Where Can I Sleep?
Tags: Homelessness, Sleeping, Veteranhomeless, Homeless, Camping

Because I had a van the last time I was homeless, these are mostly tips for vehicle dwellers. There are some tips (firsthand experience mostly) for those without a vehicle at the bottom. NOTE: Many of these parking options may or may not be “legal” parking and some just don’t care, or don’t enforce parking. IF YOU SEE a no parking, violators will be towed sign, do NOT risk parking there. They WILL AND DO TOW. Keep moving. IF there is a parking meter or charge to park, pay it. It’s not worth the hassle of not paying and it makes it harder for the rest of us.

I was homeless, but I drove a white van. I had the best luck parking at 24-hour Walmarts, but other areas to park and sleep are:

Emergency room parking lots at hospitals. Be careful. Some hospitals are in bad neighborhoods and are dangerous. Some have security. If you do park try to walk into the ER and use the bathroom, or go to the cafeteria, etc. so security does see you enter the hospital. This was advice a friendly and sympathetic security guard at a Denver hospital gave me after checking on me. It depends on the hospital, the guards, and a lot of random other things, but it’s worth a shot.

Be careful. Some hospitals are in bad neighborhoods and are dangerous. Some have security. If you do park try to walk into the ER and use the bathroom, or go to the cafeteria, etc. so security does see you enter the hospital. This was advice a friendly and sympathetic security guard at a Denver hospital gave me after checking on me. It depends on the hospital, the guards, and a lot of random other things, but it’s worth a shot. Staff parking lots at hospitals if you have a nice car — meaning something that LOOKS like a staff car. Check to see if all the cars have permits. Usually, at night no one cared if I parked there, but during the day is another problem. Try to notice when shift changes happen and park farther away at the back of the lot. Many staff members park in the same spot, or close to it, and they notice new cars. Some staff lots require a parking pass to get in. Some don’t.

Check to see if all the cars have permits. Usually, at night no one cared if I parked there, but during the day is another problem. Try to notice when shift changes happen and park farther away at the back of the lot. Many staff members park in the same spot, or close to it, and they notice new cars. Some staff lots require a parking pass to get in. Some don’t. Public parking garages. Park in heavily trafficked parts of the garage, or on the top floor, NOT the bottom. You’re less likely to have someone try to break into the car when there are a lot of people around. If a 24-hour lot, try to park near the attendant. They’re there if something happens, and if you’re quiet they won’t notice you’re sleeping. Many parking garages have a 24-hour fee, some have gates they lock and close at certain times — so don’t park and get locked in. Try to park there a few times during the day before sleeping there. Get a sense of the busiest times of day, security, etc.

Park in heavily trafficked parts of the garage, or on the top floor, NOT the bottom. You’re less likely to have someone try to break into the car when there are a lot of people around. If a 24-hour lot, try to park near the attendant. They’re there if something happens, and if you’re quiet they won’t notice you’re sleeping. Many parking garages have a 24-hour fee, some have gates they lock and close at certain times — so don’t park and get locked in. Try to park there a few times during the day before sleeping there. Get a sense of the busiest times of day, security, etc. Apartment building parking lots. Pick the ones that don’t have assigned parking. Park on the street in neighborhoods with a lot of cars on the street. Again, check for permitted parking.

Pick the ones that don’t have assigned parking. Park on the street in neighborhoods with a lot of cars on the street. Again, check for permitted parking. 24-hour grocery stores. Simply Google, “24-hour grocery store near me”

Simply Google, “24-hour grocery store near me” 24-Hour restaurants , like Cracker Barrel. Or, check out these restaurants popular with RV’ers. https://www.rversonline.org/SpecialCafes.html

like Cracker Barrel. Or, check out these restaurants popular with RV’ers. https://www.rversonline.org/SpecialCafes.html Truck stops.

Gas stations.

24-hour any kind of store.

Construction sites. If you’re male, living in a van, and talk to the site supervisor and explain your need for a parking place and they think you look trustworthy, they may let you stay there every night in exchange for being a security guard for them. Offer to give them a copy of your driver’s license and make sure you agree to simply call the police, not confront thieves. Works well if you have/are driving a van or pickup truck.

If you’re male, living in a van, and talk to the site supervisor and explain your need for a parking place and they think you look trustworthy, they may let you stay there every night in exchange for being a security guard for them. Offer to give them a copy of your driver’s license and make sure you agree to simply call the police, not confront thieves. Works well if you have/are driving a van or pickup truck. Manufacturing facilities. Better if you can get a job there as they almost always have showers and a break room with a fridge/microwave etc. EVERY mid to large city has an industrial park. Go there and apply for jobs. You can park there and tell any security you put in an application and are waiting to get an interview the next day.

Better if you can get a job there as they almost always have showers and a break room with a fridge/microwave etc. EVERY mid to large city has an industrial park. Go there and apply for jobs. You can park there and tell any security you put in an application and are waiting to get an interview the next day. Gas stations and car repair places. I’ve needed work done and places have let me spend the night in their lot. Since most repair places have a lot of different cars every night, you won’t stand out too much. Problem is cameras and neighbors. Once you pull up don’t get out or turn lights on and off etc. People notice. Just shut everything down and crawl in the back to sleep. Leave before or by 6 am. which is when most employees start arriving.

