‘It’s illegal’: Zilker Park a popular spot for camping, but not with tents

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Zilker Park is a popular place to visit in Austin, but it has also become a place that some people are using to camp.

You will not find tents set up, but instead you will see RVs, buses or people living in their cars in the lot on Stratford Drive.

“I really think the architecture in the city is beautiful,” said Chrisopher Moogalian, who just pulled into Austin a few days ago.

Moogalian, who is traveling with his dog Bo, said he drove from Virginia. Currently, he is living out of a camper he pulls behind his car.

“It’s got a queen size bed, a restroom a shower, a sink,” said Moogalian.

Moogalian is part of a growing number of people who live a nomadic lifestyle, and he’s not the only one who has set up in the lot next to Zilker.

“There are a couple of people around who are doing it,” said Moogalian. “Once you have seen one city for a year, maybe move to the next.”

The City of Austin said during the pandemic, someone made a post about the lot, encouraging people to use it as an RV camping area.

“It is not a publicized thing but a known thing that if you are coming to Austin, and you are a traveler that this is a good area,” said a woman who was living in her car in the lot.


Man sells home, buys RV to take ‘work from home’ on

In 2021, there were as many as 20 vehicles using the lot as a camping area.

Park rangers made an effort to inform people camping in the lot and to let them know camping there was illegal.

The city told KXAN it is illegal to park an RV or to camp overnight on any parkland other than City Park and that is if you have a reservation.

Signs have been posted around the lot explaining there is no parking after 10 p.m., and anyone in the park could receive a curfew violation. However, the people KXAN spoke to said they didn’t see the signs.

“If there was a sign I would read a sign, if it says ‘don’t camp here overnight’ then I will try not to camp here,” said Moogalian. “There are a lot of parking lots that say that.”

Campers KXAN spoke to said they do not feel like they are causing an issue and hope to see the city make some changes to the rules.

“I could understand if there was a lot of trash or people drinking,” said a camper who wished to remain anonymous.

Moogalian said no one has approached him about camping in the lot, but he plans on finding somewhere else to go soon.

 

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Zilker Park is a popular place to visit in Austin, but it has also become a place that some people are using to camp.

You will not find tents set up, but instead you will see RVs, buses or people living in their cars in the lot on Stratford Drive.

“I really think the architecture in the city is beautiful,” said Chrisopher Moogalian, who just pulled into Austin a few days ago.

Moogalian, who is traveling with his dog Bo, said he drove from Virginia. Currently, he is living out of a camper he pulls behind his car.

“It’s got a queen size bed, a restroom a shower, a sink,” said Moogalian.

Moogalian is part of a growing number of people who live a nomadic lifestyle, and he’s not the only one who has set up in the lot next to Zilker.

“There are a couple of people around who are doing it,” said Moogalian. “Once you have seen one city for a year, maybe move to the next.”

The City of Austin said during the pandemic, someone made a post about the lot, encouraging people to use it as an RV camping area.

“It is not a publicized thing but a known thing that if you are coming to Austin, and you are a traveler that this is a good area,” said a woman who was living in her car in the lot.


Man sells home, buys RV to take ‘work from home’ on

In 2021, there were as many as 20 vehicles using the lot as a camping area.

Park rangers made an effort to inform people camping in the lot and to let them know camping there was illegal.

The city told KXAN it is illegal to park an RV or to camp overnight on any parkland other than City Park and that is if you have a reservation.

Signs have been posted around the lot explaining there is no parking after 10 p.m., and anyone in the park could receive a curfew violation. However, the people KXAN spoke to said they didn’t see the signs.

“If there was a sign I would read a sign, if it says ‘don’t camp here overnight’ then I will try not to camp here,” said Moogalian. “There are a lot of parking lots that say that.”

Campers KXAN spoke to said they do not feel like they are causing an issue and hope to see the city make some changes to the rules.

“I could understand if there was a lot of trash or people drinking,” said a camper who wished to remain anonymous.

Moogalian said no one has approached him about camping in the lot, but he plans on finding somewhere else to go soon.

Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


Top 3 luckiest Oscar outfit colors for nominated …

/ 32 mins ago

Part of an Oscar-winning outfit are the accessories you pair with it, so try personalizing your lucky dress with your favorite earrings or stylish heels.


12 best exfoliating mud masks

/ 2 hours ago

Many mud masks feature charcoal, which detoxes the skin by pulling out impurities, as well as exfoliates it.


10 best bottle brushes to keep your water bottles …

/ 2 hours ago

To keep your containers hygienic and prevent illness, you need to clean them inside and out with a bottle brush.


