Community Forums

Larry3570 · 07-15-2009, 08:42 PM

I'm going to be going through from Vancouver to Montreal in a few weeks in an RV. I often dry camp at Wal-Marts in the US. Are they as friendly in Canada (I know Nova Scotia is a special case)?
Any suggestions where to put down between Kamloops and Calgary?

chiefdave · 07-15-2009, 09:33 PM

Larry, Currently in Alaska, used Wal Marts no problem, however some in Canada have signs indicating no overnight, just like USA. I always ask at the service desk and write down the name of the person I talked with.

DAN L · 07-15-2009, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry3570

I'm going to be going through from Vancouver to Montreal in a few weeks in an RV. I often dry camp at Wal-Marts in the US. Are they as friendly in Canada (I know Nova Scotia is a special case)?
Any suggestions where to put down between Kamloops and Calgary?

LARRY, check this website for walmart stores in canada and the usa that allow overnight parking. have fun!

Walmart Canada Locations Map - Wal-Mart Guide

Blue74 · 07-21-2009, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAN L

LARRY, check this website for walmart stores in canada and the usa that allow overnight parking. have fun!

Walmart Canada Locations Map - Wal-Mart Guide

Thanks for the link but for a different reason. I deliver freight to Canada on occasion and I will use it for when I need to get some supplies. In fact I have a load that is going to Edmonton on the 27th.

Paul

Bob (WA0MQE) · 09-12-2009, 07:15 AM

I'm not sure if you actually mean "Dry Camp" at a Wal-Mart or if you just mean parking overnight in a Wal-Mart. However, if you do mean Dry-Camp this has been a hot topic issue with respect to Wal-Marts and why the term shouldn't be used.

Don't know about Canada but there's been quite a few city's in the U.S. that have banned overnight parking at Wal-Marts because the area Campground Owners have gone to their city councils and complained that allowing "Camping" at Wal-Marts has hurt their business.

georgetown350 · 09-12-2009, 06:07 PM

We stayed at a Walmart in Woodstock Ontario last week. We called ahead first for permission. Until they install hookups at Walmarts it will always be called dry camping.

TW · 09-17-2009, 07:45 AM

overnighting at Wal-Mart is a short "SHOP and REST" for us sometimes. It's not a "camping spot"

TW

Luv2go · 09-17-2009, 08:07 AM

"Dry Camping" could be defined as putting lawn chairs, grills, etc out. IMHO this is a no-no at Walmart

.

This is why I (and many others on this forum) prefer to call staying at Walmart "Overnight parking". It's just a name thing, but we don't want to give people the wrong idea.

Stewart

Doug Sage · 09-17-2009, 08:21 AM

Most Wal-Marts in Canada are not superstores so the parking is more limited. Also many have the bars over the entrance to keep out trucks and RVs. We ended up stoppong at the Home Depot in Kamloops BC because we couldn't get into the Wal-Mart. We asked permission and were allowed to stay overnight. You might keep this in mind for future Canada stops (and US too).

georgetown350 · 09-17-2009, 09:54 AM

Casinos are nice overnight spots to.

WilleyB · 09-17-2009, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry3570

I'm going to be going through from Vancouver to Montreal in a few weeks in an RV. I often dry camp at Wal-Marts in the US. Are they as friendly in Canada (I know Nova Scotia is a special case)?
Any suggestions where to put down between Kamloops and Calgary?

Hi Larry, there is only one WM in Calgary where overnight parking is allowed and it's the one in the South East close to the Flying J. The Flying J only allows a 4 hour stay.

Nova Scotia is not a special case (it was because of lobbying by the campgrounds and one MLA R MacDonald who sided with them)
All the signs have been removed from Wal Marts and the Atlantic Shopping Center parking lots. This was finalized last year when legal opinion obtained by the NDP opposition party stated that "The Nova Scotia Government does not have the authority to pass such a law" Shortly after Wal Mart and other Head offices were told that using such signs were in fact a contravention of the tourism act and they were to be removed or charges would be laid.
You may park anywhere where the property owner has not posted the property (Using his or her own reasons or none at all)
Just thought it would be usefull information for all RV'ers

Cheers from NS
WilleyB

inpath · 09-26-2009, 08:23 PM

We stopped overnight at the Wal-Mart in Whitehorse, YK on our way to Alaska last year. A lot of RV parked there overnight and many were Dry-Camping. Unhooked and left their Rigs there while they went sight seeing. Some one bunch set up three units in a partial circle. Out came the camp chairs along with barbacues and they had themselves a merry old time. People like that are the ones that ruin it for everyone. Nice thing was that the gas station next door had a dump station.

jobriant · 12-05-2009, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilleyB

Hi Larry, there is only one WM in Calgary where overnight parking is allowed and it's the one in the South East close to the Flying J. The Flying J only allows a 4 hour stay.

Correct about the one Walmart in Calgary that allows Overnight RV Parking.

Not correct about the four-hour parking limit at the nearby Flying J -- it allows overnight parking, & I just confirmed this by telephone.

WilleyB · 12-05-2009, 07:26 PM

Hi James, guess I should have taken a photo. I may have only been during the Stampede days however I also seen the same signs at the Flying J's in London ON, Napanee ON and Vaudreuil QC (may not have spelled that right). Can't remember much about Winnipeg for some reason.
Glad it's confirmed OK though hate seeing limitations and restrictions being posted. Have more for your site but too many irons in the fire right now.

Cheers
Willey