Parking restrictions moving West

[Raspy]

Originally Posted by Flydog

I would not overnight in a rest stop in the USA.

I do it regularly. There are some very nice rest stops in the US and they seem perfectly safe.

[ShelbyM]

Originally Posted by Bruce H

Is it true that US citizens traveling through Canada to Alaska with RVs are required to stay in hotels/motels and not allowed to overnight in their RVs (because of covid)?

I easily found this via Google, hope it helps. https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/tr...ions/isolation FWIW, I can remember using encyclopedias for strange random questions. The internet/Google, etc. makes it much easier though you have to be able to judge the quality of the source.

[Escape 15A]

Well, this is my favorite camp ground.

[Iowa Dave]

Though I’ve not stayed in either, the rest stops in Iowa
Are pretty quiet, regularly the local highway patrol officers pull though them and look things over. I’m noticing more Walmarts with signs prohibiting overnight stops.
Iowa Dave

[AC0GV]

Originally Posted by AC0GV

I think this is new. Some of the Walmart’s in Idaho now ban ALL RV parking.I did not see this two years ago when I was there. I like shopping at Walmart when on the road because it is easy to find things in the store.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/sisters-a...171500335.html

[Jon in AZ]

Sadly, even a total RV parking ban would have been unlikely to prevent this horrible tragedy. The van in which the fire started was a self-converted minivan designed to “stealth camp” and evade such restrictions.

There is plenty of blame to go around in this situation. But a determination of even 5% responsibility means a significant payout for the deep pocket party’s insurer.

And yes, this could well accelerate the demise of free overnight parking.

[floyd]

In 2022 alone we have traveled as far south as southern Florida and as far north as northern Minnesota with routes through Alabama and the Florida panhandle as well as through TN & GA

We didn't pay even once for "in transit" overnight parking.

We stayed at WalMarts and rest areas in places which were welcoming and comfortable to stay. Most WalMarts even have security cameras which lend some small level of comfort.
We found only one Walmart which prohibited overnight parking and it was in a town in TN which has had the prohibition for years. We simply don't stop at that town, to shop, eat, or buy fuel.
Of course we choose campgrounds at all destinations and we find that reservations are much harder to get than finding a spot to overnight.
It would be impossible for us to make reservations for "in transit" overnight stays even if we wanted to, since we stop on the road when tired, hungry, or in need of fuel (all things which can not be planned 11 months ahead.


Good news is that we have had no more trouble finding a place to overnight with our Scamp in 2022 than we did in 2004 when we brought it home from Backus.

[Meadowlark]

Most rest stops on the West Coast discourage over night camping. It's for precisely what Flydog said, there's too many nut jobs out there. A lot of them convene on rest stops as the bathrooms are readily available. In WA, at least, a lot of bums, panhandlers, homeless, whatever you may wish to call them, are right there by the bathrooms, begging. But there are vandals and thieves, too, who cruise the rest stop and if it's late at night, and you're asleep in your camper, you might just come out to find your vehicle's windshields have been busted in, anything in it stolen, and worse, your catalytic converter's been cut out.
I've seen hookers washing up in rest stop restrooms, because a lot of truckers pull into the rest stops to sleep. As well, hookers seem to frequent overnight truck stops like Flying J and Pilot. A friend of mine who used to drive long haul had the words "No prostitutes" printed on both doors to the cab.



And then you have the homeless who aren't homeless, they live in their RV's and like to park in parking lots like Walmart. For MONTHS. Worse, they sometimes abandon the RV and if you think abandoned cars are a nuisance, just imagine what a state has to do to dispose an abandoned RV. Lots of unrecyclable stuff inside, at times have been used to manufacture meth, and lets imagine what a full black water tank smells like if it's not been emptied in months.

[John in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by Flydog

Too many nut jobs out there. Our country is not what it used to be.

Turn off your television.

[ShelbyM]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

Turn off your television.

Thank you.

[RBRV]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

Turn off your television.

I wish turning off the tv would suffice, unfortunately I would need to rip my eyes out too. Even if I disregard national or worldwide news, the changes that have occured even in my own community cannot and should not be ignored.

[Iowa Dave]

We have only stayed in one “overnight only style camping spot in the last ten years. It was the Cabelas store in Billings Montana. It was our destination that day because we just wanted to see what it would be like. It was ok and our safety was not a concern to me. Otherwise with research and planning we always seem to find good places to camp where the security of the sites is not a concern. I am always happy to see the local law enforcement drive through the CG and almost always tell them I appreciates their diligence and service.
My son works for a high tech company. I would estimate that just about every employee makes in excess of $80,000 a year in his building. This morning he sent me a message that someone had stolen his energy drink out of the community refrigerator.

There is, will be and always has been slime in our society since the pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock. Establish situational awareness,
deal with whatever comes up. know your rights. Respect your abilities and act accordingly. That’s my opinion which isn’t for everyone but has worked so far for me. YMMV
Iowa Dave

[floyd]

Originally Posted by RBRV

I wish turning off the tv would suffice, unfortunately I would need to rip my eyes out too. Even if I disregard national or worldwide news, the changes that have occured even in my own community cannot and should not be ignored.

[John in Santa Cruz]

Paranoia strikes deep, into your heart it may seek...

The news thrives on feeding your fears, so you will watch more news.

[Iowa Dave]

Buffalo Springfield
(Named after a steam roller)
Iowa Dave

[RBRV]

Great tune, and I am happy to not be on the paranoia train and trust my own eyes and personal experiences.

[ShelbyM]

I'm a septuagenarian. I've never personally known anyone who has been a victim of violent crime. That includes a large extended family, coworkers, fellow enthusiasts in a variety of hobbies. All research shows I am not unique. Turn off your TV is excellent advice.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by ShelbyM

I'm a septuagenarian. I've never personally known anyone who has been a victim of violent crime. That includes a large extended family, coworkers, fellow enthusiasts in a variety of hobbies. All research shows I am not unique. Turn off your TV is excellent advice.

We are in the same age group...
(I was wondering about that)

[AlanKilian]

Originally Posted by ShelbyM

... I've never personally known anyone who has been a victim of violent crime. ... All research shows I am not unique.

You are indeed not unique.

Same here.

Media is built to get you scared so you'll "Tune in at 11:00" to learn what else you should be scared of.

Kind of like some of the stories in this thread unfortunately.

[Cotton]

Yep.