Sep 25

Sep 25 Can You Sleep At Walmart Parking Lots?

Can you sleep at Walmart parking lots? If you’re looking for the answer this question, it’s either because you are on a road trip and looking for somewhere you can pull over and snooze on the way to your next destination, or because you happen to be living out of a car or van and need somewhere safe to spend the night.

Either way, the answer to the question you are searching for is not as simple as it should be.

Have we been in your position? Yes! Because we road trip often, there have been many nights spent at Walmart parking lots.

We know the drill. It’s getting dark, you’ve already covered a few hundred miles, but you’re still not at your destination. You drive past a Walmart parking lot and think to yourself it would be much safer to get some shut eye for a few hours rather than driving whilst tired. You need a break from the constant vibrating of your vehicle that you’ve had to deal with for the past several hours.

Or maybe you’re doing vanlife and need somewhere to crash? We’ve been there too. We have spent many months on and off living out of our van and can totally relate. Whether you’re passing through a town you’ve never been to, or spending a few weeks in the one place, you might be wondering if Walmart would mind if you came by in the evenings for a couple of nights to sleep.

What you really want to know is, can you legally sleep at a Walmart parking lot? Are you going to be woken up by security in the middle of the night and get told to move on? Or worse yet, woken up by a police officer and possibly fined?

Can You Sleep At Walmart?

Sadly, Walmart no longer has a nationwide policy on allowing RV and campervans to park overnight at their parking lots.

Whether overnight parking is permitted or not, now depends on each individual store’s policy and management.

When I originally wrote this article on 7 Best Places To Sleep On A Road Trip in 2015, I did some research on Walmart and the answer to ‘can you sleep at Walmart parking lots’ was in most cases yes.

At the time that I wrote the article mentioned above, I did some digging on the Walmart website and found that they did have an official policy stating that guests were welcome to spend the night at Walmart parking lots.

It was hard to find where it was explicitly stated on their website that overnight parking was okay with Walmart, however after going through a lot of webpages, the answer was yes, and the policy was clearly stated on their website in black and white.

I think having the policy clearly stated on their website is important because it means that if for some reason security did come and tell you to move on, you would have a leg to stand on and be able to point out that it is/was legally allowed.

However, after returning to research this topic again, I recently discovered after searching Walmart’s website thoroughly, that their overnight parking policy is sadly no longer mentioned on their website at all.

Yup, it has been removed. There is now no official statement by Walmart on their website that road trippers and RVers can stay at their parking lots without being told to move on.

But this doesn’t mean you can’t.

Parking overnight at Walmart is still allowed in all states across the U.S., just not at every Walmart in the state.

So how do you know which stores you can and can’t stay at? Well, if you see big signs that say overnight parking not allowed, I think that is a clear indication that you shouldn’t.

Keep reading this guide to learn which Walmart stores are more likely to be accepting of RVs and campervans that want to stay overnight.

Which Walmart Stores Are Likely To Let You Stay Overnight?

1. Walmart Stores That Are 24 Hours

Walmart stores that are 24 hours are more likely to let you stay overnight. Although I am not speaking from facts, just logically thinking that if the store is open to customers throughout the night, your vehicle is not likely to stand out compared to being parked in an empty parking lot.

If shoppers are coming and going throughout the night, it is plausible that you are just another shopper, or even possibly a night worker.

The golden rule though is not to be constantly getting in and out of your vehicle and sharing with the world that you are indeed spending the night. Even if it’s still early in the evening, it is best to avoid repeatedly getting in and out of your car.

If for example, it is between 7pm and 10 pm, and you legitimately want to go into the store to buy something like water or snacks, then sure, go for it! Of course Walmart wants you to share your dollars with them. But after purchasing your goods, get back in your vehicle and DO NOT LOITER outside of your vehicle. You are asking to be told to move on.

Even if there are other RVs and campervans around, this does not necessarily mean the store permits or wants overnight travelers staying at their parking lots.

It is ALWAYS proper etiquette to stay out of sight when overnight camping in public places so that future campers may do so, or so you yourself can return again at a later date if you need to.

DO NOT get out of your vehicle and start cooking, do not listen to loud music, and do not watch movies on your laptop unless you are one hundred percent certain that it will be completely unnoticeable from outside of your vehicle.

