Overnight parking is one of the most important aspects of living on the road considering we need somewhere to park every single night. It’s okay if the whole topic of parking somewhere random makes you a little nervous at first. Over time, it becomes second nature and you’ll be able to scout out good spots pretty easily. Safety when parking somewhere overnight is absolutely crucial and knowing what to do/not to do is a must.
This is what you should avoid when parking overnight anywhere.
If Anything Feels Off, Don't Risk It
This may be obvious, but it’s also very necessary. Common sense should tell you when an area is a little sketchy and you shouldn’t stay there overnight. If you are unsure but it’s late and you need to crash for the night, make sure to park under a big light in the lot and stay towards the back. Back into the spot so the front of the van faces out of the spot. If you get a bad feeling, simply do not risk it. There is likely another option close by that will be better.
Do NOT Park in One Spot for Days
You’ll rarely get a knock on the door if you pull in anywhere late at night and leave in the morning. But the longer you stay, the higher the risk. If you’re in a neighborhood, never stay in the same spot two nights in the row. Even if you’re staying a business that allows overnight parking, I still like to move the van around a little so they don’t think I’m just sitting there. Switching it up avoids drawing attention to yourself. BLM is really the only kind of camping that you should stay at for multiple nights in a row.
Don’t Park in Neighborhoods in an Unfamiliar City
Van dwellers do seem to do this often, and you may be able to get away with it. I never do it because of traveling solo and honestly.. I’ve just never needed to. I’m not a big fan of someone waking up and seeing a big, white van parked outside their house and potentially calling the police. Not to mention, you have no idea where bad areas in unfamiliar cities. If you’re familiar with the neighborhood, go for it. At the very least, don’t pull in until it’s dark outside and leave early in the morning. Try being fairly quiet and not attracting attention.
Be Careful Near Big Cities
My real recommendation is to just avoid parking overnight in big cities (i.e. LA, NYC, Chicago) when possible. If you are going near LA, there are dozens of amazing places to sleep right outside the city. This is the case most the time with big cities, so do a little research and see if you can find somewhere right outside that would be quiet, safe and an easy drive back into the city. If you absolutely have to stay there or really want to, look at various apps before doing it to see where others have had luck. The rules are typically much more strict in places like this. You may consider paying for 12 hour parking in a big lot and just staying in the van after pulling in. There’s usually a tenant, and they never care.
Avoid Potential Party Spots
There are some Park & Rides or random overnight parking lots that attract huge crowds late at night. I didn’t even know this until we started traveling; it’s almost like tailgating. You’ll know if the area is going to get like this if there is excessive trash on the ground. Sometimes there’s no way to tell, and I’ve ended up parking a few times at a place that was open 24 hours and looked really nice.. But around midnight had huge crowds of people just pull in and start partying. Obviously you can stay if you feel comfortable, go to another area of the lot, or just leave to keep your piece of mind while sleeping.
Final Notes
Trust your instincts, and always be a little hyper- aware of where you are. If it seems sketchy, go somewhere else so you can get a good night sleep. There are plenty of apps these days for you to always find a good, safe place to park no matter where you are.
Regular maintenance of the parking facility is essential for safety. This includes keeping the parking lot clean and free of debris, maintaining lighting fixtures, and promptly repairing any damage to security features such as gates or fences.