Tips for finding overnight "parking" in Sprinter

MJCBH

New member
Any tips for finding places to park your Sprinter overnight to "camp" while on the road? I've downloaded some apps to my phone (free campsites, etc). but they haven't been incredibly helpful.

We have been thinking of planning a trip up the Oregon coast and I was wondering if we need to try to book campsites ahead of time (like I'm assuming people with large RV's do?). We also do a lot of mtn. biking in Utah and it seems like I always have a hard time finding information on where to park near our favorite trailheads, etc.

Thanks for any advice!
 

autostaretx

Erratic Member
Well, Oregon is *booked solid* from now to the 21st (or 22nd) of August due to the eclipse.

When running up and down that coast, we tend to stay at state, county and town campgrounds... they're quite frequent.
Some of the county parks are free in the off-season.
The population load on popular destinations like that makes "easy" camping pretty rare.

The Siuslaw National Forest has some distributed camping... inquire at the ranger stations, or visit their website for a list of about 60 forest road segments where camping is allowed. (such as FR 3200000 between mileposts 9.6 and 14.3)(<-- that's a real example)

A "hidden in plain sight" location may exist on the south side of the town of Garabaldi, on "Bayocean Dike Road".
We were camped in the Barview Jetty County park on the north side of Tillamook bay, and saw random campers out there on the spit.

--dick
 
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Geriakt

2017 View 24J
Many state forest campgrounds have websites to reserve that show vacancies. Or at the minimum tell you busy times in season.
 

surlyoldbill

Well-known member
I use Free campsites website, but you're right, OR coast is sparse. I also scout ahead with Google Earth for roads and clearings. All National Forest and BLM land is "dispersed camping" (aka free).

Some good tips are to park on the street in front of a Mercedes dealership (as if awaiting service), or at/near hospitals because different cars there do not attract attention. I've heard Indian casinos allow overnighters kind of like Walmart does at some locations. I know the one in Coos Bay does, The Mill, you just check in with the lot security on the gravel lot North of the casino.

In Utah, I'm mostly familiar with the Moab area. It's not a free-for-all anymore. I now camp out Potash road past the factory, where it goes up the hill away from the river. It's only close to Poison Spider trailhead, and a long way from town. You can also camp way out Kane Springs road past Hunter Canyon, below Hurrah Pass; also free. And a dusty ride from town. It's hard to ride from where you camp unless you're paying; Moon flower canyon tent sites, Sand Flats.
 

israndy

2007 LTV Serenity
Depending on where you are going I am a fan of AllStays Rest Stops and also RV Dumps. When I am out and about I just park in normal spaces at the Safeway and along the beach, but at night unless I am staying in town I stay at a rest stop along the highway. I thought I would do the whole state park thing that I see people talking about, but most of those are a LONG way away. I have tried the Walmart thing but too often they won't let you stay, and Cracker Barrel serves truly awful food.

I have ended up learning that if I do need to stay in town overnight and I don't wanna or need to stay at an RV park I park just near an RV dealership. The Police think I am dropping it off, the dealer doesn't assume I am dropping it off and ignore me too. Car dealers usually don't have much parking near but that may work too. They are easy to find in maps. Oh, and real estate agents, but that was because I was actually buying a house, but I would drive up the night before and sleep at the agents parking lot. Lots of perfectly good places to park a small RV. Just not shopping malls, they have security!

-Randy

hmmm... surly stole my ideas while I was typing
 

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