Overnight RV Parking
In the last few weeks there have been numerous news stories about overnight RV parking in commercial lots.
There is a great debate about whether overnight parking should be allowed or banned.
Personally, I am against overnight parking in commercial parking lots. Campgrounds are built to house RVs properly. Most have restroom facilities, activities and the basic necessities that most RVers need such as: electrical outlets, dumping stations, water lines, etc.
Some RVers may choose to park at Walmart because it is less expensive than a campground, others probably park there because they know they can.
I want to open this up for a lively debate. Should RVers be allowed to park on commercial lots overnight? Why or why not? Does it hurt campground owners if people are opting to visit places like Walmart instead of their campground? Is it a safety risk to park overnight on a commercial lot? What are your thoughts?
March 4th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
[…] RV water pump to avoid flooding from leaks, or to leave it on to keep the water heater pressurized.RVTradeDigest.com Blog Overnight RV ParkingRV Weekly: Overnight RV Parking … In the last few weeks there have been numerous news stories […]
February 4th, 2010 at 12:22 am
We own a small RV park off of a highway. We frequently get one-nighters in with no reservation and they end up being very good customers and are gone before I wake up in the morning. I frequently give them a bit of a break on the rates. I don’t understand why some of RV’ers think they can park their big 30-40 foot RV for free but thats another matter I guess. I get the fact that your unit is self contained but really … come on … wouldn’t you rather wake up to my smiling face in the morning surrounded by trees and singing birds when faced with the option of the view of a parking lot at Wal-mart?
January 12th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
Unfortunately this is a Pandora’s Box. As a retired truck driver; I enjoyed many overnights at at the local Wal-Mart. The problem is that a number of people dump trash and other things and don’t clean up after themselves. This cost is roller over to the tenant (Wal-Mart) and they in turn pass that cost onto their customers. Sam Walton was a friend to truck drivers and thats why you see many big rigs parked in their lots. however not all Wal-Marts participate due to the reasons cited above. Putting all that aside what about RVer’s that would squat in a commercial parking space. Getting them to move requires police that costs everbody. I would love to be able to park anywhere I would like … but citizens have voted against it. Maybe cities that want to attract tourist revenue might want to build low cost 1 - 7 parking area’s for RVer’s.
Thats my .02 thanks for reading
December 6th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
I do not see any harm done by RV overnight parking in public parking areas. I have traveled nationwide and often used public parking such as Wal-Mart, Out Door World, Bass Pro Shops and list goes on to include road side rest areas. I have never encountered a safety issue. RV’s are self contained so therefore a restroom is not necessary. Most roadside rest areas and truck stops have dump stations for RV’s to empty sewage tanks and replenish water for flushing. These parking lots are easy on and easy off access to interstate highways which means fuel savings. Most RV campgrounds are miles off the interstate or major highways which mean’s fuel wasted. The RV was designed for travel to eliminate such unnecessary expenses. Once you reach your destination, than you locate to a campground. Don’t be a dictator and leave the choice up to the RV owner. Do not put a ban on public overnight parking.
Thank you
Bob
September 27th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
As a Canadian traveling in the states we have often stayed in areas unfamiliar to us. The walmart is that familiar face. We chose based on proximity to the highway we are traveling on. We know there are facilities close by (food, gas etc) If we plan a stay of several days we will find a state campground. If these private parks are hurting its not because of me as I have rarely supported them. I have an rv that is completely self contained. It’s time they see their client base is the family wanting an all season site and plan their business around that fact. Motels locate next to the hwys. people travel on. So does Walmart.
August 27th, 2009 at 11:56 am
Why shouldn’t I stay at a rest area, Wal-Mart, etc when I’m traveling? I normally don’t stop till evening and leave early morning. If I’m going to visit the area then I’ll get a campground but for traveling I see no reason to pay for water, elect and so forth just for a place to spend a few hours. I spent a lot of money for my motorhome with all the conveniences. Campgrounds get enough of our money.
August 9th, 2009 at 9:05 am
Aug 8
We do a 3 month trip every other year following NASCAR and the area arount the tracks we visit. Getting there is the sightseeing trip, seeing rural America. When we stop for more than an overnight we use campgrounds. However, staying one night we never use a campground due to the inconvienence, location and cost.
We come from the most beautiful state in the west, UTAH and have access to BLM or National Forrest lands so campgrounds are not part of our outings. This year I have made reservations for 9 campgrounds requiring fees including 3 of those at NASCAR Race Tracks.
You may not like the big box stores but you cannot challange their marketing strategy. It was brilliant when they sold a book for all the WallMart locations in the USA. Even better two years later it was in their $6.95 road atlas. Quess what? We buy the road atlas every other year also.
Do something to attract our attention thru marketing to assist the RVer.
July 17th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
My wife and I are not commerical lot campers, although I can see why some people do. In our area (which is a major tourist destination) we have lost most of our RV Parks and campgrounds to development. When people come into town without a reservation at the few parks remaining they will not get in.
That only leaves the Wal-Mart option.
We as RV’ers are concerned about this lack of spaces and I think that, that more than anything else will affect the industry.
July 8th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
WE TRAVEL AND LOVE STAY AT WALLMART. WE HAVE NEVER LEFT THER LOTS WITHOUT SPENDING MONEY IN THE STORE. WE ALWAYS REPLINISH OUR SUPPLIES AND BUY DINNER FOR THE NIGHT AND BRK IN THE MORNING. WHY SHOULD THE GOVERMENT OR ANYONE ELSE TELL US WHAT WE CAN OR CAN NOT DO WITH THE LOT THAT WALLMART IS LEASING. THEY ARE PAYING FOR IT AND IT SHOULD BE UP TO THEM. IF AND WHEN WE COME ACROSS WALLMART THAT ARE NOT RV FRIENDLY WE KEEP GOING ON DOWN THE ROAD. IF THEY DONT WANT THE BUSINESS SOMEONE ELSE WILL.