I’ve needed work done and places have let me spend the night in their lot. Since most repair places have a lot of different cars every night, you won’t stand out too much. Problem is cameras and neighbors. Once you pull up don’t get out or turn lights on and off etc. People notice. Just shut everything down and crawl in the back to sleep. Leave before or by 6 am. which is when most employees start arriving. Rest areas are good for short rests. Most rest areas, depending on the state and location, may have their hours, rules posted. Look for those before settling in. If the rest area is empty, think twice about staying there. Many gangs and thieves troll areas looking for someone to rob or car jack. Unless you’re a concealed carry holder, you probably won’t fare well. Rest areas do tend to be more dangerous unless they’re located on a toll road and parking is encouraged there. Cops check every 2–4 hours on typical roadside rest stops though and may ask you move along. Don’t argue. Tell them you are traveling, tired, sick, etc. and some will let you sleep it off. Better to park in truck parking areas rather than the car side as they may assume you are a spouse or traveling with one of the rigs. You may have to deal with “lot lizards” or prostitutes knocking on your window…but just say “no,” and most will leave you alone. Do NOT believe anyone’s “story” about why they need to get in your car at 3 in the morning…

Most rest areas, depending on the state and location, may have their hours, rules posted. Look for those before settling in. If the rest area is empty, think twice about staying there. Many gangs and thieves troll areas looking for someone to rob or car jack. Unless you’re a concealed carry holder, you probably won’t fare well. Rest areas do tend to be more dangerous unless they’re located on a toll road and parking is encouraged there. Cops check every 2–4 hours on typical roadside rest stops though and may ask you move along. Don’t argue. Tell them you are traveling, tired, sick, etc. and some will let you sleep it off. Better to park in truck parking areas rather than the car side as they may assume you are a spouse or traveling with one of the rigs. You may have to deal with “lot lizards” or prostitutes knocking on your window…but just say “no,” and most will leave you alone. Do NOT believe anyone’s “story” about why they need to get in your car at 3 in the morning… Bars — but take the keys out of the ignition. Cops will assume you are sleeping off a drunk and if the keys are in the ignition you’re technically *driving*. If they roust you, tell them you’re traveling, homeless….etc. Put the keys in the floorboard behind the seat, not in front. They can’t claim they “fell out.”

Cops will assume you are sleeping off a drunk and if the keys are in the ignition you’re technically *driving*. If they roust you, tell them you’re traveling, homeless….etc. Put the keys in the floorboard behind the seat, not in front. They can’t claim they “fell out.” Hotels are good but pick the cheaper ones. The more expensive ones actually have security that checks your license plate against the registry. If you’re in a tourist town, there will be security. Look for hotels that have a lot of service or pickup trucks, like for contractors, construction workers, etc. You can often get a free breakfast if you blend in with the construction crews. Not legal, but if you’re desperate and starving…I’ve also asked to borrow a room that a crew was leaving so I could get a shower and a few hours sleep. They usually leave about 7 to go to their jobs and some are happy to let you use the room if you don’t look like you’d trash it. Don’t steal the towels or anything.

The more expensive ones actually have security that checks your license plate against the registry. If you’re in a tourist town, there will be security. Look for hotels that have a lot of service or pickup trucks, like for contractors, construction workers, etc. You can often get a free breakfast if you blend in with the construction crews. Not legal, but if you’re desperate and starving…I’ve also asked to borrow a room that a crew was leaving so I could get a shower and a few hours sleep. They usually leave about 7 to go to their jobs and some are happy to let you use the room if you don’t look like you’d trash it. Don’t steal the towels or anything. Police stations. This works well if you are female. Explain you’re traveling and need a safe place to park for a few hours to take a nap. They’ll run your license and plates and point you to a quiet corner.

This works well if you are female. Explain you’re traveling and need a safe place to park for a few hours to take a nap. They’ll run your license and plates and point you to a quiet corner. Churches. These can be great spots if the church isn’t overrun with requests. Talk to the pastor.

These can be great spots if the church isn’t overrun with requests. Talk to the pastor. Park in areas where your vehicle blends in. Beat-up cars/pickups/vans are different than a newer van or vehicle.

Beat-up cars/pickups/vans are different than a newer van or vehicle. Be wary of gangs/locals and their turf. This is hard to do if you’re not a big city dweller and know nothing about gang signs, or “tags.” Some gangs shoot first and don’t bother asking questions. Others will confront you. If confronted, apologize for being on their turf, tell them you respect them and their boundaries, and tell them you just need a place to sleep and then move. You may be given the “option” of paying them to park on the street…or not. Try to stay out of big cities to avoid this, but gangs can be found anywhere.

