Tips for Boondocking At Walmart, Cracker Barrel or Cabela's

Above, The Beast at a shopping center in the San Fernando Valley. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Dry camping (or boondocking) in a business parking lot is sometimes necessary if there's no RV park or campground in the vicinity you're in.

Some places allow it (it also depends on city ordinances) and some don't.

Before parking your RV in a parking lot, there's some essential rules that should be followed for a hassle-free night's stay.

Do It Yourself RV has posted an article with those rules.

They begin with:

One of the greatest things about RVing is the fact that you have everything you need with you wherever you go. This is especially nice when you’re traveling and need to stop somewhere to sleep for the night. Finding a hotel is no longer necessary, and in reality, you don’t even need to look for a campground. 

For quick overnight stays, consider saving your money and hitting up a Walmart, Cracker Barrel, or Cabela’s.  As long as there are no city ordinances preventing them from doing so, these places will often allow RVers to park overnight in their parking lots. 

Though you won’t have any electric or water hookups, these locations are just fine for a quick night of rest. And because they can often be found right off the highway, you won’t have to go too far out of your way to find one. 

All that said, there are some things you should know before attempting to stay overnight in a parking lot. After all, the point is to get some good rest, and if you go in unprepared, it’s likely you won’t get the sleep and relaxation you need.

To read more, go here.