State parks, national parks, and national forest lands typically feature a lot of designated camp spots that come at a small fee. While the majority of such spaces are designed for people with regular tents, there's no reason why you can't stay there as a rooftop tent camper.

You can camp with a roof top tent (RTT) in a wide variety of locations, but rules vary by "camping type." Established Campgrounds (National/State Parks) are the most common choice; since your tent is on your car, you simply book a standard "RV" or "Tent" site that allows vehicles. Dispersed Camping on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land or in National Forests is a favorite for RTT users, as it allows you to camp for free in remote areas as long as you stay on designated roads. Many private farms and vineyards now offer "Boondocking" spots through apps like Harvest Hosts. In 2026, some "overland-specific" parks have opened with reinforced pads designed for heavy RTT setups. Interestingly, in many regions, you can also sleep in your RTT at highway rest stops or truck stops for a single night of "stealth" camping to rest during a long journey, provided you aren't deploying a full "awning" setup that blocks traffic.