2. Walmart Stores That Are Supercenters

Walmart stores that are supercenters are more likely to allow RV and campervans to stay overnight. This is because these behemoth-sized stores have tons of parking space so the chances of you taking up valuable customer parking spots is improbable.

In addition, the parking lots of Walmart Supercenters are so large and spread out that you can easily find a back corner where you will go unnoticed and be able to stay completely out of the way. As the saying goes, ‘out of sight, out of mind’. If you do not give the store managers a reason to think you are bothersome, they will not go out of their way to have someone tell you to move along.

The other helpful thing about Walmart Supercenters is that they typically have round-the-clock employees packing shelves and what have you, so your overnight parked vehicle may just be an employee’s for all they know.

3. Walmart Stores Located Beside The Interstate

Walmart stores that are located next to the interstate along popular tourist routes are usually a safe bet that you can camp overnight in the parking lot.

For example, Walmart stores located beside Interstate 90 between Chicago and Seattle which travels through Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, and Washington, are likely to accept overnight campers.

Again not speaking from fact, but logically thinking, the managers of these stores understand that motorists have already been driving for many hours and hundreds of miles and need a rest. In their eyes, cross-country travelers are presumably going to spend money in their stores and more than likely going to move on early in the morning.

Having traveled along this route several times, we have found many of the Walmart stores along Interstate 90 to be welcoming. For instance, the Walmart store in Bozeman is very welcoming of RVs and campervans.

The few times we have visited the Bozeman store, the parking lot has looked like an actual RV campground! Yes, I mean the parking lot was lined with many RVs and campervans as far as you could see. But all campers were very respectful and clean, and all camped as far from the store’s front entrance as possible. And everyone I saw was buying groceries from Walmart once the store re-opened in the morning.

Other interstate roads with Walmart stores located near them that we’ve found success overnight camping at include the I-94, I-5, I-15, and I-40, that I can remember.

If you have any of your own suggestions for popular cross-country routes that you’ve managed to easily locate Walmart stores that you’ve stayed at, feel free to share with our travel community in the comment section below.

3. Walmart Stores Near Popular Tourist Destinations

Walmart stores that are near popular tourist destinations like national parks, state parks, theme parks, and roadside attractions, are all more likely to tolerate travelers spending one or two nights ‘car-camping’ in their parking lots.

I believe the managers of these stores understand that campgrounds and hotels near popular tourist destinations get booked out months in advance and that some visitors have no choice but to sleep in their RVs, campervans, or cars, in a Walmart parking lot.

This can be used to Walmart’s advantage as most travelers will shop inside Walmart stores if they have spent the night there because it’s so convenient to just wake up, pop inside for a quick coffee, some breakfast perhaps, and to pick up snacks for a day of exploring or hiking.

Usually you’ve got Subway or McDonalds to choose from, and fresh baked bread or donuts from the bakery section, as well as fruit.

We find Walmart stores convenient during road trips for so many reasons, in addition to having somewhere to stay overnight. For example, we’ll pick up motor oil, wet wipes, toilet paper, and memory cards for our cameras which are basic necessities of a road trip.

So which popular tourist destinations have Walmart stores near them? Well, Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park come to mind, as does Mesa Verde National Park.

Sure there is a longer drive involved and it would be ideal to stay closer to these parks but if campgrounds are booked out and you have no alternatives, Walmart stores are always a good back up to have.

Which Walmart Stores Should You Avoid?

1. Walmart Stores With No Overnight Parking/Camping Signs

Obviously, any Walmart with a sign that says no overnight camping is probably a store you don’t want to stay at. Besides feeling unwelcome, the store may have security or police officers who patrol the parking lot looking for offenders.

Trust me, it sucks hearing that dreaded tap on your motor vehicle’s window in the middle of the night. Not only is it super annoying having to find somewhere else to move onto after you’ve gotten cozy and warm in bed and are still half asleep, but it can also be a potentially dangerous experience because you’ve got to wonder what must be going through security’s mind (or a police officer’s) who can’t see you inside your vehicle. They may think you’re armed, or deranged, or whatever, because they can’t see you and they don’t know you. To them, you are just somebody committing an offense.

2. Walmart Stores With Small Parking Lots

If the Walmart store you are considering spending the night at is a small store with a small parking lot, you may be less likely to get away with staying overnight. I am referring to the Walmarts that mainly stock grocery items instead of the huge supersize Walmart stores that have everything from clothes to TVs, and more.

