Walmart and other free camping

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
I never did get this "have to find a place to park" thing. You have a self contained unit; park it anywhere you want to park as long as it's legal to park there.

I've stayed anywhere it's legal to park. I've stayed at WM, at Lowes, at Cracker Barrel, at truck stops and more than likely a dozen other places. I've stayed along side of a road or on a street many, many, many times. I just make sure I'm legally parked and I go to sleep. It really is that simple................at least it is for me!

Most CA cities prohibit sleeping overnight in a vehicle, even if the vehicle is legally parked.

JaxDad wrote:

jarata1 wrote:

ScottG wrote:
Not to sound harsh but if my only means of traveling the country were to have to stay in parking lots it just wouldn't be worth it for me. That just doesn't sound enjoyable to me.

+1

I'm on the road at zero-dark-thirty each morning and even in the best of the summer daylight I'm never off the road until way past dark.

Maybe it's just the considerate part of me but I would NEVER pull into a campground so late and then depart before dawn and disturb a park full of people on vacation, and paying for some R & R.

Not everyone who travels by RV is a retiree who can be off the road by 3pm and not need to head out before 10am.

Bingo! I don't want to pull in to a campground at 10 pm and disturb my neighbors- no matter how quiet I try to be. Only to wake them all up again at 6 am when I pull out on my way to my destination. If I'm traveling, I aim for rest stops, Wal-Mart, or truck stops because I know I won't bother anybody by pulling in late and leaving early. And I won't need or use any of the campground amenities.

At my destination, yes, I do unhook, set up camp, and thoroughly enjoy the area. Wal-Mart is just an easy stop on the way. They even have hot coffee ready to go in the morning. I pop in, buy a cuppa, and I'm on my way.

Lwiddis wrote:
"I overnighted in parking lots and rest areas coast to coast in both countries more times than I care to remember in the past 13 years. It has never been a problem"

Because it was completely legal or because you didn't get caught and cited?

Oh totally because he didn't get caught or cited.....sound like a real lawbreaker!! Lol
Sorry, know you were trying to start and argument, but you're just too funny....

For us, and our comments include all of the above: In addition, we scope out our route, check out a couple of places where we may end up for the night. Whatever it may be, HD, Lowes, Cracker barell, Cabela's, etc. we call ahead, let them know we are traveling through, get permission on if we can and where they want us to park to avoid disturbance to others, then do it. We also are members of GS, Passport America and use them as well. Once we traveled into OK, just after a long hard day, we pulled into a small rv park about a half mile off the interstate, pulled up, plugged in, slept great, had breakfast dropped our $11 dollars in the envelope and on our way. So lots of options, just don't abuse any and you will be fine. Good Luck & Be Safe ! ! !

Thank you all for the kind words.

IMHO it's past due time that 'common sense' became more common, and 'good manners' are the rule, NOT the notable exception.

Sir, Ma'am, please and thank you don't take much time and certainly don't cost a penny.

When we 'camp' at Walmart or a rest stop, we park in a good spot, get in the camper and go to bed, sleep about 6-7 hours max, then wake up and get on the road again. We don't have time to drop stabilizers or extend slide outs. If we are staying a while, might as well stay at a campsite/campgrounds.

Wal-Mart is not free at least as far as I have wittnessed(ever seen my wife come back to the trailer?)
just sayin

When traveling to our destination we stay where ever we get tired. I refuse to pull in to a cg late and disturb everyone sleeping or pay $30 to sleep 5 or 6 hrs.

I've stayed anywhere it's legal to park. I've stayed at WM, at Lowes, at Cracker Barrel, at truck stops and more than likely a dozen other places. I've stayed along side of a road or on a street many, many, many times. I just make sure I'm legally parked and I go to sleep. It really is that simple................at least it is for me!

Same here..Lowes, HD, WM, Flying j, stayed at a Krogers once and a Rite Aid, church lot - whatever. No probs.

jarata1 wrote:
Don't plan on setting up a grill and cooking

Why not?