Sleeping in parking lots

[E U G]

Is this generally ok to do? Just bought my tiny trailer and I'm curious about all the ways I could be using it. I'm not talking about camping in parking lots, just sleeping. Just pulling into a grocery store parking lot to use the restroom and sleep for the night. I'm thinking I'd want to do this on long road trips, where I wouldn't know exactly where I'll be stopping for the night. Or just heading out to the beach late at night for an early start the next day.

Maybe laws regarding this vary from state to state? I'm in Portland, OR so I'd be doing most of my camping in Oregon and Washington.

[Dale M.]

Most places discourage it for safety and liability reasons.... BUT, WAL-MART allows it, or at least they used to and unless there is some sort of 24 hour occupancy ( other overnighters) you might be all alone and at the mercy of prowling miscreants...

Dale

[legojenn]

I think that there is a difference between can and should. As long as you are not conspicuous, you could probably pull over and sleep anywhere that it is not prohibited. As long as you feel safe, why not? Personally, I just can't relax enough to sleep at a shopping centre or Walmart. On the rare occasions that I do pull an overnighter on a road trip, I am more comfortable staying with the motorhomes and other trailers at a Flying J or equivalent so I can shower in the morning.

[Lgboro]

I just spent 3 nights (2 at truck stops and 1 at a 24 hour restaurant that catered to trucks) on a cross country from coastal NC to San Diego. I find the busy larger truck stops to appear to be fairly safe. I just pulled through a couple that I didn't feel comfortable staying and found another down the road. I'm sure I'll do the same on the way home. Some cities have ordinances that outlaws overnights in parking lots. Did get pretty warm one night out in the desert without AC, but got by with fans (80 watt solar has kept up very well even with only a 55 amp hr battery). One of the truck stops had water and a dump station for RV's. Probably about 4 of us mixed in with the trucks. My tear is very well insulated and has room darkening curtains so the light and noise of the truckers didn't bother me.

[jlreyburn]

We've done it in toll plazas in west Virginia and New York. I usually try to check on line prior to the trip for anything that says we CAN NOT do it. So far we have not had any problems. It is just one more reason to LOVE my Little Guy!

[mary and bob]

You can do a google search and find all kinds of info about staying in Walmarts, truck stops and rest areas, some good & some bad. We stayed at one Flying J this spring, it had a lot of conveniences but was a little noisy because of its location on a hill, truck Jake brakes and shifting. Had to pay for WiFi that was good for 24 hours at any Flying J. Stayed in one Walmart parking lot, went in and asked the manager for permission to do so, he told us where to park and asked what time we would be leaving so he could tell the next manager when he came on duty. I've heard of one Walmart providing a golf cart escort to a parking place. Some won't allow overnighting because of city ordinances, or because of bad past experiences with campers who acted as if it were a campground, setting up chairs, gas grill, outdoor carpet and awning. Some rest areas have parking time limits. Best advice, ASK, and be considerate of your host.

[mary and bob]

Slow: We did Walmart & the truck stop only because it was late at night and December and we were far enough north that campgrounds had closed for the season. Otherwise you're absolutely right. We only would do a parking lot if we were trying to do a lot of miles and just needed some sleep.

[emiller]

Yep I have done parking lot before, once a cop in California told me to just park in the parking lot of a hotel across form the police station. I have stayed at Casino parking lots trauck stops and even the McDonalds parking lot in Quartzsite, AZ

[NathanL]

I have stayed at rest stops on the interstate, but only if they have 24 hour security on hand. I always pull in and tell the guy (normally sitting in his truck) I'll be over there sleeping and then park as close to where his truck is parked.

I wouldn't stay at one with no security or one that isn't partly full of semis.

[CarlLaFong]

Camping World allows overnight parking. Maybe Cabella's does as well??? We've stayed at quite a few Walmarts without issue. Truck stops are good, but often noisy with trucks idling for hours and pulling in and out all night. I thing the best thing is to always be aware of your surroundings. If your in a seedy looking part of town, find a better spot. If the main drag through town is MLK Blvd. or Caesar Chavez Ave., I'd pass and move on. We've also overnighted at roadside rest areas. I feel quite safe at the rest areas as they are busy and the bad guys like to skulk about without witnesses

[mary and bob]

I've heard that Camping World only allows overnight parking for customers that are there for service work. It probably varies per location and the mood of the manager. Best procedure is to ask. I had emailed Cracker Barrel and asked about overnight parking and the answer was NO, but other travelers claim to have done it, whether they had permission or not I don't know.

[suckerpunched]

Hell I worry sometimes just going into my Walmart just to shop much less sleeping in the parking lot,,,,but than again I don't live in Happyville......

[mary and bob]

Weird people at Walmart is a whole other topic. I did read that there was an incident where a guy in a camper in a Walmart parking lot shot some person that was trying to get in the camper.

[S. Heisley]

I've slept where there were other semi-trucks around, especially some rest areas along the interstate. While I wouldn't make a habit of it, I slept in a rest area just a couple weeks ago. Just be cautious and pick your spot carefully. If you have good sense, you should be able to tell if it's okay or not.

[toolman]

Before going to bed for the night, go into the store/business and ask for a manager and ask permission. They will tell you if you can and if there may be an ordinance against overnight parking. Most likely they will tell you what part of the parking lot they would like you to park. You don't want ticket for violating a local law.

You can also go to the local PD ask if you can a where would be the best/safest place to do so.

Jerry