camping @ walmart!

[KRZYVOLFAN]

In my travels I often see campers set up in the walmart parking lots for the evening. I have never seen a pop up do it. We are planning a long trip out to Chama New Mexico next year and since its a 2 day drive i'd love to stop overnite in a walmart  parking lot so I can drive later, see to set up, and save a dollar or so. Has anyone done this are there any rules to follow?
Tom
iuka MS
2002 GMC Sierra
2006 Fleetwood Sea Pine

[ForestCreature]

We've never stayed in a Walmart but have caught some zzzs in rest areas. Popping the Aliner is much easier tho.  Never seen a regular Pop Up opened at either one.
I believe you have to call or go in the store to get permission. Some Wallys don't allow the overnight stay.
Welcome aboard!

[flyfisherman]

Maybe three or four years ago (I'm losing my sense of time!), there was a popup poped-up, sandwiched between two TT's, at our local Wally-Mart. Looked like they might have been traveling together.


Fly

[AustinBoston]

I've seen some long discussions on this topic here and elsewhere.

IIRC, in general, Walmart wants it to look like you are parking, not camping, so a pop-up would not fit with that image.

Fewer Walmarts are allowing it.  Some are finding local ordinances designed to support the local campgrounds.  Others are finding safety (for the campers) to be an issue.  About half of the Walmarts I have visted are in areas I would avoid walking at night, so I would not want to sleep there.

Bottom line (in my opinion) is, have an alternate plan at each stop, and don't expect to be able to pop-up at very many Walmarts.

Austin

[fritz_monroe]

I agree with what AustinBoston said.  Some Walmarts are in not so great areas, and being from out of town, you may not know about the bad areas.  Personally even if the Walmart was in a better area, I wouldn't feel comfortable sleeping in the parking lot.  Do you have a cap on your truck?  You could always catch a night's sleep in the back of the truck.

[cjpoppin]

Pop up at a Wal-Mart........No Way........It's saftey first for us and I don't care where the store is there is not a parking lot anywhere I'd feel safe in........So spend the extra money and keep the family safe......PLEASE........

[copcarguy]

As said before, I would sleep in the cap of the truck.  We sleep on an air mattress in the back of the van for quick rest stops.
 
I know this is slightly off topic, but my local Wal-Mart actually has two hookup sites (water and 30A electric!) around the side by the garden center!

[howlinowl]

If it were me, I think that I'd try to find a Flying J truck stop somewhere along the way.  Probably a bit noisier, but the one here in Port St. Lucie allows RVs to spend the night.  They have spaces to park them.  However, I've never seen a popup there, just 5ers and TT and motorhomes.  You could go to their site, //www.flyingj.com and look up a few cities on the way, give 'em a call and see what they say.  I've often thought about draggin' the Taos to the one here and spending the night just to try it out....

Allan

[copcarguy]

While in a campground, all I want between the outside world and me is my tenting. While in a Wal-Mart, TA, Pilot, Flying J, basically anywhere besides a campground or my backyard, tenting is NOT enough. If you have a 5'er, TT, Motorhome, etc. with metal walls then fine... Have you listened to CB Channel 19 lately? You know when you're getting near a truck stop because you begin to hear prostitues ("lot lizards") asking if anyone wants some "commercial company", people selling drugs, and all manner of things you would not even, or could not even, begin to imagine. I would never want just tenting between me and all that going on. It is just not worth it to save a few bucks. I know 99.9999% of commercial drivers are hard working people and would never engage in illegal activity -BUT- take it from someone who has patrolled the lots, and listens to channel 19 everyday. It is NOT WORTH IT AND NOT SAFE AT ALL IN A POP UP. Period.

[OC Campers]

Our Walmart doesn't care if you stay in their p/lot but the city police do.  I have come out of work at midnight and have watched the local police shining lights in the motorhomes and banging on the doors telling the people that they had to leave or get a ticket.  The local police even ticket cars that are parked with "for sale" signs in the windows.  

I personally would rather find a campground than stay in a p/lot or rest stop.  
 
Jacqui

[flyfisherman]

Got to thinking about "parking lots" I have set-up the PU for the night ...

In the past I've made some spring & fall runs up to Michigan for steelhead fishing and one of my stop-offs enroute is Cabelas at Dundee, Michigan. Always stop there for one thing or another and, believe me, you'll need some time to browse around in that place! They have a back parking lot and they always welcome campers to spend the night. Obviously, most are TT's, 5th wheelers, motor homes and an occasional slide-in pick-up truck camper ... (and then me!)

Great place to wake-up as they have a nice rest-room to wash up, shave and brush the teeth ... AND, a cafeteria with hot coffee and a nice breakfast menu!
Most importantly, it's a safe place to spend the night in a popup.

All you have to do is let the person at the information desk know your staying the night.



Fly

[GeneF]

I have seen a popup or two camped at our closest WalMart.  Generally there are also some other bigger rigs camping at the same time.

DW and I have used WalMarts a total of two times in our travels and both were in the hybrid and we turtled.  Main reason for our stopping was that we were running later than planned and don't like to drive at night.  WalMarts were closer than a campground for us at the time.

I think I have to agree with others that I would prefer to have more than just tenting surrounding me.  Not only for safety, but WalMart lots are well light at night, a bit noisy when the 18-wheelers pull in for the night, some WalMarts are open 24 hours so there can be traffic all the time.

General rule that I have found about WalMart is that you should go to the customer service desk and ask if it is okay to camp.  One of the places that we stayed had signs posted for "No Overnight Parking."  Asked at the desk and we were told no problem, go ahead but please do so near the rear of the parking lot.

I believe that WalMart courtesy is that the grills, lawn chairs, etc stay packed up.  Also, take your trash with you or depose of it correctly.  In other words, be a good house guest.

[Wild Wild Qwest]

I agree with the concensus opinion. If it's a quick overnight stay, I would prefer to stay in a motel and keep the pop up locked/hitched, take a hot shower, get some breakfast and head out on the highway first thing in the morning.  :morning:

[Dee4j]

I usually do most of my traveling with my 2 kids alone (DH cathes up later) and when I did the "grand adventure" in 2005 in my new Hybrid, I had thought about it, but I would have to Pop out at least one bed and that made me nervous. My kids are my everything and it was worth staying in a nice RV park with many families and retired folk.



Gasoline $500
 
Rv Park $50

family Happy & Safe: priceless

[skamper75]

A buddy and his wife from my backpacking club pulled their 5er out west this spring for 8 or so weeks. I think he said they stayed at walmarts 5-6 times. Only between destinations. He also said that they where never the only ones there. Walmart probally looks at it like; if they stay, they will BUY.

As for my family in a popup.... no way!