Cabelas Camping???

Whitehawkmn · 12-30-2013, 08:28 PM

We are making a trip this summer from Central MN to Hill City, SD and I was looking at stopping at Mitchell,SD and camping one night in the parking lot of Cabela's. I was wondering if anyone has ever camped in a parking lot of any stores anywhere and if so how did it go? Did you feel safe?

Jagiven · 12-30-2013, 08:58 PM

I have stayed once at Walmart in Minot ND. Overall it was fine, other than that night was the night they decided to sweep the parking lot. There was probably about 20 campers in the lot that night.

A coworked stayed at the Cabellas in Mitchell, he said it was great! and recommended staying there. He stated a few minutes after they showed up a guy driving a golf cart arrived up with a mitt full of store coupons, told them all about the Cabellas and non Cabellas facilities in the area. The guy also recommended to park by the curbs that have plastic inserts as there was power for the TT, so they could run the AC.

DKRITTER · 12-30-2013, 09:38 PM

Cabela's near our house north of Ft Worth, Tx has several signs up stating no overnight camping.

Hopefully this is the exception rather than the rule.

Jagiven · 12-30-2013, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKRITTER

Cabela's near our house north of Ft Worth, Tx has several signs up stating no overnight camping.

Hopefully this is the exception rather than the rule.

In most cases it is a city ordinance that keeps the stores from allowing overnight stays.

Flyrotor · 12-31-2013, 12:54 AM

In Sidney Nebraska the Cabelas has their own campground on the edge of their parking lot property, this is the location of their first store

cekkk · 12-31-2013, 07:30 AM

WhitehawkMN, there are countless threads on Walmart camping. Costco has fewer stores, but much more peaceful as they close early. We spent a night (with consent) at a Catholic church in a small Colorado town. Left $20 before leaving in the morning. Wherever you stop, it's always best to get permission.

Bassdogs · 12-31-2013, 07:58 AM

Are regulars at Wally World when we travel. Never spent a nite there without at least 6 or 8 other Rv'ers. Only one bad experience when a group of teens spent 2 or 3 hours sitting on the hoods of their trucks talking about their trucks. One overnite at Camping World where they had hookups and a dump station. If the lot is void of RV's that might be a hint and the only time I actually went in the store to ask the manager. The manager actually went outside the front door and showed me the best place to park.

They do this for a reason, they know you are likely to do some shopping before you pull out.

greenenvy1 · 12-31-2013, 02:28 PM

Never a Cabelas but many Walmarts, truck stops, and rest areas. Never felt unsafe. Pack earplugs if noise bothers you.

Seann45 · 12-31-2013, 03:29 PM

I camp at truck stops and store lots a lot when traveling.. the general rule is to go in and ask the manager if it is OK to spend the night at the EDGE of his lot. Awnings and chairs out are considered a no-no.

Haul n it all · 12-31-2013, 07:57 PM

stayed in Mitchell sd. on the way to black hills Cabelas has a designated overnight rv lot there .no problem . at least 6 units there that night from truck camper to class a.

xkuzme1 · 01-01-2014, 01:40 PM

Casino, Cabelas, Bass Pro, and Walmart... In that order!!!

Casinos have great security. Cabelas and Bass Pro are always very accommodating, and Walmart is almost always a sure thing. Usually a little noisy, but handy to puck up ice and stuff then hit the road.
X

Grumpygp · 01-01-2014, 03:33 PM

I've stayed at the Cabelas in Hamburg,PA. off Rt 78. Well lighted, quiet, dump sta & a 24 hour Dunken Donut for that coffee for the road.

Siamese · 07-03-2018, 03:10 PM

I can't address your question about Cabela's, but can respond to your broader question of staying overnight in a parking lot.

We regularly stay at what we call the Walmart Hilton. We've done this throughout Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Alabama, Louisiana, etc.. We love it. We almost always manage to find a spot that's relatively quiet. Staying at a Walmart allows us to drive as late as we want, and not have to go through check-in and making camp at a regular campground and having to pay fees. There's almost always a Walmart around. And, of course, the shopping is convenient. Need something...just stroll over to the store. We can usually find a fairly level spot to satisfy our refrigerator and our comfort. No need to unhitch, although we sometimes will us the jack to raise the tongue a little. We don't have slides, and we don't put any gear outside.

We're an F150 towing a 26BH, and we keep an inverter generator in the bed of the truck under a cap. We run the trailer cord to the generator and top off the batteries with no fuss.

With regard to safety, we've yet to stay in any really sketchy areas, but once we noticed some sort of transaction going on between a couple cars. Sex...drugs...rock & roll?...who knows. All in all, we feel safe.

WeRJuliian · 07-03-2018, 05:10 PM

This may have been mentioned before, but this site:

https://www.walmartlocator.com/rv-parking-at-walmart/

...has some useful information. Including where they won't let you park.

us71na · 07-03-2018, 05:12 PM

We stayed at a Walmart once. Never again. The manager showed us where to park. It was right next to the all night delivery driveway for semi's. Then about midnight the parking lot sweeper started his rounds. At some early hour in the morning a garbage truck came by to empty the trash cans and dumpsters. Then there were the yahoos who thought it would be cute to drive by and honk by the trailer or burn rubber.

wags999 · 07-03-2018, 06:01 PM

Rapid City SD has an ordinance not allowing over night parking at Wally World or the Cabelas… Don't know if Mitchell allows it or not. Never have stayed in a store parking lot, have stayed at Casino Parking lots. I don't know of a rule one way or the other at Costco, but the 3 or 4 that are local to me do not allow RV's parking over night and actually, there is not room. The remote parking is where employees must park and employees work up to about midnight and begin again at 4 am, with many delivery trucks over night. Also these Costco parking lots at typically about 80% full not allowing many places for RV's until perhaps after 9ish when the store is closed..I would rather pay the few dollars for a campground. Most if you come in late there is no real check in, you look at late night check in and find your site and go to it. If you have made reservations you don't even need to stop in the office in the morning. JMHO

Have a good trip.

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