Pop Ups at Walmart and Rest Areas

[Coly Hope]

When I get my truck camper I will mostly being going in the back country but I do plan to do a cross country trip to the east coast to visit my family. When I stop for the night it will not be to camp but to sleep over night at Walmart and rest areas and then take off the next morning. I know when you stay over night at a Walmart you supposed to appear to be parked and not camping so what’s the ruling on pop up campers. Do the tops have to stay down or are you allowed to raise them up? Any other tips from pop up camper owners about staying overnight in Walmart and rest areas would be appreciated. Thank you.

[Mello Mike]

Coly,
There’s no restrictions for pop-up truck campers at places like Walmart. I’ve seen lots of them with their tops up. When they say “no camping” that means no lawn chairs, BBQ’s, awnings deployed, etc. Sleeping in your camper is fine.

Mike

[Don Nelson]

Some Walmarts prohibit overnighting, particularly in areas where permanent campers could develop, but also where their free parking could compete with commercial campgrounds. The website below is a handy reference to which stores prohibit or discourage overnighting.

http://www.walmartlocator.com/no-park-walmarts/

[Coly Hope]

Thanks Mike and Don.

I looked up the “No Overnight Parking at Walmart” for Colorado and Frisco does allow for overnight parking depending on the weather. They told me the issue was when it snows their parking lot is one of the first the county plows and they need the RVs out early.

I was in Avon Colorado Walmart a couple of days ago and saw a huge Class A RV in the center taking up a bunch of parking spots. His jacks weren’t down but his slides were out and satellite dish was up. It wasn’t busy so I guess it was okay.

[Mello Mike]

Yeah, you’ll be fine. The general rule is that its allowed unless there are signs in the parking lot prohibiting overnight parking.

[Gary]

I have used a number of Wal Marts in the past and it seems if you park off to the side and keep a low profile they don’t mind.

[Coly Hope]

Thanks for all the advice. With Walmart it seems like it is mostly common sense. Rest areas may be a bit trickier since it depends on what state your in. The rest area in Edwards, Colorado says no overnight camping but they have a dump station and there has been one guy with a truck camper who is there everytime I drive by.

[Anonymous]

I couldn’t help but notice Gary’s comment to “keep a low profile” with a pop-up. Is there a double entendre there?

[Author]

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