Free Parking

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 2:05 pm

Having been an urban camper for about 25 years and usually traveling I thought we could share some good free camping spots out in da world.
While traveling rest stops are usually pretty nice...I am writing this from a truck stop on the !0 about 250 mile west of San Antonio...free place to stay for the night and Texas has free internet at most roadside stops. A lot of them also have free dump sites.
Another thing I look for is casinos...they always welcome travelers...they figure you will go in and give them $...here is a hint....just go in for the buffets and bonus points you get for signing up with them. Many offer free gambling $ just for signing up....bet that...take your winnings and head for home (or the buffet)
Walmarts are usually cool and a great place to catch up on shopping.
Being a pool player I often find free parking at pool halls for a day or two, its pretty nice having home right outside the action!
Just on the outskirts of El Paso there is the Sunland Race Track and Casino, you can stay for free, or pay $10 to hook up to electric and water. They have a free dump site as well.
As I travel more I will add any great finds on here.

dburt · Post by **dburt** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 3:06 pm

Bob, is a pool player what they used to call a pool shark??

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 5:15 pm

Something like that

Stealth Camper · Post by **Stealth Camper** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 5:29 pm

When I was driving a truck, I liked the TA's truck stops. Petro weren't too bad, but the food ain't great. Mostly pretty decent. And if you buy diesel, 50 gallon fill up gets you a free shower. And if there are two, that will most of the time get you team showers (1 for each of you.)

Pilot and Flying J are now owned by Pilot. Have stopped at Pilot a few times, but don't know about the J showers. Big variation nationwide, so you gotta kind of look at it, maybe talk to the truckers on the CB. Usually get a consensus just by asking about a place.

None of the truck stops have really good food. Some have a Subway or a Wendy's or some chain like that. Usually about the same as the stand alone.

Headache · Post by **Headache** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 11:48 pm

Stealth I was opposite of you, I loved Petro and only went to TA if there wasn't a Petro around. I also preferred Burns Bros.

I wasn't(and still not) much of a barfett eater except when it came to the casinos in Nevada. Many of them also sported healthier fare that wasn't attached to the salad bar. Some casinos also had free shuttles that would come out to stops in the back forty parking lots and take you back and forth from the casinos.

Thanks for putting this up Bob, I haven't been out and about in years and my road info is surely dated now.

graydawg · Post by **graydawg** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 4:47 am

out on the east coast T/A truckstop got the name of Take Advantage T/S goes back a long time ago I'm sure, one of the going jokes on CB radio's on JB hunt drivers, everyone picked on them was "JB Hunt party of 6 your shower is ready" I prefered the newer Petros myself. I remember when they first built the Petro N of Chicago with the marble showers, it was one of the nicest around.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 7:27 am

In keeping up with where I am...San Antonio Walmart. They are parking friendly here the wifi connection from Sams Club comes in good and strong! Ya gotta love free!

Headache · Post by **Headache** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 9:05 am

graydawg wrote:"JB Hunt party of 6 your shower is ready

HAHAHAHAHAHAA, boy do I remember that! And as a former Schneider driver I admit I did participate in razzing the JB drivers, lol.

Stealth Camper · Post by **Stealth Camper** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 3:40 pm

Like the Schneider drivers had any room to talk!! (Just kidding you a little.)
Swift always got a rash of s*** when I was driving. As well as JB and Schneider.

One I drove for was Covenant Transport. I should have known better. I have found over the years that when a company wraps itself in the "cloth" or the Word, you are about to get bent over. And I did. To the tune of several thousand in stolen pay due over about a 6 month time.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 3:55 pm

Free camping report....Rockport Texas (in the gulf)
Walmart has signs for free parking for campers
On the beach here they sell permits for about $12 that allow you to park or camp right on the beach...no charge other than the permit

ezrablu · Post by **ezrablu** » Fri Mar 18, 2011 2:33 am

good info Bob...I might be heading down that way later this summer. Beach front for $12

Jones'n4chrome · Post by **Jones'n4chrome** » Fri Mar 18, 2011 3:55 am

Bob wrote:Free camping report....Rockport Texas (in the gulf)
Walmart has signs for free parking for campers
On the beach here they sell permits for about $12 that allow you to park or camp right on the beach...no charge other than the permit

How long are the permits good for?

Headache · Post by **Headache** » Fri Mar 18, 2011 8:28 am

All the lil sharkeys taking the beach over, lol.

Stealth Camper · Post by **Stealth Camper** » Fri Mar 18, 2011 3:16 pm

We spent a week in Rockport about two years ago. Stayed at place called Ancient Oaks. Definitely not free, but nice place, convenient to everything and decent showers!! (I'm all about getting a shower every once in a while.)

Also stayed at another place for one night south by Corpus, but wasn't as nice and cost a lot more.

Rockport is quieter than the south Padre environment. We enjoyed it better. I gotta find the picture of the tornado we saw there and post it. Pretty cool.
And it was HOT in October - mid 90s.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 3:30 am

Leaving Rockport today and heading to Austin..I always wanted to go there and give them a dose of 12-string slide guitar! I already called a couple of walmarts and parking there is cool. There is also a lot of pool, as little as I play I have been doing very well lately..beating the best guys in San Antonio and Corpus.
Ive been playing a lot of guitar lately so as to be in top form when I get there. Dont worry...if I hit it big...I WILL remember you all! Id just like to hit it big enough to get a couple more solar panels

I will let you all know about more free parking in Austin....time to drive!

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