Overnight Parking

[Bigfoot Mike]

Overnight Parking

What is Boondocking?
Boondocking means wilderness camping out in the "boondocks." This type of camping, usually on public lands (state and national forests, BLM lands, etc.), is free or very low cost. Since boondock is defined as slang for rough backwoods or bush country, most boondocking opportunities are away from cities, blacktop, and civilization in general. In many boondocking areas, you just find a place and park, making sure there are no signs in the area prohibiting camping or overnight parking.

How Does Dry-Camping Differ?
Dry-camping means no water, electricity, or sewer hookups and may be free or paid. You might dry-camp in a city park, a state or federal campground, a private RV park, or a parking lot. Overnight stops at Wal-Mart and Flying J's are examples of dry camping.

Parking Etiquette
RVers should abide by certain etiquette standards when boondocking in urban areas. If you see fellow RVers who appear to be abusing the boondocking privilege, please share our etiquette standards with them. We feel that enforcement of this code will ensure that RVers retain this privilege. While RV parks and campgrounds are typically the best accommodations for RVers, sometimes commercial parks are full, or perhaps the RVer simply cannot find a local park, especially if it is late in the evening. Knowing that RVers are welcome to pull into a parking lot and get a few hours rest anytime of the day or night is an enormous safety net for the traveler.

[Mike Taylor]

We allow overnight parking for RV's at our Porterville Wal-Mart. It has been abused only a few times when some decided to camp out for extended stay. Usually If they don't move their rig by afternoon the security is called. For most Wal-Marts it's ok to spend the night. We make money when they come in for supplies and with the security truck patroling all night it's a safe spot to rest. The only stores that don't allow it are by city ordinance or too much abuse.

[Bigfoot Mike]

We allow overnight parking for RV's at our Porterville Wal-Mart. It has been abused only a few times when some decided to camp out for extended stay. Usually If they don't move their rig by afternoon the security is called. For most Wal-Marts it's OK to spend the night. We make money when they come in for supplies and with the security truck patrolling all night it's a safe spot to rest. The only stores that don't allow it are by city ordinance or too much abuse.

Thanks Mike for the input.

[Adrian W]

Mike, what are the etiquette standards when boondocking in urban areas you mentioned?

[Morgan]

Overnight Parking
[b]
What is Boondocking?
[b]Boondocking means wilderness camping out in the "boondocks." This type of camping, usually on public lands (state and national forests, BLM lands, etc.), is free or very low cost. Since boondock is defined as slang for rough backwoods or bush country, most boondocking opportunities are away from cities, blacktop, and civilization in general. In many boondocking areas, you just find a place and park, making sure there are no signs in the area prohibiting camping or overnight parking.

[b]How Does Dry-Camping Differ?
Dry-camping means no water, electricity, or sewer hookups and may be free or paid. You might dry-camp in a city park, a state or federal campground, a private RV park, or a parking lot. Overnight stops at Wal-Mart and Flying J's are examples of dry camping.

[b]Parking Etiquette
RVers should abide by certain etiquette standards [b]when boondocking in urban areas. If you see fellow RVers who appear to be abusing the boondocking privilege, please share our etiquette standards with them. We feel that enforcement of this code will ensure that RVers retain this privilege. While RV parks and campgrounds are typically the best accommodations for RVers, sometimes commercial parks are full, or perhaps the RVer simply cannot find a local park, especially if it is late in the evening. Knowing that RVers are welcome to pull into a parking lot and get a few hours rest anytime of the day or night is an enormous safety net for the traveler.

I see a little conflict there Mike. Boondocking in urban areas is an oxymoron.