We have boondocked at Walmart several times while traveling between campgrounds. I have noticed that some have signs stating: No 18 wheelers or RV's. A friend from California told me the other day that a lot of towns out there are passing ordinances to stop the boondocking. Have any of you ran into this, I can imagine it has something to do with those staying extended time in the parking lots. I saw a guy a couple of weeks ago, with the slides out, awning out and BBQ grill set up. In my opinion he was screwing it up for all.Joe

Restrictions have stemmed from people staying long periods or trashing the parking lot. Sometimes it's the city not wanting trucks and rv's parked in public lots....making them go to a campground as the campground says they are losing money. Truckers just have to find an exit ramp or truck stop to get some sleep. But sometimes when Walmart says no....Lowes & Home Depot will say yes..Cabellas & Bass Pro are options

Hopefully you mean you have parked overnight and have not boondocked at Walmart. There are many communities that have ordinances against overnight parking at Walmarts most likely motivated by folks abusing the privilege by actually boondocking (slides deployed, BBQ out, genset running, etc)

PDDGM wrote:We have boondocked at Walmart several times while traveling between campgrounds. I have noticed that some have signs stating: No 18 wheelers or RV's. A friend from California told me the other day that a lot of towns out there are passing ordinances to stop the boondocking. Have any of you ran into this, I can imagine it has something to do with those staying extended time in the parking lots. I saw a guy a couple of weeks ago, with the slides out, awning out and BBQ grill set up. In my opinion he was screwing it up for all.JoeJoe, While "other people" often screw things up for the rest of us by doing what you've seen, the restrictions for "over night" stays at many Walmarts stems from multiple reasons. One, there may be campgrounds close, (within anywhere from right next door to a few miles away) that have petitioned local counsils etc. to "Ban" the parking of RVs in Walmart parking lots due to loss of revenue, second, the local Walmart themselves have opted to ban RV stays due to exactly what you and many of us have seen, and that's folks actually camping there for extended periods of time. On those you'll see awnings out, chairs, tables, mats down, kids toys, (tow bars laying under the coach, indicating the presence of toad) and more. There may be ordinances already in place that prohibit the parking of RVs and or Trucks even before the Walmart was built. Walmart stated in the past that they are happy to provide "Overnight parking" for weary travelers. That was a while ago and for the most part, many, many RVers were very appreciative of it due to the fact that it was close to fuel, needed supplies, repairs, and of course, it provided for a semi-quiet nights sleep. We traveled from San Diego to Moab UT for the Easter Jeep Safari for 14 years in a row and, we always stopped at the Walmart in Mesquite NV for rest. I always went into the store and went directly to the store manager and asked permission to stay for our 8-10 rigs or so. I also stated that if there was ANY, problem with us staying, we'd move on. I also stated that we'd be gone at first light in the morning. The manager was always happy for us to stay there as he/she knew that we'd be in the store for supplies etc. anyway. And, as usual, we were gone by first light in the morning and would travel to a, neat, little "50s" type diner in Parawon for breakfast. So, as long as you obtain permission, are not there for two weeks while touring that part of the country, are out of the way and not blocking daily customers parking, be courteous in your own parking style, i.e. don't take up any more parking spaces then you need, you'll more than likely be OK to park there. But, do ask in side the store, for permission, even if you see other RVs there. If there are signs stating "No Parking" for RVs, Trucks etc. and you're dead tired, I'd definitely ask for permission. And don't be mad if they say no. Just move on.Scott

We have overnighted a few times at a Walmart when driving late into the night and just wanted to get a few hours of sleep. Hard to call it boondocking when trying to catch a few winks in a Walmart parking lot, dry camping might be a better word, but it really doesn't fit either as it is not camping in any way, shape, or form. Under similar circumstances, we have also stayed at truck stops, casinos, churches, and rest stops in order to get some sleep and get an early start.

Boondocking at Walmart | Good Sam Community

85 Replies

Raymon
Explorer
May 15, 2013
hone eagle wrote:
If Wal-Mart charged a fee to overnight who would pay ?
I would -$10.00 for a few ZZZ's and quik off and on the road ? I would be all over it.

I would gladly pay $10 and most likely up to $20 just for the convenience. So, as I have always said, with me it is NOT about the money; it's about location and convenience.

Ray
tropical36
Explorer
May 15, 2013
AZPops wrote:
Not to change the subject, and or jinx the OP's thread. But is this the longest going Wal*Mart Thread that's still open? .... :@ .... :B

Certainly can't say that these threads don't generate a lot of interest and many wish they could get as many responses to some of their high tech questions as well... :R
AZPops
Explorer
May 15, 2013
2oldman wrote:
AZPops wrote:
Not to change the subject, and or jinx the OP's thread. But is this the longest going Wal*Mart Thread that's still open? .... :@ .... :B
Yes, and to think they all start out with a simple question!!

Nothings simple I guess!
2oldman
Explorer II
May 15, 2013
AZPops wrote:
Not to change the subject, and or jinx the OP's thread. But is this the longest going Wal*Mart Thread that's still open? .... :@ .... :B
Yes, and to think they all start out with a simple question!!
2oldman
Explorer II
May 15, 2013
hone eagle wrote:
If Wal-Mart charged a fee to overnight who would pay ?
I would -$10.00 for a few ZZZ's and quik off and on the road ? I would be all over it.
I wouldn't, but then I use Walmart as a last-'resort' anyway. Too noisy.

I can just hear it now:
"Great.. I shop at WM and now they want to charge me to camp? No way.!"
"Ok, if they're going to charge me, then I'm putting out my awning and chairs"
"Wow.. at $10 a day I can LIVE here for pretty cheap!"

Seriously, I don't think many would pay. They'd just find somewhere else.
hone_eagle
Explorer
May 15, 2013
If Wal-Mart charged a fee to overnight who would pay ?
I would -$10.00 for a few ZZZ's and quik off and on the road ? I would be all over it.
2oldman
Explorer II
May 15, 2013
JTHarley wrote:
END OF STORY!
Good.
JTHarley
Explorer
May 15, 2013
Wal Mart = convenience.......when we travel we stay at campgrounds 99% of the time. BUT, when I want to get some miles under my belt, I may drive till 10p.m. and simply want to pull off and rest. If I don't need supplies a flying J or a rest area are fine. If semi trucks park there so will I. When I do pull in to a walmart or a rest area or a flying J I come in late and am on the road at the break of daylight around 5:00 a.m.

I guess I just don't see what all the discussion is about.....The beauty of having a motorhome is the ability to STOP WHEREVER YOU WANT. If you don't want to don't do it. END OF STORY!
RayChez
Explorer
May 15, 2013
The problem with boon docking at Walmart is that they have so much business and limited parking space. I have only stayed one time in Winslow, Arz, but never again. My toad battery had gone dead and I stopped to buy a battery so it was late and we decided to just stay the night there, but we were bothered by some people that wanted money. Security run them off.
crasster
Explorer II
May 15, 2013
I confront people who have the slides out, BBQ grills etc. I tell them kindly that "There are many cities passing restrictions against boondocking at Walmart because of the way people are doing it". "They want you to keep it low key, just for sleeping, not camping".

I hope they don't ruin it for everybody. Certainly the handy nature of Walmart to stop & sleep is a blessing to many of us.

Forum Discussion

Boondocking at Walmart

85 Replies

About Motorhome Group

Related Content

Walmart overnight parking

Walmart parking

Walmart etiquette?

Walmart / Generator???

Walmart