FREE RV Parking Overnight At Walmart (Rules & Safety)

Sharing is caring!

Thanks for your support! If you make a purchase using our links in this article, we may make a commission. And, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See the full disclosure here.

Updated April 1, 2024

We spend the night at Walmart quite often. In fact, in the past 12 months, we have spent over 25 nights in Walmart parking lots.

Most RVers know about free RV Parking at Walmart. But do you know all the facts? For example, not every Walmart allows overnight RV parking. And if a Walmart does allow overnight parking, there are some things you should know before staying overnight.

So, whether you are boondocking for one night as a way to keep your campground expenses down, or you’re just tired of driving for the day and need to get some shut-eye, rest assured, there are still plenty of Walmart stores that allow RV overnight parking.

But, as we all know, the world is changing. And so is Walmart. Certain Walmart locations are changing their policies regarding overnight parking, and everyone worries about how safe it is to stay overnight in a Walmart parking lot.

This article serves to address those issues. It also answers many of RVers’ questions about overnight parking at Walmart.

Check out our YouTube video below!

Walmart’s Updated Policies About Overnight RV Parking

Most Walmart stores have allowed overnight parking for RVs in the past, but things have changed over the years. Now, Walmart has updated its overnight parking policy to give individual store locations more decision making power.

While you can expect most things to be the same with every Walmart you visit across the country, things may differ when it comes to RV parking. Depending on local laws, some managers may choose to allow overnight parking or not.

This policy isn’t exactly new, but it does help to clear up some misconceptions about RV parking in Walmart lots.

Over the past five years, we have shown up at about a dozen Walmarts and been told we could not spend the night. Now we always call ahead to ask if we are allowed to spend the night in our RV. We would rather find out while we are on the road so we can choose another location.

In our experience, we still find that most Walmarts allow overnight RV parking.

Do All Walmarts Allow Overnight Parking?

Many Walmart stores allow RVs to park overnight, but not all of them do. We’ve heard RVers mention that only Walmart SuperCenters allow overnight parking. But we know of regular Walmart stores that allow overnight parking too. And we also know of cases where individual Walmart stores have changed their policies regarding overnight parking.

For example, stores that have allowed parking for years suddenly don’t. And the opposite is true too. Stores that have not permitted parking for years have suddenly changed their policy and now allow RVs to park overnight. There appears to be no rhyme or reason as to whether or not they allow overnight parking.

So, how do you know which stores allow overnight parking and which stores do not?

What’s the Back Story About Why Walmart Allows RV Parking Overnight?

There’s a beloved story here that many folks may not know about.  Walmart founder Sam Walton always wanted his RV customers to feel welcome. So, he decided that he wanted them to have a place to stop for the night when traveling the country in their RV motorhomes.

Walmart’s philosophy is that RVers make great customers; therefore, they’ve been welcome to park overnight at Walmart for a long time now. And Walmart is correct! We know hundreds of RVers who regularly shop at Walmart.

Today, however, the sad reality is that RV camping overnight for free at Walmart has become a problem in many areas. In some places, homeless people (and inconsiderate RV campers) have taken advantage of the overnight stay. They’ve littered, caused disturbances, loitered, panhandled, and generally caused problems for the other customers.

Negatives to RV Parking at Walmart

As mentioned above, there are some concerns about homeless people and overall disturbances to consider. Also, there may be city ordinances that prohibit you from staying there overnight, even though Walmart allows it. 

Simply put, use common sense here. Generally speaking, parking your camper trailer or RV motorhome overnight at a Walmart is safe. Check out more of our suggestions below, including the positives of staying here!

As we mentioned we have stayed at dozens of Walmarts and we never had a problem. We did feel unsafe once so we just left and found another location to spend that night. We say always trust your gut.

Positives About RV Parking at Walmart

There are many positives to staying overnight at Walmart. First of all, it’s free! There are no fees to stay overnight. Secondly, stocking up on groceries and camping supplies while you’re there is very convenient. And third, since there are so many Walmart locations, you won’t have to go out of your way to find one.

Also, most Walmarts are near restaurants, gas stations, and other stores. So you can gas up or grab a meal while in the vicinity of a Walmart. When you think about it, staying overnight at a Walmart is a convenient way to save time and money on your RV travels.

