Fear of not finding a place to camp

[gargoyle]

There should be an app for free camping.

 

[highdesertranger]

there are a few apps for free camping. however I feel the are lacking especially for people new to this from back east. for instance one of them shows like 20 free campsites in Nevada, this is laughable because 80% of Nevada is a free campsite. so for people that don't know look at the app see this and think that's all there is. highdesertranger

 

[mpruet]

Thanks everyone. One of my biggest concerns is West Texas if I get too tired or run late on the road. There is NOTHING out there but wide open plains and a truck in the middle of nowhere is kind of conspicuous. What would you do in that situation if you were a woman alone?

Texas allows overnight parking in the rest stops and Texas rest stops are generally pretty nice.  There is one that I parked at near San Antonio and it even had a dump station.  So even in west Texas you should be able to find a spot even if it is a rest stop or picnic stop.

Another idea is to look where there are a lot of 18-wheelers parked and spend the night there. There will be generator noise, but it will provide a place for you to sleep.

 

[rvpopeye]

A good road atlas will show all the rest areas and picnic areas on both the interstates and state roads. If you get the Walmart atlas it even lists Walmarts .

Around $8 for the last one I bought.
I've even taken an exit (if on the interstate) , found an all night gas station , filled up and asked if I could park somewhere till morning.....never been refused.

If you're stealth , a park-n-ride lot will work.

 

[Dutch8654]

Being a newbie to all this, if I could read some posts about the East coast locations on occasion that would be nice

 

[rvpopeye]

National Forests are usually a safe bet...

 

[Almost There]

Being a newbie to all this, if I could read some posts about the East coast locations on occasion that would be nice

On the east coast most states do not allow anything over 8 hours at a rest area. They call them rest areas, not sleeping areas...

When planning a road trip anywhere in the US I use a combination of several different sources. All are good, and I can mix and match as need be.

First pick on planning is of course Freecampsites.net. If you're planning a route, use their trip planner...wonderful tool.

When on the east coast and travelling I tend to use Flying Js - get the RV guide so you can tell which ones have RV parking. It means that the parking lot is big enough to easily find an overnight parking spot in, even if you don't need the longer RV parking spaces. RV guide is available from the cashier at any location.

I also use a lot of Wal-Marts. Check out which ones are okay by going to Allstays.com, click on the drivers' section then choose WalMarts and the state that you need. Either scroll through the list of locations or pull up the map. Choose the possibilities from the list/map then read the actual comment sections. Some are mapped as being okay but when you read the comments from other users you find that you might not want to plan on THAT specific W/M.

I also use casinocampers.com to look for casinos where it's okay to stay at. Again, read the notes to find out if you need to check in with security or not.

Between all 4 I have never been stuck for a place to stay anywhere in North America.

 

[CautionToTheWind]

app "Overnight Parking"

 

[tx2sturgis]

In the Texas Panhandle and Eastern New Mexico there are several places to camp, some are free, some are not.

Lake Meredith, north of Amarillo, is free for 14 days, no hookups. Its VERY scenic, an 'impounded lake'. You can camp on the southside, with more services, but more people. The north side of the lake is less crowded normally, but is farther from any services or supplies. Get any and all needed supplies before you get there and you will be fine.

There are a handful of towns that have free RV parking and some have hookups. Hereford, Brownfield, Levelland and Lamesa Texas all have free parking areas for RV's...usually limited to 3 free nights. Not much to do or see, but hey...its free. East of Amarillo is that huge religious Cross, and also, way east there is a nice public rest area with a cool windmill display, the exit is called Johnson Ranch Road. A friend of mine produces large prints and several of his are on display there.

Palo Duro Canyon and Caprock Canyon are state parks (south of Amarillo) so there is a day use fee to enter and another fee to camp. It's usually around $20 total per night.

But the scenery is gorgeous in Palo Duro, and Caprock Canyons has some special programs related to wildlife, especially bats and buffalo, plus some limited star-parties and guided nature walks. It's rated as a dark skies area, so you WILL see the Milky Way, assuming its not cloudy (or brightly moon-lit) when you are there at night.

There is a nice little RV park I have used many times, on the west end of Amarillo called Route66 RV park...its not fancy but has the basics including nice showers and a laundry. WiFi too. I paid $14 for no hookups and $20 for just electric.

There are of course nicer ones, including an RV 'resort'...open the wallet for that one. Or you can stay free at the TA truckstop, or the Walmart on Georgia and I-27. Its in a nice area.

There is a Gander Mountain outdoor store on the west end of Amarillo, near the Cadillac Ranch, if you need any type or kind of camping supplies.

Russell's Travel Center at exit 369 in NM on I-40 is a great place to visit, even if you dont stay overnight. There is a free classic car museum, and the C-store has everything and anything the traveler might need, short of camping supplies.

Conchas Lake NW of Tucumcari NM is about $10 a night for no hookups, I dont know what the charge is for hookups...probably reasonable. It's a nice little oasis in the desert, lots of friendly people live there year-round.

Clines Corners NM and Flying C Ranch in NM both have free overnight parking but they are typical roadside travel centers.

There is large Walmart in Edgewood NM, just about a half mile north of the interstate that allows free overnight parking on the lot, its a nice area with no urban 'sprawl' to worry about.

