Wal Marts

[skidoorider]

Correct me if I am wrong, but do Wal Mart stores allow overnight camping in there parking lots ?
If so, do I need to check in at the service counter at the store and is there typically a fee ?

Thanks !
RB

[tnchuck100]

Some will allow it. Some won't. Sometimes there is a local ordinance that prohibits it. That is usually caused by a couple of local campgrounds feeling they are being cheated out of a nights fee. They would much rather YOU feel cheated for a couple of hours of rest.

Best thing is to ask the store manager.

[Murff]

Also, get close to the other RVs in the WM parking lot. Wal Mart prefers that the RVers stay in one part of the lot, where allowed.

[wags999]

Originally Posted by tnchuck100

Some will allow it. Some won't. Sometimes there is a local ordinance that prohibits it. That is usually caused by a couple of local campgrounds feeling they are being cheated out of a nights fee. They would much rather YOU feel cheated for a couple of hours of rest.

Best thing is to ask the store manager.

Actually many cities put a stop to it because of the people that were living in the parking lots. May want to google Cottonwood Arizona. A family living in the WalMart parking lot attacked the police who were responding to a sexual assault call Bottom line One dead and a cop shot, 7 arrested.

It has nothing to do with campgrounds feeling cheated it has everything to do with crime. I have stayed in a few Casino Parking lots, with permission, but never at Wal Mart. Wal Mart is not secure while most casinos do have security and camera surveillance. JMHO

[RedHorse1]

The Aastays iPhone app shows WalMart locations and if they allow overnighting.

[DieselX]

I stay a Walmarts often while on the road, but some don't let you for whatever reason. I stay at truckstops if the local Walmarts don't let ya. Never had a problem there. Some states let you stay in the rest areas too, but some don't. Anywhere you see semi's is a good stop, I mean just to fill up and grab some sleep for a while anyway. Don't put out the awning and start grilling haha.

[norty1]

It is a good idea to check with the customer service desk or a manager before making yourself at home. Many reasons that they don't allow it.

If they OK it, don't ruin it for future over-nighters by cranking a generator or acting like you are in a campground. I would not even open a slide if it were me.

Purchase some food or supplies as a good well gesture.

[Firefighter78]

We've stayed at Walmarts along RT81 with no problems at all but usually pull in after midnight. Typically Home Depots, Lowes, Camping Worlds parking lots are good as well if they are right off an exit. I personally stay away from truck stops and rest areas.

[Clayton4971]

Originally Posted by norty1

It is a good idea to check with the customer service desk or a manager before making yourself at home. Many reasons that they don't allow it.



If they OK it, don't ruin it for future over-nighters by cranking a generator or acting like you are in a campground. I would not even open a slide if it were me.



Purchase some food or supplies as a good well gesture.

X-2 when we stay at Walmart it is usually a late day, always ask, I only stay at super Walmarts that are open 24hr. Purchase food or supplys as needed , it's not a campground just a place to rest for the night abuse it we loose it .

[Plowtoy]

We have stayed at walmarts a few times in between destinations. Its a one night thing and that's it. We don't open our slides and other expandables. We also stay as far back as possible so not to interfere with other vehicle traffic. We do go in and always ask to make sure its o.k. On one trip, we had a flat on one of the RVs in our convoy near the Wisconsin Dells and it was late, we pulled into the local walmart and there were signs stating local ordinance said we couldn't stay. We went into the store, explained the situation and that we intended on using the autoshop to repair the tire the next morning and they allowed us to stay (we took the tire in the next morning and they wouldn't fix it because it was a trailer tire, so I ended up plugging it myself after purchasing a plug kit from them). The mgr said the signs were there because the local campgrounds put up a fuss as mentioned and the town adopted the ordinance. They also said, being a tourist town, they would have RVs there many nights in a row if it wasn't posted. Bottom line, be sure to check with mgt before staying.

[Kave&Lucky]

download the Allstays app. It will identify the WM that permits overnight stays. It will usually list the WM phone # so you can call and request permission. As always use good Wally-Docking Etiquette.

