All,
Firstly, I am excited about this forum! This is great!

Secondly, I'll give some background on my project. I have a 1989 V2500 Suburban which, over the last couple years has been slowly being "converted" to an expedition vehicle. I know most folks use Toyotas, but I happen to love Suburbans, and I know all about fixing it, and for North America, they are VERY common in the old style to get parts for etc.

So the Suburban now has a sleeping platform, storage, Roof Racks, lift, 35's, winch, etc.

Now, this summer, I have a long (three week) roadtrip planned throughout the West Coast, and up to Banff. My girlfriend and I will be doing some light wheeling (trails, really, not "wheeling") and camping and hiking in national parks.

Now, the question itself is "What are the rules about sleeping by the side of the road? I see all these pictures of people sleeping in fields in the mid-west, and camped out in random spots. How does that work? What about parking lots? If I want to crash in a parking lot, any tips? What are the rules?

Just looking for guidance on this type of stuff.

Thanks in advance!

-Dan

I don't know the exact rules but in parks that can be a problem because you have to have a pass for everything. But me being me I don't pay for anything I can get away with. I'll camp next to a road or whatever as long as it's not private property. Being able to camp where you choose is part of the adventure right? lol I remember some spots in Idaho that were absolutely stunning.

I'm pretty sure that you can crash in any Wal-mart parking lot for free 100% legally.

Technically sleeping in a parking lot isn't legal or illegal, it's just that the security won't bother as long as the place is closed...

When I did my roadtrip in British-Colombia I drove until I saw a rest-area (where it is legal to sleep, we passed by one every hour or so outside the Rockies, in the Rockies their are rest-areas everywhere) and it happened once that I slept on the side of the road, a cop car came at about 1:30 in the morning to make sure I was OK but they didn't mind that I was sleeping there, I moved my car any way just because the trucks that were passing by would wake up my girlfriend all the time...

Oh yeah, when you are in the Rockies what you learn to do is think about where the sun will come from in the morning so that you can be in it's shadow, otherwise you wake up in a furnace!

I crash out by the side of the road all the time on long drives. I figure if an officer ever gives me crap, i'll ask him if he'd rather have me falling asleep at the wheel. By side of the road i dont mean on the shoulder of the freeway. Usually take a deserted exit and find a turnout.

I lived in a Wal Mart parking lot for 2 months in the back of my F-250. There were plenty of "regulars" there and not once did i ever get bothered. I didnt stay there all day, just showed up at 9 or 10 pm, parked, crawled in the camper shell, and slept till 6am.

Truck stops are usually legit places- i'd stay at the T&A for a change of pace every once in a while during my 2 month homeless period.

Sleep in any parking lot and you are bound to be sharing it with tweekers. If you have a nice rig, i'd be sure it locks up good just in case. My baby blue and white '85 F-250 with a grey camper shell fit right in so i was never bothered :laughing:

Technically sleeping in a parking lot isn't legal or illegal, it's just that the security won't bother as long as the place is closed...

When I did my roadtrip in British-Colombia I drove until I saw a rest-area (where it is legal to sleep, we passed by one every hour or so outside the Rockies, in the Rockies their are rest-areas everywhere) and it happened once that I slept on the side of the road, a cop car came at about 1:30 in the morning to make sure I was OK but they didn't mind that I was sleeping there, I moved my car any way just because the trucks that were passing by would wake up my girlfriend all the time...

Oh yeah, when you are in the Rockies what you learn to do is think about where the sun will come from in the morning so that you can be in it's shadow, otherwise you wake up in a furnace!

True but there are spots in B.C. which are only legal for a couple of hours of rest. But me and my dad sacked out for the night a couple of hours west of Prince George, B.C. in one of those spots. We came down the Cassiear from Alaska. 3 days. Last day was a 19 hour drive. I hate the Frasier Canyon. I don't know why but I do.

On a freeway in Cali, you can not stop for other than emergency purposes, so you can't sleep on a freeway or major highway. On a back road it would depend on where you are as it could be private property or there could be other problems. Most rest stops are a no no for overnight camping as well.

As for private parking lots, that would be up to the owner.

The main thing I would be worried about are the "Locals" (loco's) who would come mess with you because you are out in the middle of nowhere.