Where Should I Park My RV at the Walmart Stores?

Because every Walmart location is different, this one is a tough question to answer.  Basically, look and see where other RVers or truckers have parked their rigs, motorhomes, and camper trailers.

If you don’t see any parked in the Walmart parking lot, go inside the store and ask to speak to a manager. It’s always better to ask for permission and parking advice from the store anyway.

Typically, we end up parking on the side of the Walmart or as far from the front doors as possible so we don’t interfere with customers.

How Can I Find Walmarts That Allow Overnight Parking?

There are several ways to find out which Walmart stores allow overnight parking and also, which stores do not. One way is to use the Walmart Locator. This will take you to a site where you can click on a state and then click on a particular store location. I think it’s a bit incomplete. Here is a screenshot of what you can find.

Allstays is also a useful app for finding Walmarts that allow overnight camping.

Why Would Walmart Deny Overnight RV Parking?

There are several reasons why Walmart does not allow campers to park overnight. Some towns have recently passed ordinances that prohibit overnight parking. So, if a Walmart is in that jurisdiction, they can’t allow campers to park overnight per city laws.

A store might also prohibit overnight stays for safety reasons. Walmart managers typically won’t allow overnight parking in high-crime locations. RVers probably shouldn’t park in high crime areas anyway, as they often have cash on hand, making them a desirable target for criminals.

Finally, homeless people have started living in RVs. They park at Walmart because it’s free, and then they stay for long periods. There are reports of some of these folks begging for money and making a mess in the parking lot. If this happens too often, Walmart may have no choice but to close its parking lot to all overnight visitors in an attempt to avert the homeless problem.

Is It True That Walmart Stores Are Changing Their Policies?

Some campers report being told they couldn’t park overnight in their RVs. Many RVers are concerned that Walmart is changing its policy about overnight RV parking. In the FAQ section of Walmart’s corporate website, one of the questions asks: Can I park my RV at a Walmart store?  The answer from Walmart is:

“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”.

So, based on this information, I think it’s safe to say that Walmart has not changed its policy. However, more managers may decide they won’t allow overnight parking at their location.

Is There a Crime Problem in Walmart Parking Lots?

Many crimes take place in Walmart stores and in their parking lots. The vast majority involve shoplifting and minor assault.

Walmart has been hit with a wrongful death lawsuit against Walmart, alleging that the business knows how unsafe its parking lots are and hasn’t taken proper precautions. The suit is from the family of a man who got into an argument with someone who drove too close to a baby carriage. He got into an argument with the driver and punched him in the face. The driver then shot him in the chest. How is this Walmart’s fault?

That said, crimes are committed against RVers every year at Walmart and other locations, too. But they don’t happen often, and RVers can easily avoid them if they’re smart and careful.

Is It Safe to Park Overnight at Walmart? 

It is safe to park at Walmart overnight, but you must use common sense. Here are some tips that we use to help you stay safe.

• Call the manager and ask if you can stay. Ask if they’ve had crime issues.
• Call the local police department, and ask if a particular Walmart is safe. Ask them to keep an eye on the parking lot.
• Find out if there’s a security guard for the Walmart and introduce yourself. Ask him to keep an eye on your rig.
• Park in a well-lit area of the parking lot.
• Take care of everything outside the RV early in the evening. Then lock up and stay in your RV for the night.
• If you hear anything suspicious, don’t go outside. Call the Police!
• Lock your RV doors and exterior storage compartments.
• Trust your gut. If you have a funny feeling about staying, just leave!

What’s It Like to Stay Overnight at Walmart?

Walmart is a favorite place for RVers and some truckers to spend the night. But what’s it like to stay there?

Well, first of all, since it’s a popular location, you’ll likely see other RVs there spending the night. Assuming everyone has asked the manager for permission, most of the RVs will be parked in the same area. Not everyone does this, so you might only see one or two RVs in different parking lot areas.

There are also no hookups, so your RV must be self-sufficient. Since there’s no electricity, some folks may run their generator overnight, and you might hear that noise. You should also expect the parking lot to be bright since you’ll most likely park in a well-lit area.

You should expect to hear some road noise when you stay at a Walmart. There could be noise from tractor-trailers rolling in to make deliveries. And there can be RVers pulling in at any hour of the night. Many Walmarts are near major highways and busy roads, so expect road noise.

