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Guidlines for Overnighignting at Wal-Mart and other non-RV specific places

Often referred to as boondocking, it's much more accurate to call it overnighting. What ever you call it, lots of RVers have spent then night in places other than RV parks and campgrounds.

Below are Guidelines for Overnighting

Ask permission. There's an old RV joke about asking permission. - An RVer asks security guard at a mall if it's okay to park overnight. The guard says no. The RVer asks how about all the other RVs parked there. The guard answers, 'they didn't ask.'

The point is use your judgment. If you see other RVers there it's probably okay for you to park too. If you're the only one and your not sure it's okay ask permission. You really don't want security or the police to knock on your door telling you to move in the middle of the night.

Don't abuse the privilege, make it just an overnight stay and for only a few hours. It's my personal opinion that you should never stay longer than 12 hours but 10 would be better. If you park at 8:00 P.M. you should be gone by 6:00 A.M. And you should leave by 10:00 A.M. regardless of how long you've been there.

If the parking lot is small you should leave before the business opens. Also keep in mind that night time is when most parking lots are swept and other landscape maintenance is done so it's always good to ask for permission to park there.

Be discreet. Please, no awnings, lawn chairs, BBQs and such. If you want to 'camp' go where it's allowed.

Show your appreciation. If you stay overnight at a truck stop buy your fuel there. If you stay at a restaurant have dinner or breakfast or both. You get the idea.

This article first appeared in RV Companion Magazine as part of Steven Fletcher's Curbside column. Used with permission.