Community Forums

mike.t · 09-19-2014, 01:16 PM

Looking at camping reviews and found a site that had 3 or 4 different people talk about staying at a Wal-Mart super center. What the hell is that all about??

vsheetz · 09-19-2014, 01:23 PM

Many walmart allow overnight boondocking. Search on this forum and you will find several threads discussing this in general and specific to a perticular walmart. There is a yahoo group dedicated to overnighting at walmart as well.

missourijan · 09-19-2014, 01:23 PM

Can't believe you haven't heard this before. Yes, you can stay at a lot of Wal Marts overnight. There are some that prohibit overnight parking by city ordinance, like Reno, NV. The consensus is no slides out, no chairs, BBQ's, etc. Just a place to sleep, and always ask the manager, even if not prohibited by city ordinance. Park as far out as you can. There are lots of other free or low cost places that are more comfortable, Cabela's, casinos, city/county parks, national forest campgrounds. You can find these on www.freecampgrounds.com or in the Don Wright books, Free Campgrounds (eastern & western edition) available at Amazon. There are other books/websites, perhaps someone else can post them.

gruelens · 09-19-2014, 01:24 PM

It has been rumored that someone in an RV shopped at a Wally World one evening. They then slept overnight in the parking lot before leaving in the morning. Can you imagine! (tongue in cheek)

Philliec · 09-19-2014, 01:25 PM

Some, not all, Walmarts allow you to stay overnight in their parking lot. We usually ask first. Frankly, I like a rest area off the highway.

wa8yxm · 09-19-2014, 02:05 PM

Most all Wal-Marts allow overnight parking by company policy, The exceptiosn are:
Neighborhood Wal-Marts, which are only open during business hours (not 24 hour) these often have very small parking lots.

Wal*marts in areas where the city, county or state has prohibited overnight parking (Nebraska for example) This is often at the urging of campground owner assoications.

And in ONE CASE.. Just one... That I know of, a Store has a neighbor who thinks that the Store lot is his sales lot.. THUS,,,,, They had to ban overnight parking, so they could tow his used cars off the lot.

BFlinn181 · 09-19-2014, 02:25 PM

In addition to Walmart, which has RV parking as a corporate policy, Cracker Barrel Restaurants and Home Depot also allows overnight parking. It's always a good idea to ask the manager and don't make it like in a campground with lawn chairs and Tiki lights.

C&SL · 09-19-2014, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

Wal*marts in areas where the city, county or state has prohibited overnight parking (Nebraska for example)

Well you just might want to check your resources, as a blanket statement like this is NOT true!

We just stayed at two of them a few day ago.

mike.t · 09-19-2014, 04:50 PM

As an emergency ok.Just cant see myself planning a 2 week outing and locating Wal-Marts to stay at. Probably pretty noisy anyway.

ChallengerRN · 09-19-2014, 05:46 PM

Really no more noise that an RVpark beside the interstate or one with a train track nearby. Probably quieter.

Russell

1ciderdog · 09-19-2014, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike.t

As an emergency ok.Just cant see myself planning a 2 week outing and locating Wal-Marts to stay at. Probably pretty noisy anyway.

I often travel north from where I live and about 270 miles is a walmart. After the day drive I stop there, go inside & buy a few things, then ask about overnight parking. I think most of the RV'rs that use walmart use it as a convenient stop not part of a vacation plan. JMHO.

BFlinn181 · 09-19-2014, 06:17 PM

When traveling on a multi-day trip, why not stay at a Walmart overnight? Why pay $30+ to park for the night at a campground? I won't use the pool, the showers, their bathroom, miniature golf, or whatever other amenities they offer. Park at WM in the evening, stretch legs around in the store, then to bed. Next morning we hit the road to continue our travels.

nothermark · 09-19-2014, 06:26 PM

And they are a great place to pick up whatever you or the DW figured out was left behind or planned on getting on the way. ;-)

FWIW We are acquainted with the Wal Marts 3-5 hours south of here because they are a good place to spend a night if we leave late or are getting close to home late in the afternoon. ;-)

38Chevy454 · 09-19-2014, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

In addition to Walmart, which has RV parking as a corporate policy, Cracker Barrel Restaurants and Home Depot also allows overnight parking. It's always a good idea to ask the manager and don't make it like in a campground with lawn chairs and Tiki lights.

and just like Wal Mart for shopping items, you can go park in back lot for Cracker Barrel, go in for a good dinner and then breakfast the next morning before you leave