Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
In Central Oregon, one Walmart doesn't allow camping. Ten miles away, the other Walmart does allow it and it has what looks like a homeless camp in one corner of the parking lot.
I'd be very uncomfortable trying to sleep next to all those saggy, rusty, decrepit looking rigs with their garbage around them. There is no telling what sort of people or if any of them have crazy people or druggies in them.
Here in North Idaho, there aren't any "no camping" signs at the Walmart, but I don't see anyone camping there overnight.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,585 posts, read 81,243,006 times
Reputation: 57825
Quote:
Originally Posted by oregonwoodsmoke
In Central Oregon, one Walmart doesn't allow camping. Ten miles away, the other Walmart does allow it and it has what looks like a homeless camp in one corner of the parking lot.
I'd be very uncomfortable trying to sleep next to all those saggy, rusty, decrepit looking rigs with their garbage around them. There is no telling what sort of people or if any of them have crazy people or druggies in them.
Here in North Idaho, there aren't any "no camping" signs at the Walmart, but I don't see anyone camping there overnight.
This is why some of the Walmarts no longer allow RV parking, the homeless taking advantage of it. The idea was for one-night campers passing through, who would buy a few things while there and then move on. This site has reports from people who have experience with the actual Walmarts, by state.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
34,744 posts, read 58,090,525 times
Reputation: 46231
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveinMtAiry
I like the sound of that casino set up. I'm with the others, I don't think I could ever get comfortable in a Walmart parking lot. I too would find myself expecting the knock on the window. Or worse. I've also heard rest stop restrooms are not always safe in the middle of the night.
Need to know, even the small communities around the city are running a freak show at night at Walmarts plus no visible security. Is like the drunk crawl at Wally World after the bars close after eating at Denny's or IHOP.... These Walmarts even hire some pretty troubled peeps. Might keep that in mind camping out there and bring adequate security measures...Might now walk around that store much if you are camping alone as the problems can follow you back to the camper...Shop next morning and leave it. Even those surburban and small town cops don't give much thought to female complaining about being bothered and don't do anything to stop town's repeat creeps or abusives.
That is, after I have done a task, often to the extremes of my "battery power" and I am looking at the long trip home, I often have mapped out the "LZs" I can touch down at for some sleep here and there.
A dance workshop weekend at the beginning of the year, for example, had me an hour out from the studio to catch 2 hours at one rest stop (Texas IH Rest Stops are FANTASTIC), then another leap of 1.5-2 hours to the next rest stop for 2 hours or so, and then the final leap to my shift at work.
It is a useful way of thinking, even beneficial at times.
Last week, the Forester broke down. I limped into a Pac & Sac gas station, sent off my distress signals to my auto clubs for a flat bed, and then enjoyed my wait partaking in the joys that the station could sell me: a large soda, a bag of "chips", and two rest room visits.
Mentally, I wasn't put out at all but then again, I may have been in ignorant bliss.
I haven't used Wally Worlds before, HEB and Buccae's (sp?) have been the choice for the LZ to aim for, but it is something, now, to keep in mind.
The Forester is a comfortable little car to sleep in when the seats are leaned back. I have toyed with notions of curtains for privacy and security, but haven't done that yet.
We like to hit the road early and pull in early so we use campgrounds and RV parks rather than Walmarts, truck stops and such for overnighting; the notion of pulling into a parking lot at 3 in the afternoon isn’t attractive. But the one time we used a Walmart (in South Carolina) we didn’t feel exposed or in an unsafe situation. For one thing there were several other RVs overnighting and we were all in the same area along the fringe of the lot.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
