Best Practices for Overnight RV Parking at Walmart

We’ve all been there. You forgot to book a campsite for the night, or maybe you thought it’d be easy to just show up and grab a spot, only to find that every campsite in the area is full to the brim. Or possibly, you’re setting out on a cross country road trip and you just want to know your options.

Whatever the case, let’s explore the overnight parking policy at Walmart as well as how to be a respectful guest if it comes down to overnight stays in their parking lot.

Walmart’s Overnight Parking Policy

On Walmart’s corporate website, the official Overnight Parking Policy reads:

“While we do not offer electrical service or accommodations typically necessary for RV customers, Walmart values RV travelers and considers them among our best customers. Consequently, we do permit RV parking on our store parking lots as we are able. Permission to park is extended by individual store managers, based on availability of parking space and local laws. Please contact management in each store to ensure accommodations before parking your RV.”

Walmart’s policy extends to all motorhomes, travel trailers, and camper vans looking for a spot in the Walmart parking lot.

But as you can see, not every Walmart allows free parking. We’ve already seen a lot of Walmart locations rescind this privilege due to misuse and abuse of the generous offer extended to their guests. If we want to keep the right to overnight at the stores that still allow it, we must continue to be respectful and play by the rules.

Often times, if a Walmart doesn’t allow overnight parking, it’s simply to comply with city ordinance. If there is a local ordinance forbidding overnight parking, it’s really important to respect the policy and not make it Walmart’s problem.

How Long Can You Stay?

There’s no hard and fast rule for how long you’re allowed to set up camp, but one of the reasons many Walmart stores have restricted boondocking is due to people essentially “moving in” to their parking lot for long periods of time.

Generally, the unspoken rule is that you should only use this privilege as a one-night stop over on your way through the area. If you absolutely must stay two nights, nothing terrible will happen, but be sure to be very respectful of the store and your neighbors. Once you exceed two nights, it’s time to start looking for alternate accommodation options.

Alternatives to Walmart Parking

Overnight campers and boondockers alike have relied on Walmart parking lots in a pinch for decades. But there are several other businesses that embrace travelers for overnight stopovers including Sam’s Club, Cabela’s, and Cracker Barrel. These businesses allow free camping on a store-to-store basis like Walmart, so it’s best to call ahead and make sure you won’t be breaking any rules.

If all else fails, and you’re traveling on a major highway, you’re likely within easy reach of a truck stop or rest area that allows overnight parking.

Best Practices to Follow While Boondocking at Walmart

While it’s always ideal to book a proper RV site, you may find yourself in a situation where Walmart is your only option. If it ever comes to that, you want to be prepared. Follow these tips and best practices to ensure you’re the most respectful guest you can be while overnighting in a business parking lot.

1. Know Where To Park

The local store may have a designated area they prefer campers stick to, but if they don’t, it’s generally best to park around the edges of the parking lot. This leaves the closer spaces for regular shoppers, and gets you away from the bright overhead lights. When you pull up, look where the other RVs are parked and try to find a spot in that area. But be careful not to make anyone uncomfortable. If there are 20 open spaces and you pick the one right next to another camper, it may come off as odd or suspicious.

2. Be Mindful of Space

If possible, try to only take up one parking space. Many lots have dedicated RV spaces for bigger rigs, but if they don’t, do your best to keep it compact. Find a spot out of the way and refrain from extending your slide-outs or setting up an awning. It’s also not time to break out the grill and camp chairs, blast the music, and stage a cookout with your friends. There’s nothing wrong with cooking up a nice meal, but it should be kept within your indoor RV kitchen setup.

3. Don’t Run Your Generator

Walmart doesn’t provide hookups of any kind so it may be tempting to run your generator, but it’s generally agreed upon by Walmart boondockers that this is bad form. The good news is that you should only be there for one or two nights, and your battery should hold you over just fine during your stay.

4. Buy Something From the Store

This is one of the most important tips on this list. The whole reason that Good Ol’ Sam Walton of Walmart allowed RVers to stay in the first place was to drum up some extra business. Taking advantage of a free parking spot at a Walmart without buying anything is like showing up to a potluck without bringing a dish of your own. The unspoken expectation is that if you use the parking lot as a place to sleep, you will patronize the store, keeping the relationship beneficial for everyone.

5. Keep the Volume to a Minimum

This one should be obvious, but keeping the volume low is an absolute necessity when overnighting at a Walmart. No one wants to hear your loud music, heated arguments, or noisy dogs. From the outside, no one should really even be able to tell that anyone is inside your RV.

