gypsy ken In responding to a post encouraging people to take some action to show their appreciation for being permitted to park an RV overnight at a WalMart, South Park Steve, it was entirely appropriate for me to state that I do not feel the need to do that.
moreIn responding to a post encouraging people to take some action to show their appreciation for being permitted to park an RV overnight at a WalMart, South Park Steve, it was entirely appropriate for me to state that I do not feel the need to do that.

At the WalMarts I visit, very few employees, including cashiers, appear to be of "entry level" age.


Regarding stock ownership: " In all, just 54 % of Americans invest in the market, either through individual stocks, mutual funds, pensions or retirement plans like a 401, according to Gallup. That's down 11% since the Great Recession."  ( http://money.cnn.com/2017/10/20/investing/trump-stock-market-americans/index.html)


"The Richest 10% of Americans Now Own 84% of All Stocks."  (http://time.com/money/5054009/stock-ownership-10-percent-richest/)



I believe your claim that local ordinances prohibiting overnight parking of RVs outside of trailer parks, including at truck stops (which you ignored), have not been passed at the behest of private campground owners is false, as I have been told by people at both a WalMart and a truck stop that campground owners were responsible for the ordinance.  (A few years ago, I engaged in extensive communication on this issue with FMCA, which was at that time actively opposing the adoption of such ordinances.)


Whether or not capitalism is responsible for raising the standard of living of people is, of course, a matter of opinion (or ideology), on which people disagree.  less

• 2 like this.
• · June 14

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Bandit455 I can see people stopping at Walmart for a nap and a meal before moving on. Most are a lot closer to the highway than most campgrounds. That being said, I have never done this. This is actually what the roadside rest areas were constructed for, and t...  moreI can see people stopping at Walmart for a nap and a meal before moving on. Most are a lot closer to the highway than most campgrounds. That being said, I have never done this. This is actually what the roadside rest areas were constructed for, and those are my preferred place to stop, nap and walk the dogs. Granted, at times some of the lots get full, but they are rebuilding all the time and the lots are getting bigger. Also, most of these in West Virginia have FREE dump stations  less

• June 15

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Hank & Shirleen Very well said SPS! 

• 3 like this.
• · June 15

gypsy ken I never said, South Park Steve, that I do not shop at WalMart.  All I said,, in response to a post that RVers stopping overnight at WalMart should do something to show their appreciation for the privilege, is that I do not see a need to do that, beca...  moreI never said, South Park Steve, that I do not shop at WalMart.  All I said,, in response to a post that RVers stopping overnight at WalMart should do something to show their appreciation for the privilege, is that I do not see a need to do that, because I am certain that, as a for-profit business that makes all decisions on the basis of how much money its owners make, WalMart has concluded that permitting RVers to park overnight results in some benefit to it.


In 1998, by the way, the Association of RV Campgrounds, under the leadership of its then head, David Gorin, was engaged in a very active effort to restrict parking of RVs anywhere other than in a privately-owned campground.  It had actually succeeded in having legislation introduced in the U.S. Congress, S. 314 and H.R. 716, that would have prohibited the operation of campgrounds by government agencies such as the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Corps of Engineers.  The Family Motor Coach Association had been involved in opposing that effort since 1994.


In 2007 I was informed by personnel at both the WalMart and Flying J in Kingman, AZ that an ordinance passed at the behest of private campground owners prohibited the overnight parking of RVs anywhere outside of RV parks.  I was told that RVers who had parked at Flying J were told by a police officer that their RV would be towed away if they did not leave within 30 minutes.  Trucks, however, were permitted to park at Flying J overnight.  FMCA wrote to the mayor and council of Kingman objecting to the prohibition, but I do not know if anything resulted from that, and I, of course, never stopped in Kingman again.


The links to the two articles on how many and what Americans own stocks worked for me; that is how I got the information.  To see for yourself, go to Google, enter "how many Americans own stocks," and the links will appear.  less

• June 15

Lois Michele What a beautiful and heartfelt original posting. It is a shame that it got turned into a personal battlefield.

