Does Walmart Allow Overnight Parking for RVs?
Finding somewhere to park for the night isn’t always easy. Some areas are simply more RV-friendly than others, and some places just weren’t built with these mini-homes-on-wheels in mind. So when you’re in a town or city and need to stop for the night, Walmart parking lots might come to mind. You don’t want to be woken up in the middle of the night with move-on orders, so it makes sense to ensure you’re good to go before hitting the hay. So, with that, does Walmart allow overnight parking?
This article looks at whether you can park an RV overnight at Walmarts in general, and goes into further detail on the details of doing so. For personalized advice, contact our team at Go Camping America today.
Can You Park Overnight at Walmart?
Walmart has anything and everything you could ever need under one roof. That means that it’s possible that some people have parked at Walmart all night before, and not for camping purposes! We’ve all thought of taking a spontaneous yet leisurely late-night Walmart trip, right?
But sometimes shopping isn’t your main purpose for going there. If you’re taking a trip in your RV and are looking for places to spend the night, Walmart parking lots can sound like an easy and accessible option. But while a typical sedan, truck, or SUV parked overnight at a Walmart is one thing to the average passerby, an RV doing the same thing might look a little different. The answer to whether you can park there overnight is: It depends.
Walmart’s RV Origins: Then and Now
Walmart founder, Sam Walton, loved traveling in his RV. He spent a lot of time on road trips with his family and met many travelers doing the same thing along the way. And as we road-trippers know, it’s easy to feel that affinity that bonds us together, no matter how far our country’s roads take us. With that, when he started building what is now the 5,000+ stores that make up Walmart, he ensured that his company policy allowed free overnight RV parking.
Today, Walmart’s website backs that up by saying “Walmart values RV travelers and considers them among our best customers”. They go on to say they allow permission to park depending on the individual store managers. While the company doesn’t keep tabs on how many locations do and don’t allow overnight parking, thankfully, the crowdsourcing skills of the internet have come to the rescue!
What to Know Before You Go
No matter where you park your RV, it’s essential to be a good neighbor to your fellow campers— and, when in parking lots, the store’s customers and staff as well. Overnight parking etiquette includes:
- Always asking first— We recommend asking at the service desk every time, even if the location is listed as RV-friendly. This goes for all parking lots, not just Walmart.
- Staying one night only— Don’t set up like you’re moving in for the foreseeable future. If you need to stay for two nights, ensure you get permission, but don’t stay any longer than this.
- Keep quiet— You don’t have to be as quiet as a mouse, but make sure you’re not disturbing anybody with loud music or by throwing a party in the parking lot.
- Obeying all instructions— Whether written, signposted, or verbal from the store manager, courtesy is key.
- Not using awnings, chairs, or grills— These tend to take up more parking space, leaving less room for others.
- Not using hydraulic jacks on soft surfaces— This can cause damage, and you don’t want to be known for that!
- Purchasing items you may need such as gas, food, and other supplies from the business wherever possible— As you don’t pay to stay overnight in a Walmart parking lot, purchasing your goods from there is a way to thank them.
You may find it helpful to bring earplugs, or buy them from Walmart if you don’t have any already; you may find your sleep disrupted from overnight deliveries. The lights from the windows and illuminated signs may also prove troublesome, so if you’re sensitive to lights, hanging blackout curtains may be a good option for you. Above all, it’s important to stay safe. If you feel that a particular area doesn’t sit well with you, it’s best to move on to somewhere that does.
No-Park Walmarts
Some Walmarts prohibit overnight RV parking, so it’s essential to check with the specific Walmart you plan on spending the night at before you “check in”. The Walmart Locator offers a map view of the stores that do and don’t allow overnight parking, so this is a great place to check first.
However, even if your chosen location is marked as RV-friendly, it’s still important to check with the manager first. You can do this in person or by calling ahead if you know where you want to spend the night. Whatever you do, don’t assume that RVs are allowed at any Walmart you see them parked in— some people may be parked without permission, and you don’t want to be woken up in the middle of the night and be asked to leave.
Hit the Road (to Walmart)!
Walmart’s generous RV policy is well-known throughout the country. To keep it up and running, ensure you plan your park by following the rules and getting permission from the manager before you settle in for the night. Once that’s done, it’s time for a good ole’ snooze— just don’t forget to buy your morning coffee or OJ from those who housed you! Whether you’re setting up in Nevada or Nebraska, there’s sure to be an RV-friendly Walmart where you’re headed.