There are many campgrounds and other areas you can park on and camp out on overnight, depending on where you are going, so do a search on-line and see what's in the area. AAA can also help if you're a member. When you get to an area you want to camp in, you can also check with the local police or California Highway Patrol office and they should be able to let you know where you can camp and where you cannot.

With a little bit of planning, you will be all set.

Check out http://www.freecampgrounds.com/

in natl forest if i recall you do not need to pay to camp just must be off shoulder of road. if staying in campgroud you must pay.

I also found this while searching. Apparently "boondocking" is the term for campground-less camping in a motor vehicle.

http://www.boondocking.org/

If you are on National Forest Land Camping off the side of a road, (hunting Camp, ect.) is 100% ok up to 2 weeks.
I am not sure on BLM but I am guessing its even less restrictive.

someone already mentioned the Walmart thing. If I remember correctly years ago, the Coporate Exec's made a dicision to ALLOW overnight stays in thier parking lots. Plus, if you park in a super one, its open all night!! But the roaming tweakers is the only thing to think about.

The further away from civilization you are the less rules there are about parking and sleeping. Along the above mentioned Cassiar Highway and in many other places in the north people find a place to stop just before dark and set up camp in whatever clearing they see along the way. If you are going to camp by the road just make sure you are well away from the roadside for safety reasons.

Truck stops next too were the RV'ers park, The lot lizzerds leave the area alone cause it's close too the front doors.
Spent a many night there when I was HotShotting.

As far as people messing with you at night goes, they probably don't have good intentions. Since we are talking about cross country traveling I would highly recommend keeping some sort of protection close to you, even if all you have is a 6 cell maglite. The tweakers hate the light. But seriously if you are sleeping on a barren road and someone with malintent happens to find you, don't rely on the police to show up and save the day.

someone already mentioned the Walmart thing. If I remember correctly years ago, the Coporate Exec's made a dicision to ALLOW overnight stays in thier parking lots. Plus, if you park in a super one, its open all night!! But the roaming tweakers is the only thing to think about.

The local one here there are a few employees living in old roach coaches in the back of the parking lot. Nice short commute I guess.

In the San Diego area in southern Ca i've twice gotten off the freeway and parked on a residential area. I don't know if it's legal or if I was just lucky not to be bothered by the cops (my truck is a single cab and I slept sitting behind the wheel so it's not like they didn't notice me).

Does anybody know if that's legal?

I've pulled off the road and slept before. I usually get as far over in the ditch as possible or find an approach to a field and pull off.
One night when I was driving I saw a semi that went off the road and jumped an approach though, so it makes me a little wary of sitting on them anymore.

If you are on National Forest Land Camping off the side of a road, (hunting Camp, ect.) is 100% ok up to 2 weeks.

I heard somewhere that you have to be a certain distance off the road, not sure what it is though. Figure just get off of the shoulder and you should be OK

I’m from LA originally and I couldn’t tell you how many times I have slept on the I5 the 91 and the 57... I just got wayyyyy off the shoulder and crash. A few times the man would come say hey but they never cared about the sleeping I think they were just generally concerned that I may be hurt. If I were doing the secluded area or parking lot thing I would go strapped (get a license and whatever permit for that area), don’t want a flash light in a gun fight.... The one time you need it will most likely be the last time you ever need anything.

Park anywhere you see a big rig pulled over, I drive for a living and it is part of the job. If you see a truck pulled over or several trucks parked in one location its a good bet its cool with the local PD and safe enough for a quick over night stop.

I say this is America, sleep were you want and keep a sawed off 10 gauge behind the door with you. Nothing lights up the would be perp like one of those:grinpimp:

So, does anybody know if it's legal?

In the San Diego area in southern Ca i've twice gotten off the freeway and parked on a residential area. I don't know if it's legal or if I was just lucky not to be bothered by the cops (my truck is a single cab and I slept sitting behind the wheel so it's not like they didn't notice me).

Does anybody know if that's legal?

NOT legal in CA.

I lived out of a toyota pickup with a shell for 4 years and then upgraded to a converted 15 passenger van for a couple more years. I spent a lot of time camping in National Forests, there are lots of free camping areas in most forests, BLM too. The van was easier to "poach" camping in more urban areas b/c I had a super dark limo tint and curtains, plus it was a generic silver E350 that looked like a church van - I actually parked and camped next to a couple church vans for a few days once.

