Overnight at Cracker Barrel?

[ArielRae]

Recently learned you can stay overnight at Cracker Barrel parking lots with your RV. Has anyone done this? Did you feel safe? Any Cracker Barrels on I95 from New Jersey to Disney you recommend? It would be great to stop for dinner, sleep, have breakfast, then hit the road again.

 

[FtW Mike]

Never heard about dry docking in the parking lot. In NC there are 2 I have been to and love The first is at exit 49 great parking area for busses and RV's. We try to stop for the night before here to stop and have breakfast here. The other is at exit 29 but be forewarned there is an ADULT novelty store you have to pass on the road leading to it. In SC I can't remember which exit food was okay not full CB menu but found getting back to the road to return to 95 was a major hassel. Someplace in GA has one right off 95 the we have stopped at for potty break and desperately needed coffee

 

[beagles7278]

I have never stayed over night at a Cracker Barrel but I have done a Walmart in Valdosta, GA. The establishments don't care but in some cases there are local ordinances which do not allow it, usually a sign is posted if it is not allowed.

When we are going to drive late I don't want to pull into an RV park at 1am and make friends.

 

[peg110]

We typically leave (from NE PA) after work/school to try and get below DC during a "Slow" traffic time. The first time down this way we stopped in Ashland, VA (Exit 92 off of I95) with the original intent of going to the Wal Mart there. However, we found that there is a large TA center there right of the exit and we were able to park/sleep there (if you don't mind the Rigs idling). There is also a Cracker Barrel just before the On ramp to get back on I95. They do have space to park an RV but I don't believe it's "Dedicated" RV parking. Either way, I have never spent the night in their lot because we used the TA truck stop as it is VERY convenient (at this stop).

I also like this exit because the Cracker Barrel is right there and there is a Walmart just down the road. It's just a good overall stop for us.

On a side note, I felt like I was a "Big Guy" on the road with my F150 and 27+ foot TT. Then we spent the night in the TA Truck stop. I was too tired to take note of much. In the morning we woke up and I took the dog out for a walk and got to see exactly how "Big" (eh hem) I really was.

Can you guess which vehicle I am in?

I have since "Upgraded" both Truck and Trailer. We now have an F250 and our TT is a Coachmen 343QBDS which is about 36 Feet long. (and 11 feet high). Still not the "Big Guy" but getting there. No pictures of the new one yet though.

 

[North of Mouse]

After staying once in an emergency at a Walmart parking lot and being harassed by motorcycles circling us late at night, we will never stay in a business parking lot at night again. It 'may' have been 'only' harassment, but didn't have to find out, as after being awakened about 15 min. a huge thunderstorm with lightning came and they all left (thankfully). We were actually getting a little worried.

 

[peg110]

Thankfully, I have never had an issue like you are stating. I have stayed in truck stops and Rest stops and have never had the need to stay in a business parking lot. I know some folks would only stay in a campground and that's fine too. For me, paying $30 just to pull in and sleep for 6 hours and pull out is a waste, not to mention that if I plan the stop at a campground (which is wise depending on the time of year as opposed to just showing up and hoping for a spot), and you are too tired to get all the way there, it's an issue. Conversely, if you get to the campground (or the exit to get there) and you have a lot of energy and want to keep going....

Anyway, to each their own. I suppose until the point I have an issue with it, I will keep using the rest stops and truck stops as it has worked well for us.

 

[DJCPITTS]

Yes you are aloud to stay at cracker barrel overnight with your rv as long as you dont put your stands down (sorry dont know the actual word).. and there is a cracker barrel map online that will show u all the cracker barrels on 95...

 

[Teamubr]

Never knew that about Cracker Barrel. I've only over nighted in truck stops, but that's when I'm on the road by myself. If family is with me, we usually stay in a CG. DW feels better knowing we have a designated "place".

Also, with the newer hours restrictions for CDL drivers, many of the truck stops in the midwest are full by 5 or 6 in the evening. It's not unusual to see two or 3 semis on the entrance ramps by 9 or 10 at night.

10 years ago I had a consulting company. I was working a conference at the Gaylord Palms across the highway from WDW. I pulled the camper down and stayed at the Fort for the week. DW and DS drove down with me and flew home when the conference started. I left the conference on the last day about 4 in the afternoon. Drove until I got tired and made it to a Flying J in Dalton, GA. Pulled in and it was completely full. I pulled back around front and parked along the curb, out of the way. Woke up about 6 am and I was triple parked in with 2 trailers next to me.

j

 

[bama_ed]

I too am surprised to hear about overnight parking at CB.

I know they have RV long extended parking spots for parking when dining. But i didnt know that officially extended to overnight. At least at a WalMart, the nearby store is active with restocking activity, etc. Truck stops and Flying J's are open for business 24/7. I dont know that this kind of activity occurs at a CB overnight.

Ariel, where did you see this posted re: CB? Its one thing for people to unofficially use the RV parking at CB but what is the best official documentation on this? A post on an rv'ing website is not sufficient for me personally.

Bama Ed

 

[FtW Mike]

I too am surprised to hear about overnight parking at CB.

I know they have RV long extended parking spots for parking when dining. But i didnt know that officially extended to overnight. At least at a WalMart, the nearby store is active with restocking activity, etc. Truck stops and Flying J's are open for business 24/7. I dont know that this kind of activity occurs at a CB overnight.

Ariel, where did you see this posted re: CB? Its one thing for people to unofficially use the RV parking at CB but what is the best official documentation on this? A post on an rv'ing website is not sufficient for me personally.

Bama Ed

Have to agree with Bama Ed on this. Sounds too good to be true. Each of the 6 CB's I am is within sight of at least one major hotel. Not sure they want to jeopardize those relationships.

