Travel Forum / Travel Types / RV Travel / November 2004

David,

Wal*Mart has generously offered to allow RVers to overnight in their
parking lots as long as it does not block their customers.  However,
so many inconsiderate people have set up camp at Wal*Mart that local
communities have started banning parking or overnight camping in ANY
parking lots.  For a brief overnight stop to get some zzzz's is one
thing but if you want to stay more than a few hours, please get a
regular campsite or go to a motel.

Thanks,

George

Wal Mart, K-Mart, Cracker Barrell, Flying J, most fraternal organizations of
which you are a member, most truck stops, and "Day's End" stopping spots as
listed by Escapee Bob Ed.

Lon

We have stayed at Wmarts all across the country.
Some, in the more populated areas or near
popular destinations are not allowing it, due to
abuse by the less considerate among us.
Most will.  Good idea to check with the store.
Most are glad to have us.  We spend money there.
You can buy an excellent Rand McNaly atlas
with a list of stores and the addresses for
only $5.  I recommend subscribing to
rvtraveler@topica.email-publisher.com

They have a lot of information available, including
Wallmarts that do not allow overnight parking.
A small percentage.  Also have books available
on other free or low price camping.  I also
recommend joining Passport America.  They
have a list of campgrounds that will charge
members half price, based on availability.  We
have saved a lot by using them and they provide
full hookups.  Some charge a little extra for
cable.  Cost is only $40 per year and we have
saved a lot more than that.

A little home work will pay dividends.  Pay
little attention to the curmudgeons.

I'm sure you will get some idiots checking in with
their opinions about using camp grounds.  Campgrounds
are fine for extended stays, but finding one
when you are tired and just want to park for the
night can be harrowing.  Been there done that.

Good luck,
Phil

Walmarts, Sams Club, KMart's, and many more.  Just be sure to ask before
going to bed.  I pulled into one Walmart and a fellow on a golf cart whipped
around to in front of me and lined us to park.  Then checked the toad to be
sure it was clear and reported to us that it was.
Ed

   A couple of other choices to consider: Most truck stops allow RVs to use
the same area the big rigs use. You do need to careful where you park. I've
never overnighted at Wal-mart because we have so many better choices here in
the west--"dispersed camping" on public lands and freeway rest stops to name
a couple. Depending on a number of factors--including: local ordinances,
past overnighter behavoir and the number of tourists in the area--many
Target stores also allow RVs to discreetly overnight.

   I've also overnighted at ski areas in unheated vehicles and don't
consider it a big deal, if you have a good sleeping bag. Some of the ski
areas offer self-contained RVs electrical hook-ups and charge for
overnighting. In Oregon they have a system of snow-parks that are very
popular. In general they're the same big parking lots that people use when
they're flocking to the mountains in the summer. You buy a sticker to pay
for the snow plowing. Many of them get a lot of RVs on the weekends.

                                                           Dennis

Tried searching for a campground? State Park? National forest?

john