Embarking on a solo road trip and considering sleeping in your car might initially feel a bit daunting. The idea of spending nights in unfamiliar locations can be unsettling at first. However, once you get the hang of it, car camping transforms into a secure, convenient, and budget-friendly way to travel. Not only does it drastically cut down on accommodation costs, but it also grants you the unparalleled freedom to stop and rest practically anywhere your adventure leads you.
On my first cross-country road trip, I was definitely apprehensive. But after three years of solo travels and countless nights sleeping in my car, I feel like a seasoned pro!
There’s nothing I love more than the open road and the spontaneous adventures I encounter on my car camping trips. Sleeping in your car is an incredible option, particularly for solo travelers watching their wallets on extended road trips. Of course, the key to successful car camping is finding safe (and ideally free) places to park overnight, and believe it or not, there are many options out there!
In this guide, I’ll share essential tips to help you feel safe, comfortable, and confident while sleeping in your car, so you can maximize your solo adventures on the road!
Essentials for Comfortable Car Sleeping
First and foremost, if you’re planning a long road trip with car sleeping in mind, creating a comfortable sleeping setup inside your vehicle is crucial. While reclining front seats or stretching out on the back seats might suffice for a night or two, for truly restful sleep, you’ll want a more dedicated and comfortable arrangement than just leaning back your passenger seat.
The most important aspect of car camping is ensuring your comfort on the road. This comfort is what makes the experience enjoyable and something you’ll want to repeat. When designing your comfortable sleeping setup, consider essentials like a sleeping pad or a comfortable mattress. Some prefer air mattresses, while I personally favor a foldable memory foam mattress. You’ll also need a sleeping bag suitable for the expected weather conditions, or a cozy comforter or blanket, pillows, and window covers to block out bright lights. Window covers are also invaluable for privacy, especially when parked near other car campers. Trust me, a sleep mask alone isn’t a substitute for window covers. For truly restful sleep in your car, window covers are a game-changer!
What is Boondocking?
Many free overnight camping spots fall under the category of boondocking sites. Boondocking refers to camping without utility hookups, typically in remote or undeveloped areas, and often free of charge. It’s also known as “dry camping” or “off-grid camping” because you won’t have connections to water, electricity, or sewer services. When boondocking, self-sufficiency is key. You need to bring all your supplies, including food, water, a chair, and a table, and you’ll also need to plan for bathroom needs.
Apps For Finding Free Campsites and Boondocking Locations
Once you have a comfortable sleeping setup in your car, a variety of excellent apps and websites can help you locate free overnight parking, no matter where you are in the country. While “winging it” is an option, especially when traveling solo, it’s reassuring to know you’re in a safe, secure, and legally permissible spot for overnight parking.
Some of these apps are subscription-based, while others are free. Over the years, I’ve noticed an increase in paid camping apps, but the costs are generally minimal. Importantly, even paid apps often include free boondocking locations in their databases, making the app’s cost worthwhile in the long run.
Many of these apps concentrate on traditional campsites and more secluded, backroad camping spots. Before venturing to these free locations, always ensure your vehicle is suitable for the terrain. Read user reviews carefully and avoid attempting to drive down any questionable or overly rugged dirt roads. It’s always wiser to turn around than to risk getting stuck.
iOverlander
This free app is my most frequently used resource for finding free campsites. I specifically use the original version, “iOverlander Legacy,” available in app stores. In 2024, iOverlander 2 was released, a paid version costing around $60 annually. The newer version offers expanded features and international location coverage, not just within the USA. I highly recommend iOverlander because it’s a crowd-sourced database of campsites and free boondocking locations. It also provides valuable information on amenities like camping facilities, water sources, dump stations, and other resources useful for travelers. Users actively contribute reviews and site information in real-time, which is incredibly helpful. I especially appreciate reading about other car campers’ experiences at these free overnight spots.
Free Campsites
FreeCampsites.net is a website providing maps and community-driven reviews to help you find free tent camping and boondocking locations. While I don’t use this site as frequently as iOverlander because it’s slightly less user-friendly, I have discovered some fantastic campsites through it.
Campendium
Campendium offers both a website and an app that highlight free tent and RV camping spots. It’s particularly popular among van lifers and RV owners. Campendium provides a wide range of filters, allowing you to quickly narrow down your search and find the specific type of camping spot you’re looking for.
The Dyrt
The Dyrt boasts an extensive database of campgrounds, including boondocking and dispersed camping locations. Their premium service, The Dyrt PRO, costs $36 per year and offers valuable features like downloadable offline maps showing free camping areas on public lands.
