Heading to RTR

[Norcalauren]

I'm a real newby being evicted due to bldg sale. Will be heading to RTR from Santa Rosa, Ca and would like to stop overnight about half way just to decompress. Any suggestions for boondocking outside a city? This will be my first trip. I'm saving up for a Runaway, but for now just me and kitty in a Subaru SUV. Single senior woman so must be safe. Looking forward to meeting everyone in Quartzite. Thanks.

 

[Almost There]

Use the trip planner at https://freecampsites.net/

to plan your route. You can specify how far off your route you want to limit finding free camping.

The alternative is to simply stop at a WalMart or a truck stop for the night. If you're going to do this, check them out in the drivers app section of Allstays.com to make sure that it's a place where it's allowed. If you're using a Flying J/Pilot, I found that picking ones that have RV parking means that the lot is plenty big enough to handle overnighters. Some of the older Pilot stores have such limited car parking that I wasn't comfortable.

 

[highdesertranger]

what city are you planning on stopping around? along the I10 there are several casinos I don't know about the status of spending the night. highdesertranger

 

[blars]

Other than rest areas which in CA are generally limited to 8 hours, but rarely enforced, there is a casino in Lemoore that is a bit out of the way.

 

[907KHAM687]

Use gas buddy app to find normal priced gas off I-5. The markup in the central valley is absurd.

 

[USExplorer]

You could probably find free camping in the Angeles NF north of Santa Clarita.

 

[towhee]

Norcallauren,

I have been down the I-5 corridor several times.

Where to stay depends on how far you want to drive.

From Santa Rosa..... The Harris ranch on I-5 near coalinga might be about a days drive. I stayed there. There is a hotel there so lots of overnight cars. 

Bakersfield has truck stops. It's about a days drive from Bakersfield to quartzsite.

I have stayed in several casino parking lots on I-5. There are always lots of cars so it's easy for the van to blend in. Try casinocamper.com for reviews.

I feel completely safe in truck stops. The van is locked, my keys are close, people come and go, no problems ever. Not beautiful, but they are right on the freeway and they get me where I want to go.

 

[LilNomad]

I think im gonna stay near Salton Sea. I also checked Morongo & Agua Caliente Casinos have free RV parking.
LilNomad

 

[Moby T]

I always take Rt. 99 to Bakersfield.  Just north (about 7 miles) of Bakersfield is a Flying J where I spend the night.