Sometimes when finding parking, knowing where not to park is half the battle! When looking for a place to sleep for the night, be sure to avoid places where you will be in someone's way, or where you will arouse suspicion. Avoid these parking locationswhen living nomadically:
- Schools - other than universities/colleges
- Parks - where children may be present
- Daycares - and other child-oriented businesses
- Any place where parking regulations or local signage prohibits parking.
- Tourist hotspots - where parking spots are at a premium.
- Law enforcement buildings - where police regularly patrol.
- High security areas and buildings - military and government buildings, border checkpoints, major event venues
- Any place where you have previously gotten The Knock.
- Any place noted on apps like iOverlander to disallow overnight parking
- Any place where there are other nomads parking currently[1], other than an organized group camp. Every parking location has an (unwritten) capacity of dweller vehicles before people will notice and complaints will be made.
- A place where your vehicle doesn't match the surroundings. For example, a step van in a neighborhood of upscale single-family homes, or a $200,000 campervan in a high-crime area.
- Cemeteries - any vehicles in a cemetery at night will be considered suspicious by passersby and police.
- In front of single-family homes - you will be noticed quickly
- Near bars and nightclubs - Drunks may disturb your sleep or even strike your vehicle.
- Near loading docks / behind stores - trucks may need to make deliveries and you could be in their way.
- Street parking very close to intersections; in many jurisdictions (including 40+ U.S. states) it is illegal to park within a certain number of feet/meters from the corner or from crosswalks. This is part of intersection daylighting.
- Trailheads - most trailhead parking lots prohibit camping, so be very careful to check. Some trailhead lots are targets for thieves also, since vehicles are often left unattended for hours.
- During winter where snow is forecast, you have to take extra care not to park where snow plows may need to go to clear snow. At a minimum they will disturb your sleep, but you may be asked to move or towed if you are in their way.
Truck-designated parking
At rest areas and truck stops, please don't park in the truck parking area unless you have a large box truck or step van. Those spots are for truckers who are working, or resting from work. Your vehicle may get in the way of truck maneuvering. Truck drivers are legally required in most jurisdictions to stop driving after a certain number of hours on the road, and they have a very limited number of places they can legally park.