As a savvy shopper and student of the retail industry, I‘ve long been fascinated by Walmart‘s unique relationship with the RV and road tripping communities. For decades, the retail giant has maintained a generally welcoming stance toward overnight parking in its lots, making it a popular spot for travelers looking to catch some shut-eye on a budget. But what are the risks of leaving your vehicle at Walmart overnight? Will you wake up to find your car towed?
In this in-depth guide, I‘ll share my insights and analysis on Walmart‘s overnight parking policies, the factors that can lead to towing, and tips for making sure you and your vehicle are safe and secure while overnighting at America‘s most ubiquitous retailer.
The Evolution of Walmart‘s Overnight Parking Policy
Walmart‘s history of allowing overnight RV parking dates back to the company‘s early days in the 1960s. Founder Sam Walton, an RV enthusiast himself, recognized the value of providing a safe, free place for travelers to spend the night, knowing they‘d likely stock up on supplies at Walmart before hitting the road again.
As Walmart grew from a regional retailer to a national behemoth, its overnight parking policy became a key differentiator. While most big box stores and shopping centers prohibited overnight parking, Walmart welcomed RVers with open arms. This goodwill gesture engendered loyalty among a key customer base and helped cement Walmart‘s reputation as a friend of the frugal traveler.
However, as Walmart‘s footprint expanded and the popularity of RVing exploded in the 1990s and 2000s, the company‘s overnight parking policy began to strain under the weight of its own success. Some stores saw their lots fill up with RVs night after night, leading to concerns about everything from trash and noise to crime and liability.
In response, Walmart has gradually given more autonomy to individual store managers to set their own overnight parking policies based on local conditions and ordinances. While the majority of Walmarts still allow overnight RV parking, a growing number are posting "No Overnight Parking" signs and cracking down on violators.
Walmart‘s Outsized Role in the RV Community
To understand why Walmart‘s overnight parking policy matters so much, it helps to put the size of the RV market in perspective. According to the RV Industry Association, there are currently over 11 million RV-owning households in the United States, a number that has grown by 26% in the last decade alone.
For these 11 million households, finding safe, affordable places to park their rigs for the night is a constant challenge. While there are over 16,000 campgrounds and RV parks across the country, they‘re often booked up well in advance and can cost $30 to $100 or more per night.
Enter Walmart. With over 4,700 stores across the U.S., the majority of which allow overnight parking, Walmart has become a go-to destination for RVers looking for a place to rest their heads. A survey by the website RVtravel.com found that 68% of RVers have spent at least one night in a Walmart parking lot, and 24% say they do so "often" or "very often."
So just how big of a player is Walmart in the RV overnight parking market? While hard data is tough to come by, consider this back-of-the-napkin math:
- There are an estimated 1 million full-time RVers in the U.S., meaning they live in their RVs year-round.
- If each of these RVers spends just 10 nights per year in a Walmart parking lot (a conservative estimate), that‘s 10 million overnight stays annually.
- At an average spend of $50 per visit on groceries, supplies, and other items, that translates to $500 million in annual revenue for Walmart from overnight RV guests alone.
Of course, this doesn‘t even account for the millions of part-time and occasional RVers who also rely on Walmart for overnight parking. When you factor them in, it‘s clear that RVers represent a significant customer segment for Walmart, one that the company has a vested interest in keeping happy.
The Pros and Cons of Allowing Overnight Parking
So why would any Walmart choose to prohibit overnight parking given the revenue potential? As with most things in life and business, it comes down to weighing the pros against the cons.
On the plus side, allowing overnight parking:
- Drives foot traffic and incremental sales from grateful RVers stocking up on supplies
- Builds goodwill and loyalty among a high-value customer segment
- Provides a point of differentiation vs. competitors who don‘t allow overnight stays
- Puts otherwise empty parking spaces to productive use during off-hours
However, there are also some significant potential downsides:
- RVs can occupy prime parking spots for extended periods, frustrating other shoppers
- Overnight guests can generate excess trash, noise, and wear-and-tear on property
- Liability concerns if overnighters are injured or victimized on Walmart‘s property
- Potential backlash from local residents and businesses who see RVs as eyesores or nuisances
- Increased security costs to monitor lots and enforce rules overnight
Ultimately, each Walmart store has to weigh these factors and decide for itself whether the benefits of allowing overnight parking outweigh the costs. In many rural and suburban areas with ample parking and limited RV facilities nearby, the calculation often favors being RV-friendly. But in denser urban areas or locations with stricter zoning laws, the math may point the other way.
