The below rules are extremely important for each camper to follow. Rules You Must Follow For Boondocking at Walmart Accommodations typically only include a safe place to sleep for free. Lastly, don’t expect anything like electrical service or a dump station at Walmart. This all depends on the parking space available and any city or local ordinances regarding RV parking. However, they do further elaborate that each store manager needs to give permission to park and not all stores allow you to camp at Walmart. According to their website, Walmart “values RV travelers and considers them among our best customers”. Walmart stores have generously allowed overnight RV parking for years. There are some unspoken rules about boondocking at Walmart, so be sure to read on! Why Does Walmart Allow Overnight Parking? However, not Walmart locations allow overnight RV parking, so you’ll want to be sure you are allowed. Yes, you can camp overnight in Walmart parking lots. Pay special attention to the rules posted, confirm if there is a fee or not, and review how long you are allowed to stay to ensure you are not breaking any laws. It’s important to read posted signs where you plan on free camping to ensure you are not breaking any laws. Is Boondocking Illegal?īoondocking where allowed is not illegal.
At the end of the day, if you’re free camping without hookups, you’re boondocking. There are other terms for boondocking, including dry camping, moochdocking, lot docking, and more. This style of camping is typically free, or a small fee is paid to a city, state, or national park for staying on the land. What Does Boondocking Mean?īoondocking simply means camping in your RV with water, electric, or sewer hookups. It’s imperative these aren’t abused, so Walmart continues to allow RV travelers to boondock in their parking lots for years to come. While this is a convenient option for an overnight stop, there are some important Walmart boondocking rules to follow. Keep Walmart Boondocking Available For RVersĪs a full-time RVer (or just someone planning a long cross-country RV trip) you may have considered staying overnight in a Walmart parking lot.Rules You Must Follow For Boondocking at Walmart.Why Does Walmart Allow Overnight Parking?.The Muskingum River State Park is another option. While not as popular as AEP lands and the state forests, some state parks such as the Jesse Owens State Park and Adams Lake State Park are hotspots for those within the vicinity of Columbus and Cincinnati. The Fernwood State Forest and Harrison State Forest in the central part of Ohio have highly rated sites such as the Hidden Hollow Campground, Ronsheim Campground, and Trailriders Campground. With over 300 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horse riding, and OHV, this area has something for everyone. Many campers like to camp at the trailheads during late fall to early winter. There are 9 campgrounds within the 250,000 acres forest.
Some of the popular ones include Bicentennial Campground, Woodgrove Campground, Sawmill Campground outside of the small town of Cumberland. While free, you will need to apply for a permit to camp here.
The sites are all primitive and usually come with vaulted toilets and hand water pumps. Also known as AEP, they have the largest and one of the most diverse outdoor recreation areas in Ohio. American Electric Power ReCreation Land.