Camping at Walmart: The Insider's Guide | Perfect Campers (2024)

Camping at Walmart: The Insider’s Guide

Many RV travelers take advantage of Walmart’s “camping” services while on the road. It offers safe overnight parking to break up long travel days, as well as the convenience of stocking up on groceries and camping necessities.

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.

Walmart’s opinions on RV parking can be read on Walmart.com.

These pointers can help you have a good time when “camping” at Walmart.

Prepare ahead of time.

When planning your journey route, make sure to look for a Walmart that allows overnight camping or parking. Not all places have the necessary area to accommodate heavier trucks. You don’t want to be stuck in a scenario where you can’t get your rig turned around after learning that Walmart doesn’t allow overnight camping.

The simplest approach to finding an RV-friendly Walmart is to use RV Trip Wizard to map out your itinerary. You can choose to include Walmarts, Super Walmarts, and other points of interest on your map.

Cracker Barrels, casinos with campgrounds, rest areas, and other places that offer free or low-cost overnight RV parking can all be found using the trip planner.

Make a reservation in advance.

Even if your research indicates that a particular Walmart allows overnight camping, you should double-check by calling beforehand.

When you contact, request to talk with a Manager in order to obtain permission and to learn where they like you to park.

Arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Some Walmarts don’t have this problem, while others have a parking lot that is entirely filled with RVs and sometimes tractor-trailers by 7 p.m. As a result, it’s recommended to arrive between 5 and 6 p.m. to assure a seat.

This is especially critical if this is the only Walmart on your route, as you don’t want to get caught driving extra miles on a busy day.

Park at the designated area.

Make sure you park where the store’s manager has advised. For a variety of reasons, the shop has designated a certain region. First and foremost, they want to make sure that their current customers have safe parking options that are close to the store. Stores encourage more open locations for RVs to make it easy to maneuver their vehicles.

Respect the rights of other RVers by not parking too close to them and by not parking anyone in.

Get more RV Tips here:Guide To Locating The Ideal RV Campsite

Do not pitch a tent.

This cannot be overstated. Although it may appear that you are camping in the Walmart parking lot, you are not. Unhitch, set up the grill, remove all the slides (unless you have plenty of room), listen to loud music, and play corn hole with your friends! This is the quickest method to deprive everyone of this free convenience.

If you must use a generator, exercise caution and politeness. Make sure you park far away from other RVs and cars, that the noise won’t bother others, and that you use the space as little as possible.

Stock up on necessities.

It is normal for RVers to pick up any items they may require as a thank you for your free overnight lodgings. Almost every Walmart has a camping/RV area with items like RV toilet paper and tank deodorizer.

Clean up the area.

Another quick method to lose this access is to not leave the location in the same condition as you found it. Make certain that no garbage, cigarette butts, pet “business,” supermarket carts, or other items are left in inappropriate locations.

DO NOT DUMP ANY GRAY OR BLACK WATER ON THE PARKING LOT!

Walmart isn’t the only big-box retailer that might let you park your RV overnight.

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