Most RVers have heard of Wallydocking, which is parking overnight in a Walmart parking lot. It’s a form of “lot docking” that extends to another popular location: Cracker Barrel.
There aren’t nearly as many Cracker Barrels as Walmarts, but with 663 locations in the United States, there’s often one nearby. And the company has always been welcoming to RVers, allowing people to park overnight for free.
Of course, their hospitality should only be expected to extend so far. There are unwritten rules that RVers should abide by to ensure Cracker Barrel’s courtesy continues to be extended to us.
I will outline those rules for you so you can enjoy what I like to call “Barreldocking” as much as Jennifer and I do.
We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases at no added cost to you. Thank you for your support. You can read our full affiliate disclosure here.
Before we get into the rules, it’s important to note that not all Cracker Barrels allow free overnight parking. It is at the discretion of the manager, whom you can call ahead and ask.
In most cases, the managers are more than happy to oblige.
However, some state and city regulations do not allow overnight parking. Cracker Barrel, of course, has to abide by these regulations, so in some locales, they can’t permit you to stay in such cases.
The easiest way to find Cracker Barrel locations is to visit their website’s location finder. You can enter a city, state or zip code, and the map will display nearby locations. Or, you can browse by state.
There are only 5 states that do not have Cracker Barrel:
The states with the most Cracker Barrels are:
Parking overnight at Cracker Barrel is meant to be an overnight convenience, not a full-on campground stay. It’s perfect if you just need a place to sleep for the night on the way to your next destination.
Out of respect and gratitude for the company, it’s highly recommended you follow these unwritten rules…
Ideally, RVers should enjoy a meal at any Cracker Barrel where they park overnight. Whether you have dinner when you pull up or breakfast when you wake up, it’s a great way to thank them for their hospitality.
After all, they’re not really offering their parking lot altruistically. They’re hoping (and perhaps expecting) you’ll eat at their restaurant.
It’s a win-win for RVers, too. They get a place to stay for only the price of a good meal. And thankfully, Cracker Barrel is reasonably priced.
If you have a tight budget, you don’t have to have an entire meal. You can enjoy a slice of their delicious pies, cobblers, or biscuit beignets.
If you’re not hungry, though, you have another option to be a patron…
In addition to its all-day breakfast and homemade cornbread, Cracker Barrel is known for its Old Country Store. This little shop is packed with fun little souvenirs, toys, clothes, and treats.
So, if you don’t wish to eat in the restaurant, you can opt to purchase something from their store instead.
The jump-one-peg games and giant checkerboards are favorites. There’s always the Ye Old Candy Section, too!
It’s considered proper boondocking etiquette not to take prime parking if you’re parking overnight at Cracker Barrel. Park off to the side or nearer the back of the lot.
You don’t want to park right up front where dinner or breakfast patrons are most likely to park.
In truth, you want to do this for your own privacy as much as you do it out of respect for the patrons. You don’t want people peering through your windows as they walk into the restaurant.
You don’t want to take prime parking; however, always keep your safety in mind. It’s not, for instance, a good idea to park in dark areas that butt up against a back alley or something like that.
Find a happy compromise between safety and not taking parking away from patrons that are coming just for a meal.
Cracker Barrel is, of course, not responsible for your safety. So, you need to rely on your own street smarts when choosing a parking space.
Here’s another parking hint: Don’t park next to the dumpsters. You don’t want to block the access for employees or their garbage truck service. And those trucks come VERY early in the morning. Often way before sunup. If you are next to a dumpster, I guarantee you will be awakened by the noise.
Parking overnight at Cracker Barrel is meant to be a one-night courtesy. You are not meant to stay more than one night.
More so, you’re not meant to hang around all morning, either. Once you wake up and have your breakfast, you should clear out.
This brings me to the next unwritten rule…
You cannot treat a Cracker Barrel lot like a campground. You should not extend your awning, set out camping chairs or portable grill, or even extend your slides if you can help it.
If your RV requires you to extend a slide to reach the sleeping quarters, try to find an end spot where you won’t overlap into the next parking space and/or only extend it the minimum amount to get through.
As boondockers, Jennifer and I know that some people use public restrooms to sponge bathe or wash their hair in sinks.