I'm hoping I covered the Texas Panhandle to the edge of Albuquerque for you. Let me know if you want anything else or more specific in West Texas or New Mexico.

If I were you I would print this out...you never know if this information might be gone from the site when you need it.

 

[TrainChaser]

"On the east coast most states do not allow anything over 8 hours at a rest area."

Most East Coast rest areas don't allow overnight stops, and some even 'close' at 3:30 a.m.

 

[Lisa Truck Gypsy]

In the Texas Panhandle and Eastern New Mexico there are several places to camp, some are free, some are not.

Lake Meredith, north of Amarillo, is free for 14 days, no hookups. Its VERY scenic, an 'impounded lake'. You can camp on the southside, with more services, but more people. The north side of the lake is less crowded normally, but is farther from any services or supplies. Get any and all needed supplies before you get there and you will be fine.

There are a handful of towns that have free RV parking and some have hookups. Hereford, Brownfield, Levelland and Lamesa Texas all have free parking areas for RV's...usually limited to 3 free nights. Not much to do or see, but hey...its free. East of Amarillo is that huge religious Cross, and also, way east there is a nice public rest area with a cool windmill display, the exit is called Johnson Ranch Road. A friend of mine produces large prints and several of his are on display there.  

Palo Duro Canyon and Caprock Canyon are state parks (south of Amarillo) so there is a day use fee  to enter and another fee to camp. It's usually around $20 total per night.

But the scenery is gorgeous in Palo Duro, and Caprock Canyons has some special programs related to wildlife, especially bats and buffalo, plus some limited star-parties and guided nature walks. It's rated as a dark skies area, so you WILL see the Milky Way, assuming its not cloudy (or brightly moon-lit) when you are there at night.

There is a nice little RV park I have used many times, on the west end of Amarillo called Route66 RV park...its not fancy but has the basics including nice showers and a laundry. WiFi too. I paid $14 for no hookups and $20 for just electric.

There are of course nicer ones, including an RV 'resort'...open the wallet for that one. Or you can stay free at the TA truckstop, or the Walmart on Georgia and I-27. Its in a nice area.

There is a Gander Mountain outdoor store on the west end of Amarillo, near the Cadillac Ranch, if you need any type or kind of camping supplies.

Russell's Travel Center at exit 369 in NM on I-40 is a great place to visit, even if you dont stay overnight. There is a free classic car museum, and the C-store has everything and anything the traveler might need, short of camping supplies.

Conchas Lake NW of Tucumcari NM is about $10 a night for no hookups, I dont know what the charge is for hookups...probably reasonable. It's a nice little oasis in the desert, lots of friendly people live there year-round.

Clines Corners NM and Flying C Ranch in NM both have free overnight parking but they are typical roadside travel centers.

There is large Walmart in Edgewood NM, just about a half mile north of the interstate that allows free overnight parking on the lot, its a nice area with no urban 'sprawl' to worry about.

I'm hoping I covered the Texas Panhandle to the edge of Albuquerque for you. Let me know if you want anything else or more specific in West Texas or New Mexico.

If I were you I would print this out...you never know if  this information might be gone from the site when you need it.

WOW..thank you for so many sights. I was planning on stopping in Amarillo so they will be checked out for sure.

 

[John61CT]

East of Amarillo is that huge religious Cross

As opposed to the other kind?

sorry couldn't resist

 

[tx2sturgis]

As opposed to the other kind?

sorry couldn't resist  

lol...smart-ass...


It was a duplicate carbon copy of the original master memo of a note that was Xeroxed on a mimeograph machine from the Department of Redundancy Department.

Take that!

 

[Travelmonkey]

I found a copy of Wright's Guide of Free and Low Cost Camping on clearance sale at Target for $10.50.  It is copyright 2015.  Having a hard copy could be useful in planning.

 

[GEAUX- PRIUS Cowboy]

I wing it and take it as it comes drive till I get tired and sleep till I wake up. About the only thing I seek out ahead is Sams club and PLNT=NYSE I get a shower the rest falls into place. Pop into Sams snag a $5 chicken and I have food for 3 days.

 

[bonnieE350van]

some additional info on Caprock Canyon S.P. It is the official home of the Texas wild buffalo herd started by Charles Goodnight back in the late 1800's I believe.
There are a large # of buffalo that roam through the park including the campsites...so don't be surprised if you are visited by a few. Was just there this past March/April and had two in our campsite for several hours before the camp hosts shooed them away...
New Mexico state parks all have the same prices...$10.00 primitive sites(no hookups/water), $14.00 Water/electric sites and $18.00 for W/E/Sewer
If your planning to stay in New Mexico more than 22 days it might be more economical to get the out of state yearly pass...it costs $225 but gets you into a primitive site for 0 dollars and a water/electric site for $4.00 a night...After only 22 nights the pass has paid for itself... I was skeptical at first that is would be worth it, but we ended up staying most of the winter in N.M. last year so it paid off...there is a 14 day limit that has been started this last year or so, and most campgrounds need advance reservations from April through September /October so double check to be sure...if you need more info about NM parks I'll be glad to help, as I am pretty familiar with several of them all across the state... as well as quite a few in Texas as well...

 

[CautionToTheWind]

If I were you I would print this out...you never know if  this information might be gone from the site when you need it.

Bookmarked/saved.. thanks for the information. Very helpful!