Love’s Travel Center App
Love’s Travel Centers has its own app designed to keep travelers connected and informed. This app displays current gas prices and lists the locations of Love’s Travel Centers that accommodate overnight parking. Most Love’s locations feature 24/7 bathrooms, a significant benefit when sleeping in your car. However, be aware that if a Love’s parking lot is small, it can be quite noisy due to constant traffic.
BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Website
blm.gov is the official website for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Their site offers detailed information on public lands where boondocking is permitted. You can find maps and regulations for dispersed camping in specific areas, often near national parks. Keep in mind that most BLM land is located in rural areas, away from urban centers. When utilizing BLM land, ensure your vehicle is capable of handling potentially unpaved, gravel, or unmaintained roads.
USFS (United States Forest Service) Website
fs.usda.gov is the official website of the US Forest Service. It provides comprehensive details on camping within national forests, including dispersed (boondocking) camping areas. The site also offers access to maps, site-specific information, and local forest rules. Similar to BLM land, accessing USFS dispersed camping often requires a vehicle with good tires and maneuverability for dirt roads. Remote areas also lack services and amenities, so thorough preparation is essential if you choose this option.
If you are traveling in an RV, Harvest Host and Boondockers Welcome are two excellent websites that offer free RV parking on private property. Both services charge an annual membership fee, but all parking locations listed on their sites are free for members.
Free Overnight Parking Areas Along Highways
While the apps mentioned above are incredibly useful for finding free campsites, you can also find free overnight parking in areas that are easily accessible from highways and major cities. These locations often don’t require venturing onto backroads or needing a 4-wheel drive vehicle.
Rest Stops
Many rest stops offer free overnight parking in addition to 24-hour bathrooms, which is incredibly convenient when you’re sleeping in your car. However, some rest stops prohibit overnight parking, so always look for “No Overnight Parking” signs when you arrive.
Rest stops have sometimes had a negative reputation in the past, but I believe many states have improved their rest stop facilities and safety over the years. Some states, like Florida, even provide nighttime security at major rest stops (like those on I-10). It’s always wise to assess a rest stop upon arrival before deciding to stay the night. If it feels unsafe or “sketchy,” it’s best to move on.
Over the years, I’ve stayed at numerous rest stops and have generally had positive experiences. They are conveniently located along major highways throughout the US. However, overnight parking regulations at rest stops vary from state to state.
Travel Centers, Truck Stops, and Visitor Centers
I often use Google Maps or the Love’s app to locate travel centers such as Pilot Flying J, Love’s, and TA Travel Centers along interstates. These are generally safe and legal places to park overnight. Truck drivers frequently use these travel centers, so you’ll typically see many semi-trucks parked at these locations. Travel centers usually include a gas station and convenience store, and most also offer showers for a fee (sometimes up to $20).
Before I became a Planet Fitness member, I often paid for showers at travel centers. Now, I highly recommend a Planet Fitness Black Card Membership, which allows you access to any Planet Fitness location nationwide for around $25 a month.
Travel centers are excellent options for overnight parking during long road trips because they typically have 24/7 bathrooms. However, they can be noisy, particularly if the parking lot is small and busy.
Some visitor centers also permit overnight parking. For example, in Texas, overnight parking is allowed at all visitor centers. Certain visitor centers in New York and South Dakota also allow overnight parking. It’s crucial to confirm whether a specific visitor center allows overnight parking before setting up camp. I always try to ask inside first. However, most visitor centers close early, usually between 4-6 PM, which is often before I arrive for the night. If possible, I arrive early to inquire about overnight parking and then return later. I have parked overnight at visitor centers even without explicit permission, but if I see a “no overnight parking” sign, I avoid staying unless other campers are already present or I’m in a bind and it’s too late to find another option.
Parking illegally overnight could result in a knock on your window in the middle of the night from law enforcement, potentially leading to a ticket. It really depends on the area and local regulations. I once received a knock at midnight, but the officer simply directed me to a permitted location and didn’t issue a ticket. I’ve heard California is stricter with ticketing, but again, it varies greatly depending on the specific location.
Most visitor centers do not have 24-hour bathrooms, so if you choose to sleep in your car at a visitor center, make sure to use the restroom before they close for the night.
Parking Lots & Big Box Stores
Several major retail chains across the U.S. are known to permit overnight parking for RVs and travelers in their parking lots. However, store policies can vary by location, and local ordinances might prohibit overnight parking, so it’s always best to ask for permission before staying. When parking in a store parking lot, it’s essential to follow common boondocking etiquette, such as not setting up camp outside your vehicle, not overstaying your welcome, and ensuring you leave no trash behind.
