"Do you know about Wal-Mart camping?" We do not know, but old in camp in Florida insisted WalMart not only allowed RVs and trucks park overnight, but encouraged it. "Free camping," he told us, and did not wait long to take advantage of this new knowledge.

Somewhere in North Georgia went into a Wal-Mart, and of course, we saw some RVs parking on one side, looking like they're there at night. We were going to Michigan in our conversion van, and free camping sounded good to us. We parked, plugged in our 5-inch TV, and settled in the evening. No one bothered us. By morning used the bathroom inside and bought some orange juice.

The next night we camped for free, this time in a "truckstop Flying J ". There were RVs camping there.'ll Find Flying J Truckstops everywhere, and activates the court to the RV crowd, counting on gas and other sales. We fill our tank there in the morning, and bought some food too. While campers stay out of the way of the truckers, free camping is likely to continue.

Another Free camping

In general, you can camp free on any BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land, unless expressly prohibited in the area. This is also true of National Forest lands. In both cases is limited to a two-week stay in one place, although this rule is not always enforced, and two out next week would be only a hundred yards away. State forest lands are usually open to free camping without permits, but policies vary by state (the standard two weeks appears to be common).

We camped in our van for ten days at Williams Landing, east of Tallahassee, Fla., on Lake Talquin. It is a beautiful place, with hot showers. Our cost? Zero, and you can stay up to two weeks. There are places to camp free all over the country. Ask a rver about this, or buy a Woodall directory at any large RV dealer.

Note: Wal-Mart seems to encourage the campers, except in coastal areas where many rver want to live in a parking lot. Do not extend the carpet and remove lawn furniture, as we hear about a traveler, or perhaps the ruin to all. Some stay for a week at a time, hang out all day to see the sights (and to not cease to be welcome). Wal-Mart business of the campers, but you just continue with their policy if they have no problems, so keep it locked.

To find a Wal-Mart in the area to travel to, visit Walmart.com. Go to the "store finder" for the search. Thank you for camping at Wal-Mart!

Steve Gillman hit the road at sixteen, and traveled the U.S. and Mexico alone at 17. Now 40, he travels with his wife Ana, whom he met in Ecuador. To read their stories, tips and travel information, visit: http://www.EverythingAboutTravel.com

Conqueror Camping