Walmart Camping: Everything You Need to Know (RV, Vanlife, Stealth)

[@catskill49murphy27]

Not quite everything you need to know about 'Camping' in a Walmart parking lot..First and foremost is that Walmart is not a campground and you're not camping. Sitting outside on camp chairs and cooking on your bbq is a no no as is rolling out the awning, putting out the slides and hanging your clothes on the mirrors. Get in after dark, go to sleep, get out at daybreak and clean up your mess. I find it astonishing that people 'rate' their 'camping' experience at different Walmarts...One of the sites that tracks these things has noted that there are 20% less Walmarts allowing overnight parking than there were 3 years ago and the number is rising weekly because people are treating it like they paid for a campsite because they bought a fruit salad and a quart of motor oil. Wake up or you'll find the only place offering free overnight parking will be in the deserts out west.

[@lindamartin2045]

Ian, thanks again for parking lot ideas. I have yet tried camping in my car but next summer.....take care.

[@IanODonnell]

I hope you can get out there soon!!

[@walnutcreekwoodworksofjack3520]

FYI: My local Ripley, WV Walmart doesn't care as of this date if you stop overnight. No signs has been posted that you can't either. But do please patronize the store. Do check with this Walmart. Please keep the area you use clean or cleaner.

[@Ciara1594]

The trucks are called "Street Cleaners". They also clean residential streets as well. ☺️

[@AprendizDeLoQueToca]

"Crazy life hack"... Well said 🎉👏🤠🤗

[@KingSolrac]

Some helpful tips, thanks a bunch!

[@jerseygirl1871]

I am a part-time vaner and I'm going to try this thanks for the information.

[@IanODonnell]

Hope it was helpful. Stay safe out there!

[@jaredjones7677]

Thanks for all the good tips Ian!

[@roadtripmitch]

You have excellent videos Ian! I haven't stayed in a WM yet but as you say that day is coming, LOL. Each time I go by that Flagstaff WM there are a lot of RVs, so maybe it's not enforced? One overlander tip I learned, and always do is back-in so you have clear access to vacate - it could be a 2-legged, 4-legged or weather threat. Safe Travels buddy!

[@ldygzlle1291]

Flagstaff Walmart says no parking but the Cracker Barrel is ok. And you can overnight at a shopping plaza on the other side of town. But why park in town when there’s so much boon docking?

[@gailanngl4768]

Hi Ian! This is Gail, your grandma’s friend 😁😁😁 This was a really helpful video especially for new people on the road. I actually learned about Walmarts having good internet from YOU, a few months ago. Just FYI-I’m headed out this week to head over to the RTR in Quartsite, so lots of Walmarts in my future 😁 I have really enjoyed your videos !

[@IanODonnell]

Thank you Gail, and have a safe trip out there! I hope you get to explore a lot!

[@teresitap5778]

Thanks for sharing, very helpful.🙏🙏

[@swaroov9236]

You actually made a very good video thats really understandable, Although i know some of these earlier.I don't seem to remember the cadences and progression,I just have a sense what chords will follow next without actually remembering music theorym

[@flon57]

Walmart is safe, and lots of food to purchase if you don't feel like cooking that night

[@mats77]

And there it is! Great points! And my pavement Zamboni comment shout out! Lmao 😆😆

[@IanODonnell]

Such a hilarious thing to call them 😂

[@mats77]

@@IanODonnell grew up with hockey, cant help it... DNA-based reaction ! Lol

[@JournalofaWarriorsJourney]

Great info, Ian! Thanks!

[@IanODonnell]

Hope people fine it helpful.

[@JournalofaWarriorsJourney]

@@IanODonnell absolutely! I still have that Maine & SD trip one of these days and I don’t plan on blowing my budget on hotels! I didn’t think about the parking with the employees vehicles but that made a lot of sense too 😎.

[@brianpowers2313]

“USUALLY when you hear something outside your van, it’s not someone trying to murder you”….well that’s reassuring lol. Thanks for the video though. As someone considering van life, this is helpful.

[@IanODonnell]

Hahahaha, you become one with the sketchiness after a while. But really, it's not that bad. Most of the time it's all in your head. It's kinda like tent camping, feels scary at first. I would really recommend traveling like this if you can! The freedom to go where ever, whenever is great! (and it's cheap, hahaha) Even if you just have a little car, you could do a temporary set up and do a 1 week test run or something!! Best of luck! I hope you get out there soon!

[@croberts709]

3rd shift huh? Never heard that tip before, very nice. Do you ask permission at every Walmart, even if the app says it's okay?

[@IanODonnell]

It's a good trick if you want to blend in. Otherwise, when all the shoppers leave you're just going to be the only car sitting in some random part of the parking lot. 😂

[@IanODonnell]

Oh, forgot to answer the question hahaha. 😂 I asked a few times, but if there were already a ton of RVs and vans in the parking lot, I'd just go ahead and park as well.

[@gov683]

Thanks would like to hear about costs👍🙂

[@slowalaskan]

I have also heard that people need to be respectful. Like don't put chairs and grills out. Try to be inconspicuous

[@IanODonnell]

Yes, it's best to keep to yourself as much as possible. We have a good thing going at Walmart and we want to keep it 😂

[@jeffharris7777]

Nice South Carolina flag 👍

[@IanODonnell]

Gotta represent 😂

[@plumislandmichael729]

… 🙌🏼

[@jeffharris7777]

Ian : "you should be blacking out your windows anyways"

[@IanODonnell]

😂😂

[@loafandjug321]

You remind me of a youner version of David Pierce, the actor.

[@RicG.]

I might be interested in buying your van Ian. What's your asking price?

[@IanODonnell]

Shoot me an email at [e-mail] I can let you know more about the van!

[@RicG.]

@@IanODonnell Hey Ian - sent you an email a few days ago. Check it out when you get a chance. Thanks!

[@cathyann6835]

If you average $100 a night x30 nights, that's $3000. Imagine the money you saved sleeping in a van for the whole summer.

[@tomcambell6099]

How do i get the WIFI password at Wally world? Go in & ask?

[@IanODonnell]

It’s free to log on. And they have all the stores networked together somehow. So you’ll auto join at all of them once you’ve gotten on one.