6. Don’t Use Leveling Jacks

Using your leveler can damage the asphalt, so it’s generally expected that you do not do so while overnighting at a Walmart or a similar establishment.

7. Turn Your Lights Out

Draw the shades and make sure your headlights are off when the sun goes down. If you’re pulling in late, find your spot quickly and try to turn your lights off as soon as you can safely do so. You will likely be parked near other campers, and getting woken up by someone else’s high beams can put a serious damper on the night.

8. Pick Up After Your Pets

If you’re RVing with your canine companion or maybe even a feline friend, you’ll likely want to let them out of the rig at some point during the night. When you do, keep them to the pet-friendly areas. Try not to create too much noise, and always always always pick up after them! Leaving pet waste is a great way to convince a Walmart manager that this whole RV camping business is no longer worth the trouble.

Book a Private Campground with Spot2Nite

Benefits of RVing at Private Campgrounds

While it can be convenient to spend the night in a welcoming parking lot from time to time, we can all agree that having your own private RV site is the ideal situation for safety, comfort, and piece of mind. For less than the cost of a meal, you can secure your own RV spot with access to comfort amenities like showers and laundry facilities, plus ways to relax and unwind like pools, playgrounds, and dog parks for your four legged camping companions. With all the added perks, the cost of the RV site pays for itself and you’ll wake up refreshed, relaxed, and ready to take on the road. Read on to navigate the benefits of overnights at private campgrounds plus our insider tips for finding bargain spots on the go.

Secure Spots and Peace of Mind
Many private RV parks offer gated entrances coupled with the comfort of park staff on site, surveillance and security patrols, and the sense of safety that comes from having fellow RVers as neighbors looking out for each other. RV parks are intentionally located in scenic areas, offering a more pleasant and relaxing environment with natural surroundings compared to a commercial parking lot. 

Additionally, the staff at the RV park is available throughout your stay to assist you at every turn, offering valuable guidance and recommendations on local attractions, activities, and suggestions for maintenance and repairs should you need them before you hit the road again. 

Accommodations
Enjoy all the features of the RV you call home and spare your generator with full hookups for water and electric, plus added comforts like fire pits, picnic tables, and scenic views to wake up to. Picture setting up your RV under the shade of trees, trading the harsh lights of the nearest parking lot for a starry sky, making for a much more peaceful night's sleep. RV parks generally enforce quiet hours and have regulations to minimize noise, a welcome contrast to the unpredictable sounds of an unsecured parking lot or last minute location near a noisy highway.

If you're looking to enjoy a more spacious overnight experience or to add a bit of variety to your trip, many campgrounds also provide additional lodging options such as cabins or cozy cottages. These accommodations come equipped with amenities like full kitchens and patio areas for extra comfort and camping ambiance.

Amenities
The added amenities of an RV park or campground offer excellent value for the cost. They include essential comforts such as Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, showers, and restrooms. Additionally, there are recreational facilities like pools, playgrounds, dog parks, hiking trails, and sports courts, which add a lot of fun to your overnight relaxation and help alleviate the stress of long days on the road. Access to these onsite amenities also helps save money in the long run by providing a place to stop, rest, and enjoy valuable camping experiences.

Making Connections and Spontaneous Exploration
Campgrounds often have communal areas and planned events and activities, providing opportunities to meet other travelers and participate in social events to form meaningful connections on the road. Forming social connections is important for RV travelers to combat loneliness, curate a support network, and enriches travel experiences through shared moments and local insights. RV parks and campgrounds are also strategically located near natural wonders, hidden gem hiking spots, excursions, and attractions, providing you with more opportunities to see and do things that you may have missed had you not taken the road less traveled.

Overall, opting for a private campground over a commercial parking lot ensures superior safety, comfort, and peace of mind for a more fulfilling RV experience. Try out Spot2Nite's user-friendly, interactive booking tool to ensure that you’re never stuck without options with our location-based search to instantly find RV sites near you. Browse top sites all along your route filtered by proximity, price, and camping preferences to book stays in one easy transaction! For the ultimate on-the-go solution for serious RVers, consider Spot2Nite+. This camping subscription tool lets you book with zero booking fees, substantial savings on diesel fuel, innovative toll solutions, point-to-point trip search, campground discounts, vacancy alerts, and many more perks to revolutionize the way you explore the great outdoors. Start your free trial and harness the rewards of Spot2Nite+ today.