Motorhome & Campervan parking laws – where can you stay overnight?
by Admin
Posted on 03-02-2023 10:50 AM
There are camping laws in new zealand, so you can’t park a campervan or a motorhome just anywhere. To makes things more difficult, every region has its own laws about campervan overnight parking, known as “freedom camping”.
https://www.craicncampers.ie/
Confused about motorhome & campervan parking laws in the uk and europe? wondering where you can park overnight and if you can park anywhere with a van? or even if it’s legal? here’s everything you need to know… don’t forget to grab your free wild camping checklist below *we work hard to make this the best motorhome blog and road trip website possible, full of helpful content for you. The website is supported by our readers, so if you buy through links on this site we may earn a commission- at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain our own. https://www.craicncampers.ie/can-i-park-my-craic-n-campers-vehicle-wherever-i-like-whats-wild-camping/
Some people say that only motorhome and campervan travelling can give you true freedom. With such a vehicle, you can go to any place you want at any time of day and night. One of the most significant perks of using such a means of transport is the possibility to stay inside overnight, avoiding the cost of accommodation. However, is free motorhome camping allowed everywhere? or is it necessary to look for dedicated parking spots? in a moment, we’ll explain more about motorhome and campervan overnight parking in the united kingdom (and europe in general).
● know exactly how high your motorhome is. In most cases, you won’t be able to park in multi-level parking buildings or underground where there may be height clearance issues. Some campervans are not much higher than trucks with roof racks however, so knowing exactly how high your roof is can help you decide if you can fit into these spaces. Similarly, know the length of your motorhome as some campsites will have size restrictions. ● get permission. There are plenty of places where you are permitted to park your motorhome for short and overnight stays provided you get permission, including spots such as walmart car parks in the us and private land.
Motorhome and Campervan Parking laws in the UK
Before we go into the legality of wild camping it’s worth making a distinction between overnight parking for your campervan or motorhome and wild camping itself.
In contrast to parking, wild camping can be defined as camping in a remote area with no facilities, rather than at a formal campsite or organised setting. Don’t assume that just because you’re parked in a designated area that you’re allowed to park there overnight, as in many places this isn’t permitted. Check the signage and if in doubt it’s probably best to move on. If you’re interested in finding out more about overnight parking spots in the uk you can consult the brit stops website , or you can buy a copy of their current print publication.
In most parts of the uk, it’s illegal to go ‘wild camping’. You can’t camp on anyone’s land unless you have their permission. Simply parking overnight at the side of the road could mean that you’re breaking the law. Wild camping laws apply throughout most of england, wales and northern ireland. They don’t, however, apply to most locations in scotland. Only in some limited areas, around loch lomond in particular, is wild camping something of an issue. That said, wild camping allowances do not apply to motor vehicles. Whilst pitching a tent is allowed in scotland, you might have to work harder to justify the presence of a motorhome that you’re sleeping in.
Another option is to find a residential property where you can park your rv. The most ideal and cheapest solution, of course, is to keep your rig on your own turf, although you will have to watch out for homeowners’ associations and other neighborhood guidelines that could deem your big motorhome an eyesore. (don’t worry — we know it’s actually beautiful!) however, if you don’t have a covered driveway or a large enough garage, parking your rv on residential property means it could be exposed to the elements during its storage. That can create a big mess to clean up before your next camping trip and even ruin your paint job if your rig is subject to tough, sticky messes like bird droppings, so it’s important to invest in an rv cover to help keep it safe and clean.
In short, no. If you want to park up somewhere off the beaten track – and not in a caravan or motorhome park – you need to be careful whose land you end up on. Land in britain is typically owned by someone. So, if you want to partake in a bit of ‘wild camping’, you’ll need to get explicit permission from the landowner. If you don’t, you could be in breach of the law. The wild camping laws in the uk somewhat vary, as it is generally illegal in england and wales (unless you get explicit permission from the landowners), whereas in scotland, the rules are slightly different thanks to the land reform (scotland) act 2003, which allows the public to camp on most unenclosed lands.
Since we hit the road in 2015, we’ve stayed at different truck stops throughout the united states. The first truck stop we parked overnight was the pilot in tifton, georgia. At the time, we were traveling full time in a class a motorhome flat towing a jeep wrangler. When we downsized to a class b rv , it was even easier to stay overnight at the truck stop. After a long drive out of yosemite national park , we pulled into the flying j in ripon, california and parked in a regular spot for the night. Catch a glimpse of our experience sleeping overnight in the truck stop parking lot in the video below.
Despite the fact the uk is a comparatively busy little island, there are plenty of places where you can enjoy the peace and quiet in secluded, out-of-the-way spots. And better yet, many of these can be enjoyed for free in your motorhome – if you know where to look! from the extensive uk coastline to the beautiful parks and woodland dotted throughout the country there are ample opportunities for free overnight stays at a whole range of idyllic locations, so let’s get started. Remember that before setting off you’ll want insurance for your motorhome from motorhome protect in case you break down or have accidents while exploring.