Safety Tips for Blacktop Boondocking

By Jane Kenny - RV Lifestyle Specialist

Question: Why do you suppose so many RVs are attracted to casino parking lots?

Answer: It’s the free overnight parking.

RVers looking for a place to “blacktop boondock” (dry camping-parking lot style) soon discover that there aren’t too many places that allow free overnight parking.

Most states discourage overnight parking at interstate rest areas because of security concerns. Shopping centers typically ask RVs to leave at the end of the business day. And even the 24-hour supercenters, that generally welcome RVs, have posted “No Overnight Parking” signs at many of their locations. You can usually stay overnight at a truck stop, but their parking areas tend to be very noisy.

Casino parking lots, on the other hand, are hospitable. Casinos throughout the country welcome adult campers because they know they might get additional business. And the travelers get a quiet, safe spot to rest for the night without being hassled. Since most casinos are open 24/7, security personnel are on duty all night.

Here are a few safety and security tips for people who want to take advantage of the free overnight parking available at most at casinos:

1.) After you pull into the parking lot, check with security to verify that you can stay overnight and ask where they want you to park.

2.) Limit your free overnight stay to a single 24-hour period.

3.) If there is no designated area for large vehicles, park on the perimeter of the lot. Don’t take up spaces intended for cars. (Note that a few casinos, particularly those in crowded urban areas, do not have the space to accommodate RVs. Consequently, the first order of business after you pull in should be #1 as listed above.)

4.) Don’t abuse the property owner’s hospitality. During our travels we’ve observed RVers who act like they own the place and put out the awning, barbeque and chairs. Remember, a parking lot is not a campground. If there’s enough space, it’s OK to put out a slideout, but restrict your activity to the inside of your vehicle. Be considerate of the casino owners who have given permission for you to park free for a limited number of hours on their property.

5.) Do not leave your motor home unattended overnight or for any extended period of time. This may seem like simple, common sense advice, but you’d be surprised at how many folks park their expensive units in a parking lot and then go off to visit friends for a few days. If you are foolish enough to do this, don’t be surprised upon your return to find your unattended vehicle has been towed away.

6.) If you want to blacktop boondock at a casino that also has a fee-pay campground as part of the facility, it is essential to check with security to ask about your options for staying overnight. Some casinos will allow you to stay for free in the parking lot anyway. But there are a number of casinos that require you to pull into their RV Park and pay the fee.

“Blacktop boondocking” at a casino is free and convenient. These days casinos are located all over the country, many are within a mile or two of an interstate exit.


You can find these casinos identified in the popular guide to RV-Friendly Casinos entitled Casino Camping, available at www.roadnotes.com

Corps of Engineers Campgrounds: A Good Buy For Senior Citizens

By Jane Kenny

Camping on public lands is a long-standing American tradition. Huge portions of public lands, managed by a variety of government agencies, are available to the general public for recreational use.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which manages more than 12 million acres of land and water, provides over 30 percent of all recreation on federal lands. And, it is the largest provider of water-based recreation, with over 25 million individuals visiting a Corps project at least once a year.

Traveling seniors will find their best buy at Corps-managed campgrounds. Individuals age 62 and older may purchase the new federal “America the Beautiful” lifetime pass for $10, and it gives them 50% off the camping fees at all Corps-managed campgrounds. As of January 1, 2007, the “America the Beautiful” pass replaced the Golden Age Passport. However, existing Golden Age Passports can remain valid for the lifetime of the passholder.

No matter where you are in the U.S., there’s a Corps of Engineers lake nearby. The Corps operates more than 2,500 recreation areas at 463 projects, mostly lakes. Hundreds of attractive campgrounds have been developed by the Corps at its projects and they are popular destinations for RVers. Corps campgrounds generally feature wide and comfortable sites suitable for any size RV…even modern big rigs with multiple slideouts. Corps of Engineers-managed campgrounds are noted for their tidy, spacious sites, lovely lakeside settings and excellent fishing spots.

The newly-released book, RVers Guide To Corps of Engineers Campgrounds, lists over 600 Corps-managed campgrounds across the nation that have sites suitable for RV camping. The user-friendly guide is organized alphabetically by state, with a state locator map at the beginning of each section, and accurate directions to each campground

The RVers Guide To Corps of Engineers Campgrounds is available on the Travel Books website.

RVs bring partiers to Mardi Gras celebrations

While Mardi Gras conjures up images of celebrations on the streets of New Orleans, but The Daily Advertiser features a story on how RVers are coming to Lafayette, Louisiana in their RVs for Fat Tuesday celebrations.

RV owners are parking across from Cajun Field in Lafayette for Mardi Gras celebrations and Cajun music till Fat Tuesday.

While RV space might cost up to $300 per vehicle, the competition for a place at the party is strong. RVers like the convenience of being able to celebrate with their families and being close to the party.

Are RVs welcome in the big city?

While campgrounds and parks are popular spots to visit, some RVers prefer city destinations.

BlogTo.com reports on concerns in the city of Toronto, Canada and the lack of RV space for urban campers.

A City Councilor in Toronto says that Toronto is missing out on RVers as tourists because it is too difficult to park. While stores like WalMart let RVers park in their lots overnight, downtown areas are not so accommodating.

Have you used your RV as a place to stay while visiting a big city? How hard is it to find a place to park downtown with an RV? Leave a comment and share your story.