Free overnight parking

[dlbarr]

As a newbie, I hear that there are places, like Walmart, that allow free overnight parking on premises. Wanting to know what is the fine print on this info? Thanks.

[avan]

Don't put out your slides, don't put down your jacks, leave your outdoor rugs, chairs, and grills put away. Don't dump your grey or black water. Don't unhitch your tow vehicle or toad and take off sightseeing. Don't make it look like you are camping. Do ask mgt if it is OK and ask where they'd like you to park. Do buy your groceries etc there. Many towns have local ordinances prohibiting overnight parking. There are many many other places besides Walmart. Remember not to abuse the privilege lest more places start prohibiting such parking.

 

Other typical places - rest areas; truck stops; Cracker Barrels, hospitals (I find security - usually near the ER - tell them I'm tired and ask if there is a place I can park for a few hours), Casinos etc. Always ask and park out of the way.

[Big Greg]

Escapees Parking Etiquette link:

https://escapees.com/parking/overnight-parking

 

Parking Letter:

https://escapees.com/images/pdfs/boondocking-letter.pdf

[Pat & Pete]

Don't put out your slides, don't put down your jacks, leave your outdoor rugs, chairs, and grills put away. Don't dump your grey or black water. Don't unhitch your tow vehicle or toad and take off sightseeing. Don't make it look like you are camping. Do ask mgt if it is OK and ask where they'd like you to park. Do buy your groceries etc there. Many towns have local ordinances prohibiting overnight parking. There are many many other places besides Walmart. Remember not to abuse the privilege lest more places start prohibiting such parking.

 

Other typical places - rest areas; truck stops; Cracker Barrels, hospitals (I find security - usually near the ER - tell them I'm tired and ask if there is a place I can park for a few hours), Casinos etc. Always ask and park out of the way.

 

That^ is how it's done .

[Pieere]

You can find most places to stay on Allstays.com!! Not all Walmarts allow parking overnite so safest is is to call or go in an ask the manager!

[skp51443]

If you join Escapees you can get a copy of the Day's End list fairly cheap, lots of great places to stay for free or dirt cheap that aren't parking lots.

 

I submitted this one years ago, lots of spots out in the treeline

 

https://www.google.com/maps/@46.85507,-120.4829855,187m/data=!3m1!1e3

[dlbarr]

 

I submitted this one years ago, lots of spots out in the treeline

 

https://www.google.com/maps/@46.85507,-120.4829855,187m/data=!3m1!1e3

 

That's a great place! About 1.5 hr from my home and perfect place for a quick getaway. Thanks.

[Kirk W]

In addition, most truck stops will let you stay there and some have a separate area for RVs. Most Lowe's stores and Home Depot's will also let you stay if you ask. Some small towns will let you stay in a city park and some even have RV sites. If you get off of the interstate system and travel the US routes you will find that there is much more to see and more interesting places to visit & stay.

 

In general, we do not recommend spending the night in a rest area along the major highways, even if allowed which it often isn't. There are many fairgrounds that have camping also.

[dlbarr]

In general, we do not recommend spending the night in a rest area along the major highways, even if allowed which it often isn't. There are many fairgrounds that have camping also.

 

Yes, I was of the opinion already that rest areas would not be choice I'd want. Thanks.

[bruce t]

Keep in mind that WalMart doesn't own all their stores. Some are 'controlled' by 'landlords' that make up the rules. So even if Walmart says yes the landlord may say no.

 

Simple rule of thumb is to park as though you are only stopping for a rest.

[ccsimpson]

Also, casinos are a great option for free camping. Just let security know you are there. Some will give you a permit for your window. The 24 hour security is great. Same rule, do not look like you are camping.

[FULLTIMEWANABE]

We really don't enjoy staying in cramped campgrounds or going through the registration hassle (that's just us) and only really exposed ourselves to Casino Camping on 6+ week trip last September. Have to say we absolutely love it and now when just overnighting between places we are travelling to, will pick that as our primary preference over any big box store locations, truck stops or even rest areas. Wonderful experience we can't believe in almost 2 decades we'd never thought of adding to our arsenal. Only one casino said we couldn't stay overnight and we accordingly informed Casinocamper website, moved on and dropped our casino funds into another RV friendly one further down the road.

 

Of course our favourites of all: BLM, NFS and other locations for staying off grid in the real boonies at one with nature. Stan huge thanks for posting that link = looks ideal for us as well in our travels.

[trailertraveler]

Here are some links to sources we use:

Free Campsites,

Free Campgrounds,

Bobs Cheap or Free Campgrounds

Deans List

Boondockers Welcome

Harvest Host

Days End Directory

Don Wrights Guide

 

One of the best sources for finding city parks and other public campgrounds is the Ultimate Public Campground Project.

[Bob Cochran]

 

Yes, I was of the opinion already that rest areas would not be choice I'd want. Thanks.

I have stayed in rest ares before but it is a last and desperate resort. Just be extremely careful if you are allowed to stay.

[kurtsara]

We always use campgrounds, I can't ever see us spending the night in a walmart let. We are on a nine day trip in our car this week, no matter how long we are out driving we get a motel, same thing when pulling the toy hauler, we go to a campground.

[Mariner]

In over 5yrs. of full timing we've overnighted in a truck stop once, never at Walmart or any other free place, except for a couple pull outs on the way to AK. We've always been able to find a campground, and with Passport the cost has been minimal while traveling.