Always call the specific store you plan to stay at and ask for permission from a manager. This is courteous and ensures you’re complying with local rules and won’t be disturbed in the middle of the night. Even if one of my boondocking apps lists a location as a legal overnight spot, I still feel more secure getting verbal confirmation from a store employee or manager who is aware of the specific location’s regulations.
Cracker Barrel
Almost all Cracker Barrel restaurants across the country welcome travelers to park overnight in their parking lots for free. In all my cross-country travels, I’ve only encountered one Cracker Barrel with signs prohibiting overnight parking (I believe it was in Pennsylvania). I appreciate staying at Cracker Barrel because they are known for welcoming RVs and car campers and often even have designated areas for overnight parking.
Most Cracker Barrel locations close around 8 or 9 PM and reopen around 7 or 8 AM. If I need to use a restroom after Cracker Barrel closes, I usually utilize the facilities at a nearby Walmart. I always feel safer sleeping at Cracker Barrel locations, and I find them to be dark and quiet at night.
Walmart
Walmart is one of the most popular and widely known spots for free overnight parking. However, in recent years, I’ve noticed an increasing number of Walmarts have begun to restrict or prohibit overnight parking. Some locations post “No Overnight Parking” signs but may still unofficially allow it. This is why it’s important to ask a store manager for clarification and permission.
When I first started car camping, I frequently stayed at Walmarts. Some are definitely better than others. The Walmart in Bozeman, MT, for example, is practically a campground with many overnight campers despite the “No Overnight Parking” signs.
However, some Walmarts can feel a bit less safe or “sketchy.” It’s wise to assess the parking lot upon arrival. If a Walmart parking lot feels unsafe, especially if there are people loitering or congregating and no other campers present, I typically move on to another location. I always feel more comfortable overnighting in a parking lot when there are other campers around, particularly when traveling solo – but that’s a personal preference and comfort level.
A major advantage of Walmarts is that most are open until 11 PM and reopen at 6 AM, providing access to public restrooms late at night and early in the morning. Even if I don’t choose to sleep at a Walmart, I often use their restroom about an hour before bed to minimize the need for overnight bathroom breaks.
Bass Pro Shop/Cabela’s
Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s, being outdoor-focused retailers, generally welcome campers to park overnight in their parking lots. Some locations even offer designated RV parking areas or dump stations. I consistently feel safe parking overnight at Bass Pro Shops. However, they tend to close earlier and open later than some other stores, and there are fewer locations nationwide compared to chains like Walmart or Cracker Barrel.
Other stores, including Camping World, Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Target, might also permit overnight parking in certain cities. Remember, when parking at any big box store, it’s crucial to practice “leave no trace” principles, avoid setting up camp outside your vehicle (no chairs, grills, etc.), and, if possible, support the store by making a small purchase.
Residential Areas/Stealth Camping
Stealth camping is the practice of camping discreetly, usually in urban or semi-urban areas, aiming to remain unnoticed and blend in. The goal is to spend the night in locations where camping might not be officially allowed or where explicit permission hasn’t been obtained, without drawing attention to yourself or your vehicle.
Since stealth camping locations lack amenities, stealth campers need to be completely self-sufficient. This includes carrying sufficient water, food, and waste disposal options for the night. While stealth camping isn’t always illegal, it often exists in a legal gray area, particularly in urban environments where overnight parking might be restricted. In some areas, local laws may explicitly prohibit sleeping in your vehicle, so it’s important to be aware of local regulations in areas you’re considering. You could face fines or be asked to move if you’re caught sleeping in your vehicle where it’s not permitted. Thorough research to identify safe and legal stealth camping locations is essential, and always trust your instincts about a location’s safety.
Common stealth camping locations include hospital parking lots, public parking areas in smaller towns, parking lots of religious buildings (churches, temples), and quiet residential neighborhoods. When parking along city streets, always pay close attention to parking signs, as there can be numerous parking regulations in urban areas.
Hotels, Motels, Inns
Hotels, motels, and inns can be another option for safe overnight parking if you obtain permission. Go to the front desk and inquire about their overnight parking regulations. If their parking lot is relatively empty, ask if you can park there overnight. If they agree, I usually offer the front desk attendant a $5 or $10 tip as a thank you. Some hotels have strict rules and security protocols and may ask you to leave if your vehicle isn’t registered as belonging to a hotel guest. However, if you’re in a bind and need a safe spot, this is another almost free option that could work.
I hope this guide helps you feel more comfortable and confident about solo road-tripping and sleeping in your car. Car camping is a fantastic way to explore the country on a budget and wake up in beautiful and diverse locations! However, feeling safe overnight is paramount, especially when car camping solo. So, always be aware of your surroundings, carefully read all posted signs, and don’t hesitate to ask local authorities if you have any uncertainties about overnight parking regulations.
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