Walmart overnight parking

[bredlo]

Originally Posted by SilverRanger

You might want to steer clear of this Wal-Mart on Rt. 50 just west Ocean City, MD, which is a very popular summer resort. It is my first time trying to upload pictures, so bear with me if there is a big blank space. If they appear, I apologize for the quality. It was my camera phone. If the pictures are missing, it was a big red sign at the entrance of Wal Mart that states ...

No overnight parking. $500 fine.

Bastards.

[rluhr]

Don't blame Wal-Mart for the sign. Local ordinances have popped up everywhere to prohibit this practice. The list in post #7 (from last year) is now sadly out of date. Many more Wal-Marts refuse overnight parkers than before.

Unfortunately, the ordinances usually impact Cracker Barrels, rest areas, and private parking lots of all types. Whether you like Wal-Mart or hate 'em, this attitude of "let's ban them" is something RV'ers everywhere should be very very concerned about. It will not end at Wal-Mart...

[bredlo]

Rich, so the city can nail you with a $500 ticket for parking on Wal-Mart's private property?? If it were some guy's house named Mr. Walmart, they couldn't prevent you from sleeping in his driveway and that's private property too.

I agree with you though... boycotting a store, or even the whole town won't matter. Towns probably won't even notice the lost business when RVers stop at the next town instead. Oh well.

[pbnjsellers]

We just recently returned from an 11,000-mile cross-country trek, with several overnights at Wal-Marts since we were just looking for a couple of hours of shut-eye, no campground amenities necessary. True enough, it's far from a scenic camping spot, but we kept quiet and usually ended up also spending much more than a camping fee would have been, following the plan laid out by those responsible for Wal-Mart's acceptance of RVs. We found two in resort areas in California and Utah that had signs posted, but just went along the road to another spot.

We had gotten a book called "The Next Exit" which lists every interstate and interchange, and what is available at each one. Listed in red are places to park an RV or truck for free - most Wal-Marts, Cracker Barrels, truck stops, etc. We had an incident in Montana where a service station was listed, and we were there around midnight; we circled the lot three times (like a dog lying down) and were just settling in when the owner of the motel on the next property gestured with his firearm that we were not welcome; he said he didn't care what our directory said, he had run off ninety people so far and we would be number ninety-one. Needless to say, we were already in gear at that point.

We really didn't do much campgrounding on that trip, except for five days in Yellowstone, lined up like books on a shelf with other RVs, no fun. It's pretty amazing the differences in various camping facilities, as we also took a spot in Lake Louise, Alberta, wonderfully wooded and private, and had other nice times as well, but as we were hoofing it mileage-wise, we really didn't have the time to take advantage of campground amenities, so we ended up at truck stops or (Oregon especially) in scenic pull-off areas that didn't forbid overnight parking.

It goes without saying (or should) that we need to be extra considerate of the impressions made by us as representative of RVers. No genset, dumping, carrying on, patio lights, just respectful sleeping and responsible pet walking. It was our first long trip in the 345, and it was so incredibly nice to be able to pull the curtains, get out the playing cards, and then be on our way in the morning just depending on our own tanks. Some states (again, Oregon was the best) were especially helpful by providing us with brochures at visitors' centers listing RV dumps available, with and without fees, where we could fill and dump properly.

We have made note of areas we want to re-visit, and stay longer, so we will no doubt be campgrounding more in the future, but as you all know, there is no better way to travel than with an Airstream for a turtle-shell!

[GlenCoombe]

For the last couple of years I've spent an average of 3 nights a week in Wal-Mart lots in NC/SC. On the list Myrtle Beach is listed as well as N. MB and Surfside, where I've stayed multiple times.

Some places are quite noisy with kids running cars until the wee hours, vacum trucks running about at 3-4 am. But the price is still $0.0 unless you factor in your uncontrolable urge to fuel the machine. And I do use the Murphy gas at three cent discount when available.

Like everything you pay for, or not, you get what it's worth.

[cammur]

In NM? In a bit of a bind, we stayed one night at the WM in Santa Fe, with maybe 10 other RVs.

