We’re headed out on a road trip from South Texas to Charleston, South Carolina. Our goal is to not pay for overnight camping unless absolutely necessary. So we thought we’d share with you exactly how we do that.
Here’s a few ways we find free places to stay in our van/RV:
- Walmart is always our backup plan/last resort. When staying here is a must, I always make a purchase inside and get approval from management just to make sure their policy hasn’t changed. In Colorado, we stayed overnight at Walmart who allowed overnight parking but had changed their policy a few days prior during a festival. I always check on site to avoid a knock on the window in the middle of the night.
- Bureau of Land Management has boondocking/dispersed camping option in many areas. Make sure to check the specific area as changes can occur quickly.
- Casinos. I always follow the same procedure as with Walmart, but this is usually a safe, convenient option but be sure to do your research. Most casinos allow free overnight stays and many have RV parks with full hook ups if you’re willing to pay for the spot.
- Camping stores like Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops are another option. I typically locate these ahead of time as a last-minute option if we need it and talk to management here as well before settling in for the night.
- Driveway surfing. Staying in our rig in the driveway of friends and family is a fun option. Spending time with those we love is important to us and often we have connections this way.
Other Options
I haven’t personally had the opportunity to try either of these yet, but both have excellent reputations and are worth checking into:
Boondockers Welcome is a program where locals invite RVers to stay on their property.
Harvest Hosts is a program where wineries, breweries, farms and attractions invite RVers to stay overnight.
We hope these options get you started. Let us know if you have any insight on finding free camping.
Adventure on!
