Walmart Parking

[dukeman7595]

Hello everyone,

I was finally able to book reservations at Canyon RV Park in Williams Az. for the month of October. I believe I have read in this forum that WALMARTS allow over night parking.

Has anyone current information regarding this topic? This will be are first RV trip ever and my wife, as well as myself are a little apprehensive.

We will be traveling from the Ozarks (SPRINGFIELD MO.) to our destination,and calculate perhaps at least 2 nights, Due to time constraints. The mileage is approx. 1300 miles and I think this may give us enough time regarding the lay overs, I HOPE..

I must add that I am concerned about, well everything. When one knows nothing about the unknown the unknown can be very disconcerting..

Any ADVICE would be welcome.

Sincerely,

JOE

[lmsooter]

I do not know what route you will be traveling but you can use the link below to find Wal-Marts which do not allow overnight parking.

http://www.walmartatlas.com/no-park-walmarts

Enjoy your trip. I try not to travel more than 300 miles or 6 hours per day. Since you are trying to make the trip in 3 days (I am assuming that because you mentioned 2 nights), I would think you would want to get started in the early morning and take short rest breaks to just get out and walk around for a while. That should give you time to reach your destination for the night before dark.

The main thing is to relax and enjoy the trip.

[aztec7fan]

Welcome to RV'ing and FMCA! When traveling, we generally alternate between a free place to stay and then a campground/RV park the next night. You can usually stay in Wal Mart parking lots overnight, but check the link the previous post mentioned for stores you cannot stay at. You can also stay at Flying J truck stops and many other places for free which can cut down on travel costs. Check out this website:

http://www.freecampgrounds.com/

When stopping at a Wal Mart or other store, If we are the first RV there, we follow the FMCA Code of Conduct, and ask permission (of the store manager) before staying the night. If there are several RV's already in place, we assume it's ok. We try to buy a few things in the store to show our appreciation for this free service.

[tbutler]

We're parked at Wal-Mart right now, getting ready to pull out! We use Wal-Mart any time we are on the road pushing to get somewhere. Yesterday we drove 530 miles, today that can be less but may be the same. We are now assured of reaching our destination on Friday which was our goal. This Wal-Mart is on a popular route to Yellowstone and it is jam packed with RVs. Still we were able to find a parking spot without any difficulty. All that holiday parking space is unused this time of year. A few Wal-Marts in larger cities will have restrictions on parking overnight. This is not a Wal-Mart restriction but a community restriction. I've seen postings and even barriers that restrict tall vehicles at the entrance to Wal-Mart but those are rare.

If you are on I-44 and I-40, you will find quite a few friends parked with you. The Wal-Mart in Amarillo is always popular. There are lots of RVs on that lot every night. If you are off the beaten path, you may be the only RV on the lot. When we inquire at the Customer Service desk, the clerks sometimes have to ask someone else because parking at that particular Wal-Mart is so rare. My estimate is that at least 95% of Wal-Marts allow parking.

[rossboyer]

You might want to consider these campgrounds instead of WalMarts. At Exit 1, I-40 in Oklahoma is Double D RV. It is a Passport America campground with full hook ups for $12.00 per night Passport rate, small and quiet. Also, about Exit 114, I-40 in New Mexico is Dancing Eagle Casino that has a campground with full hook ups for $10.00 per night. We have stayed at both several times. It is nice to have hook ups at least every other night. Safe travels to you.

[randlefarrar]

Remember when using a Walmart overnight, it is not a RV campground. Park as far as possible from the doors (leave that space for their customers) and do not park near doors for Walmart trucks. If you use your slide(s), keep them out of traffic lanes (on side maybe over grass). Do NOT use levelers as this puts holes on pavement and don't put your chairs out!

[tmoning]

When stopping at a Wal Mart or other store ... we follow the FMCA Code of Conduct ....

Overnight parking etiquette and RVers' Good Neighbor Policy (PDF)

[OkieDave]

The order in which I would decide to park for free would be:

Best - WalMart Although sometimes pretty noisy. Not a good choice in the heat of summer as you can't run your generator.

Good - Cracker Barrel Crack Barrel especially noisy since they are always near the interstate.

Poor - Truck stops like Flying J. With all those 18 wheelers running their engines all night. Very noisy and stinky with trucks coming and going all night long. You will not get any sleep.