• 1 likes this.
• · June 25

red951 Stopped and it was no problem. Had the lot to myself till about 7:30 the next morning

• June 24

Barry & Millie-Ambassadors I have been there often no problems

• 1 likes this.
• · May 22

Jim O'Briant I know of more than 50 Walmarts that have changed their Overnight RV Parking policy this year, and we're barely into May.

• May 8

Pat The Walmart ONP may be outdated buy it gives you location and phone number so you can find a Walmart that is on your way and call and ask if you can park overnite. Usually they say yes - for one night which is all we need when traveling from one place to another

• 2 like this.
• · May 8

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Matt & Mary At a Yahoo group for Walmart parking one Bill Halberstadt maintains the files that even Walmart uses for reference.  He also has them in forms for popular navigators at the Discovery Owners site.  The Yahoo files are at [url]groups.yahoo...  moreAt a Yahoo group for Walmart parking one Bill Halberstadt maintains the files that even Walmart uses for reference.  He also has them in forms for popular navigators at the Discovery Owners site.  The Yahoo files are at [url]https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/walmartrving/files[/url]  less

• 3 like this.
• · May 8

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Little House (Hank & Selene) I still call the store even if I find "OK to park" on websites.  I also check inside when we get there and make purchases while we're parked.  If I see a manager, I take the time to thank them for allowing us to park.  We appreciate the sto...  moreI still call the store even if I find "OK to park" on websites.  I also check inside when we get there and make purchases while we're parked.  If I see a manager, I take the time to thank them for allowing us to park.  We appreciate the stores that allow us to overnight in their parking lots, and we don't want to take it for granted.  less

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• · May 12

Matt & Mary Next time I think of it, I will ask Bill. 

• May 12

Travelinlady Download Rvparky app it's has reviews and shows campgrounds, Wal-Mart's, Sam's clubs, rest areas and let's you know if they allow overnight parking. I love the app and use it all the time.

• 3 like this.
• · April 27

Marydlee I use ParkAdvisor app...will follow you and give you gas stations, Walmarts, RV parks and much more along the route...

• 2 like this.
• · April 27

Charlie and Rexetta I always call the store for that informstion.

• 1 likes this.
• · April 27

land yacht Not sure about the one in Coeur d'Alene, but the one at Hayden, does.  It is a few miles north of CDA on US95.

• 1 likes this.
• · April 28

Jim O'Briant I make it a policy, whenever possible, to boycott not only the campgrounds that have lobbied for these Anti-RV "No Overnight RV Parking" laws, but also the cities and counties that have enacted them. (Can't boycott them completely, as we live in our stix ...  moreI make it a policy, whenever possible, to boycott not only the campgrounds that have lobbied for these Anti-RV "No Overnight RV Parking" laws, but also the cities and counties that have enacted them. (Can't boycott them completely, as we live in our stix & bricks in one of them.)  less

• 3 like this.
• · April 17

SouthParkSteve As a policy, it is almost NEVER Walmart management that prohibits overnight parking (their company policy is to allow overnight parking unless a local ordinance prohibits it), and in most cases it is also not greedy campground managers either.  The p...  moreAs a policy, it is almost NEVER Walmart management that prohibits overnight parking (their company policy is to allow overnight parking unless a local ordinance prohibits it), and in most cases it is also not greedy campground managers either.  The problem is irresponsible people who abuse the privilege.

The USFS literally has to spend MILLIONS of dollars to clean up illegal campsites in the mountains up here where I live every year.  When overnight camping was allowed in places like the ski area parking lots, they very quickly became squatters camps--and caused major issues with trash, sanitation, and also blocking out parking from their actual customers.

Laws can't be selectively enforced.  If they were to allow overnight parking, but only for 1 night, who keeps track of who has been there for how long?  Who pays to clean up for the irresponsible folks?  The only cost effective way to prevent abuse is to prohibit overnight parking altogether.  Otherwise,  you put local police in the position of having to monitor parking lots on private property.

