Van Life Overnight Parking
#vanlife #fulltimevanlife #overnightparking
A good night's sleep is necessary for healthy living and daily functioning. Consequently, one of the things we wondered (er... worried) about before we hit the road was sleep.
"Where will we park / sleep overnight?"
"Will we be bothered or harassed?"
"Will we be safe?"
"Will we even be able to sleep at all?"
Thankfully, our fears were unwarranted. We have found great places to park overnight, and our sleep has been great (for the most part). Any disturbance of sleep has been due noise or weather and not harassment, scary people, or otherwise unsavory situations.
Walmart - the big debate
Our online search only confused us more. Walmart is often a hot topic - with opinions all over the map. Answers included, "Yes, you can stay at Walmart!," "No, you can not stay at Walmart!," and "Maybe you can stay at Walmart."
Clears things up, right?
Actually, it does! While Walmart corporate allows RV camping, each Walmart is different - a different city with different laws and ordinances. Therefore, Walmart corporate has left it up to individual managers to answer the question of whether or not overnight parking will be allowed at that specific Walmart location.
The corporate website instructs would-be overnight campers to ask the manager of the location before parking. So, you may hear a yes, and you may hear a no, depending on what city or town you are in... and perhaps, who the acting manager is for that night.
Find a Walmart location here.
RV Friendly Businesses
Several businesses welcome short-term overnight guests. Like Walmart, regulations can vary by location. It's best to ask permission and make at least a small purchase.
- Cracker Barrel
- Camping World
- Cabelas
Travel Stops
Travel stops are amazing! They are a hub for truckers, RVers, vanlifers, car dwellers, and other road trippers. A merry little community of nomads! Not only do they allow overnight parking, it's expected. They also usually have bathrooms, showers (!!), food, hot coffee, and basic toiletries for purchase.
In the US, find a travel stop where you are or where you are headed:
Love's
Travel Centers of America (aka TA)
Pilot / Flying J
BLM Land
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is a governmental department that manages federal land. Free or affordable camping is often permitted on this land. The land is rural and usually has no running water, bathrooms, or other amenities. You will often find vanlifers, RVers and other travelers staying for the allowed 14 days- sometimes longer.
People on the edge of society (registered offenders, for example) may stay on BLM land, as well. The difference is that there are no lights or cameras on BLM land the way there is at retail locations or travel stops. This information is not meant to frighten you, but to keep you aware.
BLM land can be crowded in popular areas, or extremely remote in less-traveled ones. Be prepared for either scenario. And know that some people run their generators past "normal" hours.
If you want to use up your two-week stay, make sure to bring food, water and supplies so you don't have to travel back into town or risk losing your spot.
And, before roaming onto BLM land, make sure you know about wilderness camping. For example, you will want to properly store your food so that you will not attract bears or other animals. You will want to know how to spot evidence of different types of predatory animals (tracks and poo) and how to respond if you encounter one.
As with any location, you should always pack it out, meaning don't leave a trace that you were ever there. (This includes burying your human waste at least 6 inches below the dirt if you don't have a flush toilet.)
Search for BLM land here.
National Forests
If you love nature, you might enjoy camping in a national forest. You can search for camping sites here.
Stealthy Street Parking
There is a lot of talk online about van stealthiness and parking in unconventional spots. Again, this falls under the "different city; different laws and ordinances" guideline.
We have personally found that stealth parking is the most exciting of all because there is a level of adventure inherent in stealth parking- both in locating a spot and in waking in the morning to realize that we got away with it.
Overnight parking has been prohibited in certain locations for a while. Some cities and towns are well aware of the existence of vehicle dwellers (especially as of 2020 / 2021, as the governmental over-regulations related to covid have closed businesses and pushed people into joblessness and homelessness). Some of these cities and towns have established (more) ordinances related to any type of overnight parking. Watch for these so that you do not get a ticket - or worse, get towed.
After learning about the city ordinances, you will want to look for a stealthy street to park on. Some ideas include:
- the industrial area of town
- next to a business that will be closed overnight
- next to a business that is open 24 hours
- next to a city park
- next to a hospital
- next to a hotel
- next to an apartment complex
- think of other locations that might have an overnight visitor
Once you have scouted our your potential spot, you will want to look for street signs that regulate parking on that particular street. Also, be sure that you are not blocking a driveway or access to overnight deliveries.
