You might want to stay in an RV year round out of neccesity, adventure or just a retirement dream. Whatever the reason, a bit of research and planning is definitely going to help.
Let’s look at some of the best locations and boondocking options.
Firstly, here are a few things to consider before making a decision.
What Type Of RV Do You Have?
You won’t have to worry too much if you’re in a decent sized RV, but smaller camper style vans will require a lot more thought. Both big and small RV’s each have their advantages for full time living.
Work
Will you have to work? Is it seasonal? Can you get there easily? If you have to leave your RV and go to work are you comfortable leaving it where you decide to park? Do you need WiFi?
Cost
Unless money is no object then I’m pretty sure you’ll have worked out a budget that you need to stick to. If you plan on long term stays at RV parks you’ll find the prices vary widely from state to state.
Weather
If you’re in a RV full time the temperature is a major player when it comes to comfort levels. Warm and sunny everyday is fine in a house with air-con. In a thin walled RV it’s a totally different ball game.
Campgrounds
The easiest solution for full time RV living are long term campgrounds. You can often negotiate a really good deal with the park or campground owner if you are planning on staying a while.
You can also offer to help with the up keep of the park as part of the deal to keep costs as low as possible.
Best States To Live In An RV
There are countless RV parks and campgrounds across the U.S. Every state has something to offer. The four states listed below are the states that many full time RV-ers consider the best for living in an RV year round.
South Dakota
Simply registering a domicile in South Dakota can save full time RV dwellers a small fortune. In South Dakota there are lots of tax free benefits. The Mount Rushmore State is a beautiful place to be. A temperate climate with every landscape you could wish for.
Open year round with monthly rates available:
The Windmill Campground
Address: 505 1/2 S West 13th St. Beresford, SD 57004
Tel: 605-231-1867
Texas
Texas is a fabulous State to live in an RV year round. A State of wild natural contrast. Beaches, forests, deserts, mountains, Texas has it all. Along with lots of tax benefits for the full time RV-er, Texas is a great choice for living in your RV.
Open year round with monthly rates available:
Oak Meadows RV Park
Address: 1310 Harcourt, Canyon Lake, Texas 78133
Tel: +1 830 221 5074
Oregon
Diverse and stunning landscapes are what Oregon is all about. There’s hardly any littering and Oregon has the lowest carbon footprint in the America. A wonderful temperate climate and one of the few states to have no sales tax.
Open year round with monthly rates available:
Silver Spur RV Park
Address: 12622 Silverton Rd NE, Silverton, OR 97381
Tel: +1 505 873 2020
Arizona
Arizona is one of those places with a noticeable laid back vibe. Definitely an RV-ers mecca, you’ll find no shortage of campgrounds and RV parks. There’s so much to see and do in Arizona and you’ll never tire of the spectacular landscapes.
Open year round with monthly rates available:
Desert’s Edge RV Park
Address: 2398 W Williams Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85027
Tel: +1 623 587 0940
Boondocking
Ok, second option – Boondocking.
If you know where to go there is no shortage of places to stay for free in an RV. Obviously some of these places are better than others.The drawback with Boondocking is the length of time you can stay in these places.
Most of these places are strictly overnight only. But if you are happy moving around Boondocking can be a great way to keep costs down.
Alternating between RV parks and Boondocking is something many seasoned full time RV folks do.
Let’s take a look at some of the options for Boondocking.
Casinos
Not the first place you would think of for an overnight stay, but many Casinos will allow you to stay in their parking lots for free. Some even have electricity and water. Always go in and ask if it’s ok, most will allow 2-3 days stay and give you a ticket with a “leave by date”. The Casino will obviously prefer it if you go in and spend a little money, but most won’t care if you don’t.
Truck Stops
Probably the least favorite overnight stop for most RV-ers. Truck stops are generally quite loud, with the constant sound of traffic or engines ticking over. The good thing about bigger stops is that some have showers. There’s always plenty of supplies at a truck stop!
BLM Land
The Bureau of Land Management’s purpose is to oversee and manage over 250 million square acres of land belonging to the Federal Government. A large portion of this land is for public use and enjoyment.
The best thing about BLM land is RV-ers are allowed to stay for 14 days out of 28 free of charge before they have to move on. You are welcome to do this indefinitely as long as you stick to the 14 in 28 day rule. Read more about dispersed camping and the BLM rules here.
The majority of BLM land is found in the western half of the country.
You can find all the BLM maps here.
Cracker Barrel
At time of writing there are 661 Cracker Barrel restaurants across the U.S. All of them provide free overnight RV parking. Most even have dedicated RV bays.
Although the restaurant does allow overnight stays it’s always good policy not to abuse the privilege. Park considerately, litter pick the entire parking lot if need be. Make sure this resource stays available for everyone who needs it.
Walmart
Most Walmart Stores allow overnight parking, although the Walmart website states that this is at the discretion of the manager.
The same applies at Walmart as it does at Cracker Barrel. Use parking bays considerately (no awnings etc.) Limit stays to one night only.
Living full time in an RV can be really rewarding if you do a little research and planning. Hopefully I’ve given some insight into where you can stay in an RV year round.
Be sure to check out my other RV Park guides.
