Walmarts where you CAN'T camp...
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Category: General Camping
Forum Name: Free or Cheap Camping Sites
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2247
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Topic: Walmarts where you CAN'T camp...
Posted By: ka9nyn
Subject: Walmarts where you CAN'T camp...
Date Posted: 08 Nov 2011 at 11:36pm
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Found this list of Walmarts that don't allow overnight RV stays. Quite a few, but it is their right to allow or not. http://walmartatlas.com/no-park-walmarts - http://walmartatlas.com/no-park-walmarts Just for future reference. ------------- Dave & Rose RP177 "ECM-Pod" '08 Dodge RAM quad cab 5.7L 4WD "Rhino (re: F-4 Phantom)" Chamberlain, SD (Formerly: Rockford, IL) 2010 RP 177 |
Replies:
Posted By: sfish
Date Posted: 09 Nov 2011 at 1:20am
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Thanks for sharing that. Not my first choice for a weekend get away but I guess it might do in a pinch if there were no other choices ------------- sjf |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 09 Nov 2011 at 5:43am
| I would be pretty hard up for a camp site to camp at Walmart. FWIW I rarely shop there either. |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 09 Nov 2011 at 9:15am
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Wal-Mart is for the "its 11 pm, I'm tired, and need to get back on the road at 7 am" kind of stay. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: Sistahs
Date Posted: 10 Nov 2011 at 3:26pm
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Walmart is also for the "OMG I am not staying at that campground!" kind of night and there is no where else to go. Happened to me twice on my 8 weeks on the road/just got home. Despite glowing recommendations in guide books, campgrounds are often not what is advertised or what Good Sam etc. says they will be. Thank goodness for Walmart I had a safe place to be for the night. ------------- F150/R-pod171 |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 10 Nov 2011 at 9:13pm
| We must be lucky, but haven't found a camp ground that we would prefer a Walmart to. A couple really memorable ones started out slow but grew on us. Like the little flat treeless one on the Bay of Fundy in northern Maine that didn't look so good until the owner brought us hot lobster dinners for $8.00. Then we found the path down to the beach. |
Posted By: profmagickb
Date Posted: 17 Jan 2012 at 5:14am
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I've had some of the funnest nights in walmart parking lot. It's usually easy to find, easy to setup, and free. If you tryin to make mileage for 3days straight, I don't know of a better option. ------------- I can't even begin to describe it.... you would just have to see for yourself.... |
Posted By: profmagickb
Date Posted: 17 Jan 2012 at 8:16pm
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Also, don't take the list to seriously. I think it depends on the security guard there. I have stayed at the walmart in Gulf Shores, AL and it is very impressive, lots of trees in the parking lot. The walmart in lafayette on pinhook always has someone parked there as well. It is very close to my house. ------------- I can't even begin to describe it.... you would just have to see for yourself.... |
Posted By: Weekend Warrior
Date Posted: 10 Nov 2016 at 10:39pm
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I once tried staying at a Walmart in Orlando, Florida but the signs posted in their parking lot said there was some kind of city ordinance prohibiting over night stays. The guard said that many neighborhood associations complained to their city representatives and a city ordinance was passed. Personally, I think it was the RV camp grounds in the Orlando area as well as both Disney and Sea World who complained due to lost parking revenues in their lots. Walmart has always been super friendly and pro RV accommodating. I'm sure Walmart had to bend to the big boys whining.
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Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2016 at 9:13am
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I always call and talk to a manager before getting off the road to stop at a WalMart. I think very few stores actually don't allow overnight parking on their own decision. As noted, it is their property and up to them whether to allow it though. But there are a number of cities that have ordinances forbidding it. And I strongly agree that (for me) WalMarts make a great place to stop when I'm just going down the road and need a place to do nothing but sleep. They are generally much closer to the road than most campgrounds, they involve no admission procedures or payment, the paved parking lots are always level (so I don't unhook), I don't think I ever had to back in, and shopping is very convenient. In the morning, we just get up and go. It's obviously not like having a great spot by a beautiful lake in the mountains, but if I'm on the way to a beautiful lake in the mountains and it's going to take me 2 or 3 days to get there, I like to drive late and stop just to sleep along the way. I don't care to spend an hour getting to a campground somewhere near Oklahoma City and paying $30 at 10pm just to get up at 7am and drive another hour to get back on the road. Truck stops work great too. They are generally louder and brighter, but I sleep through all that anyway. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2016 at 9:35am
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+1 We don't call, but I do use the RV Parky app on my phone to check to see if there are places to stay. It will list pay campgrounds as well as free stops such as truck stops and Walmart locations. Some have a symbol that indicate no overnights. Those that do allow it, I always go to the service desk and ask when we stop. Then I set up. We do this when we are just needing a place for overnight stays. For anything longer, it will be a campground or state park. We haven't stayed at any federal parks yet, but I do have the Access Pass for that. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2016 at 11:56am
| I wonder how accurate the Allstays database is. They list Walmarts that allow overnight camping. Why wouldn't Walmarts allow it? People need supplies and what better way to get them in the door to buy them than to have them reside on the premises overnight? |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2016 at 2:46pm
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State laws or city ordinances are the main reasons why it would not be allowed. The RV Parky app has been pretty accurate so far. I am not sure about Allstays.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: GlibGuy
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2016 at 3:24pm
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I use "Allstays". They appear to offer information from users rather than certifying themselves whether a particular Walmart location does or doesn't allow overnight. ------------- MICK |
Posted By: Donnie
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2016 at 8:26pm
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I'm glad this subject came up because we are heading to Big Pine Key FL in February and are hoping to do the "park and sleep" for 2 nights on the way down. We have to be in line on Hwy 1 outside the Girl Scout Camp at 6am on a Monday morning to get into the Winter Star Party. Last year was easier because we were tenting so we just stayed in hotels on the way down. Part of the justification for buying a camper was no more hotel bills. We have started looking for places to stay and haven't had much luck yet. Any advice from the Florida podders? ------------- Donnie & Tina Hill 2016 R-Pod 180 "STAR POD" sold 2018 Ford F-150 STX 2013 Ford F-150 Eco-Boost 2020 R-Pod 192 “STAR POD 2” 2020 Coachmen Apex 265RBSS Deep Run, NC |
Posted By: cosmo751
Date Posted: 15 Nov 2016 at 7:48am
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Accurate or not, it must be remembered that conditions at the individual store sometimes change. A Walmart in Ankeny, Ia, for example, ordinarily allows overnights, but didn't a few weeks ago due to needing the space for parking trailer loads of Christmas merchandise. Word to the wise - have a backup plan.
