For more than a quarter century, Walmart has graciously allowed RVers to spend a night in its stores’ parking lots. Most stores were happy to do so. Those that did not allow stays were most often those where local ordinances prohibited it.
Through the years, more and more stores have posted “No Overnight Parking” signs. Often, it’s because of abuse by RVers themselves, who stay for long periods, or who set up camp in parking lots with slides extended and lawn chairs outside for socializing. And there are cases where sewer tanks leaked, or motor oil dripped excessively, or where those who stayed left trash behind.
Have you noticed a change when overnighting at Walmart?
So, today, we’d like to ask those of you who routinely spend a night in a Walmart parking lot if you have noticed a change lately in the number of RVers who are spending the night due to economic necessity? It’s usually obvious who they are: Their RVs tend to be old and often in disrepair, and their inhabitants will often leave belongings outside, including bicycles and toys of their children. They may also stay for weeks or longer.
We ask because Walmart’s policy of free overnight stays has historically been very important, even necessary to RVers unable to locate a last-minute RV park, or on tight budgets that require them to save money when they can. These people are most often respectful; they pull into a back part of a parking lot to make dinner and then get a night’s sleep, and then move on. Walmart not only allows them to stay, but welcomes them, knowing that many will visit stores where they stay to stock up on food and other provisions.
But we wonder if an increasing number of RVers, desperate for a place to stay, might overwhelm Walmart and other big box stores to the point where the stores simply say “enough is enough” and disallow overnight stays. Just look at the number of economically struggling people staying in junky RVs on city streets: Those numbers keep on climbing.
We know the day will come when Walmart, for one reason or another, will post “No Overnight Parking” signs on all of its stores. But will that be in a year or ten years?
Please leave a comment about what you have observed.
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RVT1230
We often stay at Walmarts overnight, always asking for permission, and making purchases in the store. We have not noticed any increase in homeless or questionable RVers. We are almost in the company of at least one RV and several semi trucks overnight…..which is fine with us….safety in numbers. Most of the Walmarts we stay in have security personnel who are obvious in their presence or frequent visits by local police. We’ve never felt unsafe.
Class B’s seem to be an exception.
I also often stay at Walmarts overnight when I travel in my truck camper. I ALWAYS go inside to ask for permission, which to me is common sense. I usually make purchases in the store and have the bags in hand when I talk to the manager about staying overnight. I have seen an increase in the homeless but more in sleeping in cars. Just this last week I talked with one in a truck that actually worked the night shift in Walmart and lives in his truck because he is divorced and can’t afford an apartment.
The only parking lot overnight I have used was a small town casino that also had a limited number of 30A electric for RVs. This stopped when the casino cut back night hours they were open, and not due to overstays. I see some, but not many RVs likely overnighting at retailers’ lot boundaries. At most, they have had a lawn chair outside on a warm evening.
So for me, it boils down to the age old story of a few bad apples in the barrel spoiling the barrel.
In our experience, Wally’s, Cracker Barrel and home improvement stores have already been quelling this issue for years.
What does that mean?
Our local Walmart has signs, “No overnight truck or RV parking”.
Ironically, I have seen Walmart trucks parked overnight and one for more than one day.
I guess the rules do not apply to their own trucks.
These are not parked behind the building, but in the main parking area right beside the signs.
Bob, why would you think that Wal-Mart’s own truckers should not use their lots for rest even if others are not allowed? It’s their lots!
The signs say NO truck parking! Not Walmart trucks only!
Plus, there are trucks delivering to Walmart that are not Walmart trucks, mostly private companies delivering and stocking some groceries.
I see it all the time at our local store.
Bob- quit digging Brother!😆
We’re in a class B and often stay at Walmart. Always shop and ask permission. Have not seen an increase in homeless. Haven’t seen as many RVs there as in the past.
“We know the day will come when Walmart, for one reason or another, will post “No Overnight Parking” signs on all of its stores. But will that be in a year or ten years?”
Your Words!
I personally do not think Wal Mart will be the deciding entity.
The deciding entity will be the local governments in which the Wal Marts are located that will stop the practice of overnighting in Wal Mart parking lots with new laws and/or restrictions that will significantly reduce or totally eliminate overnighting at the local Wal Mart. The homeless population and their blatant disregard for the care of other peoples property will ensure that happens across the USA.
