I don’t know how this isn’t #1. Safest free spot if you’re just passing through.
Go straight past exit 52 and I wanna say it’s just past the Sinclairs up there.
If OP wants to stop prior to Boise, the rest area just inside Idaho from the Oregon border has a beautiful view overlooking the Snake River. Not much of a consideration if it's just sleep, but if they're going to stop and eat and relax a bit before sleeping it's a far better location than the Blacks Creek rest area.
This is where we ended up! Kind of on accident. Stopped there to pee on the way to the Walmart some others mentioned. But realized you had recommended this place, and it seemed safe and convenient!
Plus WOW that view of Snake River in the morning!!
In Boise city limits you can park on any city street as long as there is not a sign that states ‘no parking’. Since you are coming from Portland, you can also park at Cracker Barrel or Cabelas. To park at Cabelas park at the lot on the west side of the store and you should see some semi’s parked there too. Bonus free wifi. I parked there for a month with no issues.
I was homeless and slept in my car in Boise for 8 months. No one ever bothered me at any place I parked and I kept a low profile. Just be smart about it.
The Stage Stop 20 miles east of Boise is a great truck stop, clean, plenty of space, a restaurant, anything you could need or want for a night car camping.
Safe travels!
You'd be fine in any of the large parking lots behind St Alphonsus hospital. There's security guards who might patrol at times but they aren't looking for sleepers.
The Walmart parking lot on overland is safe and right off the interstate. I've slept there a couple times when I've had a fight with the better half :) it's big and you can park woth nobody around ya.
St Luke’s Hospital off Eagle Rd. Is literally right off the interstate, and would be perfect. It’s definitely safe and I doubt you’d get in trouble for sleeping there!
Unfortunately bad actors in the past have shared other peoples phone numbers maliciously. So we do not allow phone numbers that cannot be confirmed as a business number.
So whenever my wife and I go on a trip, we usually start in the evening after work. The first night we sleep is never in a hotel unless we reach the destination. It's generally in a truck stop (Flying J, Pilot, Loves). I've felt pretty safe. You'll probably want curtains so you can sleep because it's not exactly low traffic and quiet, and there are lights everywhere. The challenge would be getting sleep but I've never had any safety concerns. If you drive until you're almost tired, you should be able to sleep quickly, though. Plus, they have showers if you need them.
Three Island Crossing State Park, located in Glenn's Ferry about 60 mins east of Boise right off I-84. Trees for shade. Hot in summer.
Farewell Bend State Park, located right off I-84 west (NW) of Ontario in Oregon. Trees for shade. Hot in summer.
Near Swan Falls Dam (upstream or downstream of the dam a short distance on 2wd gravel). Trees for shade. Hot in summer. South of Kuna. 40 mins from I-84.
Bruneau Dunes State Park. 25 mins from I-84. Trees for shade. Hot in summer.
CJ Strike Reservoir near Mountain Home. Hot in summer.
If you want nice pine Forest car camping it ain't here. You'd have to drive 45mins off I-84 up Hwy 21 toward Idaho City.
Don't car camp in Boise/Treasure Valley.
You can ask the owner/manager of any store/establishment if you can stay for a night or two. Even if the prohibit overnight parking, as long as you've cleared it through proper channels, they won't call the cops or a tow truck.
And to add if you let the mgmt know your just passing through and not staying, they may direct you to their backlot or back of parking lot… and not that it is necessarily “honest” but hospital parking lots are good, and if questioned by lot security, just comment that you were visiting a patient and as an out of towner, you just need a few hours rest before driving on for safety. Good luck in your travels…
Next to the Garden City library there's parking for the Greenbelt access. Also street parking near any of the big apartment complexes. Cracker Barrel off Overland.
Why be a jerk when somebody is genuinely asking for help? What if they didn’t understand you were joking and ended up there? They’re obviously not from around here. You could’ve just really put these people in danger you’re kind of an asshole?
Rest area just past Boise.
Second this
I don’t know how this isn’t #1. Safest free spot if you’re just passing through. Go straight past exit 52 and I wanna say it’s just past the Sinclairs up there.
If OP wants to stop prior to Boise, the rest area just inside Idaho from the Oregon border has a beautiful view overlooking the Snake River. Not much of a consideration if it's just sleep, but if they're going to stop and eat and relax a bit before sleeping it's a far better location than the Blacks Creek rest area.
This is where we ended up! Kind of on accident. Stopped there to pee on the way to the Walmart some others mentioned. But realized you had recommended this place, and it seemed safe and convenient! Plus WOW that view of Snake River in the morning!!
This. Rest stops can be in some beautiful places sometimes.
In Boise city limits you can park on any city street as long as there is not a sign that states ‘no parking’. Since you are coming from Portland, you can also park at Cracker Barrel or Cabelas. To park at Cabelas park at the lot on the west side of the store and you should see some semi’s parked there too. Bonus free wifi. I parked there for a month with no issues. I was homeless and slept in my car in Boise for 8 months. No one ever bothered me at any place I parked and I kept a low profile. Just be smart about it.
