By Boondocking Magazine Staff
October 2025
Michigan’s Department of Transportation (MDOT) has proposed a new set of regulations that could significantly change how travelers, RVers, and boondockers use the state’s network of rest areas, scenic turnouts, and roadside parks.
Under the draft rules, overnight camping would be explicitly prohibited, and vehicle stays would be limited to a maximum of 48 hours. The proposal also outlines stricter guidelines for parking, waste disposal, alcohol use, and solicitation.
🚫 Key Restrictions in the Proposal
According to MDOT’s public notice, the updated rules would:
- Ban overnight camping and sleeping in vehicles at rest areas and roadside parks.
- Limit vehicle stays to 48 hours within any seven-day period.
- Prohibit alcohol consumption and open containers at all MDOT-managed rest areas.
- Restrict solicitation, loitering, and commercial activity (including selling goods or panhandling).
- Ban the dumping of waste or gray water from RVs or portable tanks unless a designated facility is provided.
MDOT states these updates are meant to modernize decades-old regulations, promote safety, and address issues like littering, vandalism, and misuse of facilities.
🏕️ Why It Matters to Boondockers and Travelers
For Michigan’s large community of road-trippers, vanlifers, and boondockers who rely on rest areas for quick overnights between dispersed camping spots, the rule change could tighten an already limited network of free or low-cost stopovers.
Many travelers currently use MDOT roadside parks for short overnight rests — especially in rural regions where private campgrounds or public lands may be scarce or closed seasonally. The new ban would force overnight parking to move elsewhere, potentially increasing pressure on nearby businesses, trailheads, and National Forest pull-offs.
“This is part of a growing trend across the country,” said a spokesperson for the Michigan Boondocking Alliance. “As state budgets tighten and usage increases, agencies are redefining ‘rest area’ use — but these policies often overlook responsible travelers who simply need a safe, legal place to rest for the night.”
📅 Public Hearing Set for October 22, 2025
A virtual public hearing on the proposed rule changes is scheduled for October 22, 2025, with MDOT inviting written or spoken comments from residents, travelers, and advocacy groups. Participants can submit input online or by mail before the hearing closes.
If adopted, the new rules would take effect sometime in early 2026 following final review by the Secretary of State’s Office and the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules.
🚐 The Bigger Picture
Michigan operates 81 rest areas and 13 scenic turnouts across its highway system. Many of these are used daily by long-haul truckers, travelers, and full-time RVers. For years, rest areas have existed in a gray zone — not officially campgrounds, yet often used for a few hours of sleep.
While the proposed rules wouldn’t affect camping in state or national forests, they could eliminate a last-resort option for boondockers traveling between destinations.
💬 How to Comment
Residents and travelers can share feedback on the proposed rules by visiting:
👉 MDOT Public Hearing Information
Public comments are due before the close of the October 22 session.
Editor’s Note
Boondocking Magazine will follow this story closely. If you travel Michigan’s backroads and rely on rest areas for overnight stops, your feedback could influence the final decision. Send your thoughts or experiences to [email protected] — we may feature reader perspectives in an upcoming issue.