I would be interested in hearing from folks who have experience with creative/questionable solutions for sleeping while travelling on back roads. While I know there will be varied reactions from businesses and local police, I'm just trying to get an idea of how often I'm going to be rousted at 2am and told to move.We have stayed easily at highway truck stop/rest areas, a 24 hour McDonalds off the highway, and a park and ride in MA. We were eyed closely by local police at the park and ride, but not bothered. It seemed like they were taking notes and if we had been there the next night, something would have been said. We would like to get away from the highways and are wondering what our success rate might be. Thank you in advance for all your input.

Have you checked:Free CampgroundsFree CampsitesCasino CamperThere are others, just do a little research.You will probably have better results parking along side roads, parking lots, etc. with a Class B than with a larger unit.Enjoy your travels.

One place to park that people overlook are hiking trail parking lots. Some of them are pretty big and hikers park there, often for days while they backpack a long distance trail. They are usually safe and some even have a portable toilet and/or water. For example, do a search for parking along the Appalachian Trail and you will get some good results. On the west coast you could search Pacific Crest Trail parking. There are other major trails in the middle of the US.

We sometimes even pull into a hotel back parking lot and sleep the night. Always go let the hotel we are back there. Have never been turned down or bothered. Of course the WALMARTs, Bass Pro Shops, Dennys, Truck stops, Bob Evans, Cracker barrels, etc are all open game... Even some RV Campgrounds have places in a large open parking lot to use overnite at no cost. Some areas have ordinances against folks sleeping in their RVs overnite - Did get told that at a WALMART one time even tho we had checked in with management and had their blessings...Never have much luck at the highway Rest Stops anymore. Usually got run off after a couple of hours. In the old days this was always to place to sleep-over until daylight - not anymore it seems...One BASS PRO SHOP in central ALA was nicer than some campground we have gone to haha... They had the parking areas sectioned off with bushes and even had 120VAC receptacle you could plug into. They want you to eat breakfast with them the next morning and spend some money in the store I guess... We had some business close by and asked if they minded if we could back the next night haha they said sure....Just read here about the casinos - have done that as well with no issues... Even a Church parking lot one time... I guess the only time those have cars in them is Wednesdays and Sundays... Actually we got invited one time as we had stopped to check out a church adjoining cemetery for family names. The minister drove up and was talking to us and told us we could spend the night in their parking lot if we liked.Roy Ken

rvit wrote: and a park and ride in MA. We were eyed closely by local police at the park and ride, but not bothered. It seemed like they were taking notes and if we had been there the next night, something would have been said. Assuming the "park and ride" is the same as the "commuter lots" here in Connecticut... In Connecticut you are not supposed to stay overnight in a commuter lot, which is why you probably were watched by the local police.

In the east the easiest place to find and stay is Walmart. We've rarely been asked to leave even in small towns with Walmarts that don't stay opened 24 hours. Out west, of course,it's a lot easier. We've stayed at roadside picnic areas, pull offs for historic markers, scenic overlooks, etc. I read the blog of a fulltimer who often stays in small western towns in the parking area next to the train tracks but that might get pretty noisy. :-D

Sleeping on back roads? | Good Sam Community

55 Replies

tonyandkaren
Explorer
May 14, 2014
pianotuna wrote:
Hi Kendall69,

Two of your links have nothing to do with Walmart.

One of incidents happened in France! (and not in a Walmart) :-D
pianotuna
Nomad III
May 14, 2014
Hi Kendall69,

Two of your links have nothing to do with Walmart.
kendall69
Explorer
May 14, 2014
Davydd wrote:
Easy prey at Walmart? Got any citations for that?

I could come up with hundreds more but if you do your own search you will get them all....also with these numbers of crime at walmarts ( 6,090,000 results (0.45 seconds) ) ....why would anyone want to spend more time near a Walmart than they have to.

http://www.4029tv.com/news/arkansas/northwest/Man-arrested-after-robbery-near-Walmart/14694392

http://consumerist.com/2010/08/02/motor-home-travelers-attacked-in-walmart-parking-lot-sue-company/

http://rvtipoftheday.com/rv-lifestyle/rvers-gassed-while-sleeping-motorhome-robbed

http://m.pikecountydaily.com/news/article_7507e8d4-6cd7-5deb-9dca-eb17d3bcc6df.html?mode=jqm
Spleenstomper
Explorer
May 14, 2014
You don't need to post a sign saying not to trespass on the property of a private residence. Are you speaking of an apartment complex perhaps? Something more group-oriented?

Plugging into a private home and trespassing are criminal activities (trespassing/burglary/theft of electricity)-- no need for "trespass notices"-- just a warm welcome from my 40 cal Glock 23.
mlts22
Explorer II
May 14, 2014
jjson775 wrote:

Hard to believe people would try this, especially here in Texas with very strict criminal trespass laws. I can't imagine someone telling a homeowner to "stick it".

The free camping resources on this topic are very useful. I don't want any part of the other ideas. Just my opinion.

Main reason people get away with it is the fact that there isn't a notice posted about no trespassing or a towaway zone. Just that one sign is the difference between a quiet weekend versus having to deal with the police, handing official notices of trespass, etc.

As for RV-ing, I agree with the OP. Part of it is a culture shift -- people tend not to travel as much as in the past. Air travel has become an exercise in frustration, vehicle congestion is the norm, as opposed to the exception, storing RVs is difficult (and becoming illegal in more areas) and there is always that unwarranted fear of the boogeyman. While I do agree that things are more dangerous, there is also the fact that any event whatsoever makes headline news US-wide. Because of this, there is an anti-RV attitude.

For places to sleep off the beaten path, it can't hurt to find friends in other cities. A good friend of mine who moved to another state send me a key and alarm card so if I'm up in his neck of the woods, I can use the fenced in storage yard at his shop as a place to camp.
RayUSMC
Explorer
May 14, 2014
Davydd wrote:
Easy prey at Walmart? Got any citations for that?
Off and on I've read news articles where people would go into Walmart and come back out, their car broken into. People getting kidnapped from Walmart parking lots, etc. are also in the news. I'm thinking it's all about what type of neighborhood you're in. It boils down to just being alert to your surroundings like they told us in Iraq. If a store or parking lot is in a place that doesn't look safe and clean, it's probably not safe and clean.
Davydd
Explorer
May 14, 2014
Easy prey at Walmart? Got any citations for that?
kendall69
Explorer
May 14, 2014
I didn't read all the posts so I apologize if this has been broached. I would never ever sleep in any back road in any country. This is no longer the 50's when you could do that. There are way too may psycho's out there now a days.
Always, always, always sleep in and around other cars, people, etc. I wouldn't even do it at Walmart. The bad guys are hip to Wal mart sleepers and know they are easy prey.
candlback
Explorer
May 13, 2014
For years we have parked our B in many cities and towns. If you can find an apartment building or a street with many cars on it, you can just park and blend in. Sometimes we park in a parking spot, go out to eat, come back, keep the lights off and go to bed. Most of the time no one knows we are there.

Sometimes the best place to "camp" is in plain sight.
jjrai
Explorer
May 13, 2014
We have had good luck at rest areas and truck stops. We usually just take naps to get to our destination more quckly. Our southern town has an ordinance against parking any RV on the street overnight. Our northern town has an ordinance against sleeping in a vehicle on a public road. However, in both cases there are nearby alternatives. It seems that if a B acts reasonably, it can do quite well to catch some shut eye. We just have to exercise common sense and not interfere with others.