Billings, Montana Wal-Mart Story

[cholparo]

Chuck,
Sometimes the money is not the issue, We have a seniours pass which lets us in Provincial parks for 1/2 price & this year we got stuck with a Handicap sticker which puts us in provincial parks for $5.00 [$$$ not the issue here]. More often it is the condition of some campgrounds and where we are expected to back them into, watch for limbs so we do not scratch our rigs, etc. I have seen times when the 4-wheel drive button was needed.

BUT at Wal-Mart, C.T.C., Flying J, Cracker Barrel, most grocery stores, they are all pull through, no limbs, walk to a restaurant if you want, a coffee shop within walking distance the next morning, shopping after supper if wanted and generally fuel on the way out. Shopping centers are always easy to find, no running down side roads after dark or making bad turns in strange surroundings. We just need a place to turn the key off.

An other thing I have noticed ,the town with strictest bylaw's on camper parking have the most expencive camp grounds ,, Have pulled our 5th from Ontario to Alaska & to Newfoundland, & traveled a lot State side,,,,JUST my 2 cents worth,!!

A retired farmer

[Gloria]

I feel 24 hrs. should be the "rule" when parking at any business location, and hope that the City of Billings will reconsider their decision. We normally just use these parking areas when we are enroute to another destination, only need a place to sleep and be on our way the next morning. They are normally an easy access from the Interstates and no hassle with registering, unhooking, etc...We never put out our slide, chairs/tables, etc... and always shop, eat, patronize the establishment that is offering us this courtesy. After all, it is a courtesy, and as RVers, most of us respect that. I have to say that I'm getting a bit "goosy" about pulling in to just any WalMart lately. We were run out of one last year due to a city ordinance, but at least the person who had to deliver the message let us know that we could go to the Cracker Barrel just down the street. Thought that was interesting...what good is a city ordinance if not everyone enforces it???

[Millyfern]

I agree totally. I would also like to see signs posted if you can't park overnight so that there is no rude surprise just as you settle in for the night.

[jaeirish]

Just finished 40 day trip around Lake Superior. A lot of nice campgrounds HOWEVER did experience following problems at differrent campground: late arrival find spot in dark: two showers only one working: rec hall closed for season: pool closed for season: cable advertised yet not availabe ( we drove out of way since we wanted to watch a certain program on cable) uneven spots (I mean uneven). One of the nicest family camps had a small problem, you could not walk anywhere without ants attacking. Signage terrible to get you out into the country for CG.

I am not a big WalMart user however 95% of my visits are what I expect. Consistent, consistent, consistent. I also believe that I should have a choice in where I want to go and where I want to stay thus I am one who will avoid Billings and have left other areas when I see the unwelcome sign.

I avoid Sumter county in Florida due to their refusal to allow visitors on the Internet. I even drive to next county for gas and food.

[goldenglen]

I beleive in supporting Merchants who do not have a problem with me staying over night. If it is Wal-mart then I spend money there before I leave. If a Resturant, I have a meal before leaving, ect.. If I want Free parking, I say thanks by spending my money with the Merchant.
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God Bless our Troops and God Bless America

[c-u up the road]

I agree 12 hours.. and post it in parking lot..

[KickapooMan]

We will be hading to Montana next summer and defenitely will avoid staying in Billings. If a business has a parking lot and wishes to let someone park there for overnight in return for shopping in their store then that sounds like a good business venture. I commend Wal--Mart and others for being RV friendly. It is the right thing to do.

What we need more of is camp grounds that are reasonably priced for the RV camper who is just looking for a place to park for the night or day. We are asked to pay $25 to $50 dollars just to park for the night. Often we don't use or want to partake in any of perks or activities of the campground. It would be good for the campgrounds to research what the campers really want and then make an attempt to provide that. One size just doesn't fit all. They are obviously missing out on a nitch of the camping business that they are not servicing really well.

[sundevil6]

I agree. No more than 12 hours, preferably less. No awnings, bbq's, ect. Leave it cleaner than when you arrived.

[cdlas]

I agree whole heartly. It should be overnight only and should be posted at any business location. I have used the parking lot at Walmarts or other business's in different states for a few hours overnight but always spent money there the next morning before leaveing. I have seen people there for several days in our local Walmarts. That is taking advantage of your welcome. That is like a glad to see you come and glad to see you go!


