I think of the places you mentioned as "blacktop boondocking" and while I'm happy to use them while crossing the country I much prefer "boondocks boondocking" where I have some scenery around me. Additionally out in the boondocks you can often stay several days to several weeks with no issues. Staying saves a bundle on fuel costs and gives you time to enjoy the area.

Escapees members can get the "Day's End Listing" that gives you a great start on finding free and cheap camping. Anyone can hit the visitor center when getting to a new state and pick up camping and fishing guides, nobody says you have to fish at a fishing access point and if you don't make a big deal out of it you'll likely never be challenged.

My best suggestion if your budget is so tight that you cannot afford a campground stay would be to resolve to travel more slowly and line up workcamping gigs. FHU site for free with extra hours paid would give you enough money to be able to avoid all but a few overnights in parking lots.

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...nobody says you have to fish at a fishing access point and if you don't make a big deal out of it you'll likely never be challenged...

This may be true at some locations and in some states, but there are states that prohibit overnight stays/camping at fishing and boat access points even though they may permit parking ("Parking is the act of stopping and disengaging a vehicle and leaving it unoccupied.") including at night if actually fishing or out on the water. Some states require a fishing license, boat ramp pass or park access pass to be displayed on any vehicle parked in an access area. There are states that permit camping at fishing lakes, access areas and wildlife management areas, but every states regulations are different. You may never be challanged as to whether you are actually fishing, but Conservation Officers do check to see if you have the proper permits or any other requirements to camp or use an area.

Edited July 18, 2015 by trailertraveler

There are some RVers that feel that they are privileged and can "camp" on any open parking lot. These folks are ruining the overnight stops for the rest of us. Walmart and others offer a place to pull over and catch a few hours sleep and back on the road, in hopes of getting some retail trade from the over-nighters.

My feeling is stop, check with the manager, get over to an out of the way area, do not put out awnings, lawn chairs grills, etc....you are not camping. six to eight hours is sufficient to recharge your sleep battery and back on the road.

Check the Escapees overnight stop etiquette on this site.

Ken

Ken,

Very true.

Don't be a Walmart Wanker!! Follow the rule of thumb!

The worst one I ever saw was the Walmart in Whitehorse. It was obvious some of those people had been there for months, if not longer.

Yep, the WalMart in Whitehorse is bad. However, it appears that it's o.k. with WalMart and the local ordinances. It's been going on for years. I even saw pictures of a few 'wintering' on the parking lot with straw bales surrounding the RV. I assume these are people who are locals. They definitely aren't siteseeing!

Another rule of thumb - there really is NO FREE LUNCH. Someone or someplace pays for whatever we use. You will have some responsibility to pay for your RV parking. If you can not afford to do that, you may have to reconsider your options. Good luck.

Safe Travels!

Well there are a number of reasons Wally in Whitehorse, Yukon is popular and if Wally and the city fathers don't get excited about it, no need for us to get upset! Had I known last summer going north, stopping before I got to Wally and fighting a super tight site at a Whitehorse RV park and just before that doing a walk-thru at another park which I had to back out of, I'd been at Camp Wally. So on the way back down we stopped at Wally, and of course shopped Wally and Canadian Tire next door. Had a friend last fall that broke down between Skagway and Whitehorse. The big hook came out of Whitehorse and the wrecker driver dropped him at Wally. Couldn't get the rig and wrecker into a park in Whitehorse. He went in and told the manager the situation and it was no problem. Before we left Penna. to go fulltiming, a nearby Walmart where RV parking was allowed there was a rig that was there for quite awhile. I took notice to numerous times but what did I care. Some local yokel wrote a letter to the editor of the local gazette about the situation. Turned out it was a vendor hired by Wally and selling something at that store and was there with Wally's blessing. I got a big kick out of Fast Freddy Myer in Soldotna, AK. told RVers where to park in lot and also had a dump station.

I knew as soon as I saw the title of this thread it would turn into a Wallmart thread...lol.

When we are travelling long distances we will pull into a Wallmart lot and sleep...we have even been known to pull out a couple of lawn chairs and have a beer. They dont mind. Those of you who dont believe in doing so ...dont do it. But dont sneer at those of us who do. As I've stated before...darned if I'm going to try to find an out of the way RV park and pay a bunch of money for hookups I dont need only to be on my way again in the morning.. when I can usually find a Walmart next to the hiway with a fueling stop close by...much more convenient.

I do however have a story....we were in a walmart lot 2 nights ago in New Brunswick and this couple pulls in with a large car pulling a TT. On the front of the TT above the propane tanks sits a construction style generator. He cranked up this gen and disappeared into his trailer for a couple of hrs and was it loud! I dont think he had a muffler on it at all.....never thought I would see that. Finally at 10 pm he came out and shut it off. Now that kind of thing can ruin it for us all.