By Cheri Sicard
Overnight parking at Cracker Barrel restaurants is popular with many traveling RVers. It’s generally safe, and management usually welcomes RVers. Plus, you can have a tasty dinner before turning in or a hearty breakfast the next morning before hitting the road.
But Izzy and MJ of Endless RVing, one of our favorite RV YouTube channels, say there are nine things you should know before settling in for the night at a Cracker Barrel.
#1 The first-ever Cracker Barrel opened in 1969 in Lebanon, Tennessee.
#2 As of 2024, there were 658 Cracker Barrel locations in 44 states, so there are LOTS of choices throughout most of the continental U.S. Most locations are conveniently right off the highway.
#3 Unfortunately, these states do not have Cracker Barrels: Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and Wyoming.
#4 Cracker Barrels serve breakfast all day.
#5 Most Cracker Barrels are open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and make that 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
#6 Most, but not all, locations allow overnight RV parking. Always check when you arrive. And, of course, you should patronize the restaurant and/or store if you stay.
#7 Most Cracker Barrels are next to or close to fuel stations, shopping, and other necessary services and amenities.
#8 There is so much besides just restaurant foods at a Cracker Barrel. Check out the stores for specialty items, travel souvenirs, books, gifts, clothing, and MUCH more. Not to mention comfortable rocking chairs on the front porch to relax in.
#9 Bling hats. OK, not everyone is going to care about this, but MJ says she is constantly asked about the blinged-out hats she wears. Almost ALL of them came from Cracker Barrels!
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##RVDT2853
One of the things that I do, is when I go inside and ask for permission to park overnight, I ask the person for their name, just to help cover my butt.
The problem with parking here is that so many cars park in the RV parking.
Thus, there is only so much room for overnight RV parking. Stop in early. Otherwise, if all the spots for RVs are taken don’t blame Cracker Barrel. They’re a restaurant not a campground.
We like Cracker Barrel. Stay there often. Always ask and eat there. The only thing we have run into is some locals have “No overnight parking” which meant we moved to the next town. We always look to park at the far end of parking lot and park so we can open the bedroom slide over the grass on the outside of the parking lot. We only run jacks down to stabilize. We have also started to stop at casinos. They welcome you also. Good luck