Question Free Camping - Western States

[HowLin]

We are new RV'ers who will be traveling from BC Canada to Phoenix area in early December, probably by I-5/Hwy99. We are looking for possible overnight parking spots that are safe along the route that are free or relatively inexpensive.
Also, how does pump-out locations work? Can you pump out at most RV sites for a fee without staying overnight? What about other pump-out locations?
Sorry for all the newbie questions and thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Trav_lr]

Using phone apps like RV Parky, Campendium, iOverland, ParkAdvisor, BoonDocking et al is a good start. I have a few overnight boondocking sites along I-5 and I-10 in Ca, Or and Az that we use that are free, clean and safe. They can all be found using the aforementioned phone apps. Many Hwy rest stops have free dumping and sometimes potable water. There's phone apps for Hwy rest stops and RV dumps as well. We avoid the 99, very few free, if any places to boondock, it's busier than the 5 and the road surface is terrible.

 

[Rich W.]

A couple thoughts:
The rest area Southbound on I-5 at Dunnigan Ca has a dump station - that might fit well into your travel plans
I-5 south of Sacramento is a better choice than 99 due to construction and also usually traffic, and is also more suited to your type of trip than 99 from Red Bluff to Sac
Willows Travel center (I-5 and hwy 57) has good overnight parking
Harvest Hosts is a good choice for “free” overnights (although you can end up spending some $$ at these locations) and they have a good on-line route/stop planner
Harris Ranch in Coalinga Ca is a good free overnight stop but fills up quickly on weekends

 

[HowLin]

D.P and Rich. thanks so much for your thoughts... seems a consensus to avoid Hwy99 for this route then. Guess the best route then is Hwy 10 from San Bernadino...

 

[Rich W.]

D.P and Rich. thanks so much for your thoughts... seems a consensus to avoid Hwy99 for this route then. Guess the best route then is Hwy 10 from San Bernadino...

Probably - I’ve been going that way lately and its been ok, but if you want to avoid LA traffic, HWY 58 east from Bakersfield to 395 (at Kramer Junction) then 15 to 10 is a good choice. Also lots of boondocking opportunities South of 58 on 395.

 

[HowLin]

Probably - I’ve been going that way lately and its been ok, but if you want to avoid LA traffic, HWY 58 east from Bakersfield to 395 (at Kramer Junction) then 15 to 10 is a good choice. Also lots of boondocking opportunities South of 58 on 395.

Excellent info, thanks!

 

[Trav_lr]

I did this https://goo.gl/maps/GemYum1dg4AzGG6u7 on google maps a couple years ago. I've used most at one time or another and as far as I know, all locations are still good for free over-nighting. Most Oregon rest stops along I-5 between Wilsonville and Medford are good for over-nighting as well.

 

[Rich W.]

I did this https://goo.gl/maps/GemYum1dg4AzGG6u7 on google maps a couple years ago. I've used most at one time or another and as far as I know, all locations are still good for free over-nighting. Most Oregon rest stops along I-5 between Wilsonville and Medford are good for over-nighting as well.

yeah Seven Feathers is good as are most casinos along the way. I stayed at one in Arcata that cost $9 and I left a couple hundred $ better off gambling with their complimentary chips.

 

[Rich W.]

This is a subdivision that was never built on the SE corner of Kramer Junction. The roads are good hard packed dirt, plenty of room and easy access off 395 for boondocking:

 

[Rollin Ollen]

We are new RV'ers who will be traveling from BC Canada to Phoenix area in early December, probably by I-5/Hwy99. We are looking for possible overnight parking spots that are safe along the route that are free or relatively inexpensive.
Also, how does pump-out locations work? Can you pump out at most RV sites for a fee without staying overnight? What about other pump-out locations?
Sorry for all the newbie questions and thanks for any suggestions.

Depending on the weather, if the passes are snowed in or icy, we used hiway 1 along the coast. It takes a bit longer but much safer and far more scenic. If you do take that route, Three Rivers Casino in Florence Oregon has free RV parking with 50 A service. The casino give us a free $10.00 start which we turned into enough winnings for dinner there and part of the camping fee for the next night out.

Darrell