Parking at Walmart

[iceskater10]

The Walmart in Colorado Springs is now posting signs that say no Truck, RV or Trailer parking overnight. I thought they were RV friendly

[rbryan]

Originally Posted by iceskater10

I thought they were RV friendly

They generally are, but it's up to each store manager whether to allow it or not. I'm thinking they've had some problems so they stopped it. It only takes one or two people abusing the privilege, or a crime being committed, to end it for that location. There are quite a few Wal-Marts across the country that have banned overnight parking. I can think of at least two here in San Antonio where it's not allowed.

[Casita Greg]

Mostly a condition seen at certain stores which have experienced bad events or have determined that they have inherited a community of deadbeat "squatters" rather than "over-nighters" in transit, but sometimes they are only complying with local municipal ordinances which sometimes prohibit overnight camping outside of recognized trailer parks and such. More and more municipalities are adopting such ordinances due to problems that have arisen stemming from abuses of the system.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by iceskater10

The Walmart in Colorado Springs is now posting signs that say no Truck, RV or Trailer parking overnight. I thought they were RV friendly

While it is corporate policy to allow RVs overnight, it is sometimes local ordinance or local order from authorities which prevent this courtesy.
One other possibility is if the lot is shared with other businesses or has a clause in the covenant or lease.
My policy is to do no business in a community which enforces this prohibition. Most Walmarts are open 24 hours anyway.

I have stayed overnight at the Sebring Walmart due to arriving the night before my reservation at Highlands Hammock. I parked under the "no overnight parking" sign right next to a motorhome and a large travel trailer!

[RogerDat]

I know of at least a couple that are just off highway but not in a neighborhood where I would think it safe to camp out in a parking lot. If the overnight RV's are getting targeted for crime or are located in a place where many decide to overnight. You may have seen the rest areas that are full up at night, Typically same ones every night, same with Walmart located 12 hrs along a major route.


I will say the ones with a fountain in the rain water retention pond are 4 star accommodations, despite the no swimming or boat rental.

[steve dunham]

There is a Walmart just north of us in an area with lots of lakes and is a huge vacation area .There would be numerous trailers that were parked there overnight but there were others who used the parking lot as a campgrounds . We stopped at that Walmart on a Friday morning to pickup a few things , when we headed back home on Tuesday the same trailers we saw on Friday were still parked in the same spot in the parking lot. Guess what , they no longer allow overnight parking .
This is not the fault of Walmart or the local government , it is the fault of people who abused the generosity of others in order to save a couple bucks.
We all pay the price for people's stupidity

[Jon in AZ]

Generally, upscale communities and popular tourist destinations are more likely to restrict overnight parking. It can come through local ordinances or management of the individual Walmart. Steve is correct, though- it is often a casualty of too many people abusing a privilege. We spend a lot of time in coastal SoCal where overnight parking is widely banned.

The struggle between landowners and wanderers is an old one.

You have to take it on a case-by-case basis. There are still lots more places where it is allowed than not. There's probably an app for it.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

Generally, upscale communities and popular tourist destinations are more likely to restrict overnight parking. It can come through local ordinances or management of the individual Walmart. Steve is correct, though- it is often a casualty of too many people abusing a privilege. We spend a lot of time in coastal SoCal where overnight parking is widely banned.

The struggle between landowners and wanderers is an old one.

You have to take it on a case-by-case basis. There are still lots more places where it is allowed than not. There's probably an app for it.

Here in the U.S. it is not so widely banned.

[TomK]

Allstays "ONP Walmart" is the app we use. Reviews are included with info on where to park, local restaurants, directions, etc. and the local neighborhood conditions. Very helpful.

Tom

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by floyd

Here in the U.S. it is not so widely banned.

I think that's what I said.

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

...There are still lots more places where it is allowed than not...

As to coastal SoCal, I can totally understand why it became necessary. So now there are whole websites devoted to "stealth camping."

Last I checked I didn't need a passport...

[floyd]

Originally Posted by steve dunham

There is a Walmart just north of us in an area with lots of lakes and is a huge vacation area .There would be numerous trailers that were parked there overnight but there were others who used the parking lot as a campgrounds . We stopped at that Walmart on a Friday morning to pickup a few things , when we headed back home on Tuesday the same trailers we saw on Friday were still parked in the same spot in the parking lot. Guess what , they no longer allow overnight parking .
This is not the fault of Walmart or the local government , it is the fault of people who abused the generosity of others in order to save a couple bucks.
We all pay the price for people's stupidity

Good point, but actually it IS the fault of Walmart management.
Competent management, just like competent electrical work, requires skill and diligence. Banning overnight parking just to avoid enforcing the rules is incompetent and lazy on the part of management. Camping, squatting, homesteading, etc. is not the same as overnighting and those people should simply be asked to move along. Starting by showing concern and succinctly explaining the rule. Exercising good judgement is just part of good management.

We should not be a society which rewards laziness or intrusion while punishing those who would accept a simple gracious courtesy and honor its intent. ( not to mention the $50 spent at each stop!)

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by floyd

Good point, but actually it IS the fault of Walmart management. Competent management, just like competent electrical work, requires skill and diligence. Banning overnight parking just to avoid enforcing the rules is incompetent and lazy on the part of management. Camping, squatting, homesteading, etc. is not the same as overnighting and those people should simply be asked to move along...

Floyd, I think that overlooks the reality. I question the wisdom of an unarmed store manager or low-level security guard knocking on the door of an RV to ask someone to move. There are simply too many armed, angry, psychotic, and/or strung out people out there today.

At most a security guard might leave a tactfully-worded notice of violation on the windshield or door, much as campground hosts do, and call in armed law enforcement if the request is ignored. That is common protocol in public campgrounds where identity has already been established at check-in and a fee paid. Greater caution is needed with unidentified overnighters in a free, public parking lot.

