park at nights

[user 25081]

:huh:
 Where to find a safe place to park at night, and not be bothered by the police

 

[rvwandering]

Welcome to the forums!
Read through some of the threads here - https://vanlivingforum.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=9

There are many websites that are helpful too. Here are a few:

                https://freecampsites.net/
                https://www.campendium.com/
                http://ioverlander.com/

 

[bullfrog]

Lots is variables determine that. What area you are in is usually the first one. Calling and asking the police might be a good idea.

 

[maki2]

Depends on what the local parking ordinances are.  You would only get a knock from the police if you are breaking an ordina6nce or if someone called the police because you look  threatening to them.

 

[Bobhdus]

A lot of the good places are starting to disappear due to the scumbag “litterbugs on wheels” people. Respect the area, leave it nicer than you found it etc... The plant where I work has a security crew that drives around looking through the parking lots but even with them, people spend the nights there because they show up when the midnight shift starts and don’t park too close to any of the entrances and they leave when that shift leaves. Stay out of site etc... Every town or big city has these type of industrial places. I’ve seen some that park at the end of our grocery store lots late and night (leave early in am) and put for sale by owner and a price poster on the windshield so they can park there overnight and you’d just think it was a vehicle for sale. If you don’t mind sleeping during the day, you can hang out at most any parking lot or public park during the day and sleep. It’s usually the “overnighters” that irritate people. Just my thoughts...


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[nature lover]

I’ve never been questioned. But I do have a good excuse. I literally cannot drive when it’s dark or in bad weather. So if the law wants to question me about sleeping in my van I can truthfully say that I did not want to be a danger to myself and others. I think most would understand. But if you don’t have this excuse you’re on your own. I have asked the manager of convenience stores if I could get a couple hours sleep in his lot. Notice I didn’t say spend the night although that’s what I do. Of course my arms are full of the purchases I just made at his register when I ask. And I do explain to him what I’m doing in that area. I have yet to be turned away. I have been a regular at several places for years because they’re near places where I go to take nature pictures like the national wildlife refuges in Delaware. I have even printed some of my pictures and give them to some of the staff. Little things like that will bring some blessings. I think your personal appearance when you ask makes a big difference. it’s one of the blessings I have in dressing “plain” - what most people would call Amish. Seems like a lot of people trust me And I try not to let them down. God bless The Nomads and may they all have a nice place to sleep.

 

[deadwood]

Parking lots are usually privately owned so I stay away from them at all costs. On public streets however you can usually park legally in most places. I'm in LA so finding street parking is super easy. I just park where everyone else parks. But I also pretty much stay parked by apartments or condos because you won't be in front of anyones house. You are just another vehicle on the street.

I was talking to motorcycle cop the other day. He just happened to pull someone over and they pulled into the park I was hanging out in that day. When the driver left the cop asked about the van. He had a truck camper so we talked campers and vans and general taking trips stories. Super cool guy. So I straight up ask him about everyone living in their RV's and vans and cars here in LA. Not to mention the people living in tents pretty much everywhere. He just said as long as nobody calls in a report then they won't be bothering anyone. But if you park in front of someones house, or even in a parking lot someone could easily call in and they will have to do a safety check to see what's what.