How Many Walmarts Allow Overnight Parking?
This brings us to the million-dollar question (or more accurately, the $500-million-dollar question based on our earlier estimates): exactly how many Walmarts allow overnight RV parking these days?
Unfortunately, nailing down a precise number is tricky, as Walmart doesn‘t maintain a centralized database of store policies. And since individual store managers have the authority to change their policies at any time, even calling a store directly to ask may not yield a definitive answer.
That said, crowdsourced data from the RV community provides some helpful clues. The website OvernightRVParking.com maintains a user-generated database of over 14,000 Walmart locations and their current overnight parking policies. As of August 2021, the site listed:
- 58% of Walmart stores as "Yes, overnight parking allowed"
- 19% as "No, overnight parking is not allowed"
- 12% as "Parking is allowed for RV customers only"
- 11% as "Unknown/Status not confirmed"
So based on this data, it appears that somewhere around 60-70% of Walmarts currently allow overnight parking, at least for RVs. That aligns with the 68% figure from the RVtravel.com survey mentioned earlier.
It‘s worth noting that the proportion of Walmarts allowing overnight parking seems to be trending gradually downward over time as more stores opt out. OvernightRVParking.com‘s database shows a slow but steady decline from around 78% of stores allowing parking in 2010 to 58% today. This underscores the importance of always checking a store‘s current policy before assuming overnight parking is permitted.
What Factors Can Lead to Vehicles Being Towed?
So let‘s say you‘ve done your due diligence, found a Walmart that allows overnight parking, and settled in for a cozy night‘s sleep in your rig or vehicle. Under what circumstances might you still risk getting towed?
Here are some of the most common factors that can lead to an overnight parker having their vehicle towed from a Walmart lot:
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Staying too long: As mentioned earlier, most Walmarts that allow overnight parking limit guests to a single night. Trying to camp out for multiple days in a row is a surefire way to wear out your welcome and attract the attention of tow trucks.
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Parking in the wrong spot: Walmarts generally prefer overnight parkers to stay in the far reaches of the lot, out of the way of shoppers and deliveries. Camping out in a prime spot near the store entrance or blocking access to dumpsters or loading docks is asking for trouble.
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Setting up camp: Walmart parking lots are for sleeping, not camping. That means no awnings, lawn chairs, grills, or other "campsite" amenities that make it look like you‘re settling in for the long haul. Keep a low profile and stay contained within your vehicle.
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Causing disturbances: Blasting music, running noisy generators, letting pets roam unleashed, or otherwise being a nuisance to other shoppers or nearby residents can quickly lead to complaints and a one-way ticket to the impound lot. Be respectful and keep a low profile.
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Ignoring posted signs: If a Walmart has "No Overnight Parking" signs prominently displayed and you choose to ignore them, you can‘t really feign surprise when you wake up to find your vehicle being hitched to a tow truck. Respect the store‘s policy, even if you‘ve parked there without issue in the past.
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Breaking the law: Even if Walmart management is okay with you parking overnight, local law enforcement may take a different view. Many municipalities have ordinances against sleeping in vehicles or prohibit overnight parking on commercial properties. If the cops come knocking, Walmart may have no choice but to have you towed.
The good news is that in most cases, getting towed from a Walmart parking lot is a fate that‘s easily avoided with a little common sense and courtesy. Communicate with store managers, be a good neighbor, and have a backup plan in case you‘re asked to move along.
Tips for Safe and Secure Overnight Parking
For RVers and car campers who do choose to overnight at Walmart, taking a few simple precautions can go a long way toward ensuring a safe and restful stay.
First and foremost, always trust your gut instinct. If a particular Walmart parking lot gives you the creeps or seems unusually crowded or rowdy, don‘t hesitate to move on and find another place to spend the night. No amount of savings is worth jeopardizing your personal safety.
When you do decide to park for the night, aim for a well-lit spot within view of the store entrance or security cameras. This will deter would-be thieves or vandals and ensure that if anything does happen overnight, there will be witnesses and video evidence.
