11 Overnight Stops for RVers (Better than Walmart)
If you are scrambling for a place to stay while on the road, forget Walmart for overnight RV parking. We have 11 overnight RV spots that you can stay at instead! Many people don't know you can stay at these locations with your RV, so pay close attention. We’ve done our fair share staying at Walmarts, but we want you to know it's not your only option!
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RVing Overnight Options:
Casinos: Casinos are great places to stay. There are some casinos that have campsites, but most will allow you to stay in their parking lots. If you have any questions about staying, ask the security personnel.
County and City Parks: County and city parks are more popular in the midwest area. They are usually secluded and small with only a few spots. Some even have free hookups, or charge a small fee of $10-20 dollars. They have a quiet, small town feel and are generally well maintained. To locate these treasures we use All Stays Pro and we typically cross- reference with Campendium for pictures and reviews.
Fairgrounds: Another location that you may have never thought of is local fairgrounds. You can stay at these when there are no events going on. This is usually a very affordable choice and they are easy to get in and out of because of the large parking areas.
Boondockers Welcome: Boondockers Welcome is a paid program, but we find it worth the cost! People with property allow RVers to camp on their property. If you are fortunate, the owners even have RV hookups for you to use. You can boondock on their property for little to no cost. Sign up and use the following code: “HANKS21” for 10% off. You can save a ton of money using this app.
Cabela’s or Bass Pro: Both Cabela’s and Bass Pro allow RVers to park in their parking lot. It is usually quiet during your stay since you are there after hours for the most part! An advantage to choosing this option is that many have a large parking lot to accommodate larger rigs. While there you can choose to support them because they carry camping supplies. Use All Stays Pro to find the category for Cabela’s or Bass Pro that are along your route.
National Forests: National forests are a wonderful place to stop for the night. They may or may not have designated spots and hookups for you to camp. Many National Forests are a first come, first serve, while some require reservations so check ahead of time! Red Shale campground was one of our favorites!
Cracker Barrel: Cracker Barrel is a wonderful place to unwind and rejuvenate in the evening. We love Cracker Barrel because you can grab dinner or breakfast to support them for allowing us to park there. They generally has around five RV-specific parking spots at each restaurant just look for the signs!
BLM (Bureau of Land Management): Public land operated by government agencies is called BLM. Camping at these locations is a great option for an overnight stay! Before staying do your research to ensure that it will be a good fit for your stay. Campendium is a great place to check the reviews to see if the sites are a good solution for your stop.
Truck stops: We always try to respect truck drivers and leave these spaces for them, but we recently learned that Love’s is creating spots of RVers. When staying at a truck stop be respectful of the truckers. Remember it is better to stop and rest than to drive tired!
Harvest Hosts: Harvest Host is another membership based program with so many great places to stay. Businesses open up to allow RVers a place to rest along their journey. The options for overnight stay include wineries, breweries, and farms just to name a few. Along with a great night stay many offer amenities for you to enjoy while supporting their business.
Rest areas: Rest areas are generally a last minute option as we try to leave these spots for the truckers. Use All Stays Pro to reference when checking out these areas as well!
Fire pits, patio heaters, camp stoves, pizza ovens and more!
Honorable Mentions
Airports, regional airports, strip malls, churches, hospitals, tractor supply or big shopping malls are all contenders when looking for an overnight stop. When in doubt, ask for permission! In addition, we’ve also heard several people having luck at Home Depot, Lowe’s, convention centers due to accessibility and large lots! Every city has ordinances, call ahead to make sure it’s okay so you can rest peacefully! Generally speaking, it is best to stay connected to your tow vehicle and keep your slides in when staying at local businesses.
Now that you know 11 different places to stay overnight in your RV that are better than Walmart, where will you stay on your next road trip? If you've got some great suggestions of your own, we'd love to hear them. If you're looking for even more options, consider signing up for a paid membership with Boondockers Welcome or All Stays Pro. Both memberships offer access to an online database of safe and reliable overnight stops all across the country. They've saved us countless times when we've been traveling and we can't recommend them enough. So get out there and explore America – just be sure to find a good place to park your rig for the night!
