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Every Walmart I’ve stopped at this year has Security aggressively patrolling the parking lot.
If they see an RV or camper van, they will knock on your door and tell you to leave.
What a shame that the idiots ruined it for the rest of us.
Although the idiots are definitely a factor, IMO the biggest contributor is local ordinances supported by motels, hotels, and RV park owners. They really don’t want you staying at WalMart - or anywhere - for free.
You don't need any kind of license to park in the back of walmart's parking lot and sleep for about 3 nights do you?
No you don't need a license, but I don't think any Walmart will allow you to stay for 3 nights. One night some allow, but that has been changing from people abusing it and local laws changing to prohibit it.
Cabelas and Bass Pro Shop also allow RVs to overnight, but I doubt they'd go along with 3 nights. None of them want people camping there, just stop buy something, stay over night and leave.
no, I think it is safer to say, what a shame some people do not want to spend the money to park someplace that is safe and approved fro RV parking.
Why would I want to hunt down an RV park and pay $30 or $40 or $50 when all I want to do is get a few hours sleep? I've stayed at Walmarts before and I've felt just as safe there. I don't need a water hookup, electricity or a dump station every night. I just need a place to park. Walmart fills that need in a lot of areas. And if the manager says it's all right, then it's approved for RV parking.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nmnita
no, I think it is safer to say, what a shame some people do not want to spend the money to park someplace that is safe and approved fro RV parking.
truth be told... RV parks are not all that 'safe'.
I will never forget the night a drunk campground owner pulled his car up to the door of our tent at 2AM revving his engine and threatening to run us over. (He accused us of not paying, tho we had paid his wife, while he was away at the bar. ) We got out of there FAST, despite having presumably paid for a 'safe-night's-sleep'...
I am careful where I pitch my tent and park my RV... ease of a QUICK escape is paramount.
BTW... I have a few campground host friends who have said it is imperative to hand carry a weapon to keep order (More for the 'guests' than the campers).
Last edited by StealthRabbit; 10-16-2018 at 12:16 PM..
I like to research stuff. For a while I have been researching the idea of converting a van to an RV and then traveling for cheap when we retire. The Walmart stops are part of the plan. I introduced my idea to my wife who promptly informed me that she has no interest in spending her retirement years sleeping in a van in a Walmart parking lot.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Generally, the Walmart that's off by itself with a big parking lot will allow it, because there is no competition for parking there. We were just at a Walmart "Neighborhood Market" yesterday that shares it's lot with a fitness center and strip mall, and they have posted signs "NO TRAILER OR RV PARKING." I would consider a Walmart parking lot as the last resort after rest stops, if no RV parks were available and I was too tired to keep driving.
The big ones do make a good rest stop, however, with plenty of room to park the rig, go in and use the restroom and buy a few things. Though I did it on our last trip, I feel a bit funny pulling over to the side of a busy highway to use the bathroom in the trailer. I felt really silly when a rest stop came up about 5 miles later.
Freecampsites.net many use. We use to park at truck gas stations, although loud they were safe and had food. It is best to always ask permission if you are unsure. The reason that Walmart's are cutting back are because of city ordinances, areas that have RV parks and they feel Walmart is taking $$ from them. Always pick up after yourself and others who are not so tiddy when camping. More and more people are hitting the road and some throw their trash on the ground. Stricter rules are being enforced all of the time because of inconsiderate people. Honestly, 40 years ago you could take your dog across country and stay at hotels/motels without a added fee. All parks were dog friendly, I use to take my dogs to the park weekly and they roamed the park without a lease. I use to take my dogs to beaches without any restrictions. I always cleaned up after my dogs but many do not.
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