So What About Parking at Walmart Overnight?

[John H]

In my experience, every Walmart that does not allow overnight parking is posted with signs on the light posts.

I took this picture at the Walmart in Prince George, BC. If I read between the lines correctly, I think Walmart is asking their customers to call the city and complain about the the local ordinance.

And here is a picture that I took at the Walmart in Watson Lake, BC. Is this a big welcome or what? Be sure to use the magnifying button to the upper right so that it can be read. I would guess there were at least 50 RVs at that Walmart that night.

And don't forget Fred Meyers. They even have a dump station with fresh water and a welcome sign. Any place that has the curb painted green is for over nighting. This one was in Soldotna, AK.

There are others that welcomes your business 24 hours a day.

[Jerry Cranford]

Another very good place to stay is at Cracker Barrels. They are usually very close to highway exits, convenient. I always have a map from Cracker Barrel with me, it shows all their locations and if they have parking for RVs (most do). Flying J Truck stops also have a map which is handy. And a large number of Flying Js also have free dump facilities and you can get propane gas at some.

Another book I always have with me is called The Next Exit. It lists everything at each interstate highway exit. You can literally plan your trip based on how far you want to drive (they have exit numbers and mile markers listed) and where you wan to stop to rest or overnight.

On our travels we have stayed on Walmart lots many times. I have to say some feel more safe than others. I remember somewhere in Illinois not far from Chicago us and two other RVs received personalized security. The white security truck circle the perimeter of the parking lot the whole night.....a little scary....but all was OK. In Pigeon Forge during Fall Colours trip....all campgrounds were full. The Walmart parking lot was like an RV park. 50+ rigs with picnic tables, chairs, barbeques, awnings all set up. It was like a big party. Then in Whitehorse this past July on our way to Alaska the Walmart parking lot was like a marshalling area for Rvs heading up and those arriving from Alaska. The two nights we spent there had 60 - 70 rigs each night.

Walmart lots and Flying Jay etc. are good stops if you're travelling to a destination and don't want the bother of checking into a park.

JerryCpei

[SherryNPaul]

We've used WalMart a few times for overnights when trying to get from A to B and tired. Not a campground, but can be a good rest stop, with caveats regarding noise, lights, etc...
Since this is your first trip in your new camper, I'd think about miles, times, and a learning curve before exploring the world of Walmart parking lots.
Your trip from Memphis to FL will be long. Then, you want to check out the camper, learn all you can, and put it to use. This cannot be accomplished in a Walmart, or Flying J, or a rest stop, even if you find a safe, clean and quiet one, in my opinion.
Take a little time to learn, enjoy, and savor your new purchase. Book a campsite in a real park or cg near the previous owners for your first night. If you have questions, or problems, that night or the next day, they'll be close by with some info, and you'll already be in a cg with people who know (at least a little) more than you do about rvs and camping in general.
This is not meant to be a discouraging post. (I just read it.) Just to be realistic. It's more tiring to drive with a trailer in tow, and you need to allow a little time just because it's a new experience.
I hope you enjoy your new world of fiberglass rving, and hope to see you somewhere on the road.
Sherry

[Weinel, Alan]

**Book a campsite in a real park or cg near the previous owners for your first night.**

Absolutely. And, I agree - go CAMPING for your first use. You will enjoy it more.

Remember Wal*Mart is OVERNIGHTING not CAMPING.

[Weinel, Alan]

John H - et al, what if a BUNCH of folks called that number and complained? Pointed out that as a DIRECT RESULT of that policy we have no plans to spend ANY $ in their community. Do ya think that would prompt them to reconsider? OK... I admit it... I am a radical.

[quote]
I took this picture at the Walmart in Prince George, BC. If I read between the lines correctly, I think Walmart is asking their customers to call the city and complain about the the local ordinance.

[Connie M.]

I took this picture at the Walmart in Prince George, BC. If I read between the lines correctly, I think Walmart is asking their customers to call the city and complain about the the local ordinance.

And here is a picture that I took at the Walmart in Watson Lake, BC. Is this a big welcome or what? Be sure to use the magnifying button to the upper right so that it can be read. I would guess there were at least 50 RVs at that Walmart that night.

And don't forget Fred Meyers. They even have a dump station with fresh water and a welcome sign. Any place that has the curb painted green is for over nighting. This one was in Soldotna, AK.

There are others that welcomes your business 24 hours a day.

It looks like you had a great trip to Alaska. I wonder if I was shopping at Freddies the day you stayed there??
And was that pig race from the Ninilchik Fair?

[John H]

Hi Connie,
As we drove along the highway toward Captain Cook, my wife and I thought about you and sort of wondered just were you lived. Nikiski is an oil town and according to our may is spread out away from the highway. Before leaving for Alaska, each weekend we would plan our trip. During June we got a little worried about the volcano and I would look forward to your real time reports about the volcano activity. We also used your descriptions of Cook State park while in our planning mode. So as we traveled we kept an eye out for a Trillium. We drove through Nikiski and on up to Cook and spent part of 3 days there. Spent hours walking the beach collecting our agates. I think I could have hired on as the cAmp host as the real host had to leave for a week.
The Kenai is just about the most scenic spot anywhere. We spent about 2 weeks just wandering around the peninsula. We spent time in all those towns and everyone of them is unique. That whole area is just in another world, truly our adventure of a life time.This pic was taken at the Fred Meyers store in Soldotna.
http://picasaweb.google.com/bnjontheroad/A...088458716251890

Yes that was the world famous Kenai Peninsula Racing Pigs, we saw them at Ninileck on our way to Homer, and again at the State Fair in Palmer. The really put on a show.
I have to ask you... are there any road signs that don't have bullet holes in them?

[Connie M.]

Very nice lump of coal.
Yup, there sure are a lot of holey road signs up here!
Glad to hear you enjoyed Capt. Cook State park. It's hard to walk the beach - do you take in the view. or keep an eye out for agates...
(Unless we were out camping, our Trillium was parked at our house on Wik Lake about a mile from the main road to Capt. Cook)

[Marg]

I must say that I have stayed in many casino parking lots in OR, CA & NV. Some have regular RV parks with electricity, etc. but most have just a large parking lot. I always park toward the back, but ask before parking overnight. Most have jitneys that will carry you from your trailer to the casino and back, most have security cameras in the lots and most have security folks traveling through the parking lot all night in a small golf cart vehicle. They are also very well lit up. I feel perfectly safe in these lots. Marg in NW California