Where To Park
By Bob Wells
Here is a list of ideas where to park and sleep for the night. Some of these will work
while you are in urban environments, and some won’t. Some are good for when you are
traveling and in-between cities. Give them a try and see how they work for you.
First, let's talk about legalities and ethics. I have tried most of these ideas and have
no problem doing so. However, I cannot recommend that you break any laws or lie to
authorities. You do so at your own risk!
Wal-Mart:
As most experienced boondockers know, Walmart (and Sam's Clubs) love and
welcome us to stay in their parking lots. Unfortunately, some cities have made it
illegal to do so and strictly enforce it against Walmart. However, the enforcement is
usually selective and they will not enforce it at other big-box stores. I carry a Rand
Macnally atlas I bought at Walmart that also has a listing of where all there stores
are and will usually call ahead to find out the status of that Walmart. There is a group
on Yahoo that keeps track of which Walmarts are closed to parking (click here).
Hospitals:
This is a great stealth spot. If approached by security (unlikely) tell them you are
from out of town waiting to see Aunt Sue in the morning. Who would turn you away?
As an added benefit, most hospital cafaterias offer decent food at reasonable
prices. There are almost certain to be healthy options.
Motel, Hotel Parking Lots:
Medium sized is best, too small and you stick out, too big and they may have security
which will double check license plates against the registry. Park like you are a guest
staying there. Too far away seems odd, but too close and there will be more noise and
activity.
Car Repair Garages:
Park as if you were dropping the vehicle off to be serviced. If a cop comes by, which
is unlikely, tell them you are traveling, had a problem, and are waiting for the garage
to open in the morning to get repairs. Many shops have a drop-off slot so it doesn't
seem strange for a strange vehicle to be waiting. If not, when the employees get
there in the morning, they will start wondering why you are there so leave early.
Closed Large Retail stores:
If the parking lot has plenty of employee vehicles, just park with them and no one will
notice. But what if there aren’t any other vehicles? One idea is to put a “For Sale” sign
on the dashboard before you go to bed. Use a local phone number if possible.
24 hr Businesses:
You are just another customer or employee so no one will notice you. Sometimes they
have security and are one of the safest places you can stay.
Apartment Complexes:
Lots of cars parked out front and no one knows who they belong to or who is having
visitors/guests. Very safe parking.
Churches:
If you are a member of the denomination, or ask first, this can work. It is fairly
common to see RV's parked in church parking lots anymore. However, a car or van
parked in front of a church in the middle of the night can draw attention. I personally
avoid this one.
Casinos:
These are usually very accepting of RV’s and vandwellers alike. But if not, then be
very stealthy.
Night Clubs:
It’s common for patrons to drink too much and take a cab home, leaving their vehicle
in the parking lot overnight. No one will think twice about you being there, but there is
a risk of rowdiness and noise at closing time.
Police Station:
Why not? Go in and tell the officer you are passing through and need to catch a few
hours sleep. Could you sleep in their parking lot? If he says yes, you are set. If he
says no, ask him for ideas where you can park. He probably will help you out, and if
not, at least you have found out about the local overnight sleeping laws of that town.
New/Used Car or RV lot:
I question this one. Most of these block their entrance at night so it's possible you
could get trapped inside their parking lot. As you leave in the morning, you may look
like you are stealing the vehicle and the employees could call the police. All in all, I
avoid this one, your mileage may vary.
Dirt Road:
Find a dirt road and follow it to a spot that gets you out of the path of passing
headlights at night. There are two camps on this one. One says it is the best and
safest place another says it is the most dangerous and should be avoided at all costs.
I have done this many times when driving the Alcan to and from Alaska, and felt
perfectly safe. However, I won’t do it in more urban areas, but that’s up to you to
decide for yourself.
Truck Stops:
These almost always welcome RV’s and van dwellers and often will have a designated
area for us. Sometimes there are extra services like showers and wifi connections.
Rest Areas:
These vary by state. Sometimes you are welcome to stay and sleep, sometimes it is
against the state law. You are going to have to do the research for where you are at.
There have been murders at rest areas, and so some people won’t stay there.
However, the vast majority of the time they are safe and reasonable places to stay.
Decide for yourself.
Some Helpful Tips Wherever you Stay:
1) Move around: If you stay at the same place over and over again, people will notice.
Sometimes that is fine because no one cares. Other times you will be asked to move.
Generally, the lower your profile, the better.
2) Spend the minimum amount of time at your sleep location: I usually scout out my
location, then find a convenience store (or other public restroom) and use the rest
room (and brush my teeth if possible). I go straight to my sleeping spot and go to
bed. In the morning I return to the convenience store and use the restroom and
freshen up as much as possible.
3) Keep the van dark and quiet: If you read yourself to sleep or watch TV, make sure
you can't see the light through any of the windows and the TV/radio/music low enough
so no one else can hear it.
4) Have your story ready: If you are in front of the hospital, who are you there to
see, and what is wrong with them? If you are just passing through, where are you
from and where are you going and why? If you are in front of a car repair shop,
what's wrong with your car?
5) Be as conventional as you can be. Fulltimers are unconventional, and many people
are afraid of things that are different from the norm. Make yourself as normal
looking as you can. If you are retired military, show that id to the officer. Keep
yourself and your vehicle as clean and neat as you possibly can. In other words, blend
in.
6) Don't set up camp! Even if you know you are welcome to park there, do not take
advantage by putting out slides, popping your top, setting up the bar-b-que, and
making yourself at home. This is what makes cities pass laws against boondocking.
Don't ruin it for the rest of us.
