, 2023 at 5:30 pm
  • Russell Dilbeck says:
    Reply

    I forgot to say ; parked at French Praire Rest Area and License Plate : 8RQE552

    September 7, 2023 at 11:40 pm
  • Russell Dilbeck says:
    Reply

    California

    September 7, 2023 at 11:40 pm
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