Community Forums

dkperez · 02-18-2017, 07:30 PM

This may belong elsewhere, but I didn't SEE anything that talked about places for stopping overnight when traveling through...

I know some Walmarts allow parking.
I know some Flying Js allow RV parking...

Are there OTHER companies that are receptive to RVers?

I ask because I'm on the road and I've found that since whatever happened to Flying J (I don't know if they ate Pilot or Pilot ate them, or they just merged) happened, they mostly suck... My PERCEPTION, right or wrong, is that "back in the olden days" of a few years ago, they were clean, friendly places, with pretty good staff, nice RV Parking area in which you could PUT your RV... Things like that.

Recently, after visiting three of them in different states, I've found them to be NOT as clean, the staffs incredibly indifferent, and the "RV Parking" areas full of passenger cars parked haphazardly and abandoned... I don't know if the empty passenger cars belong to the convenience store people or what, but they weren't even A LITTLE interested in doing anything about the problem...

SO, anybody else out there that welcomes overnight RV visitors looking for a place to catch a night of sleep on the way somewhere?

saddlesore · 02-18-2017, 07:45 PM

Try this, also casino's

https://freecampsites.net/

JNSNWT · 02-18-2017, 07:45 PM

We look for closed up out of business gas stations, or a place along the road where they had/have gravel or asphalt piled up. That's usually a large reasonably flat area. If possible I'll get on the backside of the pile to cut down noise.

Buckie the Beaver does NOT allow parking even when I bought their fuel.

F76Marion · 02-18-2017, 07:59 PM

Look up an app called RVParky. On the web as RVparky.com. You have to buy the phone app, but on the web it is a free site.

Pretty good, but the lists over at Discovery Owners is better. They are harder to use unless you are able to load them as overlays and S&T and SA are gone....

I hate truck stops. I don't like using the truck side of rest areas if I can help it. Casinos, Walmart, Cracker Barrel and Cabela's are all better and most Cabela's have a dump.

We rarely buy space at a cramp ground except at events.

Frank

wingnut60 · 02-18-2017, 08:07 PM

Just about any large box store is a potential if you ask first; Cracker Barrel will let you stay in their RV slots.
I hear you about FJ/Pilot and their fuel prices suck also.
We stay just about any where there is room to get away from the roadway on secondary roads--
Here are a couple of spots we have spent the night--first is WY and second it CO.

USMCRET · 02-19-2017, 06:00 AM

We've been on the road snowbirding since the first of the year. We started out overnighting at Walmart, but that just got a little too creepy after a short while. We discovered the wonderful world of Indian casinos and much prefer those. Some have RV parks (we're currently at one charging $20/nt), and some just allow you to park in their lots for free. In our opinion, much better than walmart.

UTTransplant · 02-19-2017, 07:28 AM

The AllStays app shows a number of overnight parking spots, though it isn't complete. I still use it because it is so convenient. We have a specific Walmart in Wyoming we stay at when heading back to see family, but otherwise I have not been impressed with the few other Walmarts we tried. We had good experiences at a Cabelas southwest of Omaha, and we have stayed in a couple of casino lots. We only use the free spots as a place to overnight on the way to somewhere specific, but I don't like crowded, noisy, or sketchy sites which definitely limits the options!

Hit_the_Rhod · 02-19-2017, 07:38 AM

Cabela's let you stay for free, but charge a minimal fee to dump unless you have a Cabela's card.

RVThere · 02-19-2017, 07:51 AM

x2 on the All Stays app. We're leaving on a 2 month meander of the West in a week and that app gets used to find the next Walmart or rest stop.

We've stayed in a number of 'free' places in the last 15 years but you have to keep your street smarts.

Remember you are staying for FREE, so beggars can't be choosers. In truck stops, you put up with noise, in parking lots, you may get visited by panhandlers (after all, they do see you're driving a RV that is worth more than they can imagine...), rest areas are hit or miss and often the truck slots are full, etc.

Woodchopper · 02-19-2017, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkperez

SO, anybody else out there that welcomes overnight RV visitors looking for a place to catch a night of sleep on the way somewhere?

dkperez
While traveling I've found that "highway rest areas" are by far the most convenient for an overnight stop.
Easy to find...no "wasted time" or "additional miles" ...(simply park, sleep and hit the road).

Lovin2Camp · 02-19-2017, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hit_the_Rhod

Cabela's let you stay for free, but charge a minimal fee to dump unless you have a Cabela's card.

Not So....
Best check with the particular Cabela's before you decide to head there, Our Cabela's in Hammond Indiana has banned overnight RV or Truck parking of any kind on there premises.
They will Tow you as Security is provided by the local PD!
I was told by Management there that it was implemented here and some other Cabela's because of the overwhelming parking of Semi's overnight.
Also closing the dump station repeatedly due to people just opening there tanks near the sewer without a hose attached!

MisterT · 02-19-2017, 09:20 AM

churches, strip malls, big box stores, vacant businesses, restaurants, etc,etc... anywhere there's ample room, you're out of the way of others, and you're not in an area where law enforcement or the business owner is likely to care...

wally worlds, home depots, lowes, and the like are all good, though they can be noisy - we prefer church parking lots at times when there are no services - google maps overview is a good way to find them, and there are MANY. I usually like to call or email a church to at least ask, but most of the time we've never encountered one that would have a problem with it.

hoosierrun · 02-19-2017, 09:23 AM

Here is one that is free, but no hookups or showers. They do have nice restrooms with piped water and a spigot near the restrooms.. We stayed there 2 nights... got there early on a Friday and decided to keep our spot thru Saturday. It fills up very fast. Many spaces are pull thru and can accommodate larger motor homes or TT. Be sure to bring your own food since not much is nearby.

Natchez Trace Parkway / Meriwether Lewis Campground - Hohenwald, TN - RV Park Reviews

SpaceNorman · 02-19-2017, 09:26 AM

We stayed at the Cabela's in Noblesville IN last year (got caught up in a heavy snow storm while heading back from Florida and needed to get off the road fast!). When we called the Noblesville Cabela's to check whether they were "RV Friendly" - we were told that as long as we were in an RV and NOT a semi truck - we would be welcome. They were very accommodating - told us to feel free to put out slides. Welcomed us to simply hang by the fire inside the store, etc. We spent a very pleasant night on their lot - and were thankful for their hospitality.