Red Carpet in Alaska - NOT

[AKOne]

Sadly the Anchorage area retailers have taken an unwelcome turn regarding overnight RV parking. Four Wal-Marts, two Costcos, (Sam's Club is closed) and now Cabella's are turning away RV's. At this point Fred Meyers stores are unknown. Ship Creek close to Alaska Railroad has overnight parking available for a $10.00 fee. This summer do not expect Anchorage retailers to be rolling out the Red Carpet for RVs.

[Funding Fun]

From what I've read on other forums, etc., this is due to abuse of the privilege by the very few "freeloaders" and other local businesses and CG's in AK complaining. We were in PCB a few weekends ago and the local Walmart, who allows the respecting RV's to temp park in their huge lot, had some goobers set up full spread with awnings and grill in the lot, out by the retention pond. They were not resting, shopping or waiting for their CG site to open up...they were 'freeloading". Walmart in PCB has been great in the past allowing temp parking, etc., but these very few of this type will eventually ruin it for everyone there also.

[Rich and Cork]

Too bad.

I have been in Whitehorse a few times and the Wal-Mart there looks pretty shabby at times. Obviously some of the folk there stay a long time. But, it their property and they can run as they wish.

I do appreciate that Wal-Mart, as a corporation, has a policy of allowing folk to overnight, except in municipalities that have laws against that.

[AKOne]

Since last year the Municipality of Anchorage has steered clear of any ordinance banning overnight parking in retail lots. Often the case, it is the few that make the rest pay for their abuse. However, it does seem that if you are going to allow overnight parking, that some policing would be necessary. If there is a posted 24 or 48 hour limit, I for one would appreciate the business enforcing it. Three days ago, we stopped at Cabbels's saw the new signage went and talked to the manager and was told in definite terms that there is no overnight parking. Maybe they will lose me as a customer, but they certainly lost my business that day. Instead of kicking every good customer to the curb, try kicking just the entitled brain dead to the curb who likely won't spend a dime.

[TonyDi]

It's such a shame. Many retailers open their arms and welcome RVs for temporary stay overs. Then a few people go and abuse that privilege and stay for days. They then ruin it for the rest of us. It's not just Alaska either.

[petrel]

I wholeheartedly agree. The few destroying a good thing for the many. I think it is going to get worse. I see more and more RVs and trucks abusing Walmart's generosity by engaging in multi-night stays and by leaving garbage in the lot. Unfortunately, I don't believe we can generate enough sales to justify the cleanup, let alone any sort of policing. It was awful nice while it lasted.

With regard to the Walmart we visited in Anchorage, we didn't feel safe parking there during the day. No way we would have been there when the sun went down!

[RVPioneer]

It's a reflection of what we've become. If the businesses enforce the rules and run off the less fortunate they will be accused of discrimination and sued by some organization with a catchy acronym. They have probably received complaints from their non-camping customers who are displeased with what has become of the parking lot. Since they appear to be unwilling or unable to control the situation, the only equitable solution is to prohibit the practice altogether.

The next logical step is a city or state ordinance mandating that anyone shall be allowed to set up camp in one of these parking lots for whatever length of time they deem appropriate.

[Wundertaker]

Originally Posted by RVPioneer

It's a reflection of what we've become. If the businesses enforce the rules and run off the less fortunate they will be accused of discrimination and sued by some organization with a catchy acronym. They have probably received complaints from their non-camping customers who are displeased with what has become of the parking lot. Since they appear to be unwilling or unable to control the situation, the only equitable solution is to prohibit the practice altogether.

The next logical step is a city or state ordinance mandating that anyone shall be allowed to set up camp in one of these parking lots for whatever length of time they deem appropriate.

I know...I know...Let's demand a "SANCTUARY PARKING LOT FOR WAYWARD RV'ers"!!! After all, I deserve it and who are they...just because they own the lot doesn't give them the right to tell me if I can camp there on not!!! Also, they need to send someone around monthly to pick up all the unsightly pop and beer cans and those pesky potato chip and McDonalds bags!!! By the way, someone needs to come fix my flat tire in case I want to go somewhere else in a couple months.

[dix39]

Originally Posted by RVPioneer

It's a reflection of what we've become. If the businesses enforce the rules and run off the less fortunate they will be accused of discrimination and sued by some organization with a catchy acronym. They have probably received complaints from their non-camping customers who are displeased with what has become of the parking lot. Since they appear to be unwilling or unable to control the situation, the only equitable solution is to prohibit the practice altogether.

The next logical step is a city or state ordinance mandating that anyone shall be allowed to set up camp in one of these parking lots for whatever length of time they deem appropriate.

Personally, I think there is a lot of truth here.

Steve

[GBB]

Seen it in Kenai's Walmart last year..some delapedated TT parked there for weeks..running their gray water out on parking lot. Another has been in Fred Meyers lot in Soldotna all winter. Cant blame the business for closing the parking.

[JaguarAZ]

We saw the same thing last year on our trip to Alaska. The Whitehorse Walmart parking lot looked like it was completely taken over by long-term campers of all types.

We live in the mountains in Arizona in a popular summer get-away town and see the same in our local walmart. Crappy RV’s there night after night with all their crap spread around. So a corporate policy to help overnighters turns into a nightmare for the stores and an eyesore for the communities. A shame to all of us responsible RV’ers.