Camping at a WalMart

[gnies]

I have seen popup camper at walmart before but it's probably not allowed. I have also seen hybrid with the bed out and camper with slide out too.

[hiker74]

I had no idea this was available. We are staying in a hotel on the way up too a destination so we can be rested to set up camp. I plan to drive straight through on the way home. I like the idea of Cabelas or I wonder if Gander Mountain and Bass Pro do the same thing? Only problem is that camping by those places I think I would need to leave the debit card at home... : ). Ours is a Quicksilver so I'll have to check to see if they allow them

[jeeps]

[quote source="/post/13294/thread" timestamp="1437051813" author="@hiker74"]I had no idea this was available. We are staying in a hotel on the way up too a destination so we can be rested to set up camp. I plan to drive straight through on the way home. I like the idea of Cabelas or I wonder if Gander Mountain and Bass Pro do the same thing? Only problem is that camping by those places I think I would need to leave the debit card at home... : ). Ours is a Quicksilver so I'll have to check to see if they allow them[/quote]I use the app "allstays" ($10 and worth it, IMO) and it shows where all the Walmarts are and whether or not they allow overnighting.  It also includes a gazillion other campground locations, resources, ratings, etc., along with a host of other free options like Cabelas, Cracker Barrel, Camping World, and on and on.  And those stores count on your debit card showing up .... that's the reason for their hospitality.  

[spunk4]

We stop at 2 walmart on our way to detroit and after to myrtle beach. Use the walmart app first and ask the manager and there was no problem. Not a quiet place, one was a 24h open but with the two celing fan on it was good and get a good night sleep.

[nmken]

Brenda:

I was going to buy the allstays app but noticed they have an entire line of apps!  They even list an app that only does Walmart - did you get that app or does their Allstays Camp & RV include the walmarts?

[fasteddieb]

Add the Georgetown, KY Walmart to our list!

[jeeps]

[quote source="/post/13313/thread" timestamp="1437096198" author="@nmken"]Brenda:

I was going to buy the allstays app but noticed they have an entire line of apps!  They even list an app that only does Walmart - did you get that app or does their Allstays Camp & RV include the walmarts?[/quote][font size="3"]The Camp & RV app does include Walmart.  It's the one I got.[/font]

[leslie]

Add the Georgetown, KY Walmart to our list!

You are in my part of the country now!

[leslie]

Fast and Kool (Eddie and Karen) saw my post about how they were near me and swung by. My husband and I delivered soup, salad and a bottle of wine to their campsite, as they were a bit tired from a long drive. I had packed some fresh raspberries but we pigged out on the soup and had no room left in our tummies for fruit. I enjoyed some of Eddie's tequila.

We had a good visit and they got to meet my husband, Alan. We were so busy talking that we didn't think to take a picture until it got dark. We still haven't exchanged pictures of our grandchildren!

[runningwriter]

Our first Camp Walmart experience will be our last for a while.  First, they are always near a high traffic road or highway.  Ours was at an intersection of two busy streets.  Tired as we were, it took a couple hours to fall asleep to the drone of loud vehicles drag racing away from the green light.  Well after midnight, two hillbillies in a pickup truck were selling a two-stroke dirt bike to two other hillbillies in a pickup truck.  Of course the hillbillies of the second part had to test ride it.  The whole transaction had to take place under the same street light that we were under, otherwise, it wouldn't have been official.  (Bike was, probably, hot.)

For us, Walmart is a last resort.

[geo92128]

We spent the second night in our camper at Walmart getting home to GA from IL. We checked twice with them for approval being new and they told us where to park. It turns out we were on the supplier delivery side of the store, 18 wheelers coming in all night long. It was also the employee parking lot side and at 11 PM cars slamming doors etc. One guy left a little later on his Harley and made sure we all knew he had a Harley. My bride woke up at two AM trying to find out what the huge bright lights were shining into our camper and then going by. She said it was a Zamboni! Turns out it was a parking lot street sweeper going back and forth! Finally the next morning we looked at each other and said the 20-30 bucks to park somewhere may be a deal! Walmart is free, but man what a rough night!

[fasteddieb]

Our only less than ideal WalMart experience was the recent one in Georgetown, KY, complete with loud cars and bikes and even a police chase reminiscent of the Keystone Cops.

But for us, that was kind of the exception that proves the rule - all the others have been quite pleasant, and we'll continue to seek them out for quick overnight stays.

[leslie]

Well, dave and MonteD, I am sorry to hear about your misadventures in a Wal-Mart parking lot. Our very first night in an RV was spent in our Camplite parked in a Wal-Mart parking lot. It was late October, the state park where we had reservations closed before the dealer had our Camplite ready for us.

The dealer told us about a Wal-mart nearby, where they would recommend their customers to stay when leaving the lot late at night. My husband had this look of a deer in headlights, but I pointed out to him - where else? So off to Wal-Mart we went.

We used the propane furnace and the water heater. Nobody bothered us. My husband said he was amazed st how comfortable we were in a parking lot!

[geo92128]

I am not totally negative to Walmart but going forward if I stay at one:

It will not be a huge 24 hour a day Walmart.
It will not be near a major highway
It will be in a small town versus a large town, again no 24 hour WM.

Free is Free, unless you spend $57 like we did at Walmart shopping for new trailer accessories etc. Never say Never but pick your Walmarts carefully! I support the Waltons daily shopping at Walmart and Sam's weekly; nobody has cheaper gasoline!

[peislander]

I once read on a blog about a couple of full-timers who said when they roll into a town where they'd be inclined to stay they headed right for the local barbershop or coffeeshop. They're intent is to talk with small groups of locals rather than a bowl cut or a latte. They'd break the ice by asking about local attractions, hikes, or nature trails etc. A few minutes into the conversation they ask their new friends if there were safe free places they could park for the night. Almost without exception they'd get good recommendations or offers - like "you can stay at the Church parking lot right next to the brook - I'll call the minister and clear it with him for you" or "I live on a horse farm just outside of town and you're more than welcome to park in our yard". They have found wonderful kind people eager to help are in the vast majority but too often travellers keep to themselves and miss the simple pleasure of talking and sharing with the locals. Their advice is to just try it yourself. The worst someone can say is they don't know anywhere you can stay -- except the Walmart. Just as likely as that is you'll get invited to a backyard bbq and make some new friends!  8-)