Walmart no longer an option?

proxim2020 wrote:
From my experience most of these signs are coming from local ordinances. Sometimes the policies are coming from the actual property owners as Walmart doesn't always owns its parking lots or land. It's not often that we run into a Walmart that's not welcoming to RVers even if the site is posted for overnighting.

For most Walmarts that we've come across it doesn't appear that they have any interest in helping enforce the local ordinance. We've seen people literally overnight right in front of the signs. Over the years I myself have overnighted at a few posted Walmarts and never heard a peep.

We've only ever seen one location that actively prevented large vehicles from entering. There were low height clearance bars installed at every entrance of the complex with warning signs. Walmart was part of a larger complex and it was clear from the signs that the complex owners were trying to prevent trucks from delivering in improper locations and overnighting.

Lately our preference has been Lowe's. They close at a reasonable time, there's no traffic moving around them overnight constantly like Walmart, and there's tons of them around. Also they'll turn off the majority of their parking lot lights off overnight so it's a little darker than Walmart. Sporting good store like Bass Pro and Cabelas are good options as well for the same reasons. It's just harder to find them on your route because they're more spread out.

That's the way our local WM is. They don't care if anybody in an RV parks there even though there are signs.

The cops don't seem to care either. They have more important things to worry about in that town.

Since this is more or less a sanctuary city the WM has people living in tents on the back and side of their property. They have their own little city set up there. Tarps, chairs, tents, cell phones, the whole works; all free from we the people! Very bizarre!

All that being said the most expensive "campground" I have ever stayed at is WM. They "charge me" around $150 to $200 bucks to stay there every single time. Pretty expensive stay for just a parking lot with no hookups! :B

just stayed at a walmart a week ago, for about 6-7hrs (something like 1am to 8am or so). There were signs posted, but 2 trucks parked and another RV. also a security guard circling the building constantly. The guard could have easily told us to move on, but didn't even stop. We stayed at this walmart based on information on this site. We were way back in a corner, near the tire/auto shop area. I figure the signs are a liability issue in a lot of cases, but we had no issue at all. Didn't bother anybody, nobody bothered us, on the road nice and early. And we did pick up a few things in the store.

From my experience most of these signs are coming from local ordinances. Sometimes the policies are coming from the actual property owners as Walmart doesn't always owns its parking lots or land. It's not often that we run into a Walmart that's not welcoming to RVers even if the site is posted for overnighting.

For most Walmarts that we've come across it doesn't appear that they have any interest in helping enforce the local ordinance. We've seen people literally overnight right in front of the signs. Over the years I myself have overnighted at a few posted Walmarts and never heard a peep.

We've only ever seen one location that actively prevented large vehicles from entering. There were low height clearance bars installed at every entrance of the complex with warning signs. Walmart was part of a larger complex and it was clear from the signs that the complex owners were trying to prevent trucks from delivering in improper locations and overnighting.

Lately our preference has been Lowe's. They close at a reasonable time, there's no traffic moving around them overnight constantly like Walmart, and there's tons of them around. Also they'll turn off the majority of their parking lot lights off overnight so it's a little darker than Walmart. Sporting good store like Bass Pro and Cabelas are good options as well for the same reasons. It's just harder to find them on your route because they're more spread out.

File under, "This is why we can't have nice things."

Too many idiots doing stupid/illegal things and ruining it for the rest of us.

Wal-Mart's overnight policy has always been subject to change due to local conditions and regulations.

This is the Walmart parking lot in Bend OR mentioned above. All brand new RVs for sale by a local dealer. No druggies or undesirables (except for maybe the dealer?). Driving by on the adjacent highway, it really makes you turn your head...

Ralph Cramden wrote:
..............................................The official position, sign or no sign, ordinance or not.

"Can I park my RV at a Walmart store?

While we do not offer electrical service or accommodations typically necessary for RV customers, Walmart values RV travelers and considers them among our best customers. Consequently, we do permit RV parking on our store parking lots as we are able. Permission to park is extended by individual store managers, based on availability of parking space and local laws. Please contact management in each store to ensure accommodations before parking your RV."

This single reply to the O.P. question could have eliminated 6 pages. :B

Acampingwewillgo wrote:

mike-s wrote:

Acampingwewillgo wrote:
Quite frankly, with what happened a few years ago in that Arizona Walmart with the group of Gypsies should have ended all Walmart Parking IMHO.

They weren't Gypsies (Romani), they were vagrant Christians.

Well hush my month, that clears everything up then! First reports, were Gypsies so excuse me. Either way, no matter who or what they were, at least one ended up dead and a whole lot of $hit followed. I just happened to be camping down the road a piece when this occurred and drove down to see the aftermath where many local's referred to them as "gypsies"....so important and happy to be corrected though!

If I recall correctly, they were not RV people. I think they were staying in a station wagon type car. The term "gypsy" comes to mind.

mike-s wrote:

Acampingwewillgo wrote:
Quite frankly, with what happened a few years ago in that Arizona Walmart with the group of Gypsies should have ended all Walmart Parking IMHO.

They weren't Gypsies (Romani), they were vagrant Christians.

Well hush my month, that clears everything up then! First reports, were Gypsies so excuse me. Either way, no matter who or what they were, at least one ended up dead and a whole lot of $hit followed. I just happened to be camping down the road a piece when this occurred and drove down to see the aftermath where many local's referred to them as "gypsies"....so important and happy to be corrected though!

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