what a great idea

[George Mason]

So I'm just starting out, but I can tell you about three Walmarts in Virginia the happily allow you to sleep there. In Virginia Beach Virginia near Lynnhaven Mall there is a Walmart where several people seem to actually live in the parking lot, and the cops don't care. In Norfolk Virginia there's a Walmart near janaf Shopping Center where people with license plates not from Virginia can stay for three nights consecutively. In Chesapeake Virginia, off of Battlefield Boulevard, there is a Walmart where I've stayed for four days so far with no issues.

 

[Matlock]

In my travels I've spent the night at walmart in the area the store manager has directed me to park, with his permission. I travel using their lot as one of 2 or 3 overnight options as I never want to find myself late at night in a town without a free place to park.

That said, and it matters not what type of vehicle your staying in, I believe those folks that spend more than one night in a store lot is setting an example for others to abuse the privilege too.

I don't kid myself into thinking it's alright because others are doing it. I'm not that naive. It will be a shame when a new CEO comes in an says, no more overnight parking for all the stores. It's just a matter of time.

 

[George Mason]

one of the reasons I came to this site, was in order to find other places to stay besides Walmart. I am very new to this and definitely have a lot to learn. That being said I've already figured out Cracker Barrel, and I found a couple of park and ride where I can stay. Hopefully by September 1st I will have everything I want done and be on the road then I'll need to learn all kinds of new stuff. Right now I can only speak to my area

 

[ckelly78z]

A Walmart parking lot should be used when you are enroute to your destination, as a resting place. It sounds like you are making the rounds staying in parking lots, and hoping to not get caught. The spirit of opening their lots to travelers is to attract folks who may buy dinner, or other supplies while there, not as a place to call home.

 

[George Mason]

I have no set destination. I am staying in the area to complete my build, do some maintenance, and prepare for life on the road.. there is nothing stopping me from going to stay at a friend's house or going to stay at my parents house or whatever, but if I did that how would I gain experience living in the van? I see gaining experience in the van is important for deciding what I really need and don't need. Campgrounds around here are very expensive as this is a tourist area, so those are out in my opinion. So yes, I am traveling between Walmart's and Cracker Barrels and a couple other places as I gain experience and prepared to leave.

 

[GypsyJan]

I've heard you can stay overnight at Lowes, Cabellas, and casinos, too. It's best to alternate so you don't wear out your (and our) welcome.

 

[jacqueg]

I've heard you can stay overnight at Lowes, Cabellas, and casinos, too. It's best to alternate so you don't wear out your (and our) welcome.

Did my first casino stay several weeks ago, it was great. Free shore power!

This particular casino was a smaller one and was not very busy. I would not have liked it so well if there had been more people entertaining themselves there.

They had a 3-night limit, but would have extended it if I wanted. 2 nights was sufficient.

 

[speedhighway46]

Menard's, like Lowes and Home Depot, allow overnight RV parking. I prefer Walmart, but have overnighted in several Menard's so far with no problems.

 

[desert_sailing]

I have no set destination.  I am staying in the area to complete my build, do some maintenance, and prepare for life on the road.. there is nothing stopping me from going to stay at a friend's house or going to stay at my parents house or whatever, but if I did that how would I gain experience living in the van? I see gaining experience in the van is important for deciding what I really need and don't need. Campgrounds around here are very expensive as this is a tourist area, so those are out in my opinion. So yes, I am traveling between Walmart's and Cracker Barrels and a couple other places as I gain experience and prepared to leave.

I think it is a great way to  gain experience and to finish your build. It is exactly what I would be doing if I didn't have an active lease with parking space.

Considering how many times I have had to drive 30 minutes one way to home depot it would have saved me a lot of gas and time if I were in the parking lot already.
It is amazing to me that those living an unconventional lifestyle would be so shallow as to tell others how to live. With friends like these....

I wish you continued success wherever you are. You go do your thing!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[kklowell]

I have stayed at one Cabela's, and if they're all like that one, I recommend them!

 

[MrNoodly]

I've heard you can stay ...and casinos, too.

Different casinos have different rules.

The Chinook Winds casino in Lincoln City OR, used to have a lot where people could camp for free for as many nights as they wanted. People started abusing the privilege, staying the entire summer, setting up elaborate camps, so the casino put a stop to it, changing the area to day use only.

The Three Rivers casino in Florence OR now requires a club card to overnight in their RV lot.

I think the Cher-Ah casino in Trinidad CA has changed their free camping policy, but I don't know what to.

The Blue Lake casino near Eureka CA charges.

Casino del Sol, southwest of Tucson, used to allow unlimited RV parking in their lot, but they put an end to that after they built an RV park next door.

The Q casino near Los Algodones used to have free RV parking. Now they charge.

The Cocopah casino between Yuma and Somerton AZ charges to use their RV lot. So does the Paradise casino on the north side of Yuma.

And several Las Vegas casinos on the Strip used to have free parking (I liked the ground level behind New York New York—tall enough for the van) but they're all switching to paid parking.

So the free overnighting thing isn't universal, particularly in popular vacation and snowbird areas.

 

[JT646]

It's been said before but bears repeating, ALWAYs show your appreciation (of being allowed to stay ONE night in a parking lot):

Shop at the establishment AND (if possible):

* Return lost shopping carts to the front drop-off (cart) enclosures
* Pickup & dispose of some of the parking lot trash.

Remember your 'acts-of-kindness' are probably being recorded on their security cameras. This might encourage the business to maintain the overnight parking privilege.

 

[Sofisintown]

I stayed in Bloomsdale MO rest area, overnight.  It is on I-55 northbound, 40 miles south of St Louis.
There were other vans and even a small RV with the slide out. Quiet and very well lit.
A good number of big trucks overnighted there as well.
There was no personnel in service when I got there about 9:30 pm.  They were there in the morning, but they didn't chase anyone away.