Can you camp at Wal-Marts....

[monakayk]

:@Can you camp at Wal-Marts in a Hybrid trailer? We are thinking of buying one so we can travel across the US and will certainly need to do a few 'one nighters'. Just wondered if those type of trailers are allowed. Also can you fold out one of the beds? Not sure what the rules are for this type of camper.

Thanks in advance

[PAThwacker]

I can sleep on our perpendicular coffin bunks in a pinch. Open the window enjoy the walmart scenery.

[PAThwacker]

Not all HTT have good closed up "turtled" sleeping options. Look out for sub par dinette, uncomfortable couch/bench or no free floor space. Some may have a u dinette in the front that hinders opened up bed access, but are ideal king beds when closed up. Options/Options!!!!

[redfoxoline76]

If you are anywhere near the northeast, Cracker Barrel restaurants allow overnight RV parking as well and have a great restaurant/ store to stop in...

[dadmomh]

Don't recall ever having stopped overnight at a Walmart, although our local Walmart/Sam's looks like an RV park during the height of the season. They're parked further out in the lot, no chairs or awnings, would not open bunkends....don't understand the "Garden Shop" thing and have never heard it in 9 hears hanging around here. Most of the overnighters camp closer to the Sam's end, under lights and usually clustered. Ours has 24-hour security. Camping World has some that allow overnighting....check first. Also, some state rest stops welcome overnighters and usually have signs posted noting 24-hour security. Flying J/Pilot/Love's, most anywhere truckers overnight, should be ok, but check first. Low key is the issue. You're NOT camping, you're stopping overnight to sleep. BTW, as a general rule, it's appreciated if you do a bit of shopping wherever you stop. Our CW stops usually cost us more than a CG would, but we need most of it anyway.

[dave17352]

We spent a short night at a Walmart in Rifle Colorado. I didn't ask I just pulled in and went to sleep. I was in a Truck Camper. But usually if on the road and its getting late I will google the nearest walmart and call them. I find most of them in the smaller town areas are fine with it. Our local Walmart has signs but people over night every night in the camping season. I think a lot of those signs are ignored by the management and the police. I think they are there in case there is a problem. JMHO

I generally like to find a city park or state park and pay the fee. I do not sleep the best in a Walmart parking lot. But sometimes it comes in pretty handy!

[tjfogelberg]

Be sure to download the list of "no park Walmarts" and save yourself the hassle of getting turned away at one. We parked overnight in a number of WM on our 57 night trip last Fall and never saw anyone with a Pop Up that was extended. Doesn't mean you can't try it. The most comfortable experience is when there are other RV'ers present. When we were the only one, it felt alittle strange but we did it anyway and never had any trouble. We never asked permission as we didn't want to bother management. We parked out of the way, and made a purchase and placed the receipt on the dashboard! Crime can happen anywhere, but I felt most at risk when we parked at WM. You're a "sitting duck" out there especially if you're the only RV in the lot.

[ShawnMG]

Don't forget about Flying J's if they are around.

[bikendan]

most of us hybrid owners simply "turtle" on overnite stops.
that means just sleeping on the dinette or sofa, instead of going through all the setup for the canvas ends. and it's quieter.

that's one of the great pros of a hybrid.

[old_guy]

remember one thing, not all wal marts are alike. some city ordinances do not allow over night camping. Our wal mart had to put up signs to that affect this year. I was just driving through the lot yesterday and showed my wife the new signs.

[gbopp]

There are options besides WalMart:

Free Campgrounds

Free Campsites

Casino Camper

Just use the locations for overnighting. Please, don't go into full camping mode and get out the chairs, grills, etc..

Enjoy your travels.

[Francesca_Knowl]

Once you've gotten permission, do be aware that hybrids and popups have to park near the "Outdoor Living" entrance, as shown below:



But you can pitch a tent/throw a sleeping bag on the ground anywhere in the lot! 🙂

[ed6713]

Can't imagine why not. I've seen people resting in everything from their car to expensive Class A's.
As long as overnight parking is allowed by that specific store, I can't see you causing a problem.

[darsben]

The rule is ask at each Walmart you stop at. Do not CAMP just spend the night. Be unobtrusive and considerate. Park out of the way.