For a VERY comprehensive website for Free overnighting, including Wal*Mart, go to Jim O'Briant's Overnight RV Parking.
There is a small annual charge [worth it!] to subscribe, but actually can be free if you add something new to the data base. See complete details at the website.
I have no financial interest in the website except as a member/contributer.
We are on an express trip to yellowstone nat park and stayed at Wal Marts in Fredonia NY, Peru IL and Worthington Minn. All the managers were very nice and we had to park on the outer edges of the lot. It was handy to be able to run in for food supplies. I would recommend it for anyone traveling fast.
Gregg,
Way to go! You are now an "Official" Cheapo! And thanks for asking permission. It's just good manners and makes all of us more welcome next time. We always ask, and NEVER "set up camp" or leave any other trace. If I see a security vehicle, I make a point of introducing myself to the officer and thanking him/her in advance for looking out for us. I have never had a problem or a negative reaction from the patrols.
Always find a flat spot so you won't even have to use your jacks. The rule of thumb when parking overnight on a commercial or other free lot, is be ready to drive away at a moment's notice. This also means no slides out unless absolutely necessary. Never use a storm drain for tank dumping. I know, this seems like a no-brainer, but there's no limit to the audacity and stupidity of some travelers. Sheesh!
With the availability of dump stations and good water at so many truck stops and municipalities, it makes little sense to me to pay for or hassel with a campsite while just quickly passing through an area. We only use campsites when absolutely necessary at our destinations, or at very interesting / sceinic spots along the way.
NB: See the reference to the Overnight Camping registry in my post #155 of this thread.
It is the truth, he was an RV'r and it was in his will. Also the road atlas they sell has this info in it. Same goes for Cracker Barrels, the ones that have RV parking.
The rule is to park as far away from the store to not take space from shoppers.
When we're on the road with the wife driving, I use my laptop with GPS and the internet to look ahead for likely overnight parking spots.
Here's how:
I use the GPS and DeLorme Street Atlas mapping program to look ahead for a good-sized town or city likely to have a Wal*Mart.
Then I go to the Wal*Mart website via my cellular connection and find the address of the Wal*Mart store(s) in that town or city.
After that I find the location on the Street Atlas and plot the course for that spot for the night.
Note: There are Street Atlas overlays available for free download that have all Wal*Marts located. I've not found it necessary to do this, but may try it on our next excursion.
Most of the time we overnight at Wal*Marts, but sometimes a quiet shopping plaza or sports venue parking lot is as good. Just keep an eye out for the "looks" of the neighborhood when you pull in. If it LOOKS scary, it probably IS.
While we do not offer electrical service or accommodations typically necessary for RV customers, Wal-Mart values RV travelers and considers them among our best customers. Consequently, we do permit RV parking on our store lots as we are able. Permission to park is extended by individual store managers, based on availability of parking space and local laws. Please contact management in each store to ensure accommodations before parking your RV.
has anyone used their GPS to seek out a campground instead of a Wal-Mart by any chance?
I have several different GPS units but I have not seen one the lists a significant number of campgrounds in the Points of Interest section. It is probably a idea and a great selling point if one of the GPS makers did.
In the interim I use Google 411 or the Wal Mart atlas to find Wal Mart while on the road.
The problem with staying at a Wal Mart is I spend just as much if not more there then in a campground.
There are a number of websites that have Points of Interest databases that are easily downloadable into most GPS's - they are great - this is one that I've used to update our GPS with complete databases of WalMart, State Park, National Park, Provincial Park, KOA campgrounds, Good Sam campgrounds and Interstate Rest Area locations - when we are travelling we use these databases almost daily:
has anyone used their GPS to seek out a campground instead of a Wal-Mart by any chance?
Yea, I was wondering that also. WalrusMart is the most disgusting example of corporate herding since McDonald's. Overnight in a parking lot? Man you guys are joking no? Am I psicho or psycho to think I spent 30 grand plus to park there? If I see one of those places, I know I'm on the wrong road. Actually, I was in the Ruidoso example (no parking, really bad customer service as in no open checkout lines and expired vegetables, skip it), but only for dog Jupitor to crap behind the tire center.
I wish I could buy a radio that would not play Led Zeppelin.
COME ON PEOPLE LEAVE THAT PLACE BEHIND THAT'S WHY WE BOUGHT Air!
__________________
I'm a true bum, working less and living longer.
WBCCI #3841
Last edited by jacarape; 03-31-2009 at 11:20 PM.
Reason: sp, lz comment add.
When we hit a Wal-Mart parking lot it is because we have driven really late (11 PM or later) and most campgrounds are not easy to get into late at night.
__________________ SuEllyn & Brian McCabe WBCCI #3628 --- AIR #14872 2005 25' Safari FB (Lucy) with HAHA 2005 Suburban 2500 Quadrasteer (Olivia) & 2004 Suburban 2500 Quadrasteer (Daisy)
I kind of agree (and not) with jacarape: Walmart is an awful place. The prices aren't that good, given the shoddy product they carry, and what they do behind the scenes to other merchants is not forgivable. We try to avoid them as best we can. (In a small town like Taos, with few merchants to begin with, sometimes one is forced to shop Walmart, but, again, only if forced to.)
However, if they want to build a big parking lot that I could pull into late at night for a few quick blinks, that's ok by me. I won't spend an unnecessary dime on them otherwise.
But where we usually travel, there aren't any Walmarts, or not ones that I would stay at.
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And thanks for asking permission. It's just good manners and makes all of us more welcome next time. We always ask, and NEVER "set up camp" or leave any other trace. If I see a security vehicle, I make a point of introducing myself to the officer and thanking him/her in advance for looking out for us. I have never had a problem or a negative reaction from the patrols.
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