Question about camping with a van

[Lulu]

so I went camping with my converted mini van in a state park.
a ranger came up and told me I had to have a tent.
I said "I don't need a tent, look what I have back here!"
turns out, I guess it looks like I live in my mini van, which I don't (not that there's anything wrong with that).
ranger told me I had to leave, but after talking a bit, and she knew I was confused and unaware, she told me I could stay.
so now I have to buy a small tent (no big deal) and set it up and not use it when I go to state parks.
question . . . I see on the website when picking a site, one option it "tent only" and another option is "pop-up tent".
what is the difference between these two sites?
I figure you can park and set up a tent at either one of these but can't figure what the difference would be with the site.
thanks!!
Lulu

 

[highdesertranger]

it sounds like a pop-up tent trailer. highdesertranger

 

[rvwandering]

I think highdesertranger is right - a pop up tent camper

 It is a good idea to carry a tent because some state parks (as you discovered) will not let you camp in your vehicle. Fortunately this isn't common. If it becomes a problem switch to national forest, state forest, and other public parks. Most of them don't have any type of restrictions.

 What state are camping in?

 

[Lulu]

I was at a state park in Massachusetts where I was told I needed a tent.
ok, so now I understand what a pop up tent is!! THANKS!!

 

[DannyB1954]

Having a tent is handy anyways. It reserves your spot when going to town for supplies and can be used as a bathroom / shower area.

 

[GypsyDogs]

you can get super cheap 'kids' tents at walmart.

And they serve as a handy spot to stash extra stuff to make more room inside the vehicle...

 

[Lulu]

thanks for all the advice!!
appreciate it!!

 

[tx2sturgis]

I have a 'privy' tent...does that count?

:huh:

 

[DLTooley]

That sounds like a rather odd law to me. I've had similar irrational conversations in an Orange County California regional park.

 

[ISAWHIM]

"Tent only", is simply semantics, to avoid "campers". Sleeping in a tent is "camping", but you are not in a "camper". The issue is about "permanence" and "liability". I am sure there is an issue with getting funding too. (From the state and government.)

If I had to guess, the statement of "pop-up tent", is more of an "allowed/tolerated" issue. Knowing that the semantics of demanding a "tent", is a little bit of an odd demand, I am sure. It would still classify them as a "tent-only" park, for liability. (Property and protections)

If they say that a pop-up tent is a minimum requirement, then there may be an issue with wild-life, such as bears, raccoons, coyotes or other invasive "tent ravagers". They can all claw through thin-sheet ground dwellings.

 

[eDJ_]

Did they specify a tent that you sleep in  ?   OR...could it be a Dining Fly Tent that you pitch over top of a picnic table to protect you from sun or rain ?  Those are tents too and you could set your cooler on one end of the table and your camp stove at the other so you have your kitchen/dining outside.   Dining fly tents are often less than 25 bucks.

But the good news is that this time of year you can pick up 2 or 3 place tents for cheap. (less than $20 bucks)  Some of these are "pop up" where they have fiberglass rods in them and are much like an umbrella.