Legal Parking

[Charlie Frown]

Where exactly can you legally park? I used to carpool and would switch vehicles at a local truck stop and would see people sleeping overnight all of the time.

Is it feasible to maintain a list of places to legally stay so that you have a different place every night and not have to worry about being hasseled?

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Yes, this what i do. i have 3 spots i use. one is a truck stop. when it comes to private property you just need permission usually. even if you don't have it the owner must tell you to leave, then you are legally required to do so. tho individual areas have different laws and ordinances.

something i learned is that staying every 2 nights doesn't look any different to most people than always being there.

 

[LongInTheTooth]

I think another question isn't where it's "legal" but where is it "allowed"...?
Truck stops, some rest areas, Walmarts, hospital parking lots are all places that you can be allowed to park overnight but not necessarily for any length of time.

I suppose you could call the local sheriff and ask if overnight camping in a vehicle is allowed in their municipality..?

 

[kyonu]

BLM land, free campgrounds, wal-mart parking lots, Truck stops, freeway Rest stops, Camping World stops, and sometimes other 24/hour stores will allow it. Apparently Cracker Barrel's official policy is NO, but often times are reported to let people stay there.

 

[jeanontheroad]

Has anyone ever thought of working night shifts? Then, you could park in any one of a hundred grocery or mall or park parking lots to sleep during the day and no one would notice or care.

 

[Vic.]

^ Thought about it. I'd consider it for the right job opportunity.

I've been keeping such a list for months. Just noting places where I see RVs, vans, etc. The overwhelming pattern is light industrial areas (shut down by evening time) and streets along train tracks.

I once asked an Oakland officer about parking overnight on city streets. He essentially shrugged. If they don't get a call about it, they don't care.

 

[Zil]

Important note there. If you are in a neighborhood where someone would call, or in an area where there has been recent problems, the police will come calling. Mostly they don't care, if you are discreet. But, they always know you are there.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

work nights....it does rouse less suspicion but if you arent moving on then the locals will know too even sleeping daytime. also, much hotter ...
i usually only can sleep early morn after work and late just before

 

[cyndi]

There are a lot of chain stores that may allow over night parking if city and or county allows.

Cabela
Cracker Barrel
Camping World
Dick's Sporting Goods
Sam's Club
Costco
Bass Pro Shops
Gander Mountain
REI
Always check with someone, preferably management.

Also, in the Midwest there are city and county parks that are free or very cheap

In the southwest, some states allow over night parking in some, if not all rest areas along the interstates.

 

[Lostinspace]

Add Florida to the rest stop overnight parking. Then there is also the big name truck stops that allow overnight parking.

 

[peacetara]

When traveling into a new city, I like to head to the public library. They usually cater to enough homeless types that they know the answer, on if it's illegal in their town to sleep in vehicles. They don't always. The last city I stopped in, I asked, the librarian didn't know, they sent me to the local police station. They also didn't know (or didn't choose to answer anyway). I didn't push the issue, since they did give me a hookup for free camping in a local campground for a few nights($36/night value), so I'm not really complaining. But super sad they couldn't answer the question. When traveling in NF or BLM land, I assume it's legal to camp there, unless they have a sign saying you can't. Generally in my experience the worst case is, they ask you to move, if they happen to find you and prefer you don't camp there. Tho apparently some NF's are getting kinda icky, (Coconino I believe) and are ticketing people they don't like. I generally try to stop into a NF/BLM ranger station, ask them for a MVUSM (a free map), and where they recommend camping.

 

[GotSmart]

I have now been on the road for a week. Right now I am in Pueblo, CO. Some WalMarts are not allowing over night parking any more. I have been staying at a Loves truck stop. They have signs up saying customer parking for one hour only. I asked about it from someone in the store, and was told that they would not do anything about my parking there. I make sure I come in around dusk, and leave not long after sunrise. I keep the area spotless, and stay out of the way. Since it is where all the employees gather to smoke, I am sure that everyone knows about me being there. I have explained my situation to a couple of them, (Waiting for a bank deposit) and they are cool about the whole thing.

The local police are cool about van dwellers as long as they look clean and are polite.

With my Silver Sneakers insurance I can use any Y to clean up.

 

[sephiro499]

Why not a 24hr grocery store? Bob mentions this in his book as his number one place to park. If you have patronized the store I can see no reason for any harassment.