If you’re about to head out on an RV trip and you know you’re going far enough that you’ll need to stop along the way to rest, then you’ll want to figure out where to park your RV. You can’t just park it by the side of the road in many cases, and you don’t want to illegally park where you aren’t supposed to. Read on for beginner’s tips for overnight RV parking.
Where to Park Your RV Overnight
There are several other options available for legally parking your RV overnight. The most common place is a campground, but there are other options beyond that.
If you don’t book a campground site, you’’ll want to get in touch with the proprietors of these places to double-check that you’re allowed to park overnight:
- City convention centers and stadiums that aren’t in use for a concert, game or other large event may permit you to park in their empty lots.
- Truck stops are an excellent parking place for RVs because there are often convenience stores, gas stations and shower facilities that you can make use of if you need them. Some of these stops even provide separate RV parking spaces.
- Rest areas may be used as an overnight RV parking spot, and some may even have dump sites.
- Elks Club and Moose Lodge members may be able to park in other cities’ club parking lots, and non-members may be able to do so as well for a small fee.
- Mall and church parking lots may also be used at night, provided you get in touch ahead of time.
- Casinos often have large parking lots and are often open very late into the night, and if you intend to visit the casino, you may be able to stay the night there as well.
Overnight Parking Etiquette
Regardless of wherever you park, it’s important that you respect the owners and other users of the parking area.
- Don’t dump any of your wastewater tanks onto the ground.
- Avoid leaving trash or oil spills on the ground.
- Be quiet at night, especially if the parking space is near a residential area.
- If you are asked to leave because you were mistaken about the rules, don’t make a fuss or argue: pack up and head elsewhere.
- Don’t overstay your welcome by parking in a space multiple nights in a row.
- If you’re at a business like a truck stop or store, you should patronize that business as a show of good faith.
- Arrive early and depart as early as you can, especially for store parking lots which may open to customers early.
- Avoid parking close to the doors of any store or church so that you’re not blocking the path.
- Keep slide-outs and awnings tucked in to conserve space.
For more information or to explore RVs for sale, visit East Coast RV Specialists. We are a dealership located in Bedford, Pennsylvania.
