Forum Discussion
greenrvgreen
May 24, 2016Explorer
I think that Walmart parking lots really DO fill a need that commercial and/or public CGs do not. Looking at those pics, I see that the RVs are spaced out further from each other than they would be at a commercial RV park, and at many state/NFS/NPS CGs also. So in that sense, these people are "stretching out" a bit from the typical CG experience.
Of course, when truly boondocking (at least in the west) much greater separation is possible--and typical. But then you run into the following problem: most people want to be around other people. Camping in the boondocks you might go for weeks without having a conversation with another human. I think many of the typical RVers these days would have trouble going a few hours without chatting with their neighbors--and/or arguing with them.
Camping has changed dramatically in the last decades and many people view large crowds in tight spaces as part of the camping experience. They like being close to other people, they just want a little more space now and then. I agree that part of it is the close proximity of shopping and ammenities.
I think it's unfair to demand that RV parks try to chas this trend. Just the expense of decent wifi would go a long way, but it's a huge expense and most parks can't afford it, or they would have installed it already.
So a certain type of camper is going to camp at Walmart because they like it. I've certainly opined at length about that, but I think the real question is, will Walmart (and similar) follow the trend of casinos and start offering formal overnight spots with hookups? Casinos offer this free if you gamble and Walmart could do this also if you bought X amount of stuff there.
Of course, when truly boondocking (at least in the west) much greater separation is possible--and typical. But then you run into the following problem: most people want to be around other people. Camping in the boondocks you might go for weeks without having a conversation with another human. I think many of the typical RVers these days would have trouble going a few hours without chatting with their neighbors--and/or arguing with them.
Camping has changed dramatically in the last decades and many people view large crowds in tight spaces as part of the camping experience. They like being close to other people, they just want a little more space now and then. I agree that part of it is the close proximity of shopping and ammenities.
I think it's unfair to demand that RV parks try to chas this trend. Just the expense of decent wifi would go a long way, but it's a huge expense and most parks can't afford it, or they would have installed it already.
So a certain type of camper is going to camp at Walmart because they like it. I've certainly opined at length about that, but I think the real question is, will Walmart (and similar) follow the trend of casinos and start offering formal overnight spots with hookups? Casinos offer this free if you gamble and Walmart could do this also if you bought X amount of stuff there.
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