Vacant Buildings
There are some vacant spaces in the parking lots of retail or office complexes that might be a great spot for parking overnight. Their parking lots are usually empty and there are no customers or employees to get suspicious.
Keep in mind, however, that some vacant buildings are protected with security presence. The guard may have been instructed to shoo campers off the property.
A better possibility is to park on a street near said vacant building. When you park on a street, you are parking on a city-owned public area. When you park in a parking lot, it is private property (somebody somewhere owns it and can provide or decline permission for you to be there).
Casinos ??
Casino parking is often suggested online as a great place to park overnight. Be warned! Many casinos have signs indicating that they do not allow overnight parking and/or that parking is only for casino guests. Unless you want to park your rig and spend the night inside the casino, you will be at risk for the aforementioned ticket or tow. Casinos have cameras, security guards and parking lot patrol.
Entry / Exit Ramps of Freeways
You will often see big rigs (18 wheelers) parked on these areas. Make sure there is enough room for you to fully pull over off the road. Make sure that you are not pulling over onto a soft shoulder. It is best to park on a well-lit ramp to avoid the possibility of being unseen by traffic.
Rest Areas
Rest areas are another hub of travelers. You will find a truck and auto section. If you are in a van, take the auto route. The truck lane is reserved for semi-trucks and large RVs or motorhomes.
Rest stops are managed by the Department of Transportation of each state. They usually have bathrooms and often have vending machines and pic-nic tables.
Check out a great interstate rest area map here.
Safe Lots
Many cities have recognized the growing trend in vehicle dwelling and have created overnight parking spaces to accommodate displaced home-dwellers - some with port-a-potties or other limited amenities. Some safe parking spaces have access to assistance in finding jobs and locating housing.
If you are vanlifing by choice, it is probably best to leave these spaces to those who have been forced into vehicle dwelling against their will. This is where they may find camaraderie and/or other types of support specific to their life situation.
Free Parking Apps and Websites
Be sure to check online for safe overnight parking in your travel destination. Here is a couple of great ones to get you started:
https://freecampsites.net/
https://www.hipcamp.com/
"Where will we park / sleep overnight?"
"Will we be bothered or harassed?"
"Will we be safe?"
"Will we even be able to sleep at all?"
Thankfully, our fears were unwarranted. We have found great places to park overnight, and our sleep has been great (for the most part). Any disturbance of sleep has been due noise or weather and not harassment, scary people, or otherwise unsavory situations.
Walmart - the big debate
Our online search only confused us more. Walmart is often a hot topic - with opinions all over the map. Answers included, "Yes, you can stay at Walmart!," "No, you can not stay at Walmart!," and "Maybe you can stay at Walmart."
- We went straight to the source, the Walmart corporate page, and found out that the real answer is "Maybe you can stay at Walmart."
Clears things up, right?
Actually, it does! While Walmart corporate allows RV camping, each Walmart is different - a different city with different laws and ordinances. Therefore, Walmart corporate has left it up to individual managers to answer the question of whether or not overnight parking will be allowed at that specific Walmart location.
The corporate website instructs would-be overnight campers to ask the manager of the location before parking. So, you may hear a yes, and you may hear a no, depending on what city or town you are in... and perhaps, who the acting manager is for that night.
Find a Walmart location here.
RV Friendly Businesses
Several businesses welcome short-term overnight guests. Like Walmart, regulations can vary by location. It's best to ask permission and make at least a small purchase.
- Cracker Barrel
- Camping World
- Cabelas
Travel Stops
Travel stops are amazing! They are a hub for truckers, RVers, vanlifers, car dwellers, and other road trippers. A merry little community of nomads! Not only do they allow overnight parking, it's expected. They also usually have bathrooms, showers (!!), food, hot coffee, and basic toiletries for purchase.
In the US, find a travel stop where you are or where you are headed:
Love's
Travel Centers of America (aka TA)
Pilot / Flying J
BLM Land
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is a governmental department that manages federal land. Free or affordable camping is often permitted on this land. The land is rural and usually has no running water, bathrooms, or other amenities. You will often find vanlifers, RVers and other travelers staying for the allowed 14 days- sometimes longer.