Stand back and watch!
One rver stays at either Walmart or cracker barrel with a beat up class c
What?
Municipalities post NOP signs and rules, not Walmart. A North Georgia police chief told me that the city banned overnight parking at Walmart even before it opened because “we don’t want those kind of people staying there overnight.”
This was in 2010.
Walmart stops have helped us when we aren’t near a campground, campgrounds full, or don’t fit our needs. We have not seen any issues with overcrowding, debris left, people “setting up” camp, etc. We occasionally have seen people sleeping in cars, but still no issues.
We have not stayed in a Walmart yet but it is on our list for a “just in case” stay if needed and we are thankful for that opportunity, if and when the time comes. I appreciate your perspective.
Happy trails 😎 ✌️
Full timer 27ft class A towing for past 8 years. I enjoy snowbirding in San Diego CA. In the last few years San Diego has become increasingly difficult for RVers visiting the city. Regulations that recently changed now requires a permit to park on any public area or face a $175. Ticket. The permits are not available to visitors, residents only, thereby removing virtually ALL parking for RVs in San Diego. I recently received such a ticket after parking for 1 hour in a dirt lot that had multiple rvs parked.
San Diego rvers visiting have become “persona non grata”. Beware!
Yes, I have seen it. I have not stayed due to the ‘sketchy’ vibe of broken down RV’s that have clearly been there for some time. The answer is to enforce limitations on staying. One night and move on. I foresee a complete ban sooner or later.
I live in a small town in south central TN. There are 2 Walmarts within 6 miles of my home. Neither appear to have an increase in overnight campers. I will be heading south for the winter very soon and will keep my eyes pealed at Walmarts that we pass along our way.
I have seen quite a few Walmarts with homeless encampments, mainly on the west coast and Colorado.
We never Wally-dock because of the shady/ derelict rigs in the parking lot , plus the fact that too many Walmart parking lots are homeless hangouts. Not safe.
We have stayed in a Walmart parking lot only once in 9 years. The reason was that the interstate was closed due to a multiple vehicle accident. There were quite a few of us in the same situation and though it felt safe, it’s not something I’d actually choose to do to save money. Having the option in an emergency was fantastic, though.
We never count on being able to O/N in Walmart anymore. There are several we can still rely on but, between capricious managers and city ordinances, we always have fall-back plans. I say capricious because, in our experience, some stores are very inconsistent in enforcing their policies. In any case, we only use a W if we are in transit, not knowing how far we will make it in a day, arriving late/leaving early.
Yes, for the first time i have. The last 2 I’ve stayed in, 1 had an old beat up abandoned motor home. Busted out windows, plastic partially taped over 1 window. No license plate either. Another had a couple pull in late in an old worn out looking travel trailer. The next morning, door wide open, inside trashy strewn about, n he put a baby in a walker n let him go barefoot in the parking lot while he worked on the car. We were parked across from each other n started talking. They were both unemployed, living in the trailer with 2 huge dogs n the baby. Looking for somewhere big enough to live for them n their 7 kids.
Just like yesterday’s article regarding people not being able to afford rent or a mortgage you bring up the subject again that has nothing to do with RV’ing. Sure, these beat up crappy vehicles can affect Big Box stores making available their lots for normal RV’ers convenience, but don’t confuse social economic problems, especially West Coast, with RV Travel like your name.
We use Walmarts only if we need to shop and replenish while traveling, and always ask permission to stay overnight, if needed.
We haven’t overnighted at Walmarts for many years – when they do allow it, street sweepers would go through the parking lot at 2AM (or so) and depending on where you are – sometimes you would get kids that would circle the parking lot, doing donuts just for fun and harassment. And yes, we would see people sleeping in their cars but not sure if they were just travelling and taking a rest break like the rest of us. Not plugging Harvest Hosts but the instability of rest areas, Walmarts and Casinos make HH a less stressful overnight.
We stayed in our class B in Walmart parking lots twice this summer on a trip from California to the Mid-West and back. The only people we saw staying in both were just overnight travelers needing an easy place to pull off and sleep. We felt safer sleeping at Walmart than we did at the Love’s Truck Stops that we slept at.