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Dodge Diesel and Camper

[Live4CampN]

I don't know if any or all of you read the editorial from the KOA operator near (or in?) Billngs, but it really irritated me...

We ARE campers that take advantage occasionally of staying in a Walmart parking lot on a long distance trip where, in the beginning, we are trying to make miles by driving late, and leaving early. We ALWAYS go into the store and ask permission to park AND buy some goods. We park in the requested area...none of the bbq or lawn chair lore that is going around...( and have personally never seen it).

The editorial went on and on about FREE-loaders / mooching off the city, etc... and I think buying goods in YOUR city is NOT free loading at all, but ADDING to the local economy. But if it irritates high end camp ground owners that we PREFER the Walmart lot to their over-rated sites, then we will gladly take our business elsewhere. It is just that simple!
thanks for 'listening' to me vent
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Rick & Miki
Chance, Jason, Kylee, Keegan
Ford F350 Deisel Dually
31' Cardinal Dual-slide bunkhouse

[elh3946]

[rooney2]

I have stayed at Wal-Mart several times. The park operators should take notice of those people who need an overnight enroute to a destination. I never stay without asking permission and generally buy something from the store. Generally there is not an inexpensive park nearby with minimum amenities suitable for an overnight stay. at a reasonable price. Hope the people a Billings take notice.

[Dick Fisher]

In August of this year we filled our motorhome with fuel on the East (I think) end of Billings. We asked for directions to Walmart. They offered to let us stay behind the station or to park on a street with a number of trucks next to the station. Since we had been satisfied with other Walmarts we went to the other end of town. We were told apologetically by Walmart management the city would not allow us to stay there so we went further west and stayed at a truck stop.

When we are trying to make time, we do not need all the services or costs of a campground. The result is we did not spend money in Billings as we usually do when we stay in a Walmart lot or other "free" spot.

I agree with many of the others posting. Billings obviously has "shot itself in the foot" with their short sighted ideas.

[rstrothman]

To this point in our travels (over 24 years now), we have never stayed overnight in a parking lot...however, I don't think there is anything wrong with people doing so if they choose...and managment allows it.

We've always stayed in a commercial campground. As a matter of fact, there have been several times in our travels that we've stayed at the Billings KOA, at rates that I felt were unreasonably high. While I empathize with the private campground owners, I think it is a big mistake for the Billings city officials to take the opportunity away from people to camp in a Walmart parking lot, Flying J lot, or others as long as the management of these facilities have no problem with camping there for short periods of time. As these is the key words...SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. I have noted people camped at our local Bismarck, ND Walmart parking lot for days on end, often with their slideouts extended, lawn chairs set up and Bar-B-Que grills blazing away. There's no excuse for that! These people are just plain cheap and have no respect for others.
I sincerely hope that Billlings (and other cities so inclined) reconsider this anti-RVer policy...realize that we contribute substantially to their local economy...and institute a policy that will allow overnight stays for no more than 12 hours.

[RvnGrammy]

It is interesting that we have suggestions of 24 hours, 12 hours and 8 hours for a stay in a Wal-Mart Parking lot. When I travel across country with a destination in mind, I try to drive about 6 hours a day. Any more than that and it isn't fun any more. And I am in this lifestyle to have fun.

So, if I start at about 9 and stop at 4, I'll need about 17 hours till I'm ready to leave again at 9. Why should I have to leave in 8 hours, and drive in the dark? I like the 24 hours idea my self.

I am one who wrote to the Billings Chamber of Commerce. I nicely told them that I had just passed through Billings and had made certain I had no needs for which I would spend my money in their town. At least two other businesses lost a customer - fuel and food - because they are listening to the KOA people.

I have stayed at the KOA in Billings in the past, overpriced though it may be, but will never do so again as I am no freeloader or mooch. When I stop at Wal-Mart, I purchase fuel at the nearest truck stop, spend money in the Wal-Mart and eat out for at least one meal, if it is safe and convenient to walk to the restaurant. I only want a safe place to park overnight. Don't need water, electricity or sewer. When I need those amenities, I stop at a campground...but no more KOAs for me.
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DupontChevy24RvnGrammy on the road