Your RV is your home away from home. However, if you’re like most RVers, you don’t live out of your RV full-time.
When not in use, you need a safe, appropriate place to park it.
Fortunately, if you’re looking for long-term parking for your RV, you’ll find many different options suitable for a variety of needs.
Here’s a closer look at those options.
Finding Long-Term RV Parking: Where to Begin
Long-term parking is divided into two types:
- You plan to live out of the RV while it’s parked
- You’re storing the RV and don’t need to enter it frequently
If you plan to park for an extended vacation, at a minimum, you’ll want a space with full hookups (water and electricity).
Most people also prefer some extras such as laundry and shower facilities.
You can also find RV parks with various entertainment options, like swimming pools or restaurants.
If you’re storing your RV, you don’t need hookups. Instead, security and accessibility are your main considerations.
Before leaving your RV parked for a long time, you’ll need to empty the water tanks, place a cover on it, and otherwise properly prepare it.
Seasonal Differences Explained
During the winter, RV parks throughout the Sun Belt region (the lower, warmer section of the US from California to Florida) typically see their most visitors for the year.
Not only do people seek warm weather, but many also migrate south to avoid winterizing their RVs.
Finding long-term parking in the Sun Belt during winter requires advanced planning.
You’ll need to reserve a spot before the season starts.
Other RVers take the opposite approach. They winterize their RV and head north for the season.
You’ll find much lower parking rates during the off-season but also more limited options, as some parks in especially cold areas close completely until the weather warms up.
Along these same lines, the specific days you want to stay also affect rates.
If you want to park your RV from Monday through Friday, you’ll usually pay a much lower daily rate than what you’d pay over the weekend.
Long-Term RV Parking Options
No matter what type of parking you need, you’ll find many different options.
Here’s a rundown of the most popular ones.
Residential Parking
Parking on your own property, or on the street in front of your house, is a convenient and affordable option.
Unfortunately, many homeowner’s associations and city ordinances prevent parking a large vehicle, such as an RV, on residential streets.
If you do have the ability to park your RV on a public road, take appropriate precautions.
Use a cover to help protect your vehicle from snow, road salt, and other debris.
Also, make sure your RV is locked securely to help guard against theft.
RV Parks
Fortunately, many RV parks offer long-term parking options.
You can keep your RV on many campgrounds and National Parks across the country for extended periods of time.
However, it’s important to note that most long-term parking spots in these types of locations typically don’t include amenities.
If you want amenities, such as water and electrical hookups, as well as more activities, you’ll want to look into privately-owned RV parks.
Many sites offer monthly or even seasonal rates.
Also, don’t feel shy about asking.
More than a few RV parks across the US offer long-term parking but don’t advertise it very well.
Aside from traditional RV parks, you can also find what are called luxury RV parks.
Typically, they’ll feature a larger selection of amenities and entertainment.
For example, many luxury parks have swimming pools, restaurants, shopping, water slides, and other fun for both adults and kids.
On the downside, many luxury resorts have long waiting lists, so you’ll want to book your reservation as early as possible.
KOA Campgrounds
Camping mainstay KOA caters to RVers with a variety of short and long-term parking options.
They offer clean, level parking with water and electrical hookups.
You can choose either a 30 or 50-amp service.
KOA has over 500 locations throughout the United States, so finding a campsite isn’t typically a problem.
They’re a good choice for drivers of all skill levels because you can find pull-thru sites at many locations, which don’t require you to reverse the RV.
They also offer back-in options, which are sometimes ideal for long-term parking.
Most KOA locations have laundry facilities, fire pits, and other basics.
You can find some luxury options in certain locations. Also, reservations are easy to make through their website.
Renting or Buying Land
If you’re looking to get away from the crowds and restrictions found at camping sites and RV parks, you might prefer to rent or purchase land.
Buying or leasing land likely has large upfront costs but can be cost-effective in the long run, especially if you frequently travel to a single location.
If the land you buy doesn’t have electrical and water hookups, you might want to install them if you plan to camp.
While boondocking – camping without electricity and running water – is fine for short periods, it’s not sustainable for long-term camping.
However, if you only want to store your RV on the land, hookups aren’t necessary.
Indoor Storage and Covered Parking
Complete indoor storage in a warehouse is a great option because it offers maximum protection against weather, damage, and theft.
Unfortunately, warehousing is usually the most expensive option, and its availability varies depending on where you live.
A more common and more affordable option is a covered parking spot.
Even a simple roof helps protect your RV from severe weather.
You can find covered spots at many different RV parks, but they’re especially common at luxury parks.
Of course, even with a covered spot, you’ll still want to protect your RV with a body cover for long-term storage..
Final Thoughts
When you need a place to park your RV for more than a night or two, you’ll find plenty of options, whether you want full amenities or something more remote.
Most RV parks allow extended stays, plus you can potentially park on private land or even in a residential area.
The key to finding the best spot is planning ahead.
Research the area, including what season is its busiest.
Also, try to make your reservation as early as possible.
Safe, secure, and affordable long-term parking options are available throughout the country, so your RV can stay in great shape year after year.