Be a Courteous Guest When You Stay Overnight

Since you’ll probably be parked among other overnighters, please be courteous, considerate, and polite to the other campers. And be kind to Walmart employees. Here are a few universal rules of etiquette while staying at Walmart:

• Always call ahead and ask the manager for permission to park overnight.
• When you arrive at the Walmart, introduce yourself to the manager and security guards and ask where to park.
• Only stay overnight. Leave early the next morning, so you don’t overstay your welcome.
• Ask the manager what the rules are. For example, ask if you’re allowed to lower your stabilizer jacks, extend your bump-outs, or run your generator.
• If you can run your generator, try to observe a quiet time of 10pm to 8am.
• Buy any supplies you need at Walmart. Since they’re kind enough to let us stay, buy something while you’re there as a thank you.
• Clean up your trash.
• Clean up after pets if you have any.
• If outdoors, keep all pets on a leash.
• Don’t extend your awning and sit in the parking lot
• Don’t have a barbecue or use an outdoor kitchen in the parking lot.
• Keep noise levels down when inside and outside your RV.

What If I Can’t Stay at Walmart?

If you can’t stay overnight at a particular Walmart, don’t worry. There are plenty of other places to stay overnight, such as:

• Flying J Truck Stops
• Camping World
• Cracker Barrel – Check out my article on boondocking at Cracker Barrel. It’s very informative.
• Kmart
• Highway rest areas
• Costco – Not many people know you can stay at Costco. Check out our article about staying at Costco too.
• Cabelas
• Lowes
• Home Depot

Related Questions

1. Can Anyone Sleep in a Walmart Parking Lot?

Whether you’re in an RV or in a car, Walmart doesn’t have any universal rules about sleeping in their parking lots or not. However, if store management prohibits parking your RV overnight in their lot, they probably don’t want you sleeping there either.

If you’re sleeping in a Walmart parking lot that allows overnight stays, always remember to check your surroundings and be cautious. Not every Walmart parking lot is safe, and you don’t want to risk falling asleep in a sketchy area.

2. Can You Sleep in a Walmart Parking Lot in Canada?

The same rules apply to Canadian Walmarts as they do to U.S. ones. You can sleep in many Canadian Walmart parking lots, but always check with the manager first and avoid sketchy areas.

3. Are There Nicer Places Than Parking Lots to Stay Overnight for Free?

Yes! There are some great alternatives to staying overnight in a parking lot, and they’re pretty close to free. There are two camping memberships that I highly recommend if you want to park in some great locations for free.

Harvest Hosts is another membership we belong to that has over 5,000 free places to park overnight. These overnight parking places are gorgeous. There are orchards, wineries, farms, breweries, museums, churches and other unique attractions that allow RVs to stay the night.

The annual membership is only $99 a year and gives you access through their website and App to stay at any of these incredible locations. And they just added an additional membership for only $40 to stay at over 350 golf courses across the country, too!

So, for $139 a year, your price will never go up, and you have over 5,000 gorgeous locations to park overnight! We are members and love our membership!

Boondockers Welcome is an RV club that offers places to park for overnight stays from people who own private land. They now have more than 1000 locations across North America. The idea is that Boondockers Welcome provides a website directory of fellow RVers willing to let you stay a night or two on their property.

Even though the name is Boondockers Welcome, which gives the impression there are no hookups, many hosts are able to provide electricity and water, as well. Guests are encouraged to offer the host a gift or pay a few bucks if hookups are provided. Most of the time the parking area will be right beside the property owner’s home, or it will be on land that they own but do not live on. And you have the benefit of meeting some great people who can give advice about the area where they live!

---

Related Articles to Overnight RV Parking at Walmart:

For more information about free overnight parking or camping check out some of our other articles below.

How To Find Free RV Camping
Best Places to Go RV Camping for FREE
Can I Live in an RV on My Own Property?
Harvest Hosts – A Great Way to Camp for Free!
Cheap Retirement Living in an RV
Does Walmart Have Free WiFi?

---

Do you have any comments you would like to share about parking your RV overnight at Walmart? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Thanks for reading this article and if you would like to email me directly, please visit our Contact Page and send an email.

To see a list of all of our articles check out the Blog Archive!

Sharing is caring!