What National Parks and Campgrounds Have the Most Issues with Squatters?
Squatting in national parks, forests, and campgrounds is a growing issue across the United States. It refers to people staying beyond the legal limits, occupying land without permits, or abandoning vehicles and RVs in public spaces. While most campers follow the rules designed to protect natural areas, a small percentage exploit gaps in enforcement, creating long-term settlements that harm the environment and drain ranger resources. These situations often turn into complex law enforcement problems that overlap with homelessness, public health concerns, and misuse of taxpayer-funded recreational spaces. This article explores which regions are most impacted, why the problem persists, and what solutions are being tested.
National Forests in the Western United States
National forests in the West, especially Wyoming, Colorado, and Montana, face significant squatter problems. These lands are vast and harder to patrol than traditional campgrounds. Campers can often stay beyond the 14-day limit, move a few miles down the road, and effectively remain for months. Rangers frequently encounter abandoned RVs, trash piles, and makeshift sanitation setups that create long-term damage. According to Cowboy State Daily, abandoned campers have become a common sight in Wyoming, with some left to rot for years. Enforcement is difficult because towing RVs out of remote areas is costly, often exceeding the resources available to ranger districts.
Medicine Wheel District in Bighorn National Forest, Wyoming
One of the clearest examples of squatter-related issues is the Medicine Wheel Ranger District in Bighorn National Forest. Near Greybull, Wyoming, an RV parking area intended for short-term visitors became overrun with long-term squatters. Broken-down RVs were abandoned in place, creating safety hazards and environmental concerns. Rangers have been forced to consider solutions beyond traditional enforcement, including impoundment fees, vehicle auctions, and public-private partnerships with towing companies. These measures could discourage squatters by shifting cleanup costs away from taxpayers and back to violators.
Kalalau Valley on the Nā Pali Coast, Hawaii
Hawaii’s Kalalau Valley in the Nā Pali Coast State Wilderness Park is one of the most famous cases of illegal camping in America. For decades, hikers have sneaked into the valley without permits and set up long-term camps. Some stayed for months, ignoring permit rules and leaving behind trash, human waste, and makeshift shelters. The problem became so severe it triggered a norovirus outbreak among trail users and forced temporary trail closures. According to Wikipedia, the state has responded with strict enforcement, including fines up to $500 for first-time offenders and organized sweeps to dismantle illegal camps. Kalalau demonstrates how unmanaged squatting can quickly evolve into a public health crisis.
Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida
Big Cypress National Preserve, adjacent to Everglades National Park, has also faced problems with long-term squatters. In the past, hundreds of unauthorized camps were scattered across the preserve, many of which were semi-permanent. While some were tolerated for decades, growing environmental concerns eventually pushed authorities to dismantle them. The history of Big Cypress shows how informal settlements can embed themselves in public lands if enforcement is weak, leading to larger cleanup efforts down the road.
Homeless Encampments in National Forests Nationwide
Beyond recreational squatters, many national forests also contend with long-term homeless encampments. Some individuals move into forests not for recreation but because they have nowhere else to live. A U.S. Forest Service report highlighted how non-recreational camping has become more common, straining budgets and diverting rangers from conservation work. These encampments often involve larger groups, abandoned vehicles, and sanitation issues that pose risks to both campers and surrounding communities. While public sympathy for homelessness complicates enforcement, the environmental impact is undeniable.
Environmental Damage from Squatting
Squatting’s most direct effect is environmental degradation. Trash piles, abandoned vehicles, and human waste create lasting scars on sensitive ecosystems. In areas like Kalalau, illegal camps damaged native vegetation and polluted waterways. In Wyoming, abandoned RVs leak fluids into soil and water sources. Unlike short-term campers who typically follow Leave No Trace principles, squatters often lack the resources or motivation to minimize their impact. Cleanup is expensive and often requires heavy equipment, hazardous waste disposal, and contracted labor.
Strain on Rangers and Taxpayers
Squatting turns rangers into enforcers and cleanup crews, pulling them away from core missions like wildlife management, trail maintenance, and fire prevention. The cost to taxpayers can be substantial. Towing an abandoned RV out of a remote forest can cost thousands of dollars, and in many cases the Forest Service eats the bill because squatters cannot pay. This diverts funds from projects that benefit all visitors and undermines public trust in how recreation areas are managed.
Public Safety and Health Concerns
Unauthorized squatting isn’t just an inconvenience—it can also create safety issues. Abandoned RVs pose fire risks, while makeshift sanitation setups contaminate soil and water. Illegal camps in Hawaii contributed to a norovirus outbreak that endangered visitors and residents alike. In other areas, drug activity, unsafe structures, or aggressive animals associated with squatter camps create hazards for both rangers and the public.
Why Squatting Persists
Squatting continues largely because enforcement is inconsistent and land areas are too vast to monitor closely. Some squatters move from forest to forest, effectively creating a nomadic lifestyle that avoids detection. Others take advantage of the fact that enforcement often requires multiple warnings before removal. The rise of van life and economic pressures have blurred the line between recreational camping and semi-permanent living on public land. With housing costs high, some individuals view national forests as their only affordable option, further complicating the response.
Solutions Being Tried
Different agencies are experimenting with solutions to discourage squatters. In Wyoming, rangers have discussed contracting private companies to tow and auction abandoned RVs, shifting costs away from taxpayers. Hawaii relies heavily on fines and ranger sweeps to keep illegal campers out of Kalalau. Some regions are exploring partnerships with local law enforcement to expand capacity. There is also interest in technology—such as drones and surveillance tools—to monitor remote campsites more effectively. Education campaigns about permit rules and environmental damage also aim to reduce violations, but their effectiveness is limited without consistent enforcement.
Summary Table
| Land Type / Region | Notable Issues |
|---|---|
| Western National Forests | Abandoned campers, long-term squatters, extended stays |
| Medicine Wheel District (WY) | Semi-permanent RV camps, abandoned vehicles |
| Kalalau Valley (HI) | Illegal campers, sanitation problems, norovirus outbreak |
| Big Cypress Preserve (FL) | Historical squatter camps on public land |
| National Forests (nationwide) | Homeless encampments, non-recreational camping |
