Safe overnight parking for RV

We have used this site for several years: www.overnightrvparking.com.

They charge a small yearly fee, but it is worth it, if you travel much.
Listed are WMs, Bass Pros, other stores, casinos, rest areas, etc, that allow overnight parking, as well as those that don't.

We have found this website to be very valuable.

Find any Camping World store location on line and look at list under "RV Services"
and if overnight parking is shown, you can park overnight. Some even have powered
spots, usually on their back lot. Example of the store closest to Reno:
http://www.campingworld.com/stores/ca/rocklin/23/

GREGORYJ wrote:
Many Camping World Stores that list in their services available "over night parking " and is't free.

Have an example...or more?

Many Camping World Stores that list in their services available "over night parking " and is't free.

We've done what rockhill is suggesting, in late out early, paid in an envelope. Never even talking to an employee. The nice thing about doing this is you can stay hooked up, plug in, and if you don't want to deal with your tanks you can usually use their showers and toilets.

We've called ahead to chain motels and asked about using their lot to stop and sleep for a while. Many allow this so long as you stop in and let them know you are there. One even offered to let us use the facilities inside.

We've gotten a few hours sleep in waysides. Look for ones that have other RVs and lots of trucks. Not all waysides are safe to sleep in, not all allow it.

Never did a Walmart. The one's we've seen in our travels did not look safe.

When staying in some these public overnight places, pay attention to your "spidey sense". That is, if it doesn't feel right, bail out. This is also the advice Fromers gives to travelers in their travel books.

All most all CG's especially ones near the interstates have it set up that you can pull in ANYTIME.

They either have a lock box to drop a check into or a sign that simply says pay in the morning. There will be a map of the CG And They usually have a row or at least 4 or 5 CG sites up front just for travelers. ALL KOA's offer this anytime arrival service.

Once I learned this, I never made reservations ever ever again nor did I worry about whether or not what time I would arrive in a town in time to get a CG along my travels.

With this CG service available across the country IMHO, JMHO I do NOT see any reason for any RV'er to take chances with their families safety and park in public parking lots. Just saying.

Overlander22 wrote:
Hi all. Does anyone have a quick easy way to locate safe overnight parking? Wallmart or other rv friendly establishment parking lots. Quick trip for 3 days....We are leaving at night and cannot ck in to campground until late morning need easy safe overnight stop. Is there a good app for this search?

This should do it - Wal*Mart allstays maps.

BOL,

Search for Walmart on the GPS and then check the www.walmartlocator.com/no-park-walmarts/ web page to see if it is prohibited at that store.

You should ask the manager where to park or if there is a number of rigs already parked, then join them.

Overlander22 wrote:

I meant drive till we need to sleep park then rise in time for check in at our destination.

Regardless of what you decide to do, I hope it works out for you.

I've done similar, trying to catch a short nap in the middle of the day and always have trouble with the general noise of life disturbing my sleep.

Pickups and motorcycles with illegal mufflers are the biggest problem it seems.

Sam Spade wrote:
Sure lots of "apps" to find campgrounds.
Good Sam has one. I like the consistent quality of KOA but a bit pricey.
Even plain old Google can help.

But your post is a bit confusing.
An "overnight" stay usually doesn't start in the late morning.

I meant drive till we need to sleep park then rise in time for check in at our destination.