Can anyone enlighten as to the truth that Wal Marts allow MHs and TTs to park overnight in their parking lots? I overheard someone say this, but as a beginner, I thought I'd ask the pros.
I've heard that some do and some don't, for reasons ranging everywhere from local city ordinances to parking lot congestion, to complaints from nearby campgrounds, to people camping out for weeks at a time. Seems to me someone posted a list of known Wal-Marts that allowed overnight parking without fear of a security guard rousting you out at 3am...
For the most part, WalMart is receptive for campers and motor homes overnighting in their parking lots. It is always a good idea to ask the manager on the front desk for permission. In that manner, they will direct you to the area of the parking lot they prefer to see the campers.
If you go into WalMart and look at their map section they have a WalMart Branded Rand McNally Road Atlas. In the front and back of the atlas they have a list of all the WalMarts across the coutry with the exit number off the interstate.
I have seen WalMarts in Vacation areas with no overnighting signs. These come from the local communities with legislation against staying for free at WalMart and the local campgrounds still have available space. I've seen these signs in Port Clinton, Ohio and Ocean City Maryland. I'm sure there are other communities across the country with like legislation.
On our last trip, 4 weeks and 8,000 miles, we stayed at 4 WalMarts while trying to put on the miles.
Mark
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although, not "universal". some places have city ordinances that prohibit the practice. I believe they have a page on their website that lists the stores that allow overnight stays. I think all you need to do is check in w/ the store manager.
Someone had posted a list in the past. Most do I think but a good idea is to go inside and ask the manager. While you're in there pick up a few things to restock your trailer.
I'm hardly a pro. But I did park nightly at Wal Marts when I travelled across Canada last month without any problems. This is a real convenience for me because I like to get to where I'm going quickly by spending most of the day on the road rather than paying to park in trailer parks. However, I'm hearing that more and more of them are beginning to post no-overnight parking signs because of complaints from neighbouring businesses and Wal Mart managers.
So there are a few things that we as RV'rs need to do. 1) Be on our best behavior while staying there. Keep noise levels down. Clean up after ourselves - no signs of us ever being there when we leave. 2) Park far from entrance doors to Wal Mart and neighbouring businesses. And if we feel the parking lot is already limited by its small size or because there are already too many RV's there, then lets move on to a campsite or the next Wal Mart. 3) Try to spend $10, $15, or $20 when the store opens, even if you don't need anything. Afterall, this is the reason why they are allowing us to stay there in the first place.
If we use simple common sense, then free Wal Mart overnight parking will be around for a long time. Maybe Home Depot and others will become jealous.
I read an anrticle in the Vancouver Sun on the weekend stating that WalMart in British Columbia was going to ban overnighters because of complaints from RV park operators (losing revenue). I'll try to track down the paper to confirm... may be in the bottom of the bird cage.
I read an anrticle in the Vancouver Sun on the weekend stating that WalMart in British Columbia was going to ban overnighters because of complaints from RV park operators (losing revenue). I'll try to track down the paper to confirm... may be in the bottom of the bird cage.
Ken
Yeah, I guess some owners might be upset, but it's all sort of complicated. Many parks (like ours) stay alive not on one-night-stand guests who are on their way from here to there, but on folks who want to hang around for a while. In other words, if we had a Walmart nearby (I wish!!), and folks stayed on the parking lot while passing through, it wouldn't make any difference at all to us.
Of course, there are parks out there that cater specifically to one-night guests, including the late arrivers and the early departers. I suspect that those would be the main ones who might be upset by Walmart policy.
So what do we do, as park owers? Alas, there aren't that many Walmarts in areas where we travel thru, so if we're in need of a few hours of shut-eye off the highway, we stop in at some supermarket. The managers are usually delighted to have somebody in the parking lot at night. Among other things, vandals might think twice about breaking into a place that has folks sleeping right outside.
We have used the Walmart courtesy overnight stay a number of times. Always when we were 'truckin' . We almost always check in at the desk and usually spend more money there than it would have cost to stay at an RV park!! It's money we would have probably spent anyway, but....
We bought a U.S. Atlas from them that lists all the Walmart & Sam's stores in the U.S. & Canada.
I believe the Cracker Barrel Country Stores also allow courtesy over-nighting.
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I have seen RVs parked overnight many times at the Wal-mart in Corinth Mississippi. It is located along US 72
__________________ Just adding my 2¢ worth
John G ___________________________ 1975 31ft Sovereign International ........Rear Bath Double Bed Model Tow Vehicle:1999 GMC Serria SLE Classic 1500 5.7Ltr System: Jordon 2020 Ultima Brake Controller Hook-Up: Equalizing Hitch and Sway Bar
I've used WalMart's overnight polociy many times when in route in the MH on business and family travel. It certainly is easy to find one when you're getting tired.
For me, it's more about the convienance than the cost savings. If I add up the gas used to run the genset all night and the additional "I didn't know I needed that but now I must have it" puchases typical of our WalMart excursions it would be far cheaper to stay in a state park campground.
Lynn, Where's your park? We have an NM trip planned for October. Ken
I could have sworn that I responded to your question last night. Must be dreaming about faraway places again! Anyway, we're 23 miles east of Taos more up in the mountains. And October is an absolutely fabulous time to see the southern rockies!!!
October. That's a rough time for us, though. I have to travel for my university at the beginning of every October. And because it's low season on the park, my wife and I load up the Airstream and take off for a couple of weeks in the latter half of the month for a vacation of our own!
Even so, my mom and dad take over for us while we're gone. And we'd NEVER turn down Airstreamers anyway! (We're one of the parks that gives WBCCI discounts.) Soooo, if you (or anybody else) wants to come during that period, just call or write or email or whatever. We'll figure something out!
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Wal Mart overnight parking 
. We almost always check in at the desk and usually spend more money there than it would have cost to stay at an RV park!! 
It's money we would have probably spent anyway, but.... 
John G
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