People on the edge of society (registered offenders, for example) may stay on BLM land, as well. The difference is that there are no lights or cameras on BLM land the way there is at retail locations or travel stops. This information is not meant to frighten you, but to keep you aware.
BLM land can be crowded in popular areas, or extremely remote in less-traveled ones. Be prepared for either scenario. And know that some people run their generators past "normal" hours.
If you want to use up your two-week stay, make sure to bring food, water and supplies so you don't have to travel back into town or risk losing your spot.
And, before roaming onto BLM land, make sure you know about wilderness camping. For example, you will want to properly store your food so that you will not attract bears or other animals. You will want to know how to spot evidence of different types of predatory animals (tracks and poo) and how to respond if you encounter one.
As with any location, you should always pack it out, meaning don't leave a trace that you were ever there. (This includes burying your human waste at least 6 inches below the dirt if you don't have a flush toilet.)
Search for BLM land here.
National Forests
If you love nature, you might enjoy camping in a national forest. You can search for camping sites here.
Stealthy Street Parking
There is a lot of talk online about van stealthiness and parking in unconventional spots. Again, this falls under the "different city; different laws and ordinances" guideline.
We have personally found that stealth parking is the most exciting of all because there is a level of adventure inherent in stealth parking- both in locating a spot and in waking in the morning to realize that we got away with it.
Overnight parking has been prohibited in certain locations for a while. Some cities and towns are well aware of the existence of vehicle dwellers (especially as of 2020 / 2021, as the governmental over-regulations related to covid have closed businesses and pushed people into joblessness and homelessness). Some of these cities and towns have established (more) ordinances related to any type of overnight parking. Watch for these so that you do not get a ticket - or worse, get towed.
After learning about the city ordinances, you will want to look for a stealthy street to park on. Some ideas include:
- the industrial area of town
- next to a business that will be closed overnight
- next to a business that is open 24 hours
- next to a city park
- next to a hospital
- next to a hotel
- next to an apartment complex
- think of other locations that might have an overnight visitor
Once you have scouted our your potential spot, you will want to look for street signs that regulate parking on that particular street. Also, be sure that you are not blocking a driveway or access to overnight deliveries.
Vacant Buildings
There are some vacant spaces in the parking lots of retail or office complexes that might be a great spot for parking overnight. Their parking lots are usually empty and there are no customers or employees to get suspicious.
Keep in mind, however, that some vacant buildings are protected with security presence. The guard may have been instructed to shoo campers off the property.
A better possibility is to park on a street near said vacant building. When you park on a street, you are parking on a city-owned public area. When you park in a parking lot, it is private property (somebody somewhere owns it and can provide or decline permission for you to be there).
Casinos ??
Casino parking is often suggested online as a great place to park overnight. Be warned! Many casinos have signs indicating that they do not allow overnight parking and/or that parking is only for casino guests. Unless you want to park your rig and spend the night inside the casino, you will be at risk for the aforementioned ticket or tow. Casinos have cameras, security guards and parking lot patrol.
Entry / Exit Ramps of Freeways
You will often see big rigs (18 wheelers) parked on these areas. Make sure there is enough room for you to fully pull over off the road. Make sure that you are not pulling over onto a soft shoulder. It is best to park on a well-lit ramp to avoid the possibility of being unseen by traffic.
Rest Areas
Rest areas are another hub of travelers. You will find a truck and auto section. If you are in a van, take the auto route. The truck lane is reserved for semi-trucks and large RVs or motorhomes.
Rest stops are managed by the Department of Transportation of each state. They usually have bathrooms and often have vending machines and pic-nic tables.
Check out a great interstate rest area map here.
Safe Lots
Many cities have recognized the growing trend in vehicle dwelling and have created overnight parking spaces to accommodate displaced home-dwellers - some with port-a-potties or other limited amenities. Some safe parking spaces have access to assistance in finding jobs and locating housing.
If you are vanlifing by choice, it is probably best to leave these spaces to those who have been forced into vehicle dwelling against their will. This is where they may find camaraderie and/or other types of support specific to their life situation.
Free Parking Apps and Websites
Be sure to check online for safe overnight parking in your travel destination. Here is a couple of great ones to get you started:
https://freecampsites.net/
https://www.hipcamp.com/