Walmart Camping Record!

[arter368rlbhk]

We stayed at a Walmart one time. We were traveling to Florida from ohio. Downloaded the allstays app, (handy app by the way)found a Walmart in rock hill north/South Carolina that allowed overnight stays. We stopped around midnight and after 4 hrs of cars moving through the parking lot, doors banging, dumpsters being emptied and general loud noises we got up and drove the rest of the way. My wife said never again, now I’m convinced that this Walmart being part of a plaza had a lot to do with our experience. But every time I try to bring it up, my wife interrupts me and says never again! Lol
Maybe some day I can convince her to try it again


Edited to add: allstays app actually tells you which Walmarts allow and don’t allow over night stays and where they are located.

[bedubya]

The Walmart parking lot in Kearney, NE got pretty noisy on a Saturday night, last summer. It's at the north end of the main cruisin' strip. All the farm boys showing off their loud trucks before they head back the other way. You take what you get. My wife did not get much sleep, but I could probably sleep through a tornado. A week night probably wouldn't have been as bad.

[Kimber45]

I am now dumber for reading through this thread to try and figure out what the point is.

[Wobbles]

[eye95]

Originally Posted by bedubya

I actually work for another big box retailer that allows. It's mostly because there is no corporate policy. No one cares, as long as you keep it clean, don't get in the way, don't bother other customers, and don't leave anything behind. A little common sense goes a LONG way.

Common sense: Don't make depressions in asphalt. Don't fire up a grill. Don't set up chairs. Leave in the morning. All stuff that everyone on this forum already know.

And most of all, don't be there in the early morning on Black Friday (I've seen it). Every retailer needs every parking space.

You missed one bit of common sense:

Don’t tattle on others who don’t do it exactly the way you’d do it, because soon enough, you won’t be able to do it your way either.

[bedubya]

Originally Posted by eye95

You missed one bit of common sense:

Don’t tattle on others who don’t do it exactly the way you’d do it, because soon enough, you won’t be able to do it your way either.

eye95, I'm sorry. I'm afraid you completely misunderstood me. I think we are on the same side, here. I don't want others ruining a good thing for any of us, but I DO NOT believe it is my job, or anyone else's, to go running to store management.

[bedubya]

My post #22 was way off point. I apologize.

[benchmarks]

Originally Posted by Nurek

Not sure why what happens in their parking lot, other than criminal activity, is any concern of the OP`s.

How about just mind your business?

No one likes a wannabe hero.

Yeah, safety or vandalism is my concern for an overnight. I have kids. Always a chance for that anywhere, but figured I'd ask for any horror stories. If so what part of the country. Any issues?

[CC75]

Perhaps the OP was concerned that something bad may have happened to the folks inside, and no one knew about it...
or they were just busy cooking meth.

[Scrapper]

Originally Posted by CC75

Perhaps the OP was concerned that something bad may have happened to the folks inside, and no one knew about it...
or they were just busy cooking meth.

My thoughts exactly. It seems no one at Walmart was concerned about the people in the RV. Heavens forbid it was a single camper which passed away. Or maybe the person(s) inside was overcome by CO.

[TitanMike]

Ran across a news article the other day about how the homeless have set up a pretty much permanent camp in the Walmart parking lot in Durango, CO.

People living in old RV''s that are broken down and can't move anymore (bad transmissions, no brakes, etc). Also people living in cars in similar mechanical condition.

This Walmart has had a no overnight parking policy for some time and the city of Durango outlaws it as well. Manager finally had to resort to getting police involved and at the time the article was written any vehicle not moved by nightfall would be towed.

The major issue wasn't so much the presence of the vehicles but the garbage and human waste being left in the parking lot. Apparently some of the "residents" thought nothing of just defecating on the asphalt, leaving their "deposit" to be dealt with by nature. Public Health was concerned that it would all just be washed into the nearby river which supposedly supplies drinking water to downstream communities (treated I hope).

As always, what was once a good thing for many has been ruined by a few.


I will say that the one time I used a parking lot similar to a Walmart, about midway through a good night's rest a refrigerated truck pulled up right beside my trailer and the rest of the night was spent listening to the diesel powered refrigeration unit. Like sleeping on the ground next to a running contractor type open frame generator. You don't sleep, you pass out from exhaustion.

In my part of the world I've found Casino Parking lots to be a lot more amenable to overnight parking and they're a lot more quiet. Almost every one I've encountered has roving security all night.

[HappyGuy]

I've stayed as rest stops, Flying Es etc but never at a Walmart. Why? I used to work at one during my college days. I saw too much parking lot drama during those years to want to subject my family to it. Granted a truck stop probably isn't much better but I've found that most of the truckers will look out for one another and are generally there for the same reason I am. If someone starts to make a ruckus they are generally dealt with quickly. I could not say the same for folks in a Walmart parking lot.

I'll pull in for a refresh but not an over nighter. Your mileage and experiences may vary.

[eye95]

Originally Posted by bedubya

eye95, I'm sorry. I'm afraid you completely misunderstood me. I think we are on the same side, here. I don't want others ruining a good thing for any of us, but I DO NOT believe it is my job, or anyone else's, to go running to store management.

I was joining in with your sentiment, trying to augment it with a little humor, not criticizing it.

[eye95]

Originally Posted by CC75

Perhaps the OP was concerned that something bad may have happened to the folks inside, and no one knew about it...
or they were just busy cooking meth.

Someone cooking meth at a nearby campsite can really put a damper on a vacation.

Please don’t ask me how I know.

[wmtire]

Ok, this one is giving the site team fits, with all the complaints pouring in. It's too much grief for the subject matter. We are closing this one down.

Please do not open another thread on this same subject.