7) Follow your gut: If it doesn't "feel" right, don't stay there!
while you are in urban environments, and some won’t. Some are good for when you are
traveling and in-between cities. Give them a try and see how they work for you.
First, let's talk about legalities and ethics. I have tried most of these ideas and have
no problem doing so. However, I cannot recommend that you break any laws or lie to
authorities. You do so at your own risk!
Wal-Mart:
As most experienced boondockers know, Walmart (and Sam's Clubs) love and
welcome us to stay in their parking lots. Unfortunately, some cities have made it
illegal to do so and strictly enforce it against Walmart. However, the enforcement is
usually selective and they will not enforce it at other big-box stores. I carry a Rand
Macnally atlas I bought at Walmart that also has a listing of where all there stores
are and will usually call ahead to find out the status of that Walmart. There is a group
on Yahoo that keeps track of which Walmarts are closed to parking (click here).
Hospitals:
This is a great stealth spot. If approached by security (unlikely) tell them you are
from out of town waiting to see Aunt Sue in the morning. Who would turn you away?
As an added benefit, most hospital cafaterias offer decent food at reasonable
prices. There are almost certain to be healthy options.
Motel, Hotel Parking Lots:
Medium sized is best, too small and you stick out, too big and they may have security
which will double check license plates against the registry. Park like you are a guest
staying there. Too far away seems odd, but too close and there will be more noise and
activity.
Car Repair Garages:
Park as if you were dropping the vehicle off to be serviced. If a cop comes by, which
is unlikely, tell them you are traveling, had a problem, and are waiting for the garage
to open in the morning to get repairs. Many shops have a drop-off slot so it doesn't
seem strange for a strange vehicle to be waiting. If not, when the employees get
there in the morning, they will start wondering why you are there so leave early.
Closed Large Retail stores:
If the parking lot has plenty of employee vehicles, just park with them and no one will
notice. But what if there aren’t any other vehicles? One idea is to put a “For Sale” sign
on the dashboard before you go to bed. Use a local phone number if possible.
24 hr Businesses:
You are just another customer or employee so no one will notice you. Sometimes they
have security and are one of the safest places you can stay.
Apartment Complexes:
Lots of cars parked out front and no one knows who they belong to or who is having
visitors/guests. Very safe parking.
Churches:
If you are a member of the denomination, or ask first, this can work. It is fairly
common to see RV's parked in church parking lots anymore. However, a car or van
parked in front of a church in the middle of the night can draw attention. I personally
avoid this one.
Casinos:
These are usually very accepting of RV’s and vandwellers alike. But if not, then be
very stealthy.
Night Clubs:
It’s common for patrons to drink too much and take a cab home, leaving their vehicle
in the parking lot overnight. No one will think twice about you being there, but there is
a risk of rowdiness and noise at closing time.
Police Station:
Why not? Go in and tell the officer you are passing through and need to catch a few
hours sleep. Could you sleep in their parking lot? If he says yes, you are set. If he
says no, ask him for ideas where you can park. He probably will help you out, and if
not, at least you have found out about the local overnight sleeping laws of that town.
New/Used Car or RV lot:
I question this one. Most of these block their entrance at night so it's possible you
could get trapped inside their parking lot. As you leave in the morning, you may look
like you are stealing the vehicle and the employees could call the police. All in all, I
avoid this one, your mileage may vary.
Dirt Road:
Find a dirt road and follow it to a spot that gets you out of the path of passing
headlights at night. There are two camps on this one. One says it is the best and
safest place another says it is the most dangerous and should be avoided at all costs.
I have done this many times when driving the Alcan to and from Alaska, and felt
perfectly safe. However, I won’t do it in more urban areas, but that’s up to you to
decide for yourself.
Truck Stops:
These almost always welcome RV’s and van dwellers and often will have a designated
area for us. Sometimes there are extra services like showers and wifi connections.
Rest Areas:
These vary by state. Sometimes you are welcome to stay and sleep, sometimes it is
against the state law. You are going to have to do the research for where you are at.
There have been murders at rest areas, and so some people won’t stay there.
However, the vast majority of the time they are safe and reasonable places to stay.
Decide for yourself.
Some Helpful Tips Wherever you Stay:
1) Move around: If you stay at the same place over and over again, people will notice.
Sometimes that is fine because no one cares. Other times you will be asked to move.
Generally, the lower your profile, the better.
2) Spend the minimum amount of time at your sleep location: I usually scout out my
location, then find a convenience store (or other public restroom) and use the rest
room (and brush my teeth if possible). I go straight to my sleeping spot and go to
bed. In the morning I return to the convenience store and use the restroom and
freshen up as much as possible.
3) Keep the van dark and quiet: If you read yourself to sleep or watch TV, make sure
you can't see the light through any of the windows and the TV/radio/music low enough
so no one else can hear it.
4) Have your story ready: If you are in front of the hospital, who are you there to
see, and what is wrong with them? If you are just passing through, where are you
from and where are you going and why? If you are in front of a car repair shop,
what's wrong with your car?
5) Be as conventional as you can be. Fulltimers are unconventional, and many people
are afraid of things that are different from the norm. Make yourself as normal
looking as you can. If you are retired military, show that id to the officer. Keep
yourself and your vehicle as clean and neat as you possibly can. In other words, blend
in.
6) Don't set up camp! Even if you know you are welcome to park there, do not take
advantage by putting out slides, popping your top, setting up the bar-b-que, and
making yourself at home. This is what makes cities pass laws against boondocking.
Don't ruin it for the rest of us.
7) Follow your gut: If it doesn't "feel" right, don't stay there!
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