[Tail_gunner]

Things may of changed by now because of the sh*tstorm this caused, but a few years ago in Billings, MT, (FWIU) the city passed a ordinance prohibiting parking an RV except in a campground. That caused issues with a lot of local RV owners who had their campers parked on the street in front of their homes.

Supposedly the ordinance came about as result of a couple of local campground operators complaining about "loss of business" to the Wal-Mart parking lot as well as a local hotel that installed RV hookups in their parking lot.

At the time, I did a LOT of traveling for work pulling a big trailer. My turbo diesel pickup had a 100 gal auxiliary tank in the back. With that kind of range, I was able to go from one end of Montana to the other without stopping to buy fuel at all, but especially in Billings.

[DocBrown]

The most important thing about doing over nighters at Wal-Mart, rest stops, truck stops, or any other place that might allow it, is to have your wits about you. If you get a "prickly" sensation that something isn't right, it's because something isn't right. Pay attention to your "feelings".

[wags999]

I can tell you from several cities that have banned overnight parking anywhere, including Wal Mart, HD etc, it is NOT because a campground complained. It's because of the undesirables it attracts. Crime, litter etc became a big issue, so for safety they banned over night stays. While it may be convenient to say it's the greedy campgrounds, it's the undesirables that caused it, just like happened in Cottonwood a few days ago. Would you be surprised if Cottonwood or the local Wal Mart just say no ? If I had a store etc I would not want the potential liability allowing people to camp in my parking lot, just not worth it, not in today's society. People have little respect for others and lawyers will go for the deepest pocket no matter what.

And with homeless increasing the situation may become more precarious. It's not the guy with a family that only wants to park for a few hours that is the problem. I just went to my local WalMart and was surprised to find a TT parked, with chairs outside, rug down...really? You think that's ok? Obviously they were not just looking to stay overnight as this was 10:30 in the morning and no vehicle was within 5 or 6 stalls of where the TT was.

[SmokerBill]

I've overnighted at lots of Walmarts, all over the country. There was only one I wanted to stop at that didn't allow overnighters. I only had one problem- stupid kids walked past the TT and banged on the side with their hands. Kind of worried me, so I left.

At the Walmart in Port Angeles, WA I asked about overnighting, and they allowed up to 3 nights, which surprised me. I stayed two nights at that spot, and bought a lot of stuff while there.

[Todd Klassy]

If I were you, I would plan on the very liberal policy at Walmarts going away soon. Like everything else, there are some who are ruining it for the rest of us. More and more vagrants are finding RV life appealing. Many on YouTube (i.e. Nomadic Fanatic) even glamorize that sort of lifestyle. Then there was this bit of news this week:

Christian band named after the end of days identified as group who got into deadly gunfight with police in Walmart parking lot | Daily Mail Online

When the liability to Walmart beings to exceed the modicum of revenue they receive for allowing RVs to stay overnight you can bet their policy will change.

[DocBrown]

You might also consider brand name motels. Many will let you stop and sleep in their lots if you call ahead and ask. They do this for truckers too. Same rules apply as to Wal-mart, etc. Some municipalities won't allow it and pay attention to your "spidey sense".

[Bassdogs]

Have overnited at WW all over the country including Alaska [Palmer]. Have only ask a couple times, one when there were signs all over the parking lot prohibiting overnite parking. At that store, the manager walked outside with me and pointed out where to park. Have never been hassled or ask to leave. Also have rarely been the only RV in the lot. By dark there are almost always at least 3 or 4.

WW is happy for RVers to stay the nite because we spend $$'s while we're there. All this talk about trashing the parking lot or spending the summer makes a good story but its the regular customers who trash the lot. Rvers I've met appreciate the opportunity and I have been known to thank the manager the next morning as I'm buying groceries.

[Hattie]

Back in January I posted: For the list of Wal-Marts and those that don't allow RV parking - Google and go to the WALMARTATLAS site. Here you can find the Wal-Marts where you can 'overnight' and the rules they have.

[silverark]

Thank Hattie, that might come in handy sometime.