How strict are US National Park Cabin occupancy limits?

I booked a cabin in the Jefferson Washington National Forest. The cabin is for 4 people. We're 6 actually, and we hoped to book 2 cabins, but by the time we could finish one reservation and start the second, the dates were gone.

I told my friends this and they said we could just sneak in and crash somewhere on the couch or something like that.

Is that possible? Will we be inspected? Are two extra people going to matter? Has anyone been to this place with such a situation?

Best Answer

I use these types of cabins quite frequently and it is different for each cabin.

One cabin is more strict and each person has to check in at the national park desk, so they can account for each person (in case someone doesn't return they know to send a search party), which is nice.

Another cabin, one person reserves it and everyone just shows up and nobody ever checks for occupancy amounts.

I would call the help line or the specific cabin national park line and ask if you all need to check-in or what the check in process is. This should let you know if they are going to check on you at the cabin.

Also if they check they usually do in the afternoon and just tell them that your friends stopped by for a day hike and will be leaving soon. Works like a charm.

Just fyi, I have never been checked at either type of cabin. I have only been questioned at check-in.

Hope this helps.