Wally-docking in Laurel, MT - RV-Dreams Community Forum

nightsky · RV-Dreams Family Member

Wally-docking in Laurel, MT

Camper_Boy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I've been hearing on various blogs that Montana is not particularly accomodating for overnight parking. Has anyone stayed overnight in the Walmart in Laurel, MT (off I-90, just west of Billings)? We'll ask when we get there, but I thought I'd see if anyone has previous experience with this location, before we set it as our overnight destination. Thanks!

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

unfortunately each Walmart is now different......local campgrounds are upset they cant charge outrageous overnite rates for just parking and putting your head down.....and some that use walmart parking lot like its a resort putting their awnings out , slides out...BBQ & chairs out and then staying the week.

So now the local government steps in ....they have lost revenue in taxes from the campground......Walmart looks like a hobo camp and at the town meeting there was a request for either a town donation to the food bank or help set up a soup kitchen because all the Riff- Raff & homeless has congregated at Walmart and unless it turns into a profitable Woodstock type concert the town will be overrun!!!

Please:
1. Pull in , go inside and see Mgmt for permission to park and where they would like you to be......be sure and write down who gave you permission to do so..

2. Keep your reciepts handy from your purchases

3. Be respectable.....this is not an rv park....putting your stabilizers down will damage the asphalt.....putting your slides out will create a hazard for moving traffic.......and putting the awning and BBQ out Draws some attention

if you have permission to be there and a receipt that you have / are conducting business there there is no legal problems.........just pull up and skip asking or purchasing something and park....you can be towed , charged and arrested for Criminal trespassing...just the fines or court time will cost more than a 65.00 nite at the campground

I frequent alot of walmarts and what I am starting to see there makes me want to find the sleaziest part of town and park there.....Walmart is starting to look bad after dark!!!!!!......(Which way to Cracker Barrel)

Camper_Boy · RV-Dreams Family Member

We don't overnight at Walmart very often, but sometimes it just fits the bill . . . in this case, we need to break up a drive that is just a little longer than we like to do and after 10 days at Yellowstone and heading to an even more remote location, we need to restock the pantry & frig . . . and we can probably get some fast food for dinner, too, without having to unhitch.

Actually, while I was doing laundry, Tom called the store and confirmed with the Manager that it's not a problem, so we're all set!

Thanks for the responses!

Technomadia · RV-Dreams Family Member

We're currently 'stuck' in Billings, MT while our engine is being rebuilt. The Walmart down the road from us on the east side of Billings (on Main St.) constantly has RVs parked in it overnight.

- Cherie

PIEERE · RV-Dreams Family Member

Allstays.com has listings for Walmarts with Phone #'s. Listing for other box stores, restaurants, Federal; State and local parks.

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

We stay at Wal-Mart on occasion, this last time was near Butte MT. LOTS of rigs parked, even one tent on the grassy slope on the edge of the parking lot, that was a first for us to see, tent camping at Wallyworld. We took advantage of the fact that my car needed an oil change so we got that done while shopping and replenishing a few items. We're on a fairly long trip now and Dale needed more DEF, we needed a few groceries and paper towels, etc. I can't even remember everything we bought, I know there was something that broke that we needed to replace, but needless to say at $133 later it was one of our most expensive nights on the road:)

My plan with Wal-Marts, if we think we might stop at one is to call a day or two ahead of time. This has saved us a ton of headaches. For example, last year in northern California, the Redding store told me the local police would likely boot us out at 2 AM after giving us a citation. I called the store in Anderson CA, maybe 20 miles down I-5 and they said, no problem. Depends on where you are traveling, I know they aren't always only 20 miles apart, but a little planning ahead can save a few headaches.