Free Places to Park Your RV Overnight

While traveling cross-country, it may be difficult to know where you’re allowed to stay overnight, especially for free. We want to help and make sure your travels go as smoothly as possible so we’ve compiled a list of free places to park your RV overnight to ensure you get a good night’s rest.

• Truck stops

These are popular spots for everyone and there is no rule saying it’s only for truckers. However, there is a certain etiquette that should be followed. For instance if you are a small RV that could park in a regular parking spot, it is courteous to not take up a spot big enough for a semi truck so use your best judgment on this one. Some truck stops even have a restaurant so you’ll be able to get a fresh-cooked meal before heading out. While truck stops are a great option because of the free stay, there is no supervision making it a sort of risky stop, to be safe make sure you are aware of your surroundings and always let a friend or family member know where you’ll be staying!

• Rest stops

Rest stops are similar to truck stops but are much smaller. They usually have restrooms, picnic areas, and sometimes even a quick history lesson of where you are. The rule for truck stop safety can also apply to rest stops, just like any outdoor public area you have to be safe.

• Campgrounds

Campgrounds are one of the trickier places to stay price-wise but 99% of the time there will be a spot open for you to check out. So if all else fails, campgrounds are a great spot, and depending on the site, they are usually cheap and affordable.

• Big box stores

Stores like Walmart, Cabelas, and Cracker Barrel are always great places to stop, before staying however you should check with the store’s manager to get the OK. These types of stores are a great place to stay because they have large parking spaces allowing for a little privacy. They can also be found in almost every city! Staying overnight at a big box store also allows you to re-stock up on your favorite snacks before getting on the road again.

• National parks

When it comes to free places to park your RV, National Parks are definitely one that everyone should try at least once! National Parks are not only a great and safe place for you to stay, but they also allow you to experience nature right outside your RV. Most of the free parking in the National Parks will be found on service roads. Be courteous and don’t leave trash and unattended fires!

We hope this helped answer any questions you may have had and we wish you the best of luck and happiness on your travels! If you have any concerns please give us a call at (719) 596-2716 and we’ll be happy to help. Make sure to check us out on Facebook and Instagram and give us a follow!