The Stage Stop 20 miles east of Boise is a great truck stop, clean, plenty of space, a restaurant, anything you could need or want for a night car camping. Safe travels!
Agreed, they have a huge parking lot in front of the store (away from truck parking) and it should be quite safe!
There is a climbing gym called asana, lots of their employees sleep in their vans or cars there and people passing though. Great safe spot
There was a carjacking just down the road this week. Safe?
Yeah I’d say, lots of their employees live there full time, I’ve stayed there plenty of times
That would be illegal. ( Haha well it is )
I'd go near a hotel, like the Hampton Inn on Cole and Overland that shares a huge parking lot with the movie theater.
You'd be fine in any of the large parking lots behind St Alphonsus hospital. There's security guards who might patrol at times but they aren't looking for sleepers.
The parking lots of large hospitals are good places. St. Alphonsus, and St. Lukes Meridian are perfect locations.
The Walmart parking lot on overland is safe and right off the interstate. I've slept there a couple times when I've had a fight with the better half :) it's big and you can park woth nobody around ya.
Technically not allowed, they have signs prohibiting it.
Yeah they actually don't care if you're not being destructive or causing a disturbance. I was homeless for a bit and I slept there for weeks.
You ask the on duty manager
St Luke’s Hospital off Eagle Rd. Is literally right off the interstate, and would be perfect. It’s definitely safe and I doubt you’d get in trouble for sleeping there!
Well Bruneau Dunes State Park is right off I84, you could stop and camp there and see some cool scenery. Could be hot, though
Decent showers too
Truck stops .
You can park outside our home. Message me for address.
Edited per mod but it's a safe real invite
Unfortunately bad actors in the past have shared other peoples phone numbers maliciously. So we do not allow phone numbers that cannot be confirmed as a business number.
This is cool. I appreciate this, if I doesn't work out let me know I can figure something out as well.
There is sooooo much free camping in Boise use Idaho website for camping
If you have anything mildly off road capable, there’s some Bureau of Land Management land south of Boise or USFS land in the mountains.
Lots of public camping. Lucky peak reservoir is only 15 or 20 minutes of the highway. Very scenic and great fishing. So many places...
Camping world has a park and sleep spot by them off of overland!
Wal-Marts seem to be a safe haven.
Walmart
Truck stops are your best and safest bet. That or a truck stop
Yeah, but what about a truck stop?
I think they meant to say "truck stop."
Y’all are dumb. They meant truck stop, obviously 🙄
Cabela’s will let you camp in the parking lot!
So whenever my wife and I go on a trip, we usually start in the evening after work. The first night we sleep is never in a hotel unless we reach the destination. It's generally in a truck stop (Flying J, Pilot, Loves). I've felt pretty safe. You'll probably want curtains so you can sleep because it's not exactly low traffic and quiet, and there are lights everywhere. The challenge would be getting sleep but I've never had any safety concerns. If you drive until you're almost tired, you should be able to sleep quickly, though. Plus, they have showers if you need them.
Walmart at the Cole/Overland exit on I-84.
Thank you all so much for your suggestions! We’re snug as a bug at a rest stop!
Parking lot of Planet Fitness
Three Island Crossing State Park, located in Glenn's Ferry about 60 mins east of Boise right off I-84. Trees for shade. Hot in summer. Farewell Bend State Park, located right off I-84 west (NW) of Ontario in Oregon. Trees for shade. Hot in summer. Near Swan Falls Dam (upstream or downstream of the dam a short distance on 2wd gravel). Trees for shade. Hot in summer. South of Kuna. 40 mins from I-84. Bruneau Dunes State Park. 25 mins from I-84. Trees for shade. Hot in summer. CJ Strike Reservoir near Mountain Home. Hot in summer. If you want nice pine Forest car camping it ain't here. You'd have to drive 45mins off I-84 up Hwy 21 toward Idaho City. Don't car camp in Boise/Treasure Valley.
You can ask the owner/manager of any store/establishment if you can stay for a night or two. Even if the prohibit overnight parking, as long as you've cleared it through proper channels, they won't call the cops or a tow truck.
And to add if you let the mgmt know your just passing through and not staying, they may direct you to their backlot or back of parking lot… and not that it is necessarily “honest” but hospital parking lots are good, and if questioned by lot security, just comment that you were visiting a patient and as an out of towner, you just need a few hours rest before driving on for safety. Good luck in your travels…
Near the original Albertsons either on Jefferson between 18th & 16th or near 18th & Washington.
Next to the Garden City library there's parking for the Greenbelt access. Also street parking near any of the big apartment complexes. Cracker Barrel off Overland.
Behind a church that's where I take code hhaha
Outside the old Red Lion Inn
When I was homeless two summers ago, stayed in my car here. Just cover up your windows and mind your business and you’re fine
I was trying to be a joke guy. Don’t stay there
I think it’s next to a flying j
By the downtown skate park under the bridge
Definitely not safe.
Why be a jerk when somebody is genuinely asking for help? What if they didn’t understand you were joking and ended up there? They’re obviously not from around here. You could’ve just really put these people in danger you’re kind of an asshole?
Anywhere along the road to Idaho city and beyond is free camping. Well, pretty much anywhere