No more free parking in Anchorage (?)

Other towns have tried to get rid of RV on their Parking lots, probably pushed by campsite owners, only to find out they lost some business from the RV community. People just change the way they travel. Town should do like in Europe, they try to attract people by providing free overnight parking to Rv's. You can park just about anywhere and town business owners love it, they attract people, people spend money, everybody is happy, not just the campsite owner.

I don't care to much about Anchorage as a town, it is much like any other town in USA, a town is a town, but if I can stay there free, I might spend a night or two. If I have to pay 50 dollars to stay cramped up in a so so campsite, I will just stop over a few hours and keep on trucking like I did the first time I went through. The second year, I stayed at Cabella's, had diner in a restaurant and spent a good few dollars in souvenirs.

In Lake City Florida they once added no overnight post to find out nobody was stopping in the area anymore, ending up with a loose loose deal. They finaly went to the mayor to removed their no overnight post to allow RV back. The campground that tought people would use their campsite felt short, they gain nothing.

Samething in Matane Gaspesie in Quebec, a near town campsite owner was trying to make the town to ban RV in Walmart but it did not happen when RV'er heard about it, they made their voice heard and said they would just change their travel stop over. The stupid business man thought campers would all go to his campsite thinking that people where now atracted by the town's appeal. What was really appealing was the free parking at walmart, then they wher going to other business in town, not the oposite.

Many Walmart had their parking lot placarded with no overnight signs in Florida a few years ago and had a chase on Rv's. That is not the case anymore as I found out this winter. I stayed at many Walmart and other places like Home Depot or Casino's, even where they had no overnight post sign, they now seem to welcome them us back, or at least tolerate us. I also did spent over 3000 dollars in campsites this winter in Florida, just to say that yes I use campsites too. But when I am on my way, I love to stay at an easy in easy out place, assle free, where I can do most of my shopping at walie and other business close by. Everybody is happy.

One great tool now is Allstay, you can find free overnight stay all over USA and Canada with user review. Business probably find out that Rv'r are bringing good $$ to their day to day. Rv's don't take anything by just parking in their empty overnight parking lots, they actually bring more then they take by buying stuff. I actually think it is good for the business as there is someone in their lots to check things out at night.

I spent a week in Palmer last summer and it's a nice town with everything one needs. Easy to access everything, also.

Having seen Centennial Park for the better part of 30 years, I'd offer the following:

- Disclaimer: I've spent time in an around Centennial park, including the 10 years or so that I lived in Muldoon. Never camped there.
- It is not an "RV park" like one would expect in the L48.
- It is generally fairly dirty, but (looking solely at this aspect) can be tolerable.
- It does have a homeless issue. MOA and/or other property owners sometimes get on a kick to roust the homeless from around the city and when that happens the homeless or near-homeless increase at Centennial.
- IMO, there's no reason to stay at Centennial or any other park in "Anchorage"....just go an hour north to Palmer/Wasilla. Better facilities at the park(s), almost as many shopping amenities as Los Anchorage, closer to jumping off to the other parts of AK. If you're wanting to see the Kenai Peninsula, you'll still bring your RV in from north of Anchorage, and if you're not just passing through, no great time loss parking in Palmer.

If you're satisfied with not staying in a typical RV park the city park was just fine for us.

Centennial City Park, Anchorage

PackerBacker wrote:
There are many municipalities in throughout the country that have camping facilities, it's not uncommon. Usually they are integrated with municipal park initiatives; great idea in my opinion.

Anchorage has a city campground called Centennial Camper Park. But, before you stay there, read the reviews at:

Don't Stay Here!

We stayed at the lovely Anchorage campground mentioned in an earlier post in 2013. We needed to do laundry, have some work done on our truck, visit friends who live in Anchorage, and etc. Sometimes you just have to grin and bear it. We will probably stay there again if we can't find anything better. In over 50 years of camping/RV-ing, I have yet to stay in a WalMart parking lot. It may happen some day but not yet. We find that we feel more comfortable in designated camping areas even if they are primitive. It would be nice if Anchorage had better options though. lizzie

Also I noticed she wanted some sort of inspections for RV parks, bet that didn't help her either. RV parks can't have their cake and eat it too.

we plan to go to Alaska this year and was planning on avoiding Anchorage.
I guess now we can visit it. probably will stay in commercial CG if possible, if not then Wal-Mart will do.

I don't see a problem with a overnight. Maybe the town could establish time limits, (they do this with other type's of parking). This would allow RV'ers to restock and get a nights sleep along with making room for new arrivals. Campground owners have a right to charge whatever they want. When they try to pass law's to force people into a gouging situation that's wrong.

Sometimes a campground is not an option, campground full or very late arrivals.

This was dropped today after the massive outcry from everyone!!!!


Parking Lot Camping Ban Dropped!