This is because smaller stores are usually located in cities or suburban areas that have a city wide ordinance that does not allow ‘overnight camping’ in any public spaces including grocery stores and shopping malls..

If the Walmart store is located in a city or suburban area, it is very likely that there are police officers patrolling the streets and checking on public spaces throughout the night. And if you are staying at a small Walmart parking lot, it is going to be harder for the police officers not to notice you.

In a small parking lot, you are one hundred percent going to stand out, especially if the store has no overnight workers and you are a lone vehicle.

That’s not to say you won’t get away with it. As long as there are no posted signs informing you that overnight camping is not permitted, you can try your luck staying at one of these smaller sized Walmart stores.

But it is very important that you stay inconspicuous! Do not get out of your vehicle to stretch your legs, or put a movie on your laptop. What you want is for security or the police officers to assume you are either a night worker, or just a quiet and respectful traveler who is just passing through and needed a rest.

I will share some important car camping etiquette below that will allow you to have more success with staying overnight at Walmart stores.

3. Walmart Stores In Or Near Affluent Areas

From personal experience, and through listening to stories from other traveler’s experiences, staying at Walmart stores in affluent areas is usually a big NO.

Most affluent areas don’t have Walmart stores, as people with money don’t typically shop at Walmart. However, usually there is a Walmart store in a neighboring city or suburb. For example, while there aren’t any Walmart stores in Beverly Hills, there is one in Hollywood.

My point being is that the closer you are to more expensive neighborhoods, the more likely you are going to be told to move along. Residents in or near exclusive suburbs do not want ‘vagrants’ staying overnight at their shopping centers. It is unsightly to them. To them, you may be a homeless person.

This is why you are very likely to encounter patrolling security or police officers that will tell you to move on.

This rule applies to many places similar to Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Miami, Minneapolis, etc. These cities all have strict rules and enforce them.

Basic Etiquette When Overnight Camping At Walmart Stores

Now that you know a little more about which Walmart stores are likely to permit overnight camping, let’s go over some basic car camping etiquette.

The following unspoken rules should always be applied not only so that you don’t get asked to move along, but also so that you don’t ruin car camping at Walmart stores for future travelers (which has already been happening across the country).

RULE NUMBER 1: Although you may want to park as close as possible to the front entrance of the store, please don’t! Whether you want to park near the entrance for convenience or because it makes you feel safer, just don’t do it.

The front entrance, or anywhere directly in front of the store is for customers only. Not for your unsightly RV or campervan. And no, it does not matter if you have a brand new vehicle!!!

Walmart parking lots are not campgrounds. It does not matter whether you go in there and spend money, if you plan to stay overnight, park as far from the store entrances as possible.

Even if the store has closed and you are the only vehicle in the parking lot, park away from the entrance. It doesn’t matter if it makes you feel safer to park near the entrance because there is more lighting, it is not good etiquette.

Not only are you taking a prime parking spot from customers and employees who turn up really early in the morning, but you are also putting a target on your back to either be harassed by security, police, or by criminals.

Imagine if the manager is the first one to show up at work at 5am, and he or she sees a huge RV or campervan parked near the front entrance of the store. They will immediately know you have stayed overnight, and possibly think to themselves if they see more campers turn up they will make sure they put a stop to it.

And what if you happen to need to come back later that night for whatever reason? Well, now the manager recognizes your vehicle and your number plate and will consider you to be a nuiscance.

Even if you turn up to the Walmart store late, and there is already another overnight camper parked right in the middle of the parking lot, do not go and park next to them.

Herd mentality is not helpful in this situation, and again, although it make you feel safer to park next to another camper, it will instead draw attention to both of you and up your chances of being told to move on.

The only time you should go and park near another RV or campervan is if they have made the effort to park far from the store’s entrance somewhere near the back of the parking lot.

You want to make it seem as though you are making an effort not to inconvenience the store.

Far too many times I have seen one camper pull up near the front entrance or in the middle of the parking lot, and then next thing you know there are five overnight vehicles in a row. Don’t be a sheep. Just because one or two people do something doesn’t make it okay, or in this case, legal.

Unless there is a sign at Walmart clearly notifying you that staying overnight is okay with management, you can assume that it isn’t, and if you want to stay you will need to stay unnoticed and out of the way.

RULE NUMBER 2: Although