A guard came up to us and we thought we were going to be booted but he very courteously pointed out areas of the lot where we were very welcome to stay.

We bought close to $100 of stuff at WM that night so it was worth their while - if we hadn't been in the lot anyway, we would probably have gotten our stuff at a regular market, Target, etc.

[74Argosy24MH]

From the Wal-Mart web site:

Wal-Mart permits recreational-vehicle (RV) parking on our store lots, as we are able. The ability to accommodate RVs is determined on a store-by-store basis, contingent upon available space, local regulations and ordinances.


Wal-Mart’s that do not allow overnight stays in RVs:

Alabama
Dothan (W.M. Super Center on US 231 South, about a mile South Of Ross Clark, also north side of town, city ordinance.)
Foley
Fort Payne (Signs posted)
Gadsden (No signs posted, but guard will tell you to leave)
Jasper (Stopped allowing overnight stays because of vandalism and liability concerns)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arizona
Apache Junction
Avondale
Bullhead City (camp for free in a casino parking lot across river in Laughlin, Nev.)
Casa Grande (No parking anywhere in city limits except campgrounds)
Flagstaff (No overnight parking or Walmart or any city shopping center)
Kingman
Lake Havasau City (no parking anywhere in town but RV parks)
Mesa (6131 E. Southern)
Peoria Police patrolled
Phoenix (store at/near Dysart Rd)
Prescott
Scottsdale (signs posed)
Show Low (signs posted)
Sierra Vista
Tucson (Super Center at 7635 N La Cholla Blvd. -- Foothills Mall Location)
Tucson (7100 E. Speedway at Kolb Rd)
Yuma (Police will chase you out)
------------------------------------------------------------------------Arkansas
Arkadelphia (overnight okay, but watch for height barriers)
Hot Springs (signs posted)
Mountain Home
------------------------------------------------------------------------
California
Anaheim Plaza
Arroyo Grande
Bakersfield (signs posted)
Cathedral City (City ordinance bans stays, but RVers have been seen staying anyway.)
Corona (on Ontario Street, city ordinance)
Crescent City
El Centro (don’t even stop to shop)
El Cajon (store on Los Coches Road. Signs posted and enforced)
Fairfield (no overnight anywhere in town)
Huntington Beach (city ordinance)
La Quinta (police may show up at 3 a.m. to kick you out)
Linda
Livermore (signs posted)
Modesto
Oceanside (the store at Jefferson Street Exit)
Pleasanton (city ordinance, not posted)
Redding
Rohnert Park
Sacramento County No overnight anywhere
Salinas
San Clemente (no overnight parking anywhere in the city)
San Dimas (off I-210 freeway)
San Leandro
Santa Clara
Santa Clarita/Valencia (No warnings, tickets)
Santa Maria
Santee (no overnight anywhere in town)
San Leandro (on the Davis Street Exit from I-880)
Vallejo (ask the greeter about staying in an old truck parking lot a few blocks away)
Union City (some RVers have stayed)
Valencia/Santa Clarita (try the Camping World 100 yards away. RVers stay there)
Vallejo
Vista (University Dr. store. Security guard will evict)
Westminster
Windsor
Woodland
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Colorado