 

[muffyn]

Have to agree with Bama Ed on this. Sounds too good to be true. Each of the 6 CB's I am is within sight of at least one major hotel. Not sure they want to jeopardize those relationships.

i have been reading many web pages over the last year about parking at cracker barrel.. too many articles to not call it true
if it was earlier in the day I'd call. to verify for u

http://ourodyssey.blogspot.com/2008/12/our-first-cracker-barrel.html
http://www.truckcampermagazine.com/question-of-the-week/parking-lot-addiction-syndrome/
http://www.rversonline.org/Boondock.html
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f59/overnight-walmart-cracker-barrel-87361.html

http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index.php?topic=2397.0
http://roadslesstraveled.us/boondocking/

 

[ArielRae]

I saw it in the following video. They apparently live full time in their RV and travel the US. Fast forward to 2:23 into the video. I found their videos a few weeks ago when they posted a one about their time at Disney and fort wilderness.

 

[peg110]

Ariel, where did you see this posted re: CB? Its one thing for people to unofficially use the RV parking at CB but what is the best official documentation on this? A post on an rv'ing website is not sufficient for me personally.

I agree with Ed.

Before I watched the video that you posted ArielRae, my thought was exactly what you did, "CALL AHEAD" and get permission. Permission trumps all, right?

 

[bama_ed]

If CB has a corporate policy (which would likely be similar to Wal-Mart's in that it's a location-by-location decision based on local ordinances), it would at least say so on its corporate website at a minimum, I would think.

Wal-Mart has it on their website in the FAQ Section.

http://corporate.walmart.com/frequently-asked-questions#Park_RV .

Here is what it says.

While we do not offer electrical service or accommodations typically necessary for RV customers, Walmart values RV travelers and considers them among our best customers. Consequently, we do permit RV parking on our store parking lots as we are able. Permission to park is extended by individual store managers, based on availability of parking space and local laws. Please contact management in each store to ensure accommodations before parking your RV.

If you can secure local CB manager permission, then no harm no foul. But the CB corporate website is silent on RV parking but does talk about feeding tour groups who arrive in buses and would need those RV/bus long angled parking spots. That silence or lack of approval is what causes me to hesitate.

Truck stops, Flying J's, and Wal-Marts offer plenty of options. And as we've discussed here, once you get below the I-10 corridor in Florida even those options dry up really fast. Just because you CAN do something (or get away with it) doesn't mean you SHOULD.

Bama Ed

 

[KristinU]

I've definitely heard of overnighting at Cracker Barrels. I could swear there used to be a blurb on their web site if you searched around enough, but I can't find it at the moment. I'd call and ask ahead of time.

Since becoming more comfortable with parking lot overnights we've stayed at Casinos and Wal-Marts so far. I'm not sure how comfortable I'd be if it was just us, which I'd assume is more likely at a CB than at a WM. We've been one of at least several at the places we've stayed so far. I do love the convenience and freedom of being able to push on a little further if we're not ready to stop yet.

We use the All Stays Camp and RV app, which has a filter for overnight parking spots along with reviews. I find that really helpful in selecting a location.

 

[muffyn]

just called cracker barrel consumer relations & they emphatically say YES you can park overnight in their lots.. with one caveat .
you can look at their maps of locations IF there is a * next to their location name, then there is room to park for you.
(I think that is how she explained it)
OR it says bus/rv accessible ( when looking up locations & it gives you their info)you can park overnight

but when in doubt,,, you can call
: )



(even walmart has many that do not allow parking, others do.. you need to know ahead of time)

that said, I doubt i would park at one. I'd much prefer a quiet rest area (with hopefully security) OR a truck stop, with a lot of business, where you wouldn't have to worry about intruders harassing you)

 

[peg110]

I was going to do that, but again, like Ed said, it would be better to have it in writing. (on their site, etc...)

And again, I would still consider calling or going in and talking to a manager in advance. Without it in writing or discussing it with a manager, I'd only consider parking there as a last resort. (Many a times I have pulled into a rest stop and they were full up with Big rigs).

 

[bama_ed]

muffyn,

I appreciate you calling and clearing it up. That being said, I'm still a little suspect. I went to their website and searched for locations around Kissimmee, FL (next to WDW) within 50 miles and it had 4 locations that said bus/rv accessible. Two of them are on 192 within a few miles of the World Drive entrance to WDW. If that means you can spend the night, that's strange since the WalMarts in that same area will not let you stay overnight.

I guess the permission of the local CB manager would be the best bet. I'll butt out of this conversation now.

Bama Ed

 

[Teamubr]

they emphatically say YES you can park overnight in their lots.. with one caveat .
you can look at their maps of locations IF there is a * next to their location name, then there is room to park for you.
(I think that is how she explained it)
OR it says bus/rv accessible ( when looking up locations & it gives you their info)you can park overnight

I'll jump into this for a minute.

I went to the CB web site and checked 36 CBs within 200 miles of St Louis. All say Bus/RV Accessible, but none of them had a "*" on the map or the listing. See below.

My DWs best friend was a CB manager for about 5 years. She did this until 3 years ago when her mom got sick and she wanted to be closer to home. Asked her at dinner tonight about this. She was not aware of any policy that specifically condones overnight parking. She would very rarely arrive at work early in the morning and see an RV in the parking lot. She said it bothered her because she didn't know if it was someone just "camping", broke down, having a medical issue ('dead' were her words), or something less innocent.

If it was the best option, I'd probably do it, but I don't think it will be my first choice.

 

[FtW Mike]

We have the paper map out in our coach and will have to check it. At this stage of the game as web site for CB has a phone number for individual units I would call before deciding that is a option. I ould also make sure I have the name of who I spoke to and when and be prepared to provide them with any information ie My name, description of my coach, plate number phone numbers they can reach us at , when I intend to stay, and expected arrival time