This is not some nefarious plot by greedy campground owners to force you to pay to stay there.  Those campground owners PAY people to monitor who is there, to clean up after the irresponsible ones, etc.  In most cases, the towns that pass these laws simply don't have the resources to fill these functions.

I'm not sure why so many folks seem to feel entitled to free parking
on every piece of available pavement, regardless of who owns it.  The
places that DO allow it are doing a favor--so why is it that so many
seem to want to demand that it be allowed?

Hate to say it, Russell and Linda, but your scenario above with how you deal with local police is exactly WHY some towns have passed laws prohibiting overnight parking.  You are contributing to the problem.......  less

• 3 like this.
• · April 17

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Travelinlady I've noticed lately that more and more RVers are parked at Wal-Mart's with all their slides out their jacks down and chairs sitting outside. I thought we were suppose to look like we just parked to go shopping not like we are setting up camp.

• 3 like this.
• · April 27

peterjw We need to deploy slides to get into or rig or use the bedroom. Dont see much point in putting down jacks if you are not unhooking but to each his own. I think to idea is not so much to look like you are shopping but more not to inconvenience customers or...  moreWe need to deploy slides to get into or rig or use the bedroom. Dont see much point in putting down jacks if you are not unhooking but to each his own. I think to idea is not so much to look like you are shopping but more not to inconvenience customers or damage the relatively soft ashphalt that paves most parking lots.  less

• 1 likes this.
• · May 7

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Jim O'Briant I can't speak to the store's failure to notify their own Customer Service department of any change in policy. However, the Rent-A-Cops that patrol retail parking lots are, in my experience, bullies who can get their jollies only by bossing people around a...  moreI can't speak to the store's failure to notify their own Customer Service department of any change in policy. However, the Rent-A-Cops that patrol retail parking lots are, in my experience, bullies who can get their jollies only by bossing people around and pretending they are Nazi Storm Troopers. They have this job because they lack the judgment and people skills to be real cops.  less

• 2 like this.
• · March 30

Jim O'Briant I just telephoned this store (Walmart  Supercenter # 2557, 8400 Rosedale Hwy, Bakersfield, CA) and asked permission to park overnight for one night. The person who took the call checked with the store manager and then said that the manager assur...  moreI just telephoned this store (Walmart  Supercenter # 2557, 8400 Rosedale Hwy, Bakersfield, CA) and asked permission to park overnight for one night. The person who took the call checked with the store manager and then said that the manager assured here that Overnight RV Parking is still allowed for one night only.  I've called again and asked for the Customer Service manager. After 11 minutes on hold, I was again assured that the store allows it for one night only.  less

• 3 like this.
• · March 30

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Barry & Millie-Ambassadors i find it always best to get permission from a manager or assistant manager

• April 17

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Claude & Theresa It is really unfortunate for all the folks that do not abuse the privilege of staying at Walmarts by those that think it is ok to do whatever they want. The Walmart close to us still allows overnight stays but I am sure it won't be long before they also b...  moreIt is really unfortunate for all the folks that do not abuse the privilege of staying at Walmarts by those that think it is ok to do whatever they want. The Walmart close to us still allows overnight stays but I am sure it won't be long before they also ban overnighters. Too many overstay by weeks not days, with BBq's and generators out and M/H and trailers held together with duck tape. We once counted over 30 in the parking lot, most left but too many stayed.  less

• 2 like this.
• · November 1, 2017

Larry & Darlene I have found the app “Overnight RV Parking pretty accurate as far as who does and who doesn’t allow parking. It’s a paid subscription but every time you stay some place that hasn’t been updated in a while and you post an update you can sometimes get a fre...  moreI have found the app “Overnight RV Parking pretty accurate as far as who does and who doesn’t allow parking. It’s a paid subscription but every time you stay some place that hasn’t been updated in a while and you post an update you can sometimes get a free week or 2 added on to your subscription. We’ve been full time traveling since 2013 averaging over 5000 miles a year and we had to pull out one time due to that same issue, Walmart no longer owned the parking lot. Some places I’m told will put a boot on your wheel while your sleeping so you get to deal with it in the morning.  less

• March 30