what are good phone apps to show free overnight camp stops?

Tundra57

I am heading down to Florida Thanksgiving. I am thinking of taking my tab 400. So it would be great to check out a free night stop on the way instead of sleeping uncomfortably in my truck with my dog Lizzie. Also bathroom break and cuppa breaks whenever I want to. I usually stop in South Carolina I think it's on Route 81.

DougH

Ultimate Campgrounds is great app for free camp sites.  Wiki Camps doesn't look as pretty, but sometimes lists sites others do not.  Another good source is the Campendium web site. 

https://www.ultimatecampgrounds.com
http://usa.wikicamps.co
https://www.campendium.com

ChanW

On the east coast, it seems that rest areas and welcome centers are the most reliable 'free' overnights. I can't say I can recommend those though, over gambling with something like a Walmart lot.

Whenever we've tried to find a comfortable secure Walmart-type spot in the East, it has not felt secure at all, at best it's felt like a playground for young folks, so we've moved on. There might be less 'kid traffic' at a smaller place like Cracker Barrel (Granted, we've only tried a few times - YMMV)

The Rest Areas and Welcome Centers have felt more secure, if you make sure to pick one that's busy (they've been known to attract ne'er-do-wells), but often the police will make you move on, depending on local policy. Some states allow overnight parking, and some don't - I think they're designated in the State Lines app (http://www.twostepsbeyond.com/apps/)
Also, be sure to find a parking spot that's away from that diesel semi-truck that wants to idle all night!

If you can find one on your route, and if you have the Senior National Parks pass, an overnight there will cost only $7.50 or so - otherwise it's $15, I think

Michigan_Mike

I am told that casinos allow you stay in their lots for free and have friends that camp there so that’s an option too.  It’s been a while, but on long cross country haunts In the past and when in areas where camping facilities were far and few between I have pulled in behind major hotel complexes, climbed back into the trailer and caught a good nights rest too without any issues.  Walmart works on occasion, but as Chan noted, people seem to be very active and depending on the city, things tend to be noisy and it doesn’t start to calm down until around10 pm.  If things don’t feel or look right I don’t waste my time and will drive on to the next town.  

Allstays is a good app and there are some decent county parks out there that are quiet and allow camping at reduced rates if you are looking to save a few $$$ along the way.  Nobody likes having semis coming and going throughout the night, nor hearing car doors opening and closing and that’s what you’ll get in rest areas and welcome centers.  

ChanW

My 'favorite' educational rest area spot, a semi parked next to me, and their 'idle system' would idle nice and quiet for 20 or 30 minutes, and then ROAR for 5 minutes, then settle down for 20 minutes again. Perfect for interrupting REM sleep. Awful.

I tolerated it for a couple of hours, and realized I wasn't getting any real rest, and moved on.

I think it must've been an automatic AC unit kicking in or something.

And then there're the semis that park just upwind of you, and belch diesel exhaust at you!

Amazing what semi drivers must get used to...

Also, watch where you step at those semi parking areas. More than once we've realized too late that some 'professional' drivers will dump  their 'black water tanks' (one gallon jug?) on or near the parking area. Pretty gross.

Tundra57

Yeah about that dumping thing. Apparently a significant number of Walmarts are banning overnight parking for that reason. It's bad enough to smell it never mind step in it. Disgusting.

ChanW

I don't suppose it's fair to just lay it on the professional drivers. I've also been in a rest area or two where disposable diapers and more were all over the woods at the edge of the parking area.

Some people...

(Sorry, might have hijacked your thread. I suppose it says something about being careful with "Free overnight spots"...)

jkjenn

For the first time, I paid the $25 for the Overnight Parking website/app subscription. It is specific to overnight parking locations and the data is better than other sites I have used about whether parking is allowed.

rfuss928

We often overnight on portions of our travels between destinations and consider it a significant advantage of our T@B.  Rest areas and welcome centers are our preferred choices but WalMart has worked many times. 

We park away from the main entrances and roadways when possible.  Generally we arrive late (9-10pm) and leave early with little time for anything but sleep.  We are rarely disturbed by activity, noises, or odors of any type and have rarely/never experienced the off putting conditions described in the above posts. 

dragonsdofly

Something I haven't seen mentioned here are golf courses. We were tipped to this by another camper this summer. Find a golf course on or near your route and call ahead to ask permission to spend the night in their parking lot. We have not been turned down. The areas have been well maintained, parking lot has security lighting and there hasn't been any other traffic.

TabberJohn

Anyone tried FreeRoam before?
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpl6kJWEiyiC42UYZM8LnHA

falcon1970

@TabberJohn
I just downloaded it fora test run.  Have you been using it?

TabberJohn

falcon1970 said:

@TabberJohn
I just downloaded it fora test run.  Have you been using it?

I stumbled onto FreeRoam while looking for Overnight Parking app (that @jkjenn mentioned) and watched the walkthrough video. Looks very promising.

Cbusguy

Surprised no one mentioned harvest host.    While it isn't free camping, buy a bottle of wine, or dinner or ????? And then spend the night in their lot.    

Most of our trips we use harvest hosts.  Had some great food and great night sleeping

jkjenn

Cbusguy said:

Surprised no one mentioned harvest host.    While it isn't free camping, buy a bottle of wine, or dinner or ????? And then spend the night in their lot.    

Most of our trips we use harvest hosts.  Had some great food and great night sleeping

A lot of people love HH. Here's why it's not for me:

- Not conducive to later arrivals, which are common for me as I make my way across the country 

-Expectation to buy something. I don't drink wine and eat veggies because I have to, not because I like them

-Dog policies vary

Tampakayaker

Has anyone used Faithful parking?

https://www.faithfulparking.com

You overnight at church parking lots.  Some even open the buildings for bathroom use and have coffee in the mornings.

Travelin3D

We’ve only had to do this once so far, but we stayed at a Cracker Barrel (in NJ, no less) and it was fine. There was only one other vehicle in the designated area, though we could hear some nearby traffic noise. But in the morning it’s just a short walk to a good breakfast and then hit the road!

webers3

Ditto @Cbusguy on HH. Have not had a bad experience yet. Most have been very accommodating, even with late arrival, no preassure to buy anything. Many times would arrive after the "store" hours and leave before. When on the road buying some fresh local produce or a bottle of wine is a small price for a quiet, safe overnight.

Here is another organization, have not tried it.

https://www.boondockerswelcome.com/

Cbusguy

checked out the boondockerswelcome website.

Man,  I don't know....It is one thing to driveway surf a friend or family,  but some random person on the internet is something else.   

GatorEgg

Campendium is a free app.

Cbusguy

I like campendium,  but it doesn't seem very active or well used.   Many camp sites and locations with no reviews.     

Not to say you can't be the trail blazer at non reviewed camping sites.    

Not very many free sites,  or the free sites we have found have 50 reviews and are listed as too full or crowded.  with 50 reviews,  I believe they are over crowded.

GatorEgg

We use Campendium mainly to find dump stations while on the road.