Colorado Springs (at Platte & Chelton. Signs posted)
Durango (okay for one night but city ordinance prohibits additional nights)
Fort Collins (store on north end of town doesn’t allow stays, south store does)
Frisco (city ordinance)
Grand Junction (city ordinance)
Gunnison (signs posted)
Wheatridge (32nd and Youngfield. Police may kick you out)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Connecticut
Avon (try the store in Torrington, 10 miles away)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Florida
Bradenton (Cortez Ave, 53rd Ave. E.) (signs posted)
Cape Coral (across the midpoint bridge from Fort Myers)
Chipley
Clearwater
Clermont (signs posted)
Daytona Beach (1101 Beville Rd.)
Destin (but RVers have been staying there anyway)
Florida City (signs posted)
Ft. Myers (store just south of airport on 41S has no parking signs)
Haines City (reported that RVs have been staying anyway)
Homestead (RVs have been kicked out)
Key West (No overnight anywhere but campgrounds)
Kissimmee (4444 W. Vine. City ordinance)
Largo
Live Oak (U.S. Hwy 129 at I-10. RVs have been staying)
Manatee County
Melbourne
Merritt Island (on State Road 520)
Mt. Dora
Naples (there are two stores here. The store off Highway 41 East bans stays.)
New Smyrna Beach (just off I-95)
Oldsmar (see Tampa)
Ormond Beach (1521 W. Granada)
Palm Coast
Pinellas Park (local ordinance)
Port Charlotte (RVs have been staying anyway)
Port Orange (just off I-95)
Port Richey (signs posted)
Port St. Lucie (signs posted)
Punta Gorda (3811 Tamiami Trail)
Sarasota (Cattleman Road)
Sebring (On U.S. Hwy. 27 between Sebring and Avon Park)
St Cloud (city ordinance)
St. Augustine (2355 U.S. Hwy. 1 South)
St. Petersburg
Stark
Tampa: 3 stores:
Store along I-275 at exits 23A & B at 1505 N. Dale Mabry Hwy
Store at 7011 Waters Ave West
Oldsmar store at 3801 Tampa Road
Titusville (city ordinance, check first)
Venice
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Georgia
Cartersville
Commerce (signs posted)
Dahlonega
Morrow
Perry
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Illinois
Elmhurst
Galena (signs posted)
Geneseo (signs posted)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Iowa
Ames (city ordinance)
Cedar Rapids (no overnight anywhere in city)
Decorah (city ordinance)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kentucky
Berea
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Louisiana
Bunkie (signs posted)
Covington
Farmerville (signs posted)
Shreveport (low clearance at all entrances)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maine
Bangor (signs posted)
Ellsworth (signs posted,RVs have been staying)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maryland
Berlin (Signs posted)
Ocean City (Signs posted)
Westminster
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Massachusetts
Plymouth (city ordinance)
Wareham (signs posted)
Fall River (city ordinance)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michigan
Auburn Hills
Fenton/Grand Blanc Township
Traverse City
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minnesota
Apple Valley (city ordinance, signs posted)
Bloomington (also not in Mall of America)

