Walmart parking lot??

[Timbo128]

Does Walmart still have the policy about using their parking lots to spend a night in? We are planning another trip to the Fort in '09 and was thinking of trying it on the way down. Advantages? Disadvantages? How safe? We have a 28 ft. TT. Thanks for the input.

 

[becky1960]

Iknow a lot of people say that they use Walmart, but ours here in my location (Texas] have now posted signs that you can't leave motors running. I guess that would leave out generators. Florida does have quite a few reststops that have overnight parking.

 

[ynottony99]

Here in St. Petersburg, overnight parking is not allowed at WalMart. My understanding is it is a local city or county ordinance that prohibits it.

 

[jann1033]

we usually go to a truck stop if we want to stop for a couple hrs...that way there are people around and security....are you planning on an all night stop or just a few hrs? guess i'm chicken but for all night i'd pay for a site near the highway

 

[WhereRv]

I normally overnight in large truck stops going back & forth. Price is right, and I usually try to park next to another RV...less noise and I feel safer for whatever reason. Haven't tried a walmart yet. Or a highway reststop but I'm thinking of trying one of those next time.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Walmart, as a policy DOES allow overnighting for travelors, as long as it coincides with the city ordinances. Ive stayed in several WM lots and have never had a problem...but I dont think I would stay at one not right off the hwy....there are some Walmarts in neighborhoods around New Orleans that I wouldnt even shop in much less sleep in!!!!!

 

[drafthorsecrazy]

I prefer rest areas or truck stops but often those can be overflowing by late in the evening. Walmarts are our last choice. Usually by this time of night you will see other RV's in the lot. Typically we park near them in a well lit area. You may not be traveling with them....but someone looking for trouble won't know that. Safety in numbers? Maybe...maybe not, but I feel better. Last but not least.... IF it don't feel right....keep driving on.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Yes...your best traveling aid is your gut....you listen to it when it tells you to stop for food....you listen to it when it tells you to stop for the bathroom...you should listen to it when it tells you not to stop also. Always trust your gut!!!

 

[DisCamper]

The Wal-Mart in Jupiter,Fl has sign that say NO Overnight Parking. I see TT and MH there almost every night. I asked one of the store manager she said the town made them put the sign up put they don’t enforce the rule.

 

[NewEnglandCamper]

We stopped at the Orlando Walmart on our way home for some cheap souveniers and I immediately noticed that there was a sign that said

"NO RV Overnight Parking" or something similar. Best bet is to rent a site a FW or elsewhere.

 

[poohbearwithme]

Just a reminder that you can stay (city & county ordinances permitting) in Sam's Club parking lots also.

 

[des1954]

Check out this website:

http://www.allstays.com/c/wal-mart-locations.htm

Deb

 

[Mayl]

NY wal marts don't allow it and even seen cops talking to rv'ers and getting them to move along.

 

[stacktester]

The Wal-Mart by my house seems to be the same campers all the time. IE: Somebody full timing without the campground. They're moving to a new mall closer to me in March and I hate to think that mall is going to become blighted. The older mall has a few small stores in it but Winn Dixie in one end closed 2 years ago and now WM is vacating. Unless they find a tenant the whole mall is going to become a dump. I really wish Wal-Mart wouldn't let people do this. If you're traveling long distance you know whereabouts you're going to need to stop. Make arrangements in advance is my opinion. Rest stops are called that for a reason. It's not illiegal to take a nap at a rest area. They usually say no overnight camping so that people won't boondock in them.

 

[RvUsa]

Yeah, I gotta say, I have never stayed at a walmart. Just don't like the idea, I would rather do a little planning, and stay at a campground with water electric sewer, showers, etc. If you are just staying for a couple of hours to catch a few zzz's then use a rest area on the interstate.... JMHO

 

[drafthorsecrazy]

If you are just staying for a couple of hours to catch a few zzz's then use a rest area on the interstate.... JMHO

Ever pull into an interstate rest area after 11pm? They are usually packed and many truckers are even parked along the entrance and exit lanes. I'm not going to pay some CG $40 to spend 5 hrs sleeping. ( Do You really want us to pull in next to you at midnight when you are sound asleep? btw our tow vehicle is a semi---no way to sneak in quietly) Don't get me wrong. I prefer to travel from campsite to campsite. I love my tv, morning coffee, and long hot showers. However sometimes life goes wrong and we end up on the road a lot later than we planned. Its nice to know that many Walmarts are available as a back up plan.

 

[TxTink :)]

This last trip was the first time DH and I did the Walmart parking lot sleepover & it went great- but we did have his parents in a TT right behind us- it does feel more secure when you have more travelers with you. Definitely park in a well-lit, 24 hr Walmart. But as BigDaddyRog said- always trust your gut. If I'm not comfortable somewhere, I couldn't sleep anyway so we might as well travel a little further down the road to somewhere I feel I safely could take a nap.

 

[stacktester]

This last trip was the first time DH and I did the Walmart parking lot sleepover & it went great- but we did have his parents in a TT right behind us- it does feel more secure when you have more travelers with you. Definitely park in a well-lit, 24 hr Walmart. But as BigDaddyRog said- always trust your gut. If I'm not comfortable somewhere, I couldn't sleep anyway so we might as well travel a little further down the road to somewhere I feel I safely could take a nap.

When I was reading this post I was like man, this chic bought out Lone-Star. Everything he has you have lol. I forgot about Miss Lone-Star.

 

[4mickey2]

we have stayed at different wal-marts. but, not very often.

there is one around pigeon forge, tn. that does not allow you stay there. the cops will kick you out. we know

but, when my dh and i went on a service trip for his work. we took the camper and stayed at a few different places that some of you might not of thought of.

we spent a night at a flying j, another night in a hospital parking lot, and yet another night in a church lot

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

We use a couple of different Flying J. I cant dry camp in the summer because of the heat (us Northerners are doughy and not used to warmth) we found a nice KOA that is in Cleveland TN and very convenient. It is the 1/2 way point between home and home (FW), easy to get into and inexpensive. We also use a campground in Perry GA that is easy and inexpensive. For less than $30 I get water and AC so I consider that a bargain.