How to Politely Boondock in a Retail Parking Lot

You have probably heard plenty of stories about your fellow campers boondocking in monthly parking romulus mi lots. In fact, the world’s most well-known big-box department store (you can figure out the name for yourself) used to be universally friendly to boondockers. That has since changed. Unfortunately, the change is mostly due to bad camper behavior.

The good news is that it is still possible to find monthly parking in Romulus MI. You just cannot assume it is always allowed. And when you do find an amenable retail manager willing to let you spend the night, be polite and respectful. Otherwise, you are contributing to the potential risk of all retail establishments eventually banning the practice.

1. Ask Permission of a Manager

The first and most important rule of boondocking in retail parking lots is to ask permission. Taking it one step further, be sure to ask permission of a manager with the authority to grant it. Cornering the poor guy gathering shopping carts isn’t fair to him or the property owner. Go right to the top so that there is never a question that your boondocking was actually authorized.

2. Asked Where to Park

As long as you have the manager’s attention, take a moment to inquire as to where they want you to park. There is a simple reason for this: the parking spots closest to the store should be left for customers who are actually there to buy something. The manager is likely going to ask you to park as far away from the front of the store as possible. By the same token, they probably won’t want you parking in the back of the store for security reasons.

3. Buy Something While You’re There

Speaking of buying something, be nice to the store and do so. You are a camper. You always need supplies to get yourself through the week. There is no reason why you cannot purchase some of those supplies from a retailer generous enough to let you use their lot.

4. Keep Your Activity Contained

This next rule of etiquette directly relates to why some retail outlets no longer allow boondocking. Here it is – keep your activity contained. Do not pull out all your lawn chairs, your portable fire pit, and your gas grill. Remember, you are boondocking in a parking lot. You are not in a campground.

Keeping your activity contained extends to even basic equipment. If you don’t need to use your slide-outs to sleep, don’t open them. Do not install your RV skirting unless you absolutely have to. Connecticut-based AirSkirts says you can get by without it for one night as long as temperatures don’t dip below freezing and stay there for several hours.

5. Clean Up After Yourself

Finally, be sure to clean up after yourself before you leave. Nothing turns a retail manager off more than campers leaving a mess behind. Worse yet, leaving a mess is a good way to guarantee that future boondockers won’t be welcome in that particular parking lot.

In closing, bear in mind that some local municipalities have rules against boondocking. If you ask permission and the manager says no, it might be a matter out of their control. Cut the manager some slack and walk away after a polite ‘thanks anyway’.

Boondocking in retail parking lots is still doable in many places. But if we campers want to be able to continue the practice, we have to do our best to be good guests. Good guests encourage hospitable hosts. When it all works out like it should, everybody wins.