Overnight Parking outside of WalMart and RV Parks

Thanks for all your responses, they've been helpful. Am I allowed to disconnect at the options I DO have for overnight stay? I understand it's not the safest thing to do but im asking it of curiosity.

Here's the story, I am 30 yrs old woman interested in living in my RV with my dog. My questions are simply to be informed, not necessarily because I WANT to do it. I clearly want to remain safe, remain within the regulations, and have comfort for my other half (my dog). However, I am still working a full time job that I have to report to every day and id like to keep away from having to park and connect at an RV Park as much as possible. .. however, I do understand, with my dog, it will probably be my only option to park and connect somewhere so I can leave him in an air conditioned unit.

Id like to know though, if at some point im having trouble financially and I cannot afford the rates offered by an RV park, how in control am I of that where I can comfortably and safely park it somewhere elsr for a couple days and actually leave it while I complete my work day. Any ideas?

@OP, it all depends on the locality. Some places, nobody cares. Other places, the authorities will be all over you like a cheap suit. And as others have said, please do not attempt it without finding out first which it is where you are. Annoying the locals helps nobody.

Some states object mightily to transients sleeping over (even in an RV) in Interstate rest areas. Some take the more sensible approach that they'd prefer you not drive when exhausted, so sleep away. It is incumbent on YOU to know which it is. Usually there are signs saying "no overnight" but the mere absence of such signs should not be taken as an open invitation.

My daughter and son-in-law live in LA, and she tells me they have such a problem with otherwise homeless people living in RVs that there are city ordinances against it. She has told me that if we visit her in the RV, she can get a night-by-night permit to park the RV in front of their place, but not to attempt it without giving her enough notice to secure said permit.

On the other side of the coin, I've passed through Interstate rest areas that even had dump stations and special areas for RVs (but allow one-night only, it should be noted -- no hookups, they didn't want to make it TOO comfortable).

It depends on the beach or park.. Some allow overnight, some do not, if it's posted "NO overnight parking" then a fine is the first level of discomfort. Tow and Impound is the 2nd, and of course not many towers know the proper way to hook up a motor home so damage is likely.

No, you cannot just park wherever you are for the night. Many jurisdictions have laws against overnight camping in their public facilities as well as in store parking lots and even on the streets. Additionally, many places that are easily accessible with even a small trailer are not particularly safe at night. There are many low cost or even free campsites, and a previous poster listed some links. Passport America, a camping club that gives 50% discount on camp fees is another resource. Harvest Hosts is a club that gives free camping at wineries and farms.

Free and Low Cost Campsites

Band of Boondockers

Bob's Cheap or Free Campsites
not necessarily boondocking

welcome centers are usually nicer than rest stops

Overnight stops sometimes need to be carefully planned. Usually there is some place almost everywhere someone can pull over for a quick overnight sleep. There are many public places like city parks and beaches that do allow overnight stops, some free and some with a fee. There will usually be a sign to tell you what is doable. Some city ordinances do not allow parking on public streets even for quick overnight stops &/or long term. The same can be true in private parking lots like Wal*Mart, other retail stores or churches. Parking can & should be done by permission only if no city ordinance is violated.

There are resources for finding free or low cost boondocking sites but I can't direct to them. However, someone at this forum certainly may have that info.

Good luck!

you can overnight at many places: walmart, picnic rest stops (in Texas) interstate rest stops, home depots, flying j truck stops, cabelas, county fair grounds.
but I don't think it would be wise to unhook and leave the trailer alone at these places.

Just get a reservation if you drop the TT. We sometimes take long trips and do not have reservations. When DW gets tired she decides we're going to stop for awhile and I've always been able to find a campground with a site free. Happy travels.

You can get in serious trouble, including being towed, fined, questioned, evicted, etc. Please don't knowingly violate the laws or regulations and give us all a bad name.

We try very hard to work with authorities and businesses so we are welcome. Knowingly violating that good will helps no one.