Boondocking at the Walmart

[Moonstruck]

Pittston PA

 

[Luckydog671]

Not trying to tell you what to do but you might want to bring those chairs in, Don. It's considered bad etiquette:

Overnight Parking Etiquette | Walmart Locator

 

[Moonstruck]

Not trying to tell you what to do but you might want to bring those chairs in, Don. It's considered bad etiquette:

Overnight Parking Etiquette | Walmart Locator

Yeah, I know. They had just come out of the camper, were folded. leaning against the camper. We then stored them in the Suburban. The light of day was leaving, so shot the picture to take advantage of that.

 

[hilltool]

Nice shade.

 

[Luckydog671]

Yeah, I know. They had just come out of the camper, were folded. leaning against the camper. We then stored them in the Suburban. The light of day was leaving, so shot the picture to take advantage of that.

As I've never actually overnighted at a Wal*Mart as of yet, let us know how it went. Hoping to try it myself at some point.

 

[Moonstruck]

Gregg, it was easy. We had to cut our trip to Canada short because of Lou's flair up of Rheumatoid arthritis. The cool, damp weather up north didn't help. We laid over in Maine a couple of extra days, but it didn't help. So we beat a fast trip home. Going by Scranton PA we asked "Funky Lady", the voice in our RV GPS to find campgrounds. The pickings were slim. So, we asked her to find a Walmart Super Center. She did a few miles down the road at Pittston, and just off the exit. I went to the service desk to ask if they allowed overnight RVs. The lady said sure do just park near the lower edge of the parking lot. The next morning there were an AirStream and a class B parked near us. It is so quick, and easy. Don't unhook. Do your shopping, and leave in about 15 minutes. No check in or out. Usually near an exit, and no cost. We were in a hurry to get home, so stayed in a Walmart Super Center at Bristol, VA last night. Home now.

All in all we drove over 3200 miles. We drove some long days, so left the fridge on propane. Even with the 12 volt fan on, it didn't cool all that well. We didn't lose any food, but wouldn't want to do it often.

 

[Luckydog671]

Gregg, it was easy. We had to cut our trip to Canada short because of Lou's flair up of Rheumatoid arthritis. The cool, damp weather up north didn't help. We laid over in Maine a couple of extra days, but it didn't help. So we beat a fast trip home. Going by Scranton PA we asked "Funky Lady", the voice in our RV GPS to find campgrounds. The pickings were slim. So, we asked her to find a Walmart Super Center. She did a few miles down the road at Pittston, and just off the exit. I went to the service desk to ask if they allowed overnight RVs. The lady said sure do just park near the lower edge of the parking lot. The next morning there were an AirStream and a class B parked near us. It is so quick, and easy. Don't unhook. Do your shopping, and leave in about 15 minutes. No check in or out. Usually near an exit, and no cost. We were in a hurry to get home, so stayed in a Walmart Super Center at Bristol, VA last night. Home now.

All in all we drove over 3200 miles. We drove some long days, so left the fridge on propane. Even with the 12 volt fan on, it didn't cool all that well. We didn't lose any food, but wouldn't want to do it often.

Hi Don,

Sorry to hear your trip was cut short and hope Lou feels better soon!

Thanks for the Wal*Mart info- sounds pretty easy. You drove a lot of miles in a short time so rest up!

 

[renoites]

We have stayed at many Wal-marts, Tenn, ga, La, Tx, Az, NM.etc.....
Have met some very nice people.
Clean up after your dogs, don't litter, Don't set up like you are staying.(out-door chairs, awning)

Most people stay after a hard day of driving and are making time. In and out at your leisure. Much better than spending $40 and spend 8 hours there.

We appreciate that WM does this for travelers.

There are WM that do NOT allow over night stays. The closest one to my home doesn't. Tourist areas with WM often do not. Conflicting city/govt ordinances.

Can't hurt to ask!

 

[Moonstruck]

+1 for thanking Walmart.

On another note: I will be cleaning up the trailer tomorrow, and taking it back to Chattanooga for storage. I phoned the new Cabella's at I-75 and Cloud Springs Rd. (the last Georgia exit going north from the Georgia Welcome Center). They confirmed that they do have a dump station. How nice!

Don

 

[iamgailmichelle]

A week after getting our 79 hilo, (March 2015) we took a trip to Va from Co, stopping at Walmarts along the way. My advice is: have black-out curtains available, the parking lots are well lit!

 

[Fountain-FRF]

Another area to keep in mind is Cracker barrel restaurants. Most of them allow overnight parking. Not as easy to drive around usually, but their breakfast is better than Wally's.

 

[Hersbird]

Local laws may not allow overnight, but usually the Walmart still won't ask you to leave. If they don't call the police the police won't ask you to leave. So a quick overnight will fly at every Walmart I know of even if there are signs saying no overnight parking. They are just putting up with the winers who own the $100 KOA, Walmart doesn't care.

 

[DeLana]

I'm going to give out some little secrets from primarily Canadian RVers who travel through the U.S. to southern Mexico in October/November and return to Canada in April/May. Towards the end of the driving day (before 5:00 pm local time), they pull in to the nearest Home Depot; why Home Depot, you ask? It is a lot quieter than Wal-Mart and, in most cases, they will direct you around near their loading Bay Area and suggest you hook into their electricity provided on a light pole back there. In addition, you have free use of their Wi-Fi. Also, as you are progressing through small towns and it is nearing 5:00, pull into the town's public library for the night; get permission from the librarian or local policeman (he or she will give you a little security during the night) and use the library's Wi-Fi. You can also do this at a lot of small town Welcome Centers with permission, of course. If you are REALLY desperate for an overnight space and it is getting pretty late, look for a few cars parked around small churches in small towns and go in with hat in hand and ask one of the members if you may park overnight in the church parking lot. It is very likely they will not turn you down. All this advice was provided to me from Canadian bloggers transiting through the U.S.

Dee
Summerville, SC

 

[RCREYES]

I had read somewhere at one time that Walmart said they average $200-$250 off every RV'er that camps in their parking lots. So, I guess they see it as a moneymaker. I guess it's only right to buy a little something from them for using their lots for free.

Walmart Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

[phoneguy1212]

Maybe not being level was the problem with the fridge. Looks like it's riding high in the front from the picture you posted.

 

[Restart]

When you're at Walmart be as unnoticeable as possible. No chairs nothing outside. it's not a camping space, it's just a place to rest for the night and move on. they hope you buy some things at Walmart. I'm hoping in the future that option does not evaporate for everyone.

 

[Usagi5678]

Overnighted once in Ohio at Walmart.

I called ahead and spoke with the manager. When we got to the store I did some shopping. The manage told us to park between the Home Depot and Walmart. I couldn't sleep because of the piped in music all night. DH slept well. I don;t feel bad about "Wally docking" as I am usually in my local Walmart frequently shopping. DD works for Home Depot. Some call it "Gallmart" You have the gull to park there for free.

 

[Arti-HILO]

Did some camping at Walmart's.
When we get a different camper we do the maiden voyage at a local Walmart. If we need something they usually have it.

Things I've noticed
The blacktop parking lots stay warm all nite.
Any spot not under a light is taken early by a semi.
I have parked in used car lots and in an empty lot next to a Sonic.
Not being cheap however sometimes we fail to plan ahead.
In early spring we usually go to a Corp of engineers campground that opens May 1
It is located on the Mississippi river in South West Wisconsin. It didn't open until the end of June this year because of flooding.
We also stay at a couple of Fair grounds, they have hookups for the carnival's campers, However if they have other events going on they are closed to campers.