If you frequently or sometimes stay overnight in a Walmart parking lot, do you ask the store permission first to stay, or do you just pull in and set up and not ask permission? Does it depend on the Walmart or if there is signage?
Also worth noting: Some RVers say they’ve been waved in or even welcomed by store employees, while others report being asked to leave despite no visible signage. So the experience can vary widely depending on the store, location, and even the time of day.
Some RVers, we’ve been told, will pull into an area of a parking lot where there are already at least a few RVers there for the night. They’ll just assume it’s okay to stay if others are already there. Is this you?
There’s also the question of what “overnighting” really means. Some RVers simply park, keep a low profile, and stay just long enough to rest, while others might put out slides, set up chairs, or even barbecue. That kind of setup can draw more attention and may be frowned upon, even if overnight parking is technically allowed.
We give you a few options on the poll, but please feel free to leave a comment after you vote and tell us why you ask for permission or why not. We’re curious to hear. Thank you!
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RVDT2690
Thank you for the question, RV Travel! We favor Cracker Barrel restaurants over Walmart. Even at that, we have only had need of overnighting at a Cracker Barrel three times in the last 8 years; Walmart zero. So, per request, no response to today’s survey. Have a great day and safe travels!
I never ask simply because I never stay overnight at Walmart, Crackerbarrel, or any of the other locations that “allow it.”
I always ask the manager, either at Walmart, cracker barrel or anywhere we might stop. Sometimes it’s not up to the manager, but some city ordinance that we aren’t aware of. And as the managers are usually local, they can often give us an option as to where to go. I usually have a basket of items in my arms when I look for the manager, so they know I’m not there JUST as a free overnight, but I am also a customer.
If it’s after 8pm and there are a dozen RV/trucks already there then I don’t ask, but if it’s early or I only see a couple then I ask.
We have done casino overnight parking. I always ask. Easy because casinos pretty much always have knowledgeable security at their door. Many times security will pull out a simple ‘who are you?’ form that includes any rules.
As a FTer going on 9 years, we often stay in Walmarts, Cabela’s, casinos, etc. overnight. We always call first and usually then check in person that it’s OK. By checking in, we can ensure we are parked where the company wants us. To us, it is a privilege to be given this option. We have often been “Thanked” by employees for this consideration.
The “free” parking at wal mart usually costs me $50/100 bucks
we restock as needed
then there’s dinner, a roto chicken and potato salad and in the morning fresh bakery
we went to Albuquerque good sam balloon rally and they not only greeted us, they took us to a separate parking area.
Yes Always!
Unfortunately more and more cities are passing city ordinances banning camping in business parking lots.
I always ask as a courtesy to Wal Mart not to get them in trouble when the local yocal Police men cruises the lot in the middle of the night looking for Wal Mart campers.
If more and more Wal Marts have problems with unlawful campers corporate Wal Mart might say to Hell with allowing overnight camping in their parking lots nationwide.
That would be a shame!
The only time I didn’t ask permission at a WM was when we pulled in at 5 pm and there several rigs already parked there. I think there were 20 in there by 10 pm. I usually call ahead because not all WM allow overnighting. We do have a few “favorite” WM that we use when traveling each winter.
We are relying less and less on Walmart. Often cities have passed ordinances Walmart has no control over. We once pulled into a Walmart in Montana that AllStays said allowed overnighting. It was 10 pm on a very stormy night. We asked, and were told no. Because of conditions, we risked staying anyway in an unobtrusive area, and were undisturbed. Sometimes, if there are no signs saying no, and we see other RVs there already, we might stay without askinng. We’ve never been chased out, anyway. But these days, we usually look for other options. We’ve noticed at some stores it seems to depend on who you happen to talk to.
We’ve very rarely stayed over night at a Walmart, but when we have, we’ve asked first. We also do it with a full “cart” – found that helps! 😉
There was 1 store i got the front leads permission to overnight. I parked completely across the lot, close to done fast food lots. At 10 till 11, loss prevention (inside Walmart security) comes out n says if I’m not gone by 11, they’ll call the cops. I told her I got permission first, n she went ballistic! I did leave. Pulled across their property line to the fast food restaurant, who I’d called prior to Walmart, for the night. This is the only Walmart I’ve ever had trouble with. I normally only stay there when I’m being domestic (laundry n grocery shipping).
I didn’t reply because we never stay at a Walmart. We do occasionally stay at Cabelas/Bass Pro but prefer Harvest Host or Boondockers welcome. As a retired minister, I have contacted some churches about staying overnight
We always ask permission to park overnight at Walmart, Sam’s Club, Cabela’s, or other businesses. And we always purchase some items in the store. The only time we’ve gotten a “no” was at a Sam’s Club in Colorado. It was suppertime and we were tired from driving all day. We asked if we could stay long enough to eat in our camper and then leave (for a nearby Walmart). The manager said that would be ok. A little later she knocked on our door as she was leaving work and said it would be fine for us to stay the night – after seeing our nice 5th-wheel and truck! 🙂 We like staying at Sam’s in transit, when convenient, because they are closed overnight and quieter than Walmart.
A lot of the businesses may not own the parking lot. Especially if they are located in a large shopping complex.
The one problem with asking a Walmart associate, they may not know the parking code of the municipality. A lot has to do with local fire codes and overnight parking.
Walmart has to abide by the local codes.
I’ve only stayed in a parking lot a few times and always asked. Have never been turned down and have always shopped or eaten there.
We always ask permission. Also spend a few dollars in- store and keep receipt handy. At a couple of chain stores, we have been told to display our receipt in the front window. This let’s security know that you have permission to short stay or overnight. Also we keep to the farthest corner of the lot, away from normal traffic flow. We have found that 24 hour businesses, usually coffee shops welcome the odd overnighter, just don’t park close to store.
i have never stayed overnight at Walmart. however, if dining nearby, I will walk in and ask permission to park for an hour or two.
Never have, never will!
I will continue to thoroughly enjoy my Harvest Hosts stops instead.
A few years ago we were staying long term at an RV Park in Texas. Motor homing friends were coming to town to meet up with us and their daughter who worked in Dallas. They were going to stay at a WM in town but, knowing the area, told them they should not try that as a bad area of town. They pulled into this WM and hadn’t even gotten their motor home engine off and a police man pulled up and asked if they intended to stay overnight. They replied, yes and he told them that wouldn’t be a good idea. So, they called us and got directions to the one we had told them to use. Had a great dinner with them and met their daughter, so all turned out well!
It only happened 1 time in Newfoundland, Canada It was marked no overnighting but w/8 other trucks n cars we pulled in to stay. In USA it’s Cracker Barrel. We don’t ask because it’s easier to beg forgiveness than to get permission.
Some Costcos will let members stay overnight