“Freebie” Site Review – Valley River Center, Eugene, OR
NOTE/ As of Jan 2019 this spot is NO LONGER USABLE. The Mall has shut down to RVers, so unfortunately it is no longer a viable overnight parking spot. Bummer!
One of the nicest “freebie” overnight parking spots we’ve ever encountered, right in downtown Eugene, OR
Location: Valley River Center, Eugene, OR
Coordinates: 44.069704,-123.110905. Link to map location HERE
Cost: FREE
How We Found It: Word of mouth plus Laurie and Odel’s post.
Nearest Dump/Water: Several dump stations available around Eugene. For a full listing click HERE.
- Access – 5/5
Super-easy access here. The mall has a spacious parking lot and all access roads are wide and paved. - Nature – 4/5
For an “urban” setting you have spectacularly good nature access here. You are right by several of Eugene’s best downtown green parks (one of which is literally across the bridge), plus next to miles of the lovely river-front hiking/biking trail. - Isolation – 1/5
This is a city location and it’s a known “freebie” spot so expect some company. - Pet Friendliness – 5/5
Great pet spot. You are right next to miles of river-walk trails including large, green parks and access to the water. There is even a fabulous off-leash dog-park ~2 miles down the trail in Alton Baker park.
Overall Rating = 3.75
Summary: Although I’ve written about “freebies” on the blog before I rarely review the spots we go to since most of them are simply parking lots. This one is different and deserves a shout-out. If I were to describe my “ideal” urban parking spot this would probably be it -> Want a spacious site? Access to shopping and a movie? Directly next to hiking/biking trails and green parks? A nice river? Throw in a first-class off-leash dog-park? If it’s a “yes” to all then this is your spot. The spot is located nicely in the SW corner of Valley River Center on a lesser-used part of the parking lot. You are RIGHT next to the Ruth Bascon Riverbank hiking/biking trails (in fact you can park with your door open to the trail), plus plenty of green parks (right across the bridge) and all the shopping you need next door in the mall (incl. movie theatre). You can even hike the 2 miles down the river trail to a huge, gorgeous off-leash doggie park. The lot is open to RVers, allowing slides out/jacks down and patrolled by security who will usually come around and give you a free “pass” (2-day limit) to stay. We were there during a Ducks game (a BIG DEAL around here) so it was a lot more crowded than usual and they didn’t bother issuing passes, but it still felt very safe and quiet. My only possible ding is that you do get noise from the trains a few miles away, but it’s a minor point. If we need a few free nights in Eugene we’d have no hesitation coming here again.
Extra Info: Flush toilets in the mall and across the bridge in the park, plus garbage in the lot, but no water or other facilities. Verizon smartphone and aircard worked. Laure and Odel have more info and detailed driving instructions to this spot on their blog here.
Just ran across your blog a few days ago and when I saw you were in Eugene I was going to mention Valley River Center to you. Looks like you found it on your own. Great spot. For us, it’s a nice stop on the way from our home in Portland to the southern Oregon coast.
One note: I think there is a 2 day limit per stay and also a 1 stay per month limit. They are very RV friendly but just want to keep people from abusing the place.
I’m an EE who retired at 49 – not quite up to your pace. I spent the last 10 years of my previous life writing design tool software for IC design, so I’m familiar with Cypress. The transition from working for TJ to the concept of having plans in jello must have been pretty dramatic.
Charlie
Hi Charlie,
Great to “meet” you on the blog! Thanks for the update details on the “freebie”. Those are both important points and I’ve updated the write-up to include the 2-day limit.
So interesting to hear you’re an EE too! You are totally right about the Cypress/TJ to jello transition. Talk about polar opposites! TJ was one of those bosses who everyone in the business knew about (and he definitely lived up to that reputation). I have to admit I’m happy to have things more jello now th’ 🙂
Nina
WOW, I have NEVER seen so many rigs there at one time (we have sometimes been the ONLY ones there)! Well, go DUCKS. Glad you found and enjoyed this spot. Between a few days at Armitage with FHU (during the week, when it is easy to get a site) and a few days at Valley River Mall, you can stay for awhile in Eugene without spending a fortune.
Yes, it was particularly full while we were there. In fact that night the ENTIRE parking area was blanketed with cars (they offer shuttle-bus service from that parking lot to the game on game-day). It all cleared out the next day.
Nina
been there but without the rig….really nice area….for a mall 😉 glad this part of your trip is working out…
For a “mall” spot it’s one of the nicest 🙂
Nina
love the spot and have put it on the list for next summer when we roll up that way…
Glad to give you another good spot to stay. It’s a cool little “freebie”.
Nina
Was here recently. They do not allow schoolies or conversions….. just so you know.
Oh bummer! Really unhappy to hear that. Thanks for reporting back.
Nina
funny to come across this article.. as ive worked the Valley River Inn for nearly 7 years and still work there in the kitchen.. as im about to live in my vehicle to save money for a few months before springtime to go wildland firefighting, i am considering just parking in these very same spots around the hotel and mall since i work in the hotel and am well known so i can go in and out without problems and also the area is great so i dont need to bother my work constantly as i will be homeless…
the mall is also great because it can occupy my time before i need to be at work and working the swing shift makes it so i can stay at work til the late hours until i am ready to go to sleep in my car.. there is a patrol that goes around ALOT and i have gotten to know them throughout the years… but the surrounding parks, bike path and activities makes this a great spot to sleep for a few nights and as a VRI employee , you could probably get away with sleeping in your car in the hotel parking lot for a few days if you’re not stupid and draw attention to yourself… but as an employee its definitely going to be easier for me..and the WIFI from the hotel can be reached from certain spots on the bikepath and parking lot.
ill stop back by in a few months and update my adventures of sleeping in my car… and to clarify.. i CAN afford a new place but i want to live in my car for a few months merely for the experience and to get away from the mundane work, go home, sleep, work go home sleep routine…
It says no where on here that you cannot sleep in a car, but last night they we tried to sleep here passing through, and security woke us up at midnight saying we couldn’t sleep there. Rvs only.