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Ya'll act like I invented this or you've never heard of it, lol. Again, there are whole message boards and FB pages devoted to it. One common practice is to have a Planet Fitness gym membership and shower there. You can also shower at travel centers/truck stops. That's what truck drivers do. Many alternate car camping with a hotel stay (not everyone feels the need to shower EVERY day); you still save 50% on hotel bills. And CB, WM, and rest areas do still allow it. Granted, if you're the "Ew, cooties!" type, it's probably not for you, but there's no need to be insulting about it. (This post was directed at those who actually car camp, but apparently there aren't any of those on C-D.)
Most states allow overnight parking at rest areas, but some don't have statewide laws or regulations. These states include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin. In these states, rules can vary depending on posted signs.
No, not all Walmart stores allow overnight parking. More than 1,000 of the 4,000 Walmart stores nationwide prohibit overnight RV parking. This is due to local ordinances that prohibit overnight RV parking. Some Walmart stores, especially those in big cities and popular destinations, do not allow overnight parking in the parking lot, in a car, or in a travel trailer.
Most Cracker Barrels allow overnight parking, but some do not. You should confirm this with the specific Cracker Barrel you plan to visit. You can call the restaurant ahead of time or go inside. The restaurant manager can show you where in the lot you can park overnight and answer your questions.
Could it be done? Yes. Would it be an enjoyable vacation? You seem to think so, and I guess that's what matters.
It is less "camping" than "sleeping in your car while on vacation."
If the parking lot Walmart or Cracker Barrel is not open 24 hrs. where will you use the bathroom in the middle of the night?
I googled car camping because I never heard of it. All the sites on the first two pages are how to go to a CAMP site and stay in your car. Camp site as in the woods, mountains, lake, river and/or beach. These are designated campgrounds. That I've seen.
You can also stay on BLM lands for free, and other gov type properties.
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There are solutions to that, too. If genuinely curious, you can check out the FB, Reddit, or other forums.
I'll take your word for it. We have a 5th wheel.
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Weren't those originally supposed to be for people traveling in RVs rather than those sleeping in their cars?
I've head there has been too many problems with this and that most WalMarts no longer allow it.
Our Walmart tried to ban them. It literally turned into a permanent camp of RV’s and people living in cars. Most were dilapidated units that were in place for months. I’m sure they were open dumping waste, particularly urine. When they were forced to leave they went behind WalMart to a street and vacant lot. That didn’t last long and a few went back to the parking lot.
My friend who is a Helena city cop pulls ‘Walmart duty’ a lot. He said a lot of drugs, a lot of assaults- it’s just a nasty place.
My son and I were traveling back to Montana from Oregon, truck camper and a trailer hauling back an old Farmall. We hadn’t planned a stop for the evening, tried to find a campground or BLM ground but either couldn’t find an open spot or accessible BLM in the dark, so we drove to a Walmart in Idaho or Spokane, can’t remember.
So I went into Walmart and spoke to the manager, told him the deal and asked me to pull around front to look at my rig (I’m sure to get on camera). He agreed snd told me where to park and let me know to be gone next morning. I bought some beer and chicken and went back to the camper. Later that night I heard a bunch of rigs pulling in, and a hour or so later had flashing lights coming in the windows. Cops made everyone but us leave.
I will never, ever do that again so help me God.
Short comments and a picture of the no overnight stay signs-
Ya'll act like I invented this or you've never heard of it, lol. Again, there are whole message boards and FB pages devoted to it. One common practice is to have a Planet Fitness gym membership and shower there. You can also shower at travel centers/truck stops. That's what truck drivers do. Many alternate car camping with a hotel stay (not everyone feels the need to shower EVERY day); you still save 50% on hotel bills. And CB, WM, and rest areas do still allow it. Granted, if you're the "Ew, cooties!" type, it's probably not for you, but there's no need to be insulting about it. (This post was directed at those who actually car camp, but apparently there aren't any of those on C-D.)
A preference for clean, warm, dry, and safe accommodations while on vacation as opposed to sleeping in your car in a parking lot and showering at a truck stop isn't really about cooties. I guess if I felt I needed to save money that badly, I'd figure out a different kind of vacation or just not go.
Our Walmart tried to ban them. It literally turned into a permanent camp of RV’s and people living in cars. Most were dilapidated units that were in place for months. I’m sure they were open dumping waste, particularly urine. When they were forced to leave they went behind WalMart to a street and vacant lot. That didn’t last long and a few went back to the parking lot.
My friend who is a Helena city cop pulls ‘Walmart duty’ a lot. He said a lot of drugs, a lot of assaults- it’s just a nasty place.
I assure you I'm not homeless, LOL. Some days I wish I were!
Car camping is "a thing." There are FB and Reddit pages and other message board forums discussing it. It's an economical way to travel domestically by car, especially if you're (as I am) single and alone. Above all, I'm frugal, and as I've been traveling more lately, I find myself frustrated at spending over $100 just to basically sleep at night, so have been exploring alternatives, and this is one of them. I used to dream of buying an RV; now I realize all I really need is my back seat!
I've actually done it three times now -- just experimentally -- on short trips, and have lived to tell the tale; even been satisfied with the experience.
Anyone else?
(I forgot to add "rest area," which is of course a popular one.)
Casino parking lots and BLM land would be two more options which I have done boondocking. For me boondockers use the same sorts of locations as car campers.
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