Walmart Camping

[buckisland1950]

I did a search and couldn't find an answer. I have yet to camp at Walmart for the night and know that most are Ask To Camp, do you really need to ask or is that just a formality for legal reasons. I do know that there are some Walmarts that are off limits to overnighters. I would assume (there's that bad word) that if there is a parking lot full of campers that it would be all right just to pull in and set up for the night. Inquiring minds (at least this feeble one) would like to know!

Franke

[Socal Tom]

I did a search and couldn't find an answer. I have yet to camp at Walmart for the night and know that most are Ask To Camp, do you really need to ask or is that just a formality for legal reasons. I do know that there are some Walmarts that are off limits to overnighters. I would assume (there's that bad word) that if there is a parking lot full of campers that it would be all right just to pull in and set up for the night. Inquiring minds (at least this feeble one) would like to know!

Franke

Its been about 10 years since I did it. I just pulled in near the other RVs/Trucks, but I didn't ask. I did go in and buy a few things ( open 24 hours). I did a quick google search and came accross this site that shows which ones don't allow it. http://www.allstays.com/c/wal-mart-locations.htm

Tom

[Woodbutcher]

We spent 3 nights at 3 different Walmarts on a trip out west this year. We waited till dark, pulled out of the way and went it and went to sleep. In the morning we hit the bathroom, picked up some supplies and were on the road by 7AM. No issues.

[mary and bob]

This topic has been discussed before, here and on another website. However I couldn't find the thread. We have done it once, went in and asked the manager first, we just stayed overnight. What can ruin this for everyone is the ones that set up all their gear, chairs, gas grill, awning out, and stay for days to visit local attractions. Sometimes local laws prohibit overnight parking. Best to ask permission rather than get booted out in the middle of the night. Doing a google search will turn up all kinds of info on the subject, plus some horror stories. Watch some of those "people of Walmart" you tube videos and decide if that's where you want to be!! I was not comfortable there.

[Vedette]

We spent a few nights at Walmart this past summer.
It was great!
Washrooms are open all night and you can get anything you may have forgotten, including cheap ice before you leave in the morning.
Don't be afraid to give it a try.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[S. Heisley]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heh-KyvfL54

[Backroads4me]

Due to where I've been employed for the last 20+ years (hint, hint, hint), seeing the sun come up over a Walmart sign when I awaken in the morning is the LAST THING I WANT TO DO ON A TRIP! Since Bob and I travel the back roads and previous alignments of the "old highways", we're not going to come across very many Walmarts anyway.

Here's the link to the previous thread about this issue:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=57034&hilit=walmart+camping

Though the Walmart in my town has "No RV or Semi parking" signs at the entrances to the parking lot-----apparently nobody pays attention to them as there are both in the lots almost every night. Wasn't Walmart that wanted the signs, it was the town after complaints submitted by local campgrounds and parks. My town's Walmart is happy to accommodate RV's and semis-----I don't think I've ever heard anything about them chasing people away.

As a previous poster has mentioned, it's the folks that abuse the free parking overnight that will get noticed (if not by WM , most certainly the town officials), and perhaps ruin it for others. There have been large RV's that camped in the lot for ---months-----don't know if the owners were transient construction workers, long term tourists or whatever---but they moved the trailers to a different part of the lot each day and kept everything tidy. This summer a guy with a van, and a boat took up residence in the lot and would take off during the day. Would leave the boat, sometimes move it and his "camp" around, but finally overstayed his welcome due to the trash, broken glass bottles, pieces of wood????, bricks???? and other assorted stuff he was too lazy to take to the trash cans. This spring, three trailers, (apparently a group travelling together), set up camp and were parked across from each other-----their lawn chairs, Bbq grill, kids bikes and all sorts of stuff splayed out across a lane of traffic. DUH!!!
Somebody from the store must have talked to them, as I the next day I noticed their "camp" tidied up against their trailers and out of traffic.
My town's Walmart is happy to accommodate RV's and semis, and the lot seems to be quiet and safe at night.

[Socal Tom]

My experience in walmart lots was very well lit parking lot( hard to sleep) . It was very busy until very late. The neighborhood was sketchy, so I would have been concerned for my stuff. We were going cross country in an RV and just needed a place to near the interstate to catch 40 winks. I've been other walmarts that would have been nicer to stay at, but unfortunately, they weren't on my route.
Tom

[Mary C]

I was coming back from FL and stopped at a Walmart when my eyes went blurry and I wanted to wake up . I decided that a nap would work, I pulled into the Walmart and slept for a few hours I woke up every half hour when the police pulled very close to my car. Being in the front seat and very uncomfortable. I guess they just wanted to make sure I wasn't dead.

Mary C.

[buckisland1950]

Thanks for the replies. I was sure it had been discussed before and appreciate the link and personal experiences. I hope to retire soon and with our state parks charging on the average $29.00 a night a long term trip can run into some serious money on a fixed income. I have already gotten my golden pass but have yet to stay in a National Park but intend to use them as often as possible. I am definitely paranoid when in an unfamiliar surrounding (parking in a lot or rest area) and usually can't get any real rest but hope that will become easier after a few good experiences.

Franke

[Backroads4me]

I was coming back from FL and stopped at a Walmart when my eyes went blurry and I wanted to wake up . I decided that a nap would work, I pulled into the Walmart and slept for a few hours I woke up every half hour when the police pulled very close to my car. Being in the front seat and very uncomfortable. I guess they just wanted to make sure I wasn't dead.

Mary C.

Mary, they probably wanted to make sure you didn't wind up like this poor "down on his luck" guy:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... -days.html

The Walmarts that allow "boondocking" in their lots don't hassle folks (potential paying customers) unless their blocking traffic, making a mess or being a pain in the arse to other customers, etc. Considering most boondockers are parked on the outer fringes of the lot, and sometimes stay longer than a day or two-----Walmart employees and shoppers don't pay much attention to RV's (I know I don't, unless it's a horse trailer or a teardrop). The story in the link above is not the first time a deceased camper was eventually found in their rig, in a Walmart parking lot. I'm sure it's happened in other lots of large, public establishments. So sad !

[Mary C]

Deb, I don't know I just think they were checking on me one way or another. I'm just saying I could not have driven an inch further and been safe. I dozed once and that was enough to tell me to stop. I woke up early and decided to take the back roads home and it was great I found a new way home. much quicker. no traffic, and a lot more scenic.

Mary C.

[S. Heisley]

This Walmart article about the AZ WM parking lots is just for your entertainment:

http://www.wired.com/rawfile/2013/11/wa ... deid-94661

[GerryS]

I don't know...I know it's allowed in many stores, and I've seen them near me...but I have a hard timing going IN to a Walmart let alone staying in their parking lot.

Maybe In a class a where I didn't have to go outside, just pull the curtain drive away...definitely not in a teardrop. If I'm stopping for a quick lunch, I'll find a quiet rest area with a few shade trees and a picnic table...

[Miriam C.]

I know 2 ladies who came through here and stayed at Walmart parking lot. Both survived even if they did get cold.