[LindaH]

On the other hand, we rarely stay in an RV park, but we also don't stay in parking lots (Walmart or otherwise), truck stops, or rest areas (with the exception of one in Nevada). Using the Escapees' Day's End listings, and other resources, we've always been able to find a place to stay at night.

[richfaa]

We have never stayed overnight in a wall mart , truck stop or anywhere else however we appreciate the opportunity to do so if needed. Please follow the rules stated in these post so we can continue to have the opportunity. Remember it is a privilege do not abuse it.

[sandsys]

When traveling between parks I like easy overnights. I don't find truck stops easy because I can so seldom sleep among all that noise. I find big box stores easy because I can call them from the parking lot and ask about their policies. I find Walmart easy because I can shop, store purchases, eat, and sleep without having to move. I find Cracker Barrel easy because I can go inside and get a tasty dinner/breakfast without having to move. I never stay a second night in the same place because I'm only there on my way to some other place. Every two or three days I pull into an actual campground to spend two or three nights resting from my travels--those are usually CoE or Passport America parks. Even there I rarely get out more than my doormat and maybe my electrical plug. Unless I need to dump and fill. But, I'm not a sit around outside person unless I am camped with friends and that rarely happens on travel days so parking lots work fine for me. It's nice not needing levelers.

 

Linda Sand

[bruce t]

It's not just about money! Staying in 'free' sites is also about the experience. You meet some 'interesting' truckies at truck stops. See some wonderful sights at casinos. See folks coming and going at WalMarts etc. Roadside pulloffs are always more relaxing. It's all a part of the experience.

 

Once we pulled up beside a small river up north. One by one the small saplings beside us 'fell over'. Soon we saw the culprit. A beaver was busy collecting building material. At a roadside pulloff by a lake we were approached by some locals. Seems we were on a native reservation. Well those folks were more than welcoming. I could go on. But the point is that with a good dose of common sense 'free' overnight sites can add to your RVing experience.

 

Just be aware of your surroundings and don't make it look like you are 'camping'.

 

regards

[itsabouttime]

If you happen to be in the Texas panhandle, many of the small towns have free RV parking for a day or few. Some even have full hookups.

Russ

[Kevin H]

When traveling between parks I like easy overnights. I don't find truck stops easy because I can so seldom sleep among all that noise. I find big box stores easy because I can call them from the parking lot and ask about their policies. I find Walmart easy because I can shop, store purchases, eat, and sleep without having to move. I find Cracker Barrel easy because I can go inside and get a tasty dinner/breakfast without having to move. I never stay a second night in the same place because I'm only there on my way to some other place. Every two or three days I pull into an actual campground to spend two or three nights resting from my travels--those are usually CoE or Passport America parks. Even there I rarely get out more than my doormat and maybe my electrical plug. Unless I need to dump and fill. But, I'm not a sit around outside person unless I am camped with friends and that rarely happens on travel days so parking lots work fine for me. It's nice not needing levelers.

 

Linda Sand

 

Linda, I realize your rig does not have slides or feet, but I am curious. In your experience calling ahead have you ever had a store, regardless of brand, tell you "no slides, no leveling feet, only one night, no unhitching" or any of the other things being touted as 'rules'?

 

It seems to me the businesses will impose rules if they see fit. If we just use a little common sense and respect the privilege everything will be fine. My version of respect is to ask for permission and where they would like me to park. Position myself to have the least impact on traffic as possible, don't make a mess and leave the spot as clean, or cleaner, than I found it. I do, and will continue to put my slides out and unhook if I need to go somewhere. If the parking lot is asphalt, I put blocks under my levelers. That's just my way.

 

If a non-official person comes up to me and hands me a list of rules it will immediately go in the trash and I will thank the person to mind his own business.

[sandsys]

 

Linda, I realize your rig does not have slides or feet, but I am curious. In your experience calling ahead have you ever had a store, regardless of brand, tell you "no slides, no leveling feet, only one night, no unhitching" or any of the other things being touted as 'rules'?

 

It seems to me the businesses will impose rules if they see fit. If we just use a little common sense and respect the privilege everything will be fine. My version of respect is to ask for permission and where they would like me to park. Position myself to have the least impact on traffic as possible, don't make a mess and leave the spot as clean, or cleaner, than I found it. I do, and will continue to put my slides out and unhook if I need to go somewhere. If the parking lot is asphalt, I put blocks under my levelers. That's just my way.

 

If a non-official person comes up to me and hands me a list of rules it will immediately go in the trash and I will thank the person to mind his own business.

We have owned rigs that had feet and slides and have used them in parking lots. Not all parking lots are level and the longer your rig the more you notice that. And slides make things more accessible so, if we could park where they would not be a nuisance to others, we did sometimes open one or more in parking lots. But, we never set up anything outside except a door mat if the ground cover indicated we would need that--like wet gravel.

 

When I called a store to ask about parking I was often already in their lot so mostly looking for where they would like me to park. They rarely say anything beyond yes or no and preferred location if they had one. We did have one place tell us not to put down levelers and try to not look occupied. We wished for better blackout curtains at that spot.

 

Linda Sand

[coachmac9]

If you happen to be in the Texas panhandle, many of the small towns have free RV parking for a day or few. Some even have full hookups.

Russ

 

 

This is really a well kept secret!! We have used many of the small town city parks when we were vacationing with our kids when they were little. Almost every small town has a very nice city park with a small pond or lake that is seldom utilized.

[2gypsies]

The Dakotas have nice city parks, also.