Overnight Parking
When starting your journey into mobile living, it can be tricky to figure out where you can and can’t park for the night. Luckily there are tons of resources available these days that will get you headed in the right direction! Before we share our favorite apps, websites and a few helpful tips, I wanted to mention how important it is to always leave your spot looking better than it did before. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve pulled up to an otherwise beautiful location, only to be disappointed by the wrappers, bottles and used toilet paper left behind. We feel incredibly lucky to be able to enjoy these spots (many of them for free), the absolute least we can do is keep things looking clean and pristine. If these spots keep getting trashed, the privilege to park overnight will be taken away no doubt! We always keep a pair of gloves in the van so that we can clean up any messes before we set up camp. When in doubt, it’s always a good idea to follow The 7 Leave No Trace Principles.
When trying to figure out where we are going to park for the night we start by looking at a map and getting an idea of how far we want to drive that day. Once we have a rough estimate of the area we’ll end up we usually pull up apps like iOverlander to see if there are any spots listed near our destination. If so, we’ll read reviews to get a better idea of what the spot is going to be like. Our ideal parking spot will have good cell service and be in a more remote area away from big cities.
Apps & Websites For Finding Free Parking
iOverlander
iOverlander is the main app we use. It’s extremely easy to navigate and we’ve had great luck finding some pretty nice spots on the West Coast. It also lists places to dump & fill your tanks which is super helpful! The only downside is that the more popular the app becomes, the more likely the spots they have listed will become crowded. We haven’t had an issue with this, but it’s something to keep in mind.
Freecampsites.net
We’ve used this website a lot in the past, but I do find it a little harder to navigate than other apps. If you’re going to use Freecampsites.net I would recommend viewing on a desktop computer or large tablet.
US Public Lands
You can use the US Public Lands app to find the boundaries of BLM Land in the area you are looking to camp.
Harvest Host
We haven’t used this service yet, but it sounds really awesome! Harvest Host connects you with breweries, wineries, farms etc that allow you to park on their property. There is a fee to use the service & you are required to have a self-contained van or RV (with toilet, running water etc), but from what I’ve seen it looks pretty cool!
campendium
We haven’t used this website, but I’ve heard its another good way to find campgrounds!
Hipcamp
Hipcamp reminds me of Airbnb but for camping. On their site you’ll find all kinds of different ways to camp (tent camping, glamping, RV parks etc). There is a fee required for all of the spots on their site, but the price range varies depending on location and amenities. I’ve seen some pretty unique and cool looking spots on Hipcamp that would be fun the stay at for a special occasion.
Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management (or BLM) manages public land in many states. Click HERE for more information. There are many opportunities to camp on BLM land and there are two ways you can do it!
DISPERSED CAMPING
Dispersed camping refers to camping on public lands away from developed recreation facilities, meaning there won’t be access to things like restrooms or trash cans, so you’ll need to plan accordingly. Dispersed camping is available for free and is allowed for up to 14 days within a 28 day period.
DEVELOPED CAMPGROUNDS
Many BLM locations have developed facilities available for camping. These campgrounds typically require a fee and may include things like restrooms, electrical hookups, trash cans etc. Most spots are available on a first come first served basis, but some can be reserved here.
Parking In Cities (stealth camping)
We’ve spent the majority of van life stealth camping in neighborhoods. Being stealth means keeping a low profile and doing your best to stay undetected. This is not our favorite way to park for the night, but sometimes it’s all we can do. Surprisingly, we’ve never gotten the dreaded “knock'“, meaning we’ve never been asked to leave a spot in the middle of the night.
Some Tips
Always read the street signs. You’ll want to make sure there aren’t any time limits, required permits, street sweeping, etc. Also look out for “no overnight” parking signs.
Avoid parking directly in front of someone’s home (look for side streets or neighborhood parks)
Look for apartment complexes vs single family homes. If you notice that everyone has their cars parked in their driveway and there are little to no cars parked on the street, then you will probably want to go somewhere else. Home owners are more likely to be suspicious of vehicles parked on the street if they aren’t used to seeing that on a regular basis. This is why rental properties like apartments or duplex’s are a better option because it’s more common to see a number of different vehicles parked outside, but do try to avoid overly crowded streets in an effort to not take parking spots from residents.
Arrive late and leave early.
Put your window covers on before you arrive, the goal is to make it look like you’re not in there.
Try not to park in the same spot for multiple nights in a row.
Try to avoid going in and out of your van once you arrive. Finish anything you need to do outside of your van before you get to your sleeping spot, including walking the dog.
Make sure there are no length or height restrictions on the street you are parking on. Sometimes it can be confusing to know what type of vehicles are allowed to park on certain streets. It’s always a good idea to do a quick google search to check the hight/length restrictions in the city you are traveling to.
Try to avoid having anything super flashy or noticeable on the outside of your van (stickers, decals, elaborate paint jobs, bikes racks, etc.) if you are looking to stay more undetected.
Industrial areas can be a good option for overnight parking in cities because they’re typically very quiet after business hours and usually full of cargo vans parked on the street, making it easier to blend in.
When stealth camping we usually avoid using apps. We just use our own judgment to find spots where we can easily blend in and go undetected. It’s best to not have a bunch of different vans camping in the same spots each night in neighborhoods and residential areas.
More Parking Options
Campgrounds
Campgrounds are always an option for overnight parking, but fees can add up quick if you’re living on the road full time. Somehow we’ve made it almost two years living in our van and have yet to stay at a campground or pay for overnight parking. It’s easy for us to park anywhere because our van has full off-grid capabilities. We have our own toilet, a large water tank and a hefty electrical system which makes it easier to avoid developed campgrounds. That’s certainly not to say you have to stay at a paid campgrounds if you don’t have these amenities in your van, you’ll just want to plan accordingly for what you’ll need to feel comfortable.
Truck Stops
Truck stops can be a good option for overnight parking, especially when you’re between destinations. Many truck stops have shower facilities available too! However, be conscious of the available parking. These overnight parking areas are an important necessity for working truckers. If you find yourself in a full lot, it may be best to move on.
Rest Areas
Many rest stops allow overnight parking. In our experience these are harder to find in California, but are everywhere in Oregon and Washington. Many will specify an 8 hour parking max, so it’s a good idea to arrive late and leave early here as well. Who wants to stay at a rest stop all day anyways.
WalMart
Some Walmarts allow overnight parking for vans and RVs. You just want to check beforehand as some do not.
Casinos
Many casinos also offer overnight parking and some even have RV hookups. I stayed at one while I was traveling alone when Nate was out of town. The parking lot was very well lit and there were security guards patrolling regularly which made me feel safe. Casinos usually require you to register (free) with security if camping overnight. They will usually include some gambling money for your first nights stay as well, if you’re into that.