Looking for free overnight spot on I-81 Virginia

[wbwood]

We are headed to Shenandoah National Park soon. We won't be able to make it there before dark and looking for a free overnight stay somewhere off I-81 between Christianburg and Harrisonburg. From what i've seen online, Roanoke Walmarts are not allowing overnighting. I guess perhaps local ordinance, not sure. And some of the Flying J's don't have RV parking.

Would like some actual locations people have stayed and experienced. Not just what they have found online.

Thanks.

[Lumpty]

wanderingbob wrote:
Don't ask , don't tell . All they will do is ask you to move on but I have never been asked to move in over 400 Wal-marts . Park , go in buy some groceries , save the bags , if they knock on your door tell ya gotta take these bags back to recycle or sumptin . Many people believe its not politically correct to park with out asking , put your self in that managers shoes and you will see he has a lot more to worry about than one more customer in an RV .

Exactly. I'm typically pulling in at midnight or 1am, sleeping until 6am-7am and on the road again shortly thereafter. There are always a bunch of RV's and trucks parked by my middle of the night time I park. These are 24 hour Supercenters by and large, and are minimally staffed on the graveyard shift for stocking and the limited sales they do in the wee hours. Management has way better things to do with their time than come to the customer service counter or phone to deal with a single RV'er's inquiry.

The All-Stays Walmart App is an excellent resource for if parking is allowable or not. Usually the only reason not is if by local laws preventing overnighting.

[wbwood]

Thanks Lumpty

[bucky]

Another point is that finding a manager in a Wal*Mart is no easy task. If you really feel that you need to ask just go to customer service and remember the associates name.
The best part about a WM overnight is the circus that starts about midnight. The Zamboni starts doing loops around the RVs, 5O is chasing the shoplifters thru the lot and tackling them right at your door, skateboarders are doing their thing off nearby curbs, some DA wants to chirp their horn 15 times when they lock up for the night, and on and on. It's well worth the price of admission.

[wanderingbob]

Don't ask , don't tell . All they will do is ask you to move on but I have never been asked to move in over 400 Wal-marts . Park , go in buy some groceries , save the bags , if they knock on your door tell ya gotta take these bags back to recycle or sumptin . Many people believe its not politically correct to park with out asking , put your self in that managers shoes and you will see he has a lot more to worry about than one more customer in an RV .

[Lumpty]

I've stayed at the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Staunton about 1/2 mile off of I-81 on US 250 many times. Easy and a good place for a short overnight stop.

[Dennis12]

Get on RV Parky and that will answer your question for any location

[wbwood]

RoyB wrote:
I was going to say WALMARTS at the large towns. We have on ocassion pulled into behind a MOTEL and asked permission to spend the night in the RV - usually works if you ask...

ROANOKE is big truck stop town and local college... Usually alot of folks out all night long... We don't like stopping there...

When you guys coming up this way - Would like to come give a visit... We are a couple of hours away from the Fredericksburg VA area...

Roy and Carolyn

Next weekend at Big Meadows

[wbwood]

According to the Walmart overnight website, the Roanoke Walmarts say no...there are a few outside of Roanoke that appear to be ok. Just looking for some responses of those with actual overnight experience in that area....

[narcodog]

I have spent many nights over the years at Camping World, free dump and water.

[RoyB]

I was going to say WALMARTS at the large towns. We have on ocassion pulled into behind a MOTEL and asked permission to spend the night in the RV - usually works if you ask...

ROANOKE is big truck stop town and local college... Usually alot of folks out all night long... We don't like stopping there...

When you guys coming up this way - Would like to come give a visit... We are a couple of hours away from the Fredericksburg VA area...

Roy and Carolyn

[is_it_friday_ye]

I would call the Walmart in the area to confirm. We've overnighted in a few Walmart's and some had a "no overnight parking" sign posted but there were several semi's and rv's already there. I personally think that they have the sign posted just in case they have to say "we told you so" when someone acts like a fool. The book "the next exit" has helped us, you may want to check it out.