Camping at Walmart

[Montana_655]

Curious if any members on the list stay over at Walmarts on occassion and if so what is the protocol with the store if any? We were on our way back from Pittsburgh,PA to MA and knew of a Walmart in upstate NY so just pulled in around 10PM and crashed for the night and left with the sun. Would you typically ask the store manager

[VanMan]

We just returned from a 2+ week vacation with a definite destination (Zion NP). I had info on several campgrounds along the way depending on how far we drove each day (weather, stops, trouble, etc). Right at the last minute we decided to try the Wal Mart, Sams Club routine. Right before we left I downloaded an e-book (immediately downloaded after charging $3.95 to a credit card)entitled "Overnighting at WalMarts" (or something like that). It lists the proper etiquette (no slide outs out unless necessary, for sleep/safety only, no motorhome hydraulic levelers down - ruins the asphalt, no BBQin', spend a few $$ maybe, send a thank you note later, check with the mgr., etc). It lists all the WMs known to NOT allow overnighting (usually due to city ordinances). It said it would be handy to use it with a Wal Mart Rand McNally Atlas showing all the WalMarts, but we couldn't find one. We wound up staying a couple of hours at one of the new Texas "Safety Rest Areas" (VERY nice), and an independent grocery store in Tucumcari, NM. That put us at Flagstaff a day early so we then sprung for 2 nights at a KOA and took in Williams (Rt. 66 town) and the South Rim of the Grand Canyon which were both unscheduled and a bonus !!

[Montana_1511]

We've used Wal-Mart in Pueblo, CO for a meeting place when traveling in a caravan to the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque. I did call ahead and got the OK and of course we all spent a few $$ in the store. It was light and a little noisy near the highway but plenty of room to meet and head out together the next morning. It took some looking to find the Wal-Mart Atlas but we found one. The list online is a good starting place, but I'd say to always check with management just to be sure. A free night now and then sure helps with the cost of staying at campgrounds the other nights.

[Montana_655]

It seems that all our travels are either within a days drive or just that much farther that would require 1 stop over. For us the stop overs are purely convenience and for need of rest so the thought of looking for the great campground (or any campground) is unattractive. Besides Walmarts where do people boondock off the highways? The rest areas don't look particularly inviting (at least back east). Suggestions would be most appreciated.

[D and M On The Road]

I just checked the main WalMart site and here is their current total word-for-word policy on RV parking:

"Wal-Mart permits recreational-vehicle (RV) parking on our store lots, as we are able. The ability to accommodate RVs is determined on a store-by-store basis, contingent upon available space, local regulations and ordinances."

Hope this helps! ...*LOL*.. Doesn't really say much, does it?

But we were thinking that if we park during store hours that we would:
1)Go inside and introduce ourselves to a manager to get the okay.
2)Spend a little money.
3)Not pitch a tent, bbq or set-up any type of camp outside our RV.
4)Not unhook from the tow vehicle.
5)Not dump any tanks (even fresh water) on the lot or leave any garbage behind. (we've seen people dump what looks like fresh water on the lot and it looks really tacky).
6)Be as courteous, polite and quiet as possible.

Extend slide-outs or not? We'd probably feel comfortable extending our slide-outs if we were away from the main parking and traffic pattern of the store.

If we arrived after store hours and there were other RVs in the lot, then we would assume it was okay to stay there.
If no other RVs.... we'd probably keep on driving down the road.

[RC and Samantha]

We've stayed an evening or two in Walmart's before. Only one evening in each Walmart's for a short overnight while on the road toward our destination. In both cases there were other RV's there. Some were set up with what appeared to be the intention of being there a long time and others like us were just using the lot for a lay over. We spent money in each store but didn't ask the manager since other's were there we figured it was alright. We did not unhook from the truck but put our slides out. We had two teenage girls with us and we need to use the sofa bed.

We've also stayed at a Grocery Store/Strip Mall parking lot once arriving after hours and were out of there before the stores opened the following morning. There was an open gas station there and we asked them if it would be OK? The young clerk didn't care and really didn't know if it was alright or not. The police came through that night twice and never said a word to us. They even saw us out side of the camper. We had our slide outs extended then too as it was the same trip with we took with the girls.

Rest areas in this part of the country, Michigan at least are consider off limits and illegal for campers to stay over night in. We have never done it but have been tempted. Across the upper part of the US from Michigan to Montana we found that there were usually signs posted at rest stops regarding what is allowed and not allowed. Most if my memory serves me correctly said it was a NO NO!

I know in the Upper Peninsula we found a wonderful Road Side park that would have been terrific to boon dock in for the night, but instead got lost and drove a gazillion miles further than we needed to only to arrive at the campground we were looking for past midnight. We in retrospect wish we would have just stayed at that park. No one, but no one was in there for the hour or so we were there and I doubt being as out of the way as it was that anyone would have shown up.

There are gas stations set up for truckers, so I guess they are truck stops that will allow an RV to set up for the night along with the Semi's. They have long parking spaces usually in the very back of the facility. We almost stayed in one of those once, but after maneuvering back there after getting permission from the station we found it to be really loud as the semi's were all running their motors all evening. Still in a pinch it would be an option.

[Montana_621]

When all of you do stay in the parking lots places and put your slides out, you must have generators? Or how do you get the slides out?

[sreigle]

Mel, all you need to put the slides out is the onboard battery. We've not yet stayed overnight at a Walmart. For us, the weather would have to be pretty close to perfect since we don't have a generator. If it's warm we need the A/C running or we don't sleep well. But if the weather were "right" we'd do it.

[faeb and genb]

Some Flying Js will let you stay overnight. A friend of ours stayed at one in Georgia last winter on his way to Fl.
Gene

[Montana_1520]

Thanks to all of you for sharing about your Wal-Mart experiences.
WE've wondered about it and you sure enlightened us.
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