ArdraF
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2006
- Posts
- 10,695
Is there any sort of directory or reference to good and reasonably safe places.... or even one that lists which walmarts allow it.... which Cracker Barrels, which track stops are good.....etc.... How do you go about finding a store that allows it?
I don't know of any reference that tells you that. Cracker Barrel has a brochure of all their locations. The Next Exit lists all the Cracker Barrels, Wal-Marts and such that are close to an interstate highway. If the place is suitable for large vehicles (e.g. RVs) the name is printed in red. That means it's an RV-friendly place so there's a good chance they might allow overnight RV parking. BUT (there's always one of those) the only way you'll know for sure is to ask at that specific location. Even though Wal-Mart and Cracker Barrel tend to RV-friendly, some communities have ordinances restricting overnight parking in places other than a campground. In that case the retail establishment might like to accommodate overnight RVers but cannot encourage you to do so. With all the thousands of retailers in this country, it would be hard to pin them down on such a policy that could then be printed in a book or online database. Then there's the local crime which can vary from one year to the next because there's little crime when the economy is good but it rises when the economy tanks. As to truck stops, when you read or hear on TV about some of the stuff that happens in their parking lots, I wonder if any would be safe for overnight stops. I'm not saying these places are unsafe, but there's just no way to tell other than to observe what's happening in your surroundings and decide where you feel safe staying there. Every one of us needs to be street smart when we're traveling.
ArdraF