RVers Still Welcome to Park in Maine

Posted by RV Pro on May 13, 2009

We’re glad Maine lawmakers have come to their senses. Yesterday, the Maine House of Representatives killed a bill that would have banned RVs from parking overnight in commercial lots like Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club. Irate RVers deluged Maine lawmakers with emails opposing the bill. At issue was the RV-friendly policy first adopted nationally by Wal-Mart and copied by other big box stores that allows RVers to park in their lots overnight for free.

However, Maine found that RVers weren’t the only ones opposed to the overnight parking restrictions. Speedway owners, venue operators, and big box stores across the state weighed in. In a typical plea, Oxford Plains Speedway president William Ryan, Jr. said in an email to legislators printed in the Kennebec Journal, “If passed, this bill will close Oxford Plains Speedway after its 50-plus-year history. Each year we depend on people that park their RVs in our parking lot to attend our races so that we can stay in business. It would be sad to see my business fail due to this bill.”

Many RVers take advantage of the free parking welcome mat laid out by Wal-Mart, speedways and others who welcome their tourist business.  In some areas it’s easier to find a big box parking lot than a campground or RV park. And, of course, there’s the convenience of parking close to a grocery/discount store so you can restock before your continue your travels. Some Wal-Marts even offer early breakfast and free coffee to RVers camped in their lots overnight.

Before parking your RV in a parking lot overnight, seasoned RV travelers recommend checking with the store’s management to make sure it’s okay. Be a courteous neighbor, and make sure you police your trash and carry it away or place it in the store’s dumpster, if allowed.


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