Personally, I prefer to find a cheap campground. You get hook-ups to run the A/C. Usually quieter(although it seems as though the main requirement of a campground is that it is near the highway and a railroad track . Our general rule of traveling is 400 miles or 4:00, whichever comes first, although it can vary a little. Gotta have our happy-hour. You can't park at WM or CB in the middle of the afternoon.

I think you will enjoy the Canyon RV Park. We stayed there 5 days and it worked out well.

Have a great trip.

[dakegro]

The order in which I would decide to park for free would be:

Best - WalMart Although sometimes pretty noisy. Not a good choice in the heat of summer as you can't run your generator.

Why can't you run your generator? I have parked in lots of Wal marts and have run my gen. and have seen lots of others do the same.

Is this a new rule by the "Walmart camping police"?

[Guest BillAdams]

I have heard others spew the nonsense about not running a generator at Wal-Mart. I don't know where this comes from but it is, as I said, nonsense! It's dry camping (OK, parking) folks. If it's hot outside the only way to get A/C is with the generator running so crank it up and enjoy a good nights sleep.

Do you see anything here in the FMCA etiquette guidelines?

1. Stay one night only!

2. Obtain permission from a qualified individual.

3. Obey posted regulations.

4. No awnings, chairs, or barbecue grills outside your RV.

5. Do not use hydraulic jacks on soft surfaces (including asphalt).

6. Always leave an area cleaner than you found it.

7. Purchase gas, food, or supplies as a form of thank you, when feasible.

8. Be safe! Always be aware of your surroundings and leave if you feel unsafe.

[Tices]

Agree with OkieDave and prefer cheap campgrounds whenever possible. Simply cannot sleep in Walmart parking lots or rest areas; too noisy, too much light. State and national parks, and Forest Service campgrounds are usually a great deal. Private campgrounds usually offer a lot of services we never use or appreciate, catering more to families and longer stays, are priced accordingly, but are conveniently located close to highway.

Have a wonderful trip! Have been in Williams in October when it snowed, so be forewarned. Didn't stick and the Grand Canyon was beautiful the next day, but just sayin... If you weren't planning to go to the Canyon, please reconsider. You will be too close to pass on by.

[OkieDave]

OK, My bad. I guess I was wrong about the no gen at WalMart. With all the traffic and noise no one would hear your gen anyway. I only stayed at a Wally World once and it was cool weather and no one was running the gen anyway. The other noise kept me from wanting to staying again.

[jarz09]

Hello out there in Travel land... Not all Wal/Mart's (Wallie World's) let you stay.. After a long drive in early Oct on the way to the NM Balloon Festival, we were on Hwy 95 in AZ. Thought we could get a few hours rest in Havasu AZ.

Oh' well NO! WAY' we were informed as soon as I pulled in the lot (had not even set the air brake or taken the Magna out of gear) a young fellow rode up in a cart and told us to move on that they did not allow Motorhomes or Travel trailers on the lot Except to shop and leave! No parking but for shopping! So we left-- had to drive 10miles out of Kingman to a truck stop.

Finally got a little shut-eye. We had been looking for an RV park but there was none up in that neck of the woods. We went on to Flagstaff found a RV park. I have ask around and some City Ordinances will not allow over night parking were one would think was OK. These are some up-tight Community's. I'm not sure that I will return to Havasu every again because last year we went thru Havasu AZ and Stayed at the ELK's in there parking lot and we were not chased off so Havasu is a very pick'y place. I been informed that they do not like RV'ers or Motorhome folks!!! Really ????

Well enough said.. I hope this help some of you' Happy Trail's Rz'

[desertdeals69]

We do like motorhomers etc. here in Lake Havasu City. Not much we can do about city ordinances. We had an RV repair business for 30 years here. Had you looked in the FMCA directory you would have notice my name as a mechanics helper. If you would have called me I would have invited you to my driveway which has full hookups.

[bizsmith@yahoo.com]

Stopping at a WalMart is a privilege, not a right. Check before you park. Those who encourage the Newbie to just pull in and do his own thing are doing a disservice to the Newbie, to WalMart, and to those who recognize that it is a privilege. Sure, you can run your generator, put out your slides, etc. Those who think it is their right to do as they please will eventually ruin the privilege for those who follow the rules of common sense.