Per-State Camping Regulations Index
Camping rules vary state-by-state — California's CAL FIRE pattern changes weekly, Wyoming requires IGBC bear canisters in grizzly country, Florida requires alligator- distance compliance. Pick a state for the full per-state guide.
Quick reference principles
- Federal vs. state rules: Federal rules apply on federal land (NPS, USFS, BLM). State rules apply on state parks, county parks, and private land. Where they overlap, the stricter rule typically applies.
- Fire restrictions update weekly during fire season (May-October in the west) — check within 48 hours of departure, and check the specific unit (Sierra NF rules differ from Inyo NF rules).
- Concealed-carry reciprocity does NOT extend to NPS units — federal firearms rules govern federal land regardless of state permit.
- Fireworks are banned in nearly every NPS, USFS, and BLM unit; state-park rules vary. Possession in federal land can mean federal misdemeanor charges.
All 32 per-state camping guides
Hand-tuned per-state pages with real .gov citations, wildlife callouts, and local know-how.
California
Wildfire / fire restrictions (May-November statewide)
Colorado
Afternoon lightning + flash flooding (monsoon July-August)
Utah
Flash floods (monsoon July-September) + extreme heat (summer)
Wyoming
Grizzly bear encounters + hydrothermal injury (Yellowstone)
Montana
Grizzly bear encounters + late-season snow on passes
Alaska
Grizzly bear encounters + hypothermia + remote-area exposure
Oregon
Wildfire (June-October) + Cascade volcanic-area conditions
Washington
Late-season snow + Cascade volcanic conditions + coastal rip currents
Arizona
Extreme heat (May-October) + monsoon flash floods (July-September)
New Mexico
Wildfire + monsoon flash flooding + extreme heat (south)
Idaho
Late snow-melt + wildfire (July-September)
Nevada
Extreme heat (May-October) + remote-area exposure
Florida
Hurricane (June-November) + extreme heat/humidity (May-October) + wildlife (alligators, snakes)
North Carolina
Black-bear encounters (Smokies) + hurricanes (coast)
Tennessee
Black-bear encounters + thunderstorms
Maine
Bugs (black flies May-June, mosquitoes June-August) + moose collisions
Vermont
Bugs (black flies + mosquitoes) + thunderstorms
New Hampshire
Extreme weather (Mt. Washington) + hypothermia even in summer above treeline
Michigan
Cold Lake Superior immersion + biting insects + Isle Royale wolf habitat
Wisconsin
Cold Lake Superior immersion + biting insects
Minnesota
Bugs (mosquitoes + black flies + horseflies) + Lake Superior cold-water immersion
Missouri
Flash floods on Ozark rivers + heat/humidity
Arkansas
Flash floods (Buffalo + Cossatot rivers) + heat
Oklahoma
Tornadoes (April-June) + heat/humidity
Texas
Extreme heat (May-October) + flash floods (Hill Country)
Virginia
Black bears + ticks (Lyme carrier)
West Virginia
Black bears + climbing falls
Pennsylvania
Black bears + winter exposure
New York
Black bears (canister required High Peaks) + bug seasons
Georgia
Heat + black bears + alligators (Okefenokee + Stephen C. Foster SP)
South Dakota
Bison + extreme weather + Sturgis-week congestion
Kentucky
Heat/humidity + climbing falls (Red River Gorge)