Free Overnight Parking

[RVChris]

Where could I go (internet sites, magazine articles, etc.) to find an up to date, comprehensive listing of places where I could park my 32’ class A motorhome overnight for one night for free? I’ve been told maybe some Walmarts, maybe some Moose Lodges, maybe most rest areas, etc., etc. I can’t seem to get this nailed down.

I’m talking about just a relatively secure place to pull over and sleep for a night without all the hassle of checking in to a park, backing in, setting up, etc. I’d really like to have a much better handle on this before embarking on a 3 month trip and I appreciate any assistance.

[Guest BillAdams]

Google "Free overnight RV camping". You will find plenty of results. Our favorite is Wal-Mart.

[tbutler]

Wal-Mart is good in most places. We've also stayed on Sam's lots from late evening until early morning. My policy with both of these is late in and early out. This usually gives me an easy parking place to park and assures I'll be out before being parked in by a customer or employee. What is early or late varies with local conditions and my level of alertness! We usually drive until shortly before dark and leave before 8:00 a.m. FMCA Atlas has locations of Wal-Mart shown on the atlas. You can also get locations at www.walmart.com

We have on occasion parked at other retail establishments with large parking lots. I always ask at Wal-Mart or any other store. I've never been turned down at Home Depot or Lowe's. We stayed at a Bed-Bath and Beyond lot one weekend evening. We were lost in the dark the night before and finally took shelter there just to get some rest and a chance to try to find our way in the morning light. Early Monday morning, the manager asked us to leave as we were in the employee parking area. He also gave us some local traffic information that helped us get through the NY City area without rush hour delays. He was friendly, asking questions about our travels.

We occasionally park on the lot of a vacant store or shopping center if they aren't posted. Once in a small town we parked on the lot of what looked to be a small abandoned factory. I regard these as the least desirable due to the lack of activity on the lot, possible poor lighting and a tendency of these lots to be hangouts for ruffians! I don't go out at night in these locations unless necessary.

We've parked at rest areas. Some states allow overnight parking, others prohibit it. Even where they prohibit it, you could get some sleep until someone in authority challenges you. They usually allow at least 8 hours parking. I keep the rig locked up tight and don't go out in the dark in these areas unless absolutely necessary. Rest areas are noisy and sometimes not close to level. The worst for noise are those that are close to the highway. Highway maps will give you locations of rest areas, though these days you may find many rest areas closed due to economic conditions. Wyoming has nice large, unpaved truck parking areas. Some of them are large enough for you to get away from the highway some distance. One gave us a really great experience early in our travels. As we sat inside eating dinner we were watching a herd of antelope gather together and then graze their way across the hills as the sun set.

Many truck stops will allow overnight parking, but these are so noisy as to be our last choice. Casino's are a hit-and-miss proposition. Many have their own campgrounds and discourage or prohibit parking on their lots. Still, there are some that are quite welcoming. They are generally safe, secure, patrolled and well-lighted. You can sometimes get a good inexpensive breakfast as well.

How do you find all these areas? As indicated above, there are maps that show locations of some. One useful source we use is The Next Exit. This is a book that is available at truck stops and RV supply stores. It is useful for interstate highways and lists all kinds of commercial locations at each interstate exit. It also gives information on rest areas. It is published annually but you won't miss much with a copy that is 1 or 2 years old. My brother-in-law was showing me an app for his i-phone that does the same function -- the data is always current using that method.

Sometimes we just start cruising for a place to park sometime about an hour before sunset. This method definitely works best in daylight. I've occasionally found a place after dark (see Bed, Bath and Beyond above), but it is much easier to assess the entrance, exit and security of a parking area in the daylight.

As full-time travelers, there are some routes we've traveled many times and we know the parking areas along these routes. As we travel we project about where we'll be when we are ready to quit for the evening and then search our experience database and discuss the best spot to park for the evening. We do this relatively frequently as we travel from one location to another and have found it to be easy to do. Give it a try; a couple of stops will tell you what you are comfortable with and what places you don't like to stay.

[MikeandClaudia]

I don't know that what you are asking for exists. There are many different sources, but they aren't "comprehensive".

BUT-- If you are a member of Escapees, A good one is: Days End

There is also: Free Campsites

Many of these are "Free and Inexpensive" $ 10 and less. But you have to search out what you are looking for unless you can get your mother to come along with you.

We ran across a city RV park in the wilds of Texas. The sign said that the first 5 nights were free-----any additional nights were $ 75.00/night.

[hermanmullins]

There are many cities in West Texas and in the Texas Panhandle that offer free overnight parking. Many have 30 amp service for free. Most are first come first served.

As for inexpensive travel, let me tell you a story of our very low cost trip.

We left McKinney, Texas, our home, late one afternoon on our way to Cheyenne, WY. We got to Blackwell, OK late and found several Travel Trailer parked in the Braums paking lot. We spent the night and the next morning went in for Bisects & Gravy and to thank the Mgr. The manager said that was why they had their lot striped so weary travelers might rest and be safe on the road.

We got to Cheyenne that afternoon and spent three days tethered to our sons elec. We then went up to Custer, SD where all the RV Parks were closed for the winter but one. He said that he had already drained the water lines but had elec, sewer and we could fill our water tank from their facet. Sounds good to me, how much. He asked if $10.00 per night would be too much. No way thanks.

We spent two nights in Custer then went East across South Dakota the next day. Had a hard time finding a place to stop and ended up in a rest area south of Sioux City Iowa. The next day we parked in the Walmart in Overland Park, KA and spent the night with my wife's sister. Then we went down to Miami, OK and parked for three night at my mother in laws where I had already wired their garage for 30 amp power. Then we went home. 4,400 miles, wonderful trip, visited lot of interesting places and spent a total of $20.00 for parking.

So if you are able, always ask permission, keep your spot clean, go in and thank the manager and spend some money with the owners.

Lots of luck and have a wonderful 2 months on the Highways and Byways.