Best Overnight Rest Stops

[Ron in BC]

We're usually destination oriented travelers. Often our only interest at the end of a long day is finding a place to stop. We're not big on needing amenities. None is fine with us as long as it's safe and permitted.

This thread is for rest stops. Not Walmarts etc. or resorts that you'd rather stay in than a rest stop. We use Walmarts a lot but that could be another thread.

I'm going to post the first one and at the end of the title I'm going to put -BC. It would be helpful for folks searching the topic to find places in the area that they're heading for. So if you know of a good or great rest stop please add a state or provincial identifier to it.

Ron

 

[Ron in BC]

Mehan Lake Rest Stop-BC

We know of lot's of great rest stops but this one is in a class all by its self, for one lucky person.

Mehan Lake is along the Stewart-Cassiar Hwy. The rest stop is very nice, even without scoring the prize. The picnic area is separated from the road and its picture perfect. Overnighting on the lower level would still be great.

I saw a "road" going off at one end and walked down it. At the bottom, much to my surprise, there was a level spot lakeside, plenty of room for a trailer and a fire pit and small dock. Not to mention the beautiful lake.

We were heading to Boya Lake so we didn't overnight there but I couldn't resist trying it out. Backing down was easy but my 2WD truck did do a bit of wheel spin coming back out. No biggie.

I don't know what percentage of time the place has someone in it but by the looks of it I'm not the only one who found it.

Ron

 

[Viajante]

I kinda hate to publicize good stops, but…

Atchafalaya Welcome Center Breaux Bridge LA. Semi-Trucks have a separate parking area on the other side of I-10 from cars and campers. Some parking spots are slide out friendly. Clean, staffed, and informative center about the Atchafalya Basin.

 

[Mike Lewis]

The Atchafalaya bridge on I-10 is eighteen miles long! I haven't stopped at that rest stop yet.

 

[Mike Lewis]

For clarification-- Ron, I assume you mean rest stops where one is permitted to stay overnight.

 

[Ron in BC]

Yes, and definite confirmation like this is a bonus. Any sign that says 8 or 12 hours works for me also. I've never seen anyone with a stopwatch timing me exactly and I don't worry about it.

 

[John in Santa Cruz]

we use Elks Lodges quite a lot, but of course you need to be an Elk. Not all of them have RV sites but many do. Only a few have full hookups, but most have a dump station.

 

[Viajante]

I think post #1 made it a given that this was about overnight stops. Re Atchafalya Welcome Center:

RV Parky | RV Parks & Campgrounds Directory, Reviews, Photos

Directory and reviews of RV Parks, Rest Areas, and other RV friendly places in the U.S. and Canada.

www.rvparky.com

 

[Ron in BC]

I think post #1 made it a given that this was about overnight stops.

Yup, as defined by the symbol on a map.

Ron

 

[Luvnlife-ESC]

The Hedley Rest Area south of Amarillo on US287 is nice. Far enough off the highway to be quiet and clean facilities.

 

[cathyss2000]

We thought Las Cruces Overlook rest area Eastbound in New Mexico to be nice. You can park and stay but have to leave before 24 hours. Have restrooms and a good view, security onsite. It gets 5 stars on campendium.

 

[canakiwi]

We regularly travel from Grand Forks in the BC interior to Manitoba via Canada's Highway 3 and/or 1. Once you are out of the Rocky mountains overnight “free” stops are few and far between. Here are the few that we regularly use.

Crowsnest Provincial Park parking area on hwy 3

49°38'55.1"N 114°41'56.0"W

maps.app.goo.gl

Stoney Nakoda Resort & Casino on Hwy1 East of Bamff

Stoney Nakoda Resort & Casino · Mînî Thnî, Alberta

maps.app.goo.gl

Gleichen Campground, free campground in village off Hwy 1 East of Calgary

Gleichen Campground · Gleichen, Alberta

maps.app.goo.gl

Rest area just west of Swift Current. Not “official” but local town provides porta potty and garbage.

Aire De repos · Webb, Saskatchewan

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[Ron in BC]

Thanks for those, including the links. I'm betting that we'll be trying out 3 of them before Summer is over.

Ron

 

[DT6]

Rest stops in California all allow 8 hours of parking in a 24 hour period. I'm guessing that unless it is being heavily patrolled, you can probably get away with more than that.

 

[Viajante]

All Texas rest stops and picnic areas allow stopping for 24 hrs.

One stop of note is the Marfa Lights viewing area 9 miles east of Marfa on US 90. Pull in, relax, and look for the mysterious lights in the dark sky.

“Yes, Campendium states that the Marfa Lights Viewing Center in Marfa, TX, allows overnight parking, says Tripadvisor. You can stay in the designated parking area for one night.”

 

[CharlesinGA]

I-10 Exit #2 in Mississippi. South side of the interchange is the Mississippi Welcome Station. (same exit as the Stennis Space Center). There are 12 pull offs that are perfect for RV's (signage forbids trucks but that don't stop them). MS allows overnight (max 12 hrs) in their rest stops. We were heading down to a casino on the coast just a few miles away when we realized they had these spaces. Had a good nights sleep. INFINITY Science Center is accessed from the welcome station entrance/exit road also.

Charles

 

[Ron in BC]

Wow, that's the type of place we're always hoping to find.

Ron

 

[Thrak]

All Texas rest stops and picnic areas allow stopping for 24 hrs.

One stop of note is the Marfa Lights viewing area 9 miles east of Marfa on US 90. Pull in, relax, and look for the mysterious lights in the dark sky.

“Yes, Campendium states that the Marfa Lights Viewing Center in Marfa, TX, allows overnight parking, says Tripadvisor. You can stay in the designated parking area for one night.”

Haven't seen the Marfa Lights but did encounter another bizarre thing near Marfa. We stopped to check it out and logged the geocache that is at this location.

 

[DT6]

Haven't seen the Marfa Lights but did encounter another bizarre thing near Marfa. We stopped to check it out and logged the geocache that is at this location.

View attachment 1113297

You just never know where you are going to break a heel and need a new pair of shoes! I find it refreshing sometimes to be in my 6-inch stilettos when I stop at the dump station to pull that black valve!

 

[Mike G]

Between Clayton NM and Boise City OK on US-412, at the tiny village of Felt go south 1/2 mile to a peaceful rest area on national grassland property. I've overnighted there a couple of times and it's always very quiet with practically no traffic noise. Views of flat farmland.