Local police are generally busy. Too many calls from the local Walmart manager, and they're going to push back. Then comes the ban.

[Ed Harris]

I think there are also 3 Hotels and a Denny's on that corner in the Springs and it is already a pretty terrible place to try to sleep in my experience!

I have tried and ended up in the Drury which is pretty nice but I have also slept well at the Home Depot down Academy a block or so in a less congested area of the Springs.

It is a slippery slope for both sides in this world.

[C&G in FL]

Perhaps we FGRV owners, if we are willing, should set up a registry of those of us who are not restricted by deeds, ordinances, etc. who will allow other FGRV owners to "moochdock" at our homes. I have constructed a campsite along my driveway with water and 30 amp and have had a few guests use it. Just a thought.

[Byron Kinnaman]

There's couple of web sites that list all available for overnight Walmarts.
Check it out. https://www.allstays.com/c/wal-mart-locations.htm

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

I think that's what I said.



As to coastal SoCal, I can totally understand why it became necessary. So now there are whole websites devoted to "stealth camping."

Last I checked I didn't need a passport...

Not really... You said it IS widely banned in SoCal.




The passport thing must be reciproCal... Nobody needs a passport to enter California either!
Illannoy has little room to talk!

[Raspy]

Originally Posted by floyd

Good point, but actually it IS the fault of Walmart management.
Competent management, just like competent electrical work, requires skill and diligence. Banning overnight parking just to avoid enforcing the rules is incompetent and lazy on the part of management. Camping, squatting, homesteading, etc. is not the same as overnighting and those people should simply be asked to move along. Starting by showing concern and succinctly explaining the rule. Exercising good judgement is just part of good management.

We should not be a society which rewards laziness or intrusion while punishing those who would accept a simple gracious courtesy and honor its intent. ( not to mention the $50 spent at each stop!)

It's nice to talk about a high standard of behavior or tactics from Walmart, but they have private property that they developed for parking by customers. Store managers are not necessarily in the business of dealing with trespassers or squatters, who may have a bad attitude. I know I would not want to go out and deal with people, one by one, that had set up camp in the far corners of the parking lot. And calling police every time someone overstays brings other problems, especially if the store has a policy of allowing overnight stays. Their job is running the store and keeping it stable and profitable.

Not everyone will politely move on when being asked to, and expecting store managers to explain the rules to those trying to take advantage is unworkable and adds additional work to their regular duties.

Easiest method is to simply ban camping in the parking lot. Many of us who would like to simply stop over when tired, will lose the chance, but I can't blame Walmart. It's far simpler than keeping track of who is there and for how long and arguing with the ones who should not be there. Or calling the police over and over.

As usual, the rest of us pay the price for the worst players. If everyone was polite and considerate, there wouldn't be a problem.

As far as individual homeowners welcoming fellow travelers is concerned, look at RVillage.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Raspy

It's nice to talk about a high standard of behavior or tactics from Walmart, but they have private property that they developed for parking by customers. Store managers are not necessarily in the business of dealing with trespassers or squatters, who may have a bad attitude. I know I would not want to go out and deal with people, one by one, that had set up camp in the far corners of the parking lot. And calling police every time someone overstays brings other problems, especially if the store has a policy of allowing overnight stays. Their job is running the store and keeping it stable and profitable.

Not everyone will politely move on when being asked to, and expecting store managers to explain the rules to those trying to take advantage is unworkable and adds additional work to their regular duties.

Easiest method is to simply ban camping in the parking lot. Many of us who would like to simply stop over when tired, will lose the chance, but I can't blame Walmart. It's far simpler than keeping track of who is there and for how long and arguing with the ones who should not be there. Or calling the police over and over.

As usual, the rest of us pay the price for the worst players. If everyone was polite and considerate, there wouldn't be a problem.

As far as individual homeowners welcoming fellow travelers is concerned, look at RVillage.

Exactly... but the easy way out is seldom the best.
I'll bet you'd want me to do the easiest method if I were fixing your brakes, right?
BTW; they all ban camping in the parking lot, Its overnight parking which is allowed. Like rating and capacity, words have meaning.

A good manager doesn't have to "keep track", he would be aware of what's going on around him and when it is appropriate to act.

I can see I have lost this argument and I see it again every time I seek quality help with anything. Second rate seems to be the highest standard anymore and Walmart may well be the best proof of that.

Pretty soon, you'll call to see your doctor and actually get a Nurse practitioner. Usually good enough... If he's not just seeking the easiest way to quitting time.
If so, it won't really matter if the hinges fall off your casket or if they bury it 5-1/2 feet under!

[Glenn Baglo]

Why does any Walmart or Walmart manager have to put up with people seeking free overnight camping? Are you entitled somehow?

[k corbin]

Originally Posted by iceskater10

The Walmart in Colorado Springs is now posting signs that say no Truck, RV or Trailer parking overnight. I thought they were RV friendly

Seems like quite a few people in this forum do not understand the Walmart parking situation, a situation which also controls places such as Cabelas from not allowing overnight parking at some locations.

The majority of the time that a Walmart does not allow overnight sleeping in cars or RVs it is not about what the store manager does or does not want. The actual cause of their not allowing overnight stays is because the city/county/township/etc has banned it as a whole for all locations both on commercial lots and also on the streets.

Many towns up and down the Pacific coast line have ordinances prohibiting RVs and other types of wide vehicles from overnight parking in various areas of town. Colorado also has a fair number of towns with those ordinances. For instance Loveland, Colorado has pretty strict ordinances and the only place an RV can be parked on the streets overnight is immediately adjacent to a motel/hotel.