This is hard to do if you’re not a big city dweller and know nothing about gang signs, or “tags.” Some gangs shoot first and don’t bother asking questions. Others will confront you. If confronted, apologize for being on their turf, tell them you respect them and their boundaries, and tell them you just need a place to sleep and then move. You may be given the “option” of paying them to park on the street…or not. Try to stay out of big cities to avoid this, but gangs can be found anywhere. Know the laws in the area. Cities that once banned sleeping on the streets have changed their laws since COVID. Look around for no-parking, or parking ONLY between the hours of. Be aware of your surroundings so you don’t wake up chained to a tow truck and have to pay $75 to get unhooked.

Cities that once banned sleeping on the streets have changed their laws since COVID. Look around for no-parking, or parking ONLY between the hours of. Be aware of your surroundings so you don’t wake up chained to a tow truck and have to pay $75 to get unhooked. Don’t prepare for bed where you’re going to park. Do all your late-night eating, arranging your vehicle, and whatever in a different area than you plan to sleep. For instance, I go to a Truckstop for a shower and a meal before driving to my nighttime spot — maybe just a mile away. That way I can just shut everything down and crawl in the back to sleep without alerting anyone to the fact I’m sleeping in my car. This is especially important for women. People watch everything around them — particularly in areas like gas stations, rest areas, and truck stops. They evaluate you to see if you’re alone or make a good target. By not getting out of your vehicle you’re less likely to be a target.

SLEEPING WITH NO CAR? NO PROBLEM

Where you live, how you look, how old you are, what resources you have, etc. will determine where you can SAFELY sleep. You can sleep anywhere, but finding a place where you’re less likely to be raped, robbed, beaten, or worse is hard. Everyone has to find their own way as cities are all different. Shelters SUCK, but if you can get into one, it may be safer (not by much) than the street. It depends on you, the shelter, the shelter staff, and where you are. They’re all different. Some are awesome, kind, and helpful, some are worse than prison. MY options:

I’m a camper. IF faced with having to live somewhere without a car, I’d get a good sleeping bag and one-person tent and head for the woods — even if it was just a densely wooded park. Getting out of the city is hard for many, so look for areas you can hide in — densely wooded or bushy landscaping for instance. Buy or make a camouflaged suit or covering called a “Ghillie suit,” or a camouflaged tarp to sleep under. Watch as many YouTube videos as possible on selecting a suit and using it correctly before buying one. You may need to wash it a few times to take the shine off of the fabric. Add lots of fabric softener to make the fabric more water-resistant while you’re at it.

Prices and looks vary from $25 to $200. You can also buy tarps.

Camo tarp from Walmart for $25.

You can buy woodland, or desert tarps and suits depending on where you are. You can also make your own, but the cost of materials is often more expensive than just buying one premade.

The idea behind sleeping safely is learning to hide or camouflage yourself. I once worked with a guy at a manufacturing plant who had created a box behind a bunch of pallets. He crawled in through a door in the back of the box, which looked like a bunch of other boxes. He had a sleeping pad, sleeping bag, a headlamp, food, and his stuff in the box. He’d been living there for six months when I met him. He showered in the employee restrooms, and ate in the break room, kept his food in the company fridge. He may still be sleeping there. He was a Vietnam vet and knew how to make his space blend in, and how to come and go without attracting attention.

Look for areas where there’s no competition from other homeless for shelter. This may mean getting on a bus or getting a bike and biking to the city limits. I’ll be writing another how-to post on this, but suffice it to say here, get creative. I once lived in my office (50 other employees!) by working late, then pulling out a cot I slipped between my desk and the wall. I covered up well, and even when employees came back in on occasion, none of them ever saw me there. I don’t know if people knew, but ignored it, or just didn’t see me.

I’ve crashed in waiting rooms at hospitals. Many family members do this while waiting on news of loved ones in surgery etc. Just don’t look homeless. I’ve never been confronted. The sleep isn’t the best, but it’s safe. Obviously, anything that gives away the fact you’re homeless, like a backpack, etc. is going to be a bad thing.

Many family members do this while waiting on news of loved ones in surgery etc. Just don’t look homeless. I’ve never been confronted. The sleep isn’t the best, but it’s safe. Obviously, anything that gives away the fact you’re homeless, like a backpack, etc. is going to be a bad thing. You can also sleep behind cars in a parking garage. Yes, it’s dangerous, but doable, especially if you know the driver is an employee and will be parked there for a while.

Yes, it’s dangerous, but doable, especially if you know the driver is an employee and will be parked there for a while. Stairwells. Usually, the top of a stairwell, depending on the building, is at least out of the weather. Not the safest, but safer than the streets.

Usually, the top of a stairwell, depending on the building, is at least out of the weather. Not the safest, but safer than the streets. Storage facilities without locks on the unit. This is going to be harder with the advent of cameras, but many smaller units are empty and unlocked, allowing you to put the yellow tag back on the door and crash inside. Look for a 24-hour facility. Don’t rent the unit. You have to sign a contract saying you won’t sleep or live in the unit and if you’re caught doing that they can kick you out. If you MUST live in a unit and can afford one, try to get a job working at night, and sleep in the unit during the day. Limit your time in the unit to working hours.