As you disembark on your adventure, you may soon realize how necessary overnight RV parking is. This is especially true when you need to break up those long road trips dragging a camper behind you. At times, the rate for an overnight stay at an RV park can be rough.
On average, a private campground in the United States costs about $38 for a place to park and some hookups. That’s why some experienced RVers prefer to stock up on supplies and boondock for free overnight RV parking.
If all you need is a place to park and sleep for a bit, those rates can hurt. Across the country, there are safe locations to park an RV for free. Knowing when and where to park is a great skill for a road warrior to have.
Is There Overnight RV Parking Near Me?
There are a few tools to help you find free RV parking.
- Campendium has a massive list of campgrounds as well as where you might park your RV for free.
- The Allstays app shows you where you can park overnight, and you can set a filter for free parking.
- Freecampsites is a great resource to find free overnight parking for your RV.
Free Places to Park Your RV
When you need a place to park your motorhome overnight, you have a few options to consider.
- Driveways of family and friends (or friends of friends)
- Parking lots (just be careful)
- Bureau of Land Management sites
- RV camping network spaces
Mooching Off Friends & Family
Call it “moochdocking” if you will, but it’s affordable. Family and friends may let you park on their property and use their water and power. It may sound strange, but it’s also a great way to catch up with friends and family as you roll through town.
When you’re on a lengthy road trip in an RV, consider who lives along your route. Even if you have to adjust your path to make it work, it’s a great way to take advantage of free overnight RV parking.
Parking Lots
There’s an old standby for RVers that a Wal-Mart parking lot means free overnight RV parking. It’ll work if you’re in a bind, but it’s far from luxurious. Typically, these lots are noisy and bright.
Moreover, you should check with the store manager first so that you don’t wake up to angry knocking or a tow truck hauling you away.
The same is true for recreational retailers, such as Bass Pro Shop or Cabela’s. A lot of these stores allow RVers to park overnight, but you should never make that assumption. Check with the store to see whether it’s RV-friendly.
RV Space Networks
Boondockers Welcome & Harvest Hosts are two excellent networks to help you find overnight parking for your RV. With Harvest Hosts, you pay an annual fee and gain access to free overnight parking in lovely spots across the country. Some even come with farmer’s markets and wine tastings!
Boondockers Welcome is a similar network of free overnight parking spots in cool areas across the country. Typically, they focus more on residential areas, so you won’t necessarily park at a brewery or vineyard.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Sites
The BLM has federally owned sites across the country, and many of them allow free overnight RV parking. These camping grounds are fairly prevalent in the Southwest, and you can find more information on the BLM website or the Allstays app.
Save On Your Next Adventure With Some Planning
When you know where to find free RV overnight parking near your destination, you have a skill that stays with you for life. Any RV renter should keep this in mind. While a parking lot is an okay spot to stop for a few hours, it’s not why you’re on vacation.
With a little planning and a network like Harvest Hosts, you can craft a beautiful adventure for you and your friends or family. All the while, you can save with some free overnight parking!
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