In towns that do not allow overnight parking (many in summit county, CO) I would go to the bar, make friends w/ the barkeep and ask if they knew of place, more often then not, they would let me park out back of the bar for a night if I was gone in the morning.

You'll get hassled more if you are moving from the cab of a truck to the bed, if you can stay inside your vehicle and keep low key you can stay just about anywhere, since your vehicle just looks like it's parked.

Any way, if the cops wake you up you can just say that you're on a trip and you wanted to make sure you didn't fall asleep while driving so you found the first place where it looked safe to sleep... They won't mind because it's the logical thing to do and you might not know the place very well, they might even tell you about a place where you won't get bothered...

Any way, if the cops wake you up you can just say that you're on a trip and you wanted to make sure you didn't fall asleep while driving so you found the first place where it looked safe to sleep... They won't mind because it's the logical thing to do and you might not know the place very well, they might even tell you about a place where you won't get bothered...
I agree with this as this has worked just as described, although I was on a trip and needed sleep. The cop asked if I was to be in the area for awhile and I wasn't but he added there were places in the area that might be more suited to my stay.....didn't matter as I was on the road again a few hours later.

I lived out of a toyota pickup with a shell for 4 years and then upgraded to a converted 15 passenger van for a couple more years.

I'm curious about the circumstances that brought you to living out of your vehicle for a total of 6 years?

When I used to work in an ambulance 24 hrs, we used to find any parking spot that is secluded and quiet. Couldn't park in residential because neighbors would complain of the noise of a diesel running. I usually parked in church parking lots or behind strip malls. I'm usually tired at the end of the shift and if we didn't want the people just getting on mess with us we tend to conceal and find spots to hide so that we won't be bothered. We also found backroads where semis usually pull of to rest a little and park next to them. The best thing to do is blend in to the enviroment and you won't be bothered

Don't know if you even have them out there, but Cracker Barrel restaurants allow overnight sleeping.

I'm curious about the circumstances that brought you to living out of your vehicle for a total of 6 years?

Because the only outfit he could get home owners insurance from was AAA :D

I know why but will let Dirtboy answer.

During the winter we will cash out just about anywhere while plowing snow. I usually conk out at 24 hour grocery store parking lots, they are almost always well lit and there is a bit of traffic which helps keep the low lifes out.

in the winter, i tend to sleep in the back of my SUV in the whistler overnight parking lots. Ive never been bothered, snow covers up the windows, and the lot is semi lit too. Only thing is the machines clearing the snow from the lots all night long

I'm pretty sure that you can crash in any Wal-mart parking lot for free 100% legally.

not all of them but most....pending city laws.:mad3:


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I heard somewhere that you have to be a certain distance off the road, not sure what it is though. Figure just get off of the shoulder and you should be OK

some years back a friend was asleep in his sleeper, thought he felt a heavy bump looked outside saw nothing in the dark,
went back to sleep ...a time later there was a knock on the door.
a chp wanted to talk to him...about the dead bodys in the car under the rear of his trailer..and he was a good 50 ft off the rd.:shaking:


:homer:


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I live in B.C. and once you hit the border your laughin... In the city use the Walmarts They allow it no prob. Once you leave the large cities you can use the rest areas they have a sign if you can't stay there. Our rural highways heading to the rockies have lots of exits in the middle of nowhere just find one take it pull over and catch some sleep. There won't be many locals so don't worry, and the cops will not bother you for sleeping as long as your in a safe spot. Or hit a federal/provincial or forestry camp ground. Forestry are not expensive and if you show up late and leave early enough you wont even have to pay...but the only have outhouses so ???

Enjoy your trip!:smokin:

not all of them but most....pending city laws.:mad3:


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You're right. Some towns in the Phoenix area have outlawed camping at Walmarts

I drive an 18 wheeler and have had jobs where I would regularly sleep by the road. You have to sometimes. I've never liked truck stops or Wallys because of the noise and traffic so I would find an interstate off ramp and pull over to sleep.
I've done this in my personal vehicles, too. Its pretty common here in the southwest and highway patrolmen have better things to do than hassle you.
If you are noticed as a frequent camper or long term camper you may get noticed. Also while sleeping on the side of the road is usually OK relieving your bladder or bowels is not and you can definitely get ticketed or even jailed for public indecency.