Community Forums

BGDar · 06-30-2012, 08:13 PM

We are brand new owners of a used travel trailer and will be taking a trip up the west coast of Michigan. We've heard that there are places that allow overnight parking of travel trailers for free like some Walmart stores. Is there a place on the web where we can find these places? We're particularly looking for a place in Muskegon, MI for a one night stay.

baraff · 07-01-2012, 02:01 PM

Most Cracker Barrel restaurants will allow you to stay overnight, depending on local ordinance and the approval of the local store management. It's important to check with the manager beforehand to be sure they allow it and to ask permission.
Check out allstays.com for camp & rv places to stay, if you have an iPad, iPhone or Android device you can get their app.
If you have a GPS with the ability to upload custom poi's, check out poi-factory.com. There are Walmart, Cracker Barrel, Sam's Club, Flying J, Petro, etc poi's to upload.
The only Cracker Barrel in Michigan is in Traverse City, but I'm sure you can something using the above references.

Rook · 07-01-2012, 02:28 PM

Try WalMart. Arrive early, before 4PM, to get a good spot. Buy something, Here is a link. Rook

Walmart Store Locations Map - Wal-Mart Guide

1ciderdog · 07-01-2012, 02:40 PM

Walmart sells (or at least they used to) a US road atlas that shows all the Walmarts. It does not identify those that are RV friendly. My Garmin GPS has Walmart locations but again doesn't identify those that allow overnight parking.
Safe travels
Bob

MattC · 07-01-2012, 04:03 PM

There are actually "Free OverNight" places all over. The trick is finding them. Yes, there are some (most) Walmarts, Cracker Barrel, Costco, Sam's Clubs, Flying J, and most all the casinos, but where ever you hold up, be sure to go in and ask the manager for permission. There may be a special part of the lot that they want you to be in or not in.

Do you travel with a laptop and road navigation software with a GPS?
If you don't, consider it carefully.

When you are ready, go to the Discovery Owners site MAP OVERLAYS and collect the overlays for what ever you are running. Be it Street Alas or Strips and Treets, you will have a very powerful tool at your disposal.

I just fired up my copy of SA2010 with overlays and it came up with two friendly Walmarts in Muskegon. There are more.

We are travelers and not much campers, so we take advantage of this a lot.

Matt

Lizbeth · 07-02-2012, 06:49 AM

There is an Android app called Allstays. Costs about $5.00, has all Walmarts, Sam's Clubs and lots of other useful information.

Lizbeth54
Excel 35 GKE

Chuck&Pam · 07-03-2012, 01:33 PM

I have found this Yahoo group: Walmart RVing to be very helpful. The moderator has a listing that shows parking or not for many Walmarts based on user input. Like many Yahoo groups, you do have to join to get the benefit of the lists.

If you don't want to join in or read the discussion topics, the same listings and spreadsheets can be accessed on the moderators personal website.

mikell · 07-04-2012, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baraff

Most Cracker Barrel restaurants will allow you to stay overnight, depending on local ordinance and the approval of the local store management. It's important to check with the manager beforehand to be sure they allow it and to ask permission.
Check out allstays.com for camp & rv places to stay, if you have an iPad, iPhone or Android device you can get their app.
If you have a GPS with the ability to upload custom poi's, check out poi-factory.com. There are Walmart, Cracker Barrel, Sam's Club, Flying J, Petro, etc poi's to upload.
The only Cracker Barrel in Michigan is in Traverse City, but I'm sure you can something using the above references.

There's lots of Cracker Barrels in Michigan lots and lots.