Truck stops, Walmarts, etc.

[followingsea]

Originally Posted by BNAllen

....If it helps, we will be traveling through Oregon, Idaho, Nevada and Utah.


By the way, if there is a better place for this question, kindly advise. Thank's all for your input.

These states are a gold mine of nice places to stop overnight.

For example, Oregon Sno-parks are parking places for snowmobiling that require a pass during the winter but are free in the summer.

In Nevada, rest stops on non-interstate roads are often nothing more than a large gravel parking lot with a port-a-potty. Maybe one semi for a little while.

[followingsea]

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

..... Most Sams Club's do not allow overnighting, ....[/URL]

Stayed at four Sam's Clubs last year. By the time I got done fueling the main store was closed and there was no one to ask and it was easy to find a spot out of the way.

[Shutterbug57]

Stayed at a Cracker Barrel last night just south of Columbus OH. This year we have stayed at several Cracker Barrel’s, Wal Marts, truck stops and rest areas. We also use Harvest Host frequently. We have a class A, so truck stops are a last option because we have to unhook the toad. If we are running without the toad, truck stops work just fine. Trucks run generators overnight, but so do we, so no big deal.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by Shutterbug57

Stayed at a Cracker Barrel last night just south of Columbus OH. This year we have stayed at several Cracker Barrel’s, Wal Marts, truck stops and rest areas. We also use Harvest Host frequently. We have a class A, so truck stops are a last option because we have to unhook the toad. If we are running without the toad, truck stops work just fine. Trucks run generators overnight, but so do we, so no big deal.

Our local Sams Club will not allow a WM or Sams labeled semi to park in the main lot overnight. They must be backed into the docks to remain overnight. Signage is present on each entrance prohibiting overnighting. City police will ticket violators.
Cracker Barrels I've stopped at in the last 4 years state no parking after closing hours.
Empty church parking lots are a nice quiet place to overnight.

[Shutterbug57]

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

Our local Sams Club will not allow a WM or Sams labeled semi to park in the main lot overnight. They must be backed into the docks to remain overnight. Signage is present on each entrance prohibiting overnighting. City police will ticket violators.
Cracker Barrels I've stopped at in the last 4 years state no parking after closing hours.
Empty church parking lots are a nice quiet place to overnight.

The trick is to call ahead and ask if it’s ok to stay overnight. We also use AllStays and only bother with sites that it thinks are available. That weeds out most of the local ordinance issues.

[smiller]

Allstays is a pretty good reference. Personally I've found that calling ahead is generally pretty useless, the answer you get has about a 50-50 chance of being right (I've had many instances of being told no only to stop and check and find a lot full of RVs.) As mentioned elsewhere, usually they'll be no problem in rural areas and you can just forget it in most cities. Plan accordingly and you'll find a place.

[Wrktfsh]

With the increase of urban campers , folks that literally live in their rigs on city streets and such, towns are putting in restrictions on overnighting.

[pduggs]

We’ve used Walmart’s for a quick overnight for years now. You do need to call ahead to find out if the individual store allows RV parking. I usually look a Google Maps satellite view to see how large the parking lot is and to determine best way to access the lot. I need space as I’m 60’ long, with tow car attached. Never had any problems.

Another option to consider are casino parking lots. Many accept overnight RV parking. Plus they usually have very good lighting and security.

We had a nice experience at a casino east of San Diego early this year. COVID-19 had shut down indoor dining, but they accepted take out orders. We called to order dinner and told them we were in an RV in their lot. They said they would deliver the food to us. That was cool.

[Traygar]

I haven't pulled our camper for a long distance where single night stays are required, but I have spent multiple single night stays in one Harvest Hosts spot after another. We've decided that if we make a long trip in the future, then we'll arrange Harvest Hosts overnight stops rather than doing the big box store parking lot thing. It's free (not counting the annual fee), and you just have to buy something that the host sells. We'd do that anyway. The great thing is that the host is either a winery, farm, brewery, or something similar - so you get good food and drink, then walk to your RV and go to bed. The downside is that some of the hosts may not be directly on the side of the interstate highway like WM, truckstops, etc., so they may be a few miles out of your way. It's not a bad trade-off in my opinion.

[Triangle Drifter]

We were at a Walmart last night. A simple courtesy is to check with the duty manager or someone who looks like they have been there for awhile.

Never been turned away.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by Traygar

I haven't pulled our camper for a long distance where single night stays are required, but I have spent multiple single night stays in one Harvest Hosts spot after another. We've decided that if we make a long trip in the future, then we'll arrange Harvest Hosts overnight stops rather than doing the big box store parking lot thing. It's free (not counting the annual fee), and you just have to buy something that the host sells. We'd do that anyway. The great thing is that the host is either a winery, farm, brewery, or something similar - so you get good food and drink, then walk to your RV and go to bed. The downside is that some of the hosts may not be directly on the side of the interstate highway like WM, truckstops, etc., so they may be a few miles out of your way. It's not a bad trade-off in my opinion.

$99/year.

[R0ughhab1tz]

Originally Posted by BNAllen

We have owned and used fifth wheels for a number of years. Our stays have always been destinations and we have never just pulled over at a truck stop to sleep. This is changing later this summer/early fall. We will travel about 1,200 miles to a destination expecting two or three (short) nights for rest. I've read that Walmart and other retailers (Cabellas, Cracker Barrel, etc.) are discouraging people like us from sleeping in their lots. Wondering what others are finding and would appreciate some input from those with experience. While we support the campgrounds and parks that we use, it just seems silly to arrive after dark, leave before sunrise and pay for services that we simply do not need (hookups), but, if necessary, then that is what we will do.


Of course, we will be courteous, careful and spend some money with any merchants that allow our brief overnights. If it helps, we will be traveling through Oregon, Idaho, Nevada and Utah.


By the way, if there is a better place for this question, kindly advise. Thank's all for your input.

I've never used a Walmart or the like. The truck stop I use is husky and they don't mind if I stay here. There's trucks everywhere but I have a (to me) noisy generator so I'm just as loud sometimes. you take what you can get. I don't stay here all day everyday. I leave in the morning and come at night.

They have showers, laundry and a restaurant and I spend my money here. I make sure to keep myself out of the way of the bigger trucks.

[Traygar]

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

$99/year.

Right - That's the annual fee I mentioned. There always seems to be a discount off of it though. I paid $70 for the year if I recall correctly. Great deal if you use it.

[PoetryJoe]

We just finished a 16 week, 7,000 mile road trip - Texas to Maine, Maine to Michigan, Michigan to Texas and along the way over-nighted at:

- Rest Areas
- Truck Stops
- Casino parking lots
- Cabella's
- Walmarts
- Camping World

Not one single issue. I always deployed the slides and turned on my satellite TV (roof mount). Some had dump stations (some free, some you needed to pay). Uber would deliver food if we didn't feel like cooking.

Not once did we get told "no" and there is a wonderful application (android and iphone I think) called RV Parky that even provides reviews.

Thanks,
Joe
2013 Moutain Aire