It‘s also a good idea to make your presence known to store management and get their explicit okay to park overnight. This way, if another customer or passerby reports your vehicle as suspicious, the manager will know you‘re there with permission and won‘t be as likely to have you towed.
As for the nuts and bolts of overnight parking, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Don‘t unhitch your tow vehicle or trailer, as this sends the message that you‘re settling in for an extended stay.
- If you have slide-outs on your RV, keep them retracted. The smaller your footprint, the less likely you are to attract unwanted attention.
- Keep your valuables out of sight and your doors locked, just as you would if parking anywhere else overnight.
- If you‘re traveling alone, consider investing in a portable door lock or other security device for added peace of mind.
- Crack a window and keep a battery-powered fan running to avoid waking up to a sweltering vehicle interior.
- Set an alarm and hit the road early to avoid the morning rush of shoppers. The goal is to be packed up and on your way before most people even realize you were there.
Alternatives to Overnight Parking at Walmart
While Walmart is often the most convenient and well-known option for overnight parking, it‘s far from the only choice. Here are a few alternatives worth considering, especially if you‘re looking to stay more than one night or want more amenities and scenery than a parking lot can provide:
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Truck stops: Major truck stop chains like Love‘s, Pilot, and Flying J almost always allow overnight parking for RVs and trucks, and some even have dedicated RV spaces with hookups for a fee. Just be prepared for some noise from idling engines and 24/7 traffic.
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Rest areas: Many states allow overnight parking at highway rest areas for a limited number of hours, usually enough for a quick nap or a full night‘s sleep. Just be sure to check posted signs for any restrictions or time limits.
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Casinos: Some casinos, especially those in more rural areas, allow free overnight RV parking in their lots as a way to attract potential gamblers. Just don‘t expect a quiet night‘s sleep, and be prepared to move on if security asks you to.
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Camping apps: There are a number of smartphone apps, such as AllStays and iOverlander, that crowdsource information on free and low-cost overnight parking spots for RVers and van-lifers. These can be a great way to find hidden gems like city parks, boat ramps, and quiet residential streets that allow discreet overnight stays.
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BLM land and national forests: For those traveling in the western U.S., Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land and national forests offer millions of acres of free dispersed camping, often with stunning views and plenty of privacy. Just be prepared for a lack of amenities and be sure to follow Leave No Trace principles to minimize your impact.
Of course, for those who prefer the reliability and amenities of traditional campgrounds, there are also thousands of RV parks and resorts across the country that cater to every taste and budget. From bare-bones sites with little more than a patch of grass to luxurious resort-style parks with pools, clubhouses, and planned activities, there‘s an RV park out there for everyone.
The Bottom Line on Overnight Parking at Walmart
In the end, whether or not you choose to park overnight at Walmart comes down to your personal preferences, risk tolerance, and travel style. For some RVers and van-lifers, the convenience and cost savings of a free night‘s sleep in a Walmart lot is too good to pass up. For others, the potential risks and lack of amenities make it a non-starter.
If you do decide to give Walmart overnight parking a try, just remember to always prioritize safety, respect store policies and local laws, and have a backup plan in case you need to move on. With a little preparation and common sense, overnighting at Walmart can be a practical and affordable option for budget-conscious travelers.
But it‘s also important to keep things in perspective. Walmart parking lots are not campgrounds, and the company is under no obligation to provide free overnight accommodations to travelers. The fact that so many stores still allow overnight parking is a testament to Walmart‘s commitment to serving its customers and supporting the RV community.
As long as RVers and other overnight guests continue to treat Walmart parking lots with respect and gratitude, there‘s a good chance this unique and mutually beneficial arrangement will continue for years to come. But if the minority of bad actors spoil it for the rest of us by leaving trash, causing disturbances, or overstaying their welcome, don‘t be surprised if more and more Walmarts start posting "No Overnight Parking" signs and calling the tow trucks.
So the next time you find yourself in need of a quick and budget-friendly place to park for the night, consider giving Walmart a try. Just remember to do your part to be a good overnight guest, and always have a Plan B (and maybe even a Plan C) in your back pocket. With a little luck and a lot of gratitude, you might just find that Walmart overnight parking is the secret weapon in your road-tripping arsenal.
