Lincoln City, Ore., casino no longer allows free overnight stays

June 1, 2015 — The Chinook Winds Casino Resort at 1777 NW 44th Street in Lincoln City, Oregon no longer allows free overnight stays in its parking lot. Here is the official word from a casino spokesperson:

"Due to increased business demand, CWCR is maximizing our current parking space. This effort requires us to stop free overnight RV parking and move day use RV parking to our overflow lot located on Logan Road. CWCR offers complimentary 24 hour shuttle service to our overflow parking as well as Logan Road RV Park. Logan Road RV Park which is owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians offers overnight RV parking. For overnight rates and availability contact the Logan Road RV Park via phone at 541-994-4261, 1-877-LOGANRV (1-877-564-2678) or online at http://loganroadrvpark.com. "

Sleeping in an RV overnight okay in Oregon rest areas

Even though "camping" is not permitted in Oregon highway rest areas, it's okay to sleep in your RV as long as your stay does not exceed 12 hours.

Here, from the Oregon Travel Information Council, is the official word:

You are welcome to sleep, take a power or cat nap, and otherwise relax. In fact, we encourage road weary drivers to do so before continuing a long journey. Data indicates that weary drivers have a far greater chance of falling asleep at the wheel or being involved in a vehicular accident. You can slumber in your camper, snore to beat the band in your RV, or dream about Oregon blueberries in your van, as long as it doesn’t exceed the 12 hour rule.

But remember — no pitching tents, no extending slideouts, no deploying leveling jacks. Your RV must be in "travel ready" condition at all times. Rest areas are NOT campgrounds!

Official word from Walmart about 'camping' at its stores

Most Walmart stores allow a free overnight stay in self-contained RVs in their parking lots. Some stores do not allow such stays. In those cases, signs will be posted in the parking lots. If the signs are present do not stay even if other RVers are there. You may get booted out at 2 a.m.

If you do stay, do not extend your slideouts, do not put down levelers (they can damage the pavement). Do not sit outside in lawn chairs or use your BBQ. In other words, just park in an out-of-the-way area of the parking lot, sleep and leave. Pick up supplies in the store if you need any. Walmart notices this and it helps ensure the company continues to allow such free stays.

Finally, do not stay more than one night except in an emergency.

Here is the official word from Walmart.com about overnighting in an RV in its stores parking lots:

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.

No overnight stays in Washington State rest areas?

Signs like this are posted at Washington state rest areas. The message may appear mixed — "no camping," yet stays of eight hours are okay. Translation? "Don't pitch a tent or build a campfire. But it's okay to grab some sleep in an RV." Just don't stick around more than eight hours. For a complete list of Washington rest areas, click here.