View All BestReviews


Top Stories


Texas WWII veteran identified


Burnet judge indicted on felony, misdemeanor charges


Severe storm forecasts get a boost from AI


Last of ‘Golden Girls’ elephants leaves Texas zoo


APL bookstore saves 47K pounds from landfills monthly


Top Stories


More Stories


DSISD portable classrooms costing $1.5M for 2023-24


Texas WWII veteran identified


Burnet judge indicted on felony, misdemeanor charges


Severe storm forecasts get a boost from AI


Last of ‘Golden Girls’ elephants leaves Texas zoo


APL bookstore saves 47K pounds from landfills monthly


Eastsiders closes Barton Springs location


City looks to save money on streetlights


More Stories

Austin-Travis County


Severe storm forecasts get a boost from AI

/ 2 hours ago


APL bookstore saves 47K pounds from landfills monthly

/ 4 hours ago


Eastsiders closes Barton Springs location

/ 4 hours ago


Council to take up paid South Congress parking Thurs.

/ 5 hours ago


8K square foot garage a ‘total loss’ in fire

/ 2 hours ago


MoPac reopens after crash

/ 3 hours ago


Strong storms possible Thursday night

/ 2 hours ago


UT takes out Sam Houston, Mercer in midweek games

/ 12 hours ago


Winning streak for UT softball now at 10 games

/ 13 hours ago


How to use APD’s new online crime reporting system

/ 13 hours ago


AUS growth hitting forecasts 5 years ahead of schedule

/ 17 hours ago


Librarians discusses how to stand up to book ban …

/ 15 hours ago


Zilker a popular spot for camping, but not with tents

/ 3 hours ago


TxDOT taking over part of Waller Beach for I-35 plan

/ 17 hours ago


Settlement off in Ken Paxton whistleblower case

/ 18 hours ago


Terry named Sporting News national coach of the year

/ 18 hours ago


Project Connect funding challenged by TX lawmakers

/ 2 hours ago


Could Bijan go in the top 10? ESPN expert thinks …

/ 21 hours ago


Safety at AUS is ‘priority’ after near-collision

/ 3 hours ago


ATX healthcare lessons learned from COVID-19 pandemic

/ 2 hours ago

KXAN Austin Video

<article class="article-list__article article-list__article–is-stacked article-list__article–has-thumb article-list__article–is-media-type" data-article-id="8457770" data-index="0" data-collection="article-list5" data-anvato-params=" Thursday, March 9 morning headlines

1 hour ago

City of Round Rock wants ownership of street lights, …

3 hours ago

Crash involving children shuts down MoPac south of …

5 hours ago

Central Texas Food Bank honors KXAN at Hunger Heroes …

13 hours ago

City of Austin overtime pay soars over $112 million …

14 hours ago

New policy cuts some kids with disabilities out of …

16 hours ago

‘It’s illegal’: Zilker Park a popular spot for camping, …

16 hours ago

3 years later: These are healthcare lessons learned …

16 hours ago

Salvation Army looks to relocate 32 clients amid …

17 hours ago

Artificial Intelligence tools becoming ‘unavoidable’, …

17 hours ago

New Braunfels High School teacher arrested, accused …

17 hours ago

A clean-energy Texas suburb goes national

18 hours ago


More Videos


BestReviews


Top 3 luckiest Oscar outfit colors for nominated …

/ 32 mins ago


12 best exfoliating mud masks

/ 2 hours ago


10 best bottle brushes to keep your water bottles …

/ 2 hours ago


7 drones with stunning 4K cameras

/ 2 hours ago


Best ways to eliminate mold, according to a cleaning …

/ 2 hours ago


Strength training to increase balance and reduce …

/ 2 hours ago


More reviews


More from KXAN Austin


Eastsiders closes Barton Springs location


City looks to save money on streetlights


Council to take up paid South Congress parking Thurs.


8K square foot garage a ‘total loss’ in fire


MoPac reopens after crash


Strong storms possible Thursday night


UT takes out Sam Houston, Mercer in midweek games


Winning streak for UT softball now at 10 games


More from KXAN Austin




`;

// –>

Tracking the Coronavirus


COVID-19 Community Levels in your county

/ 6 days ago

Austin Weather

Current

70°

Mostly Cloudy

Tonight

60°

Scattered Thunderstorms

Precip: 60&percnt;

Tomorrow

70°

AM Showers/Storms

Precip: 30&percnt;

Trending Stories


Burnet judge indicted on felony, misdemeanor charges


Eastsiders closes Barton Springs location


Strong storms possible Thursday night


New Braunfels High School teacher arrested


Zilker a popular spot for camping, but not with tents

Don’t Miss


How to get to, from 2023 SXSW festival


The story of 12 students who integrated ATX schools


170K AE customers without power at ice storm peak


How to get to Q2 Stadium for 2023 Austin FC season


KXAN launches new news podcasts



Latest weather conditions from the KXAN First Warning Weather team