The title of my last post, “Seems Like We Can Take the RV Everywhere!” is so true. There are expensive places, cheap places, free places, overnight only places and many in between places where people can park trailers, truck campers and various classes of motorhomes.

Here’s the beginning of a resource which will help people find locations, other than their in-law’s driveway, to park their RV, whether for a night, a weekend, a full week or even longer.

I use these different links to find nearby camping sites suitable for our needs and motorhome. I plan on expanding the list of resources as well as expand on the details of each resource as I have time.

Please send updates or comments regarding these links and sites. Also feel free to send pictures and links to other resources and sites. I’ll add them as I have time.

Deception Pass State Park - Washington

State, National and Federal Sites

State Parks

Oregon - http://www.oregonstateparks.org/searchpark.php

Washington - http://www.parks.wa.gov/

Idaho - http://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/index.aspx

British Columbia - http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/

Tumwater Canyon near Leavenworth WA

US Forest Service – http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/

Federal Parks, Lakes & Recreational areas - http://www.recreation.gov/

National Forests and Grasslands - http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5274609.html

Wilderness - http://www.wilderness.net/

US National Forest - http://www.forestcamping.com/dow/list/nflist.htm

Rainbow Bridge National Monument - Glen Canyon AZ/UT

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) - http://www.recreation.gov/unifSearch.do?topTabIndex=Search

Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Washington - http://www.dnr.wa.gov/RecreationEducation/Topics/OpenClosureNotices/Pages/amr_statewide_rec.aspx

USACE - United States Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds offer great RV camping opportunities centered around water recreation. With thousands of recreation areas at over 450 lakes and waterways, USACE provides fishing, boating, hiking, and of course camping opportunities that anyone can enjoy. USACE (US Army Corps of Engineers) is probably better known around the RV community as COE. http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/

Lake Wallula Recreation Area - Washington

For those of you that find the USACE website difficult to navigate, you can purchase a copy of Camping With the Corps of Engineers. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/093787745X/qid=1115298751/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

USACE locations are also available through the USA RV Camping Map on their home page. Click on a state, then click the USACE/COE link for statewide facility information. http://www.rv-camping.org/

Others

Casino Parking – Many casinos across the United States allow RVs to park for free or very cheaply if they do charge. As with any of the free places to stay, if people abuse it, it will go away. So gamble a little, have or have a meal in the casino. We found an RV parking area at the Quinault Beach Resort and Casino that is literally right on the Pacific Ocean. You have to register but it is free. I don’t feel like I have to spend money every time I stay for two nights, but I do believe I should at least spend something in the Resort (a spa day for Cheryl?) maybe every other time we go.

Casinos Parking Locations - http://www.casinocamper.com/rv-parking-locations
Casino RV Parking Etiquette - http://www.casinocamper.com/casino-parking-info/etiquette

Quinault Beach Resort and Casino - Washington

FOE (Fraternal Order of Eagles) - Some of their locations offer free or very cheap RV parking. Click on the link and then use their Aerie Locator. In the list of locations in the city you are searching for, locations that have parking are indicated by a camper icon. Personally, I’d call ahead to see what they have – amount of room, are there any events going on, etc. - http://www.foe.com/index.aspx

Free Campgrounds - http://www.freecampgrounds.com/

Good Sam Club - http://www.goodsamclub.com/travel/Default.aspx

Idaho Power - http://www.idahopower.com/OurEnvironment/Recreation/parks/default.cfm

Cascade Reservoir - Idaho

Overnightparking RV.com – Links & Resources - http://www.overnightrvparking.com/links.php

RV Overnight Parking - Our database contains 9221 RV Parking and No Parking locations in the USA and Canada. http://www.overnightrvparking.com/index.php?

RV Resources - Parking Your RV for the Night & Other Resources (LOTS of them!) http://www.exceldistributors.com/rv-parking-overnight.html

Washington Specific

The Coast

Long Beach - http://funbeach.com/rv-parks-and-tent-camping/

North Beach - http://www.pacificsecret.com/rvparks.php

The North Cascades - http://www.north.cascades.national-park.com/camping.htm#camp

WA Safety Rest Areas – not sure really…some websites say it’s OK to stay for a suggested length of 8 hours while other sites don’t list Washington among states that allow overnight stays. I cannot find any information on Washington’s Department of Transportation website, but have sent them an email to clarify this and will update this information once I get a response. http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/safety/restareas/

Woodalls - Woodall’s has been providing information about RVing and family camping for over 70 years. In 1935, Karl Hale Dixon founded the company with Trailer Travel magazine. Within a few months he realized people needed to know where they could camp and so started a directory of camping locations. http://www.woodalls.com/default.aspx

Various Retail Outlets

There are plenty of places to stop overnight that are free if you just need to rest up overnight. However, it’s best to err on the side of caution and plan ahead by checking first because individual sites may not allow overnight stays.

While the following over-night-parking etiquette quidelines and code of conduct were found through Walmart's corporate site, they really apply to anywhere and anytime you are overnighting it at any retail outlet.

Overnight Parking Etiquette

Some of the most respected RV consumer clubs have joined together to support your right to park on private businesses' parking lots overnight under the following code of conduct. The code pertains to establishments that permit "dry camping" on their lots. Dry camping means camping without the use of external hookups for electricity, water supply or waste disposal. http://www.walmartatlas.com/overnight-parking-etiquette

Code of Conduct Printable Version

This Code of Conduct is also available in PDF format (see attachment). You're encouraged to print this letter and share it with others to promote these etiquette standards.http://www.walmartatlas.com/files/boondocking_letter.pdf

So what retail stores allow overnight parking?

Camping World

Costco

Cracker Barrel

Kmart

Lowes

Meijer

Menards

Sam’s Club

Target

Walmart - RV Parking at Walmart – A frequently asked question is, “Can I park my RV at a Walmart store?” The answer? While they do not offer electrical service or accommodations typically necessary for RV customers, Walmart values RV travelers and considers them among their best customers. Consequently, they do permit RV parking on their store lots as they are able. Permission to park is extended by individual store managers, based on availability of parking space and local laws. Please contact management in each store to ensure accommodations before parking your RV.

There is not a list of Wal-mart stores that permit overnight parking, but there is a list of stores that prohibit overnight parking. It can be found here - http://www.walmartatlas.com/no-park-walmarts

And if you must, Walmart actually publishes a Walmart Atlas. It is a comprehensive guide to nearly 4,200 Walmart stores, Supercenters, and Sam's Club stores in the United States. Detailed maps show you where the stores are located and whether gas or diesel fuel is available. http://www.walmartatlas.com/store/viewitem.php?productid=27

There’s even a Walmart Yahoo Group. I joined the group! Their “about us” says, “This group is the positive voice of WalMart Rving. We are the original WalMart RVing group. The purpose of this group is to discuss overnight parking of RV's at… and similar hosts that allow free overnight RV parking.” http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/walmartrving/

And Truck Stops?

AmBest Truck Stops

Flying J

Loves Travel

Pacific Pride Fuel

Petro Truck Stops

Pilot Travel Centers

Travel Centers of America

Union 76 & Other Truck Stops

Many of these locations are not open 24 hours so use common sense and take precautions if you are going to be staying in the parking lot and are the only one there.

While truck stops are typically noisy, you have the safety of others being around.