Walmart parking lots?

[Randy J]

Do all Walmarts allow you to stop over for the night? I would like to take advantage of saving a few bucks by stopping over at a Walmart here and there if we are driving late into the night. I don't see a point in stopping at a rv park.

[folivier]

Welcome Randy & Leeann. Here are a couple websites that should help: http://www.allstays.com/c/wal-mart-locations.htm
http://www.freecampgrounds.com/
And if you join Escapees this guy has a list for sale: http://www.daysenddirectory.com/
And I'm sure you know about the casinos free parking sites: http://www.casinocamper.com/rv-parking-locations

[tuga]

I have only found 1 WalMart that didn't allow MH to spend the night in their parking lots. It is located in Jennings, LA off I-10. They have vertical metal barriers that prevent you from entering their parking lot. I assume it is because they feel that heavy motorhomes will damage their parking lots over time.

Good post Forest!

[afrench45]

Ive ran through several Wal Marts that do not allow overnight motorhome parking. One of our local Walmarts do not allow it due to city code...Wal-Mart doesn't care, but the city fines Wal-Mart for mh parked overnight. I've had security run me out of a couple different Wal-Marts before and he said they had to enforce it to avoid fines

[Hugo]

We have stopped at Walmarts in our past travels. Some have no problem letting you stay and then you will run into some Walmarts that don't allow it like Andrew stated because of city code.

We have also heard that it's because some RV parks have made it a big deal saying it takes away business from them and it's then that I think the city get's involved and trys to stop it.

I have seen quite a few RVs in the Walmart parking lots staying over night so I know there are still quite a few that allow it. Some Walmarts even have extra land where they have it set up just for RVers and truckers. It's nice when they do that for those quick pull overs when you need a few hours of shut eye.

[express1]

They also don't mind the couple of hundred $$$$ spent while parked...

[Neweller]

It used to be ok at pretty much most Walmarts. Andrew and others are correct on the city ordinances. The main reason cities enforce ordinances like this in the first place is due to so many owners of RV parks complaining to their city counsel they were loosing money. This stinks for the person wanting to just layover for some short rest. I was told this by the president of a RV discount club. I know in Colorado there are several locations that don't allow it. I know the one link Forest posted above is a good reference on Walmarts.

Ken

[Randy J]

Thanks guys. We will check out the links. We like to save all the pennies we can because Randy isn't always on his game. But when he is then we are doing just fine. Yes we know about the casinos free parking and we've already taken advantage of that at Wild Horse in Pendleton, OR.

Leeann

[Flydrifter]

It's way cheeper to find a RV Park, that free parking usually cost me $100 before I get out of there.

All kidding aside, it is a great asset and I have only found restrictions where the local municipality governs it.

Ray Penick
1996 Newell #420
Tulsa, OK

[Wally Arntzen]

I never stay in an RV park when I am traveling from point A to Point B, always in a Wallmart or truck stop. There are a few that don't work but I always find a truck stop if need be. Truck stops are a lot more noise so I always find a spot on the outside of the lot if possible.

Wally Arntzen

[tuga]

I have stayed at Lowe's, Target, Home Depot, Best Buys, church parking lots, high school parking lots, supermarkets, and WalMarts. Truck stops are too noisey! Sometimes rest areas along interstates are also noisey.

The best place to overnight park is a Holiday Inn. Late night there are young college students working there and they could care less if you don't have a room rented. Mall parking lots are also good; although I have been chased out of a mall parking area once.

I really don't mind paying for site rent in an RV park, it's just a hassle to disconnect the car, find the site in the dark, or if we arrive early we have to give our life history to the clerk. All I want to do is give them $35, plug in, and go to sleep.

[Neweller]

I'm with Tuga on this. Except sometimes I might want to keep the $35 for lunch. We got lucky one time southwest of Chicago and found a Super Target and parked there and of course did go in and find some food options not carried by Walmart.

[Randy J]

I found this list. Walmart stores where overnight RV parking is prohibited. It's a pretty long list.


No Overnight Parking at Walmart | Walmart Atlas

[chockwald]

Just spent parts of three days, and two nights in the Super Walmart parking lot in Rock Springs, WY......nice view down the valley and walking distance to several restaurants, and a Starbucks. Dropped $180 in Walmart shopping. Around sundown the back of the lot fills up with RV's....I counted 15 last night. We have had no trouble, with one lone exception, overnighting at Walmarts....the exception was the Jacksonville, FL Walmart off I-90 where we were advised by a security guard within 2 minutes of shutting down the DD that we could only park there for 1.5 hours and we had to be on our way. We also use Cracker Barrel Restaurants to overnight in. The Super Walmarts are open 24/7, and have good lighting, and usually security cameras, if not a security person.

[pairodice]

We used to stay at Cracker Barrel alot, Truck Stops, churches, main street in sleepy towns, dusty roads that were open on both ends. Only had a problem once or twice. Once at Garden of the Gods in CO Springs kicked us out, no gate and no signs but we were supposed to 'know better'... right...
I wonder if the WalMart Atlas shows the stores you can stay in?

[tuga]

If you put a pencil to it, if you have to run your generator all night for AC Wal Mart might not be such a bargin if you compare it to a $30 per night RV park! If the genny uses .8 gal/hr for 10 hours that's 8 gallons X $4.02 per gallon your total cost is $32.16 not counting the cost per hour of fuel filters, oil fitler & oil.

Just sayin !!!!

[Randy J]

Good reason why no Walmart. Or city should care if we park for a night. They'll make money from shopping. Most have huge parking lots to.