July 3rd, 2009 at 7:01 am
We travel the country in a 30′ motorhome. Have no need for any facilities or hookups when we just need a place to park and sleep overnight. We appreciate Walmart, and other businesses which welcome us. We always shop. Parking is never “free”, and we will avoid those communities which are not RV friendly.
June 30th, 2009 at 6:24 am
We often pull into Estes Park at midnight or later. We will stay in the high school parking lot. It is summer and not used. We have never been hassled. Public property is owned by tax payers. We leave in the morning and get a site in the national park. I am sure that the other campers in the national park appreciate that we are not trying to set up at 1:00 am. Arizona has a No boondocking law, you can only stay in a campground. I make it a point to fill my fuel tank in New Mexico and not spend one penny in Arizona.
June 29th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Over the years, I’ve made trips with my car and others with my RV. At first, campground rates were much less expensive then motel rates. However, campground rates and motel rates are getting closer and closer each year. I don’t mind spending the money, if I’m going to stay at a campground for a couple of days, but if I pull into a campground around 5pm (and am only going to stay there until morning) and have to pay almost the same rate as I would at a motel, that doesn’t seem quite right. If I’m near a Walmart around 5pm, and I’m leaving in the morning, I’m staying at the Walmart. If I want to spend some days relaxing, I’ll pay for the campground. Campground owners would be smart to give reduced rates (at least half) for RVers pulling in at a later hours, and leaving before 9am the next morning. Some money is better then no money. Campground owners, start thinking outside the box.
June 29th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
While I understand everyone’s view point, let me tell it a bit from the campground owners’ side. Campgrounds are required by their state agencies to comply with very specific regulations: The sites have to be so far apart and they have to be this long and you have to have so many restrooms for the number of spaces and you have to have a manager on site at all times and you have to have this much insurance and, and, and. The regulations go on forever. If the parks don’t comply, the state shuts them down. The states say these regulations are required for consumer safety. If so, why aren’t the commercail lots made to meet the same requirements?
June 29th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
I agree with all of the posts above.
June 29th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
I agree with the others. I frequently stay in a commercial or even non commercial lot because campground owners are not willing to bend on their rates. When I was staying in hotels frequently I could always get a rate reduction, often quite significant if it was late and the room was for a night’s sleep to then travel on in the morning.
I am also a no frills RVer. I love the state and national parks and national forest campgrounds. I see more larger rigs like mine in those places the last few years. I really don’t want to pay top dollar for a pool, clubhouse, tennis court etc I will never use during a regular stay much less an overnight one.
I agree the government needs to stay out of it. If I know of a place that has any regulations I will not give them any of my money but will let them know why. These places need to know they are losing money because of their controlling laws to benefit one group.
June 29th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Look at the big picture… it’s both need & desire that drives the consumer. If a campground has something to offer me that I need or desire, I will use their services. If not, I find a place that does. When I am travelling, if I need to stock up on supplies and it is not convenient to find a campground, I will choose a Walmart. When you visit a town/city that tells you where you have to stay, you just start bypassing that town in the future. Don’t take away the freedom of choice… instead, offer something to earn my business.
June 29th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
I feel that if you can stay at aa campground that is best—but on the other hand many times they are full or a long distance from the travelers in-transit location. I dont think it is the fee but the freedom to be free to choose.
June 29th, 2009 at 5:32 am
For me this is a no brainer. I’ve had it with special interest and BS local selective zoning, restricting what people can and can’t do. No overnighting in rest areas in the interest of the motel/hotel industry, has resulted in higher rates and more dangerous freeways. We should always ask ourselves how stuff like this is good for the consumer and the big picture. If costs keep skyrocketing and government protects this, then we should all burn our RVs and stay home. Those with RV support business can sign up for unemployment. (and they don’t have to like it)
June 28th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
While I’ve never made it a habit to stay overnight in any parking lot, I do understand why some do it. RV parks that charge as much as budget motels for a parking space and $1 of electricity for a night are not helping themselves. A good solution might be as one reply suggested…a no frills rate or area for overnight stays for RVers who have no interest in the “amenities.”
June 26th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
If the campgrounds would offer a “no frills, no hook-up” overnite area for short timers at a reasonable rate , I think it could end alot of these tug-o-wars where neither side is wrong.
June 25th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Motorhomes are completely self-contained and can provide their own power, water and sewer containment for 5 or 6 days. So what is the problem in staying in a Wallmart parking lot overnight so that you can shop for supplies, and have dinner and/or breakfast before moving on. Most managers appreciate the extra pairs of eyes which provide more security for the lot-owner.
June 24th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Overnight parking should not be governed by any group especially the RV Park owners.
I overnight in Truck Stops or Rest Areas and most often at Cracker Barrel. At Truck Stops and Cracker Barrel I always have dinner and then breakfast if convenient. I always introduce myself to the on duty manager to thank them,,,they are always very thankful for the business.
Danny
June 24th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
If the commercial locations don’t mind the RV parking, then I don’t see an issue with it. I agree with the previous comments that you don’t want to pull into an RV park at midnight, pay full overnight price, wake up and anger the neighbors when a Wal-Mart parking lot is friendly toward RV’ers and often provide a good breakfast!
I say get the government out of this and let the commercial sites set their own rules. If it is bad for business, they will restrict it.
June 24th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
I’v been on many trips where there were no campsites available within 40 miles of the Freeway I was traveling. Also, I don’t like subsidizing the campgrounds amenity’s which I won’t use on my overnight stay. I rarely stay in lots, less than 10 times but sometimes I have no choice. Also, many campground office close before we stop for the night, and don’t make it easy to find a space.