You’re hundreds of miles into your cross-country journey, but you need to stop for a rest–which means you’ll need somewhere to store your RV for a night. When traveling by car, getting some shut-eye is as simple as locating the nearest parking lot, but traveling by RV is a different story (as not every parking lot permits oversized rigs like a fifth wheel or travel trailer).
Fortunately, overnight RV parking doesn’t have to break the bank (regardless of your RV size). Rather than paying for overnight RV parking or storage, there are plenty of places where you can park your rig for free. In addition to being affordable and convenient, many of these spots are also perfectly safe for you and your RV.
Understanding Overnight RV Parking Rules
Free overnight parking is usually an option no matter where you are in the United States. However, while overnight parking for RVs is available nationwide, the rules and stipulations vary everywhere.
In some cities, for example, you can park overnight at city parks, whereas other cities don’t allow this. Some municipalities also allow overnight street parking in designated areas, while others forbid it everywhere. Therefore, it’s important to look up the local ordinances for whatever city you’re in before attempting to park your RV overnight in a public area.
Top Three Overnight RV Parking Options
Option #1: Commercial Locations for Overnight RV Parking
While the rules for free RV overnight parking vary in different areas, there are certain types of private property where it’s always legal. Additionally, there are federal and state areas where overnight parking is also allowed, including the following:
Walmart Parking Lots
Walmart parking lots are some of the most common overnight RV parking locations in the country. No matter what city or state you’re in, all Walmarts allow free RV parking for several nights at a time. Walmart parking lots are also some of the safest places to stay overnight, as they typically have security cameras and are located in fairly public areas.
Rest Areas
Generally speaking, most rest areas that are located along freeways, highways, and interstates allow free RV overnight parking. Just make sure to park in the areas designated for trucks and RVs, as you could get towed or fined if you park in the car section of the rest areas. Additionally, be sure to pay attention to signs as you’re entering a rest area, as they’ll stipulate whether overnight RV parking is allowed.
Truck Stops and Gas Stations
Truck stops like Flying J, Love’s, and Pilot are practical options for overnight stays because they typically offer free parking specifically for RVs. Some even offer amenities such as free RV dump stations and potable water. However, when parking at these locations, it’s important to be considerate and avoid occupying spaces designated for professional truckers.
Cracker Barrel
While most restaurants don’t allow free RV parking for overnight stays, Cracker Barrel is one exception. The nice part about parking at a Cracker Barrel for the night is that you’re just yards away from a delicious breakfast spot when you wake up the next morning.
Bass Pro Shops, Cabelas, and Outdoor World
As some of the most popular outdoor and camping stores in the world, it only seems right that Bass Pro Shops, Cabelas, and Outdoor World all offer free overnight parking for RVers. In addition to allowing overnight free parking, select locations will also have dump stations and potable water at a designated area in the parking lot.
Costco
Aside from Walmart, Costco is one of the few big box stores that typically allows overnight RV parking. Costco parking lots are so big that store owners and managers don’t care if you park overnight, as long as you do it in a secluded corner of the lot.
Camping World Parking Lots
Although it’s not always allowed, most Camping World’s allow free overnight parking for RVs. However, make sure to check with the store manager before parking your rig, as free overnight RV parking isn’t allowed at all locations.
RV Parks
If all else fails, you can always park at a campground or RV park for the night. Sure, you’ll have to pay for a campsite, but that’s better than trying to illegally park on the street or in another public area and getting into trouble. It’s also better than parking in a sketchy part of town where your RV might get vandalized.
Aside from RV parks, none of the options above typically offer anything more than a parking space. Unless otherwise stated, you won’t find dump stations, electric hookups, or water at most stores, gas stations, restaurants, and businesses that allow free RV parking overnight.
Option #2: Boondocking on Public Lands
If you’re not having any luck finding a business or truck stop that will allow overnight RV parking, you can always venture out to public lands. The Bureau of Land Management and the Army Corps of Engineers are two entities that own millions of acres of land and that always allow free RV camping and parking. Just be sure that your RV is prepared for the boondocking ahead.
Certain state and national forests and parks also offer free campgrounds where overnight RV parking is allowed. In general, however, you are not allowed to stay for more than 14 consecutive days on the same piece of public land.
Option #3: Non-Traditional RV Parking Spots
Stepping off the beaten path, there are non-traditional RV parking spots available through networks like Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome. While these options aren’t always free, they’re much cheaper than staying at a traditional RV park or campground and will help you save money.
You can even explore Couchsurfing, a platform that connects you with local residents who might offer a driveway or private land space for overnight parking. Beyond traditional spaces, you can find overnight spots at unconventional locales like casinos, museums, and other attractions with huge parking lots. However, always remember to secure permission in advance.
Apps and Resources to Find Overnight RV Parking
To help you locate the site for your next overnight stay in your RV, there are plenty of resources available to help you find free overnight parking. Here are some of the best apps and websites to help you find free RV parking:
These resources will connect you with free parking/camping options AND paid options. While not all of the spots featured here will be free of charge, the options provided through resources like these are (generally) much cheaper than traditional parking at campgrounds, storage facilities, or RV parks.
Safety Tips for Overnight RV Parking
In addition to being courteous and cleaning up after yourself before you leave, there are also important safety tips for overnight RV parking to keep in mind. Note: Even if you’re in a relatively safe part of town or public area, such as a Walmart parking lot, there are certain safety tips you should always adhere to:
- Lock your vehicle and storage compartments
- Keep valuables out of sight
- Avoid leaving items outside to deter theft
- Choose well-lit areas for parking
- Maintain a low profile for added security
- To avoid drawing attention, do not put down stabilizers, do not put out slides, and keep the lights off at night.
- Keeping your stabilizers up will also help you make a quick getaway when necessary
- Keep blinds drawn and be quiet to avoid drawing attention
Final Thoughts
Finding free overnight parking spots is a great way to save money during your adventures, but these spaces aren’t a permanent storage solution. Instead, you’ll need to find a storage facility in your area that offers long-term RV storage between your journeys.
Rather than paying hundreds of dollars per month at a traditional storage facility, consider using Neighbor to find RV storage. Neighbor is a peer-to-peer storage marketplace offering safe and affordable RV storage options throughout the country, and they may have the perfect spot near you!
