Has anyone ever....

[LHARPSTER]

Stayed over night at a Camping World store or a Walmart?

We are heading to the Fort for Labor Day weekend....arriving on Sunday and staying till Saturday. When we booked it we didnt even think about the fact that campgrounds require a 3 night stay on holiday weekends. So on our way there we won't be able to get a 1 night stay anywhere.

I found that there are 2 camping worlds in GA that allow overnight parking. And 2 walmarts that allow it near Atlanta.

Anyone one have any thoughts or opinons on this???

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[CDNCruiser]

We have stayed at WalMarts a few times and it was OK. We really prefer a campground where we have hook-ups and a greater sense of security but WalMart will do in a pinch.

Another option is FlyingJ or Pilot Truck Stops. They have designated spots for RV's to "overnight". We have done this a few times as well and always felt more secure than at WalMart. The trucks can be noisy . . . and at peak travel times the spots fill up fast.

 

[Ducbilt]

Just my exprerience, but I would go with the Camping World option over the Wal-Mart or truck stops if possible. Most of the Wal-Marts are 24hrs and I'm never able to sleep when there are cars driving right by my trailer at night, it never fails no matter how far out and away from everything you can get someone seems to want to fly right by you at 3:00 in the morning going in and out of there.

At least at Camping World there is pretty much no in and out traffic once they close for the night. Also you can sit outside and have a drink and let the kids get their running out in the empty parking lot at Camping World before turning in, can't do that at Wal-Mart.

 

[YellowXterra]

I think some camping worlds may have electric hook ups for ya?

 

[eastatlantaguys]

Hi! We are basically making the same trip but over Memorial day weekend instead. The KOA in Valdosta let me book a single night on Saturday of Memorial Day weekend with no issues. I know a lot of KOA’s have decent pull through sites so you don’t have to unhook. Each KOA can be a little different so I would call and check, but for $39.00 it’s not a bad option.

There are no KOA’s in Atlanta but there are 3 on 75 between Atlanta and Chattanooga (if you are coming down 75 south instead of 85 south) OR there is one about an hour south of the city just north of Macon on 75; the one north of Macon is definitely along your route.

I hope you have a great trip!

 

[luckycharm19335]

We are frequent over night guests of Walmart and Camping World.
We have never had an issue.

 

[RF536]

We frequently camp at Walmart or truck stops, especially when traveling and just stopping to sleep. We have a travel trailer with a generator, so we are able to run our A/C. Between the generator and A/C we don't really hear the traffic outside.

 

[sbnewhampshire1]

We stay at the Flying J Truck Stops and never have had a problem.You do have to get there early around 4 pm as they fill up fast. We have stayed at Walmart as well but on our last trip I asked the manager if I was his mother if he would tell us to stay overnight and he said " if you were my mother I would tell her NO keep moving! I have not stayed at Walmart since!!!

 

[bigredbill]

I recall someone mentioning boondocking at the Walmart in Valdosta, and that there usually are a few rigs there. Sorry, no first-hand knowledge from me though.

 

[bigredbill]

Hi! We are basically making the same trip but over Memorial day weekend instead. The KOA in Valdosta let me book a single night on Saturday of Memorial Day weekend with no issues. I know a lot of KOA’s have decent pull through sites so you don’t have to unhook. Each KOA can be a little different so I would call and check, but for $39.00 it’s not a bad option.

There are no KOA’s in Atlanta but there are 3 on 75 between Atlanta and Chattanooga (if you are coming down 75 south instead of 85 south) OR there is one about an hour south of the city just north of Macon on 75; the one north of Macon is definitely along your route.

I hope you have a great trip!

The KOA in Cordele, GA is pretty nice. Not sure if they will do a single night or not on a holiday weekend though. We overnighted there in January. Larger spots than the average KOA.

 

[Napria]

GA State Parks require booking a 3 night stay on holiday weekends (2 nights on non-holiday weekends) but if you show up to the Park and they have a site you can stay for only one night. It's risky, but we've done it frequently and never been turned away. You can always call to see if they have open sites when you're 1/2 hour or so away and keep moving if they don't.

 

[jonimce]

On our way to Alaska we stayed in a couple of WalMarts and Cabelas. Lots of people do we were amazed. Found a couple that don't allow it though so know ahead of time where you can.

 

[jonimce]

We just pulled in for the night and did a little shopping. There were people that put out their slides, carpets and lounge chairs and made it a campsite. My DH didn't even want to sleep in the camper. He wanted to stay in the van. I convinced him though and we left very early in the morning.

 

[luckycharm19335]

I recall someone mentioning boondocking at the Walmart in Valdosta, and that there usually are a few rigs there. Sorry, no first-hand knowledge from me though.

We visit the Walmart in Valdosta every year, in the beginning of November on our way to the 5-Day Drag Race at South Georgia Motorsports Park.
There are always quite a few other MH's there with us.
We just follow our guts, if the Walmart seems to be in a questionable neighborhood, or if we get that weird feeling we move on.
We have never had any problems.
You do need to be aware that there is no overnite camping at the Walmart's in the Orlando area. They have signs posted. I'm sure for obvious reason.
However, LazyDays RV dealer in Seffner has a very nice public campground. They are less than an hour from Disney.

 

[cjalphonso]

Most Cracker Barrels allow overnight, plus they have a good breakfast Always call ahead...

 

[Marshel]

Don't know how accurate it is, but I've seen this guide posted on several sites with favorable reviews: http://www.allstays.com/c/wal-mart-locations.htm

 

[Random Ninja]

Most Cracker Barrels allow overnight, plus they have a good breakfast Always call ahead...

The Cracker Barrel I worked at last year off of I-10 in Jacksonville had one or two campers or rigs parked out back every night. Usually they would just ask when they stopped in that night and it was never a problem. It's still a good idea to call and check but I've never heard of one turning people away; that's why they have double long parking spaces.

 

[LHARPSTER]

We frequently camp at Walmart or truck stops, especially when traveling and just stopping to sleep. We have a travel trailer with a generator, so we are able to run our A/C. Between the generator and A/C we don't really hear the traffic outside.

I never even thought about needing AC. That could change everything!!!