Cracker Barrel Overnight Parking for RVs

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front of Cracker Barrel restaurant

Cracker Barrel is a restaurant chain with 665 locations across the U.S. It’s the perfect stop if you need a place to sleep for the night after a long travel day.

Cracker Barrel overnight parking is an excellent choice for RVers for many reasons. Mainly it’s a quiet, consistent option available in most states.

Below we’ll share some of the do’s and don’ts of Cracker Barrel RV parking overnight.


Does Cracker Barrel Allow Overnight Parking?

Yes! Cracker Barrel does allow free overnight RV parking. Although some locations are required to prohibit overnight parking due to city regulations, most Cracker Barrel restaurants do allow overnight parking.

Always call and ask the manager to confirm you can park overnight.


About Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel has been serving homestyle food with a bit of Southern hospitality since 1969. It’s an excellent spot for enjoying a casual, good meal that is also affordable.

pancakes on plate

From the iconic “peg game” on all the restaurant tables to the delicious cornbread and hand-rolled biscuits and rocking chairs out front – there are a few things you can always count on at Cracker Barrel.

Old Country Store

Every Cracker Barrel features a store full of vintage-inspired items, unique food and candy finds, and other seasonal collections. You can even get a Lodge cast iron pan for your RV!

Cracker Barrel candy selection

3 Benefits of Free Overnight Parking at Cracker Barrel

  1. CB is typically located right off the highway, making it a painless stop for the night and an easy place for your morning departure.
  2. They have food. Whether you get in late and don’t want to cook dinner or you want to eat breakfast without the cleanup and get right on the road the next day – Cracker Barrel is a great spot for both. It’s also affordable.
  3. Cracker Barrel RV parking is consistent compared to other stores that have become less reliable. We have yet to come across a restaurant that was not welcoming to overnight parking for RVs.

Overnight RV Parking at Cracker Barrel: What NOT To Do

When parking overnight at the Cracker Barrel, you should do your best to go unnoticed. Arrive, park, sleep, and leave. And remember to patron the restaurant or store!

truck and trailer parked at Cracker Barrel

Here’s a quick list of what not to do when taking advantage of a free overnight at Cracker Barrel.

  1. Don’t put out your slide unless it’s necessary.
  2. Don’t set up outdoor camping items or accessories (chairs, rugs, grills, etc.)
  3. Don’t be loud, and respect quiet hours. (Most Cracker Barrels do not want you to run a generator, but if you need to, ask first.)
  4. Don’t get in too early or stay too late the following day. Only stay one night.
  5. Don’t trash your parking spot. Dispose of garbage and pickup after your pets.
  6. Don’t forget to support Cracker Barrel for allowing you to park your RV overnight. Eat in the restaurant (dinner or breakfast) or shop in the Old Country Store.

Where to Find Cracker Barrel Overnight Parking Locations

With over 665 restaurants nationwide, Cracker Barrel overnight parking is a familiar option for RVers planning trips across the U.S.

Below are a few tips for finding a Cracker Barrel location to park your RV overnight and where to find CB locations in general.

Finding a Location and Checking RV Parking Spots

Search for a Cracker Barrel in the location where you’ll be traveling.

Check the Google satellite image on Google Maps to see if the restaurant location has RV spaces in the parking lot. You can usually spot them since they span two average parking spaces.

google maps satellite image of Cracker Barrel parking lot and how to measure parking spaces
Example of measuring and calculating parking space length in Google Maps

Cracker Barrel RV/Bus Parking is typically about 45 – 50 feet.

You can measure the spaces by right-clicking on the Google Maps satellite image and choosing “measure distance.” You can then draw a line for the area you want to measure. See an example of calculating parking space length above.

Some Cracker Barrel locations will also have large areas of parking spaces in the back of the parking lot and along the sides.

Sometimes you can park in these areas if the RV spaces are full or your RV is too long for the designated RV/Bus Parking.

We have parked in these parking lot areas before. They usually aren’t very level, but they’re fine for the night.

NOTE: Remember, Cracker Barrels in big cities can sometimes be challenging to get in and out of. They can also be busy and are only a good option if you arrive near closing and leave before the breakfast crowd.

Read Reviews on AllStays

The AllStays mobile app is a great place to read reviews on individual Cracker Barrel locations to get an idea of the area regarding safety, noise, and whether RVers have been allowed to stay there in the past.

States Without Cracker Barrel Locations

Cracker Barrel locations are available across most of the United States, with the exceptions of the below states.

  • Alaska
  • Hawaii
  • Vermont
  • Washington
  • Wyoming

Which States Have the Most Cracker Barrel Locations?

States that boast the most Cracker Barrels are below. You’ll be fine finding a restaurant location if you’re traveling in the southeast U.S.

  1. 50 in Florida
  2. 47 in Texas
  3. 46 in Georgia
  4. 40 in Tennessee
  5. 37 in North Carolina

View a complete and up-to-date list of restaurant locations by state on the Cracker Barrel website.

PRO TIP: If you’re planning a U.S. road trip down I-10 or I-20, you’ll find many Cracker Barrel locations right off the highway from central Texas to the east coast. 

What Other Stores Allow Overnight Parking?

In addition to Cracker Barrel, you can also find overnight parking options at the below stores. Similar to Cracker Barrel, these stores require you to dry camp in your RV (or stay without hookups).

  • Walmart
  • Cabela’s
  • Bass Pro Shop
  • Lowes
  • Home Depot

These locations allow you to keep your overnight options open as an RVer.

Also, some stores and restaurants allow overnight parking through the Harvest Hosts program.

Harvest Hosts is an annual paid membership that will enable you to reserve spots at places within the program.

Check out our article on what stores allow overnight RV parking for more details.


Boondocking at Cracker Barrel

We always choose Cracker Barrel over the previously mentioned options since it is typically the quietest and most consistent place that allows overnight RV parking.

Cracker Barrel highway sign

The designated parking spots and the option for an easy meal are a couple of other conveniences we enjoy with Cracker Barrel overnight RV parking.

We are extra courteous and respectful when staying at Cracker Barrel to encourage this company to continue to offer this excellent service to the RVing community!


Want to learn more about how to RV on a budget?

Find more tips for RV living on the cheap, including finding deals on campsites, calculating fuel costs, and more – view our complete guide.


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pin of overnight parking at Cracker Barrel - pancakes and image of the front of Cracker Barrel restaurant

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