While this behavior can be considered acceptable at some locations (like some rest stops), you shouldn’t do it in a Cracker Barrel. Cracker Barrels are restaurants serving food to patrons who trust that they uphold the highest health standards.
Customers don’t want to enter a restroom in between their entree and dessert course to find someone sponge bathing. Cracker Barrel management doesn’t want that either.
It’s best to tap into your own water supply if you’re in dire need of a cleaning.
On that same note, don’t take your pets potty near the restaurant! Take them away from the restaurant (especially away from eh entrace) to do their business, and don’t forget your biodegradable doggy poo bags!
(PSST! If you travel with a pet, check out these 7 UNWRITTEN Rules of Camping with a Dog)
We all know about parking overnight at Cracker Barrel or Walmart…or Harvest Hosts, but there are lots of other places where RVers can stop… places right along the highway where pets are welcome and you can find just about anything you need for an overnight stay.
Beginners Guide to Boondocking (one of our most popular ebooks) and one of our newest ebooks, The Ultimate Guide to Free and Cheap RV Camping!
We created a 65+-page downloadable digital guide to help you understand the nuances that come with boondocking, the most common boondocking problems, and what you need to do to get your rig “boondocking-ready.”
Buckle up because here is everything you need to know on how to find cheap or free RV camping sites in the 33-page EBOOK.
You can see ALL our eBooks here, or use the following Quick Links to go straight to what you need!
● Arizona
● Colorado
And MANY of these are BUNDLED together:
Ultimate Michigan and Great Lakes Bundle – 3 ebooks –
Upper Peninsula, Lower Peninsula, and the Great Lakes Tour
Michigan Bundle
Upper Peninsula, Lower Peninsula
The Great Lakes Adventure Guide Bundle
The Great Lake Shoreline Tour & JUST the Upper Peninsula Guide
Florida Adventure Guide Bundle
Gulf Coast, Atlantic Coast, Keys
Southwest Adventure Guide Bundle
Arizona, Colorado, Southern Utah)
Ultimate 7-Day RV Adventure Guide Bundle
Collection 1- our first 10 ebooks (does NOT contain Great Lakes Shoreline or Natchez Trace)
We also have a nice collection of ebooks that will help you navigate the RV Lifestyle.
Like these:
The Beginner’s Guide to Boondocking
The Ultimate Guide to Cheap or FREE RV Camping Sites
Boondocking and Free RV Camping EBOOK Bundle
The Beginner’s Guide to Boondocking ebook and Ultimate Guide to Free Camping Sites
And ONE PRINT book ???? and yes, before you ask, we have plans for MANY more print books.
The Complete Guide to Boondocking – PRINT VERSION
This is the same as the ebook titled The Beginner’s Guide to Boondocking but in print.
And while you are exploring all our ebooks – check out the hoodies, T-shirts, Stickers, and mugs in our MERCH Store! You can get to it directly by just going here – SHOP!
March 10, 2023at4:38 am, Jane Rimmer said:
“The easiest way to find Cracker Barrel locations is to visit their website’s location finder. You can enter a city, state or zip code, and the map will display nearby locations. Or, you can browse by state.”
That requires internet access, which we don’t have on the road. The easiest way to find a Cracker Barrel is to use our RV gps. It is loaded with info on restaurants, stores, points of interests, and campgrounds!
March 10, 2023at11:47 am, Team RV Lifestyle said:
Thanks for sharing, Jane! Team RV Lifestyle
November 13, 2022at12:22 pm, Michael Schuetz said:
We had known that Tractor Supply allowed overnight parking.
We had to spend a night at a Tractor Supply store lot due to torrential rain flooding the curb lane.
We called to check if we could stay and asked where in the lot we should park.
November 14, 2022at11:13 am, Team RV Lifestyle said:
Thanks for sharing, Michael – Team RV Lifestyle
November 12, 2022at10:56 am, Susan Garrett said:
Great tips! One more tip. If traveling with pets they will likely need a perimeter walk/potty break at night and in the morning. ALWAYS carry poop bags and pick up after them and ensure that pee breaks happen away from the restaurant.
November 14, 2022at11:11 am, Team RV Lifestyle said:
Excellent addition! thanks for sharing, Susan- Team RV Lifestyle