Overnighting at Wal-Mart?

[Visionsbydarrah]

Hey everyone,

Has anyone stayed the night at a Wal-Mart?
I've never done this before and was wondering what the protocol was for doing so?

For the off chance I have to some late night.

Thanks for your input.

Pat & Taz

[caseydog]

I read somewhere that many towns now don't allow it. It's not WalMart, but city ordinances. The closest WalMart to me is in Plano. Plano City ordinance prohibits overnight RVParking.

http://www.freecampgrounds.com/noparking.html


CD

[Visionsbydarrah]

I have heard that as well some where.
That's part of the reason for this post I guess.
I like having the facts about things before I get into to much trouble.




Pat & Taz

[Mightydog]

I've had friends blow in to town and ask the manager of the local Wal Mart if it was okay to camp overnight. He was fine with it. The city was fine with it. The only problem was where they had to park. They were stuck in the part of the parking lot where the 18-wheelers camped too. The trucks would come and go in the middle of the night or just idle while the driver caught a quick nap.

[Catoosa Grani]

We have stayed at Walmart many nights when going some distance and just needing to stop for the night. Some have signs that say no overnight parking but that usually means truckers. We always go to the office and ask permission. We have never been turned away and in some places even had security park close by and watch for us. For some reason, some of them don't want the truckers staying overnight but we were told the RV's were fine. They always tell us where to park and most are open 24 hours so makes for a nice potty stop in the middle of the night. With some campers this is a big controversy but for us it is fine. Like I said, I always ask and they appreciate it. Hope this helps.

Betty

[toolman]

The Walmart in Mtn. Home, AR used to allow it and there were plenty of people that spent nights there. For what ever reason, they are not allow to do so anymore. There are signs at all the entrances stating that fact. I assume it was the city that put the ban in place.

You could go inside and ask for a manager (if no signs are posted) and ask them if it would be okay to spend the night. Or stop by the local police station and if you can spend the night in their lot, or if it is okay to park at a Walmart, K-mart or and other large retailer parking lot.

Jerry

[vreihen]

I've never stayed overnight at Wal-Mart, but the company does say that they do not officially prohibit it at the corporate level:

http://walmartstores.com/7657.aspx

There is a Yahoo group named walmartrving that maintains a database of stores where overnight parking is permitted, as well as where local ordinances prohibit it:

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/walmartrving/

If you don't want to join the Yahoo group to read their etiquette suggestions and grab their latest store guide, this list seems to be pretty good a least with the stores in my local area:

http://www.walmartatlas.com/no-park-walmarts

More or less, the accepted protocol is to ask permission at the courtesy desk if the store is open, and park wherever they tell you. If the store is closed, park as far away from the store as possible. Obviously, setting up a canopy, taking out the grill and generator, or any other activity that makes it look like you're at a campground and not just parking overnight is frowned on.....

[Arne]

I have done it many time at walmart and cracker barrel. No problems. But, there is safety in numbers..... and a dog.

[Visionsbydarrah]

WOW! You guys are great!!!! So much information.
like I said I've never done this but have heard and read about it from a lot of people and so on.
And thought getting the run down on this would be a good idea for furture adventures. if the need ever came up.


Thanks so much!!!!



Pat & Taz

[oklahomajewel]

I never thought I would (being a single female) but actually stopped at the 24 hr WM super center in little Idabel , OK on the way to LCG in Louisiana.
I was soooooo tired and stopped there about 11 pm . I went inside , got a few things , and asked the front end manager if it was okay---- not to "spend the night" but just said I had a little bitty camper and just needed to park and catch a few hours sleep. They were fine with it and suggested where to park.

I only felt comfortable because I am able to lock my doors from the inside. Otherwise I wouldn't have done it.

I did make sure to park under a flood light and entered the td from the side not facing the parking lot. I did not get into the galley for anything.

Good luck !

the Jewel

[Big Dan]

A friend and I tried to catch some zzz on the side of the road and a cop came and told us to go to the wallmart. It was a long time ago though.

[JohnSw]

When we had our 5th wheel, we spent may nights in Walmarts. If you are traveling late, it's nice to pull into a Walmart, find a level area at the outskirts of the lot & go to sleep. It sure beats pulling into a campground at 10PM in the dark, driving around looking for a spot because the campground office is closed

If you are along the interstates, you will see others already parked. I always figured if other campers were there then there was no need for me to go in and ask. If you buy a road atlas at walmart it list the walmarts,supercenters, & Sam's clubs in the back and even tells you which ones are within a couple miles of the interstate.

You have to use common sense. There were Walmarts we passed by because we didn't like the looks of the area around them. I always tried to park close to one of the $500000 motor homes figuring they were a better target.javascript:emoticon(';)')

John

[john warren]

as an expiditer i used to camp at walmart or miejers a lot. park out away from the trafic a bit. handy to use the restrooms and get something to eat or drink.

most won't bother you. at the most they will ask you to leave. same with police.

[robertaw]

I really, really want to spend the night at a Walmart. When I get my next trailer, our local Wally World will by my second night - first one will be camping in the yard.

The Walmart here always has many RVs and trucks over nighting. The city tried to ban it but that only lasted three days. There was a major backlash from the community and Walmart refused to enforce it so they backed off. We are now happily back to normal.

I love driving through and checking out all the rigs. It's like an ever changing RV show.

[jss06]

I have done both Walmart and Cracker Barrel. Both good places to take a rest.

Always asked permission before staying though.