------------- "He not busy being born is busy dying." |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 15 Nov 2016 at 9:33am
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That's where the RV Parky app comes in handy. It is not just a listing of one type of place where one may stay overnight. It lists all the options and whether the stay is allowed. On our first big trip, the only place that turned us down for staying was a Petro truck stop. It was not for lack of space either. The one clerk I asked said okay, but her supervisor overheard and said no, we could not stay. I had just filled up there too. Petro lost a customer that day. Flying J/Pilot and TA (which, incidentally owns Petro) have not failed to allow us to stay. Except for once, we have stayed out front where they have double parking spaces to pull through. Only once were we told to park in back with the big rigs. That was interesting! Our tiny Escape and R-Pod between the 18-wheel behemoths.  It was not exactly quiet either with the big rigs idling and pulling in and out. We do run a sound generator app on the phone to generate cover noise which makes it easier to sleep in such circumstances.------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Donnie
Date Posted: 15 Nov 2016 at 9:45am
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Thanks for the info. We've done the truck stop stay also and we run a sound machine every night as well. I would love it if every state had Service Plazas like Ohio does. They are wonderful! You drive up, put the money in a vending machine, plug in and go to sleep. We did it several times in a pop-up. They have showers inside and great food. http://www.ohioturnpike.org/travelers/service-plazas ------------- Donnie & Tina Hill 2016 R-Pod 180 "STAR POD" sold 2018 Ford F-150 STX 2013 Ford F-150 Eco-Boost 2020 R-Pod 192 “STAR POD 2” 2020 Coachmen Apex 265RBSS Deep Run, NC |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 15 Nov 2016 at 12:44pm
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Yes, it would really be nice if more states emulated Ohio's example. Especially out west where the distances between towns is so great.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: birderdiane526
Date Posted: 15 Nov 2016 at 4:42pm
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Since we full-time, Walmart's come in handy. The Allstays app has been invaluable. It lists Walmart's that do and do not allow overnight stays. There are many other overnight options that we use such as Cabela's, Cracker Barrel, Gander Mountain, and more. We always call to confirm before arriving. ------------- Diane and Michael 2016 179 "PIP" (PODDING IN PARADISE) 2007 Toyota Tundra BLOG:Podding in Paradise, birderdiane526.blogspot.com |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 15 Nov 2016 at 7:41pm
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We always ask inside, either by calling the Wal-Mart on the way there or inside at a truck stop while filling up (never had a truck stop say no). I prefer truck stops because we've had issues at Wal-Marts 3 times. Nobody messes with truckers. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 16 Nov 2016 at 6:38am
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i like rest areas; especially the ones that have specific spots for campers. the pack will prevail!!! hogone
------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 16 Nov 2016 at 12:30pm
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Even if rest areas would eliminate the rules preventing overnight stays, and even if they do not have hookups, that would be a great improvement. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 16 Nov 2016 at 3:51pm
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I have never been bothered staying in rest areas (up to 10 hours at times), truckers do it all the time. Usually nice and clean restrooms, picnic areas, nice walking areas for the doggie, etc. Obviously no setting up camp, but great for a pit stop and rest. hogone ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 16 Nov 2016 at 5:39pm
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Ditto!!
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 16 Nov 2016 at 10:42pm
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North Carolina law does not allow stays of that long. Several states we have been through in our travels restrict the number of hours one may stay at a rest area. NC DOT rules for rest areas read: "Loitering, camping, soliciting, consuming alcoholic beverages and staying overnight are prohibited at North Carolina’s Rest Areas." ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2016 at 8:08pm
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Most states have similar restrictions, but in reality it is rarely enforced. Mostly it is posted so they can stop someone from setting up a permanent homesite. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2016 at 8:55pm
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+1 we have never had problem in any rest area along the I-95 corridor.
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2016 at 8:59pm
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Enforced or not, it is what is posted. I prefer to find a place without such restrictions. However, I only speak for myself.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: osage
Date Posted: 23 Nov 2016 at 10:50am
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We have stayed at several wally camps over the last 50 yrs. They are good for the 10:00 pm stop we just go in ask if it is ok haven't been turn down yet check the list and have stayed at several that are on the list. also casino's are a place to stay some are free and some charge $10.00 for full hook up's |