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mississippi
Batesville
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Missouri
Branson
Chillicothe (signs posted)
Laurel
St. Louis area (if you stay, you will likely get booted out by midnight)
Town and Country - Manchester Rd (Mo. Hwy 100)
Kirkwood - Lindbergh Blvd and I-44
Eureka - I-44 at Six Flags St. Louis
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Montana
Billings (10 hr max stay city ordinance)
Missoula (RVs have been observed staying)

Nebraska
Lincoln (signs posted)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nevada
Carson City (The Carson City Nugget casino welcomes RVers in designated overnight parking lot.)
Elko (signs posted RVs have been staying)
Henderson (No overnight stays in RVs permitted anywhere in town but in a RV park)
Las Vegas (do not believe any of the Las Vegas stores allow overnight stays)
Reno (Northtowne Lane store. Try the Peppermill casino or the Nugget casino in nearby Sparks)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Hampshire
Portsmouth (city ordinance, no overnight anywhere in city limits)
Tilton ("No parking signs" apply to trucks. Ask manager for stay in an RV)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Mexico

------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York
Greece
Harriman
Middletown (Walmart, Sam's Club)
Plattsburg
Queensbury
------------------------------------------------------------------------
North Carolina
Franklin (shopping center at Hwy 441 and Hwy 64)
High Point
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ohio
Dayton (nowhere in city limits)
Mentor (signs inside store "No overnight parking")
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oklahoma
Ada (signs posted)
Claremore (signs posted)
McAlester
Oklahoma City (1-40 9 ft. overhead barrier across entrances)
Shawnee (but okay to stay in a lot just east of the store)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oregon
Coos Bay/North Bend
Dallas (signs posted)
Eugene (north end no, west end ok, 1 night)
Hood River
Klamath Falls (KOA files complaints)
La Grande
Lincoln City (don't try any freebie parking anywhere in town)
Newport (signs posted)
Portland (4200 SE 82nd Avenue)
Troutdale (per manager)
Woodburn
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pennsylvania
Ephrata (signs posted)
Getysburg
Indiana (signs posted)
Mt. Pocono (local ordinance)
York (posted, the store does not own the parking lot property)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
South Carolina
Goose Creek (signs posted, police substation on property)
Myrtle Beach (try the Big K just a few blocks away)
North Myrtle Beach (signs posted)
Surfside (south of Myrtle Beach signs posted)
South Dakota
Spearfish (city ordinance)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tennessee
Chattanooga (5764 Highway 153 location and the store at 2020 Gunbarrel Rd)
Johnson City
Maryville (no overnight in city)
Pulaski (a big sign says "No Overnight Parking")
Sieverville (city ordinance anywhere in city)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Texas
Arlington
Bedford (Fort Worth area)
Corinth (ordinance)
Galveston (city ordinance)
Hickory Creek
Orange
Spring (per manager)
Victoria (signs posted, RVs have been staying)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Utah
Logan
Park City (signs posted)
St George (sign posted, but ask and you might be able to stay)
Vernal (City ordinance. Signs posted and enforced)
Washington (city ordinance. Signs posted)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vermont
Rutland (Signs- "3 hour parking" limit)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Virginia
Bedford (signs posted)
Charlottesville (store on Hwy 29, signs posted)
Chesapeake (both stores, city ordinance)
Leesburg (city ordinance)
Luray (signs posted)
Mechanicsville (signs posted)
Wytheville (off I-81, signs posted)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Washington
Kennewick (RVs have been staying)
Vancouver
------------------------------------------------------------------------
West Virginia
Charlestown (signs posted)
Morgantown
Ripley
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wisconsin
Lake Geneva (city ordinance)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wyoming
Cheyenne (signs posted, RVs have been staying, police may kick you out)
Rock Springs (Flying J Truck Stop along I-80 just east of town)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
All the Wal-Mart’s in Nova Scotia ban overnight parking except the one outside the city of Halifax. The one in the city bans it.

[lewster]

I would have to say that enforcement of Wal-Mart's RV ban is spotty at best. Take the store in Hood ARiver, OR for example. I have been in Hood River since 1990, living there when the WM was built. It has always been an RV magnet, especially in the summer tourist and windsurfing season.

You can still find at least a half dozen RV's in their lot on any evening in the summer......so much for no parking!

[Pick]

Although construction has not started yet, the new Wal-Mart Supercenter at Exit 399 on I-75, in Alachua, Florida, will not allow RV parking. That was a city stipulation in granting permits. Knowing the Alachua Police Department, I would say that it will be enforced strictly.

[68 Overlander]

I've always struggled with this Wal-Mart parking deal. My local Wal-Mart does allow parking and there is usually 5-6 campers out there every night. Last night I ran there for something and this Ole boy had a 5000 watt genny about 25 feet away in the planter running his air conditioner. I suppose it was too loud to be nestled up next to his 5th wheel so he moved it out next to the strip mall where people were eating dinner at a little restaurant. Two things came to mind...My Wal-mart could install RV spots with 30 Amp service so as not to bother the on-site businesses. Or, they could disallow it and force them to a more expensive campground. Both would cost them money as the only reason they let us park there is because they assume we will buy our supplies there. I guess a third is not allowing generators.
I also see the local campground owners point.
My preference it to travel less then 10 miles in most cases to a Flying J or other truck stop that is equipped for RVs and where you can sleep and dump your goods instead of buying them. Just my opinion.

[GreatPumpkin]

Originally Posted by 68 Overlander

...Two things came to mind...Wal-mart could install RV spots with 30 Amp service so as not to bother the on-site businesses.

1st point: as Pick noted in the post above -Typically not allowed by city ordinances. Nor is this something WM wants to get involved in.

Originally Posted by 68 Overlander

... as the only reason they let us park there is because they assume we will buy our supplies there...

2nd: Probably right, although there is no "official" reason given, that is the general assumption. Quite a few people do come in and restock.

Originally Posted by 68 Overlander

I guess a third is not allowing generators...

That is implied. Unfortunately there are always a few bad apples who are to cheap to stop at an RV park and want to take advantage of the free parking allowed by WM. Setting up a generator, pulling out the slideouts, setting up the awning, barbecue, etc. etc. is going to far. If an RV'r wants to do all that they need to stop at an RV park or campground. WM is ok to use for those just pulling over for the night , and getting on their way the next morning. They never intended to be a replacement for KOA or as a vacation destination We once had one SOB run a couple hundred feet of extension cord to the light pole at the back of the store and hook up That takes some intestinal fortitude!

[68 Overlander]

Yep! Here would be the WM camping rule if I ran the company. "Welcome RVers after dark. Please don't drive tired. No generators. Don't raise your awning, the sun sets in the west anyway, No dumping (including gray water), We sell tires and other stuff"

[azflycaster]

It's too bad that a few selfish 's ruin things for everyone!

[Chaplain Kent]

Originally Posted by 68 Overlander

My preference it to travel less then 10 miles in most cases to a Flying J or other truck stop that is equipped for RVs and where you can sleep and dump your goods instead of buying them. Just my opinion.

I could not agree more. Sleeping in a deserted Walmart parking lot is too scary for me. Flying J sets aside an area for RV's, they have a dump station, 24 hour security, bathrooms and decent food. You can fuel up at a discount and never have to worry about shoppers and shopping carts.

[SafeHarbor]

Talk about scary... I'm with Kent on this one, and he has a motorhome! I would be more comfortable trying it an motorhome, but in the TT, I'd be paranoid about some creep messing with the tow vehicle or the breakaway switch while I dream about camping.

I've broken down twice while towing, and both times there has been a convenient Flying J to spend the night at. (At the last one, I decided I needed a ceiling fan in the bedroom. Boy, was it ever WARM.)

Lamar

[Uberlanders]

We parked at Hood River WM last October. It was late, we went to sleep surrounded by at least 10 other RV's. We woke up to more at 4:00 am. We felt lucky to have a place to stop and sleep off the drowsies.

[GlenCoombe]

I'm in for the night at a Wal-Mart just south of Raleigh. I have a business meeting tomorrow around dinner time and I'm wondering if anyone knows of a campground near RDU (Raleigh Durham Airport)?
I rained this afternoon and that cooled things off a bit.... man it's hot back here in NC/SC after spending two very cool weeks on the left coast of Oregon and N. California.
Thanks for any and all info....

[eubank]

Originally Posted by 68 Overlander

Yep! Here would be the WM camping rule if I ran the company. "Welcome RVers after dark. Please don't drive tired. No generators. Don't raise your awning, the sun sets in the west anyway, No dumping (including gray water), We sell tires and other stuff"

Actually, this is pretty close to what WBCCI, the Escapees, FMCA and a couple of others recommend:

Dear Fellow RVers,
Some of the most respected RV consumer clubs have joined together to support your right to park on private businesses’ parking lots overnight under the following code of conduct:
Industry-Sanctioned Code of Conduct
(RVers’ Good Neighbor Policy)
1. Stay one night only!
2. Obtain permission from a qualified individual.
3. Obey posted regulations.
4. No awnings, chairs, or barbecue grills.
5. Do not use hydraulic jacks on soft surfaces (including asphalt).
6. Always leave an area cleaner than you found it.
7. Purchase gas, food, or supplies as a form of thank you, when feasible.
8. Be safe! Always be aware of your surroundings and leave if you feel unsafe.

Lynn

[richie rich]

superwalmarts open 24 hours present no problem.a one nite stay,no dissaray,a thank you purchase pay,and be on your way! if you look like you are parked and not like you are camping ,things go uneventful.

[AlbertF]

I think richie makes a good point; look like you are parked.

Nova Scotia Walmarts have also responded to pressure from park operators and have prohibited overnight stays. My question is, what would these park operators do for someone who rolls in at, say 11 p.m., and hits the road again at 6:30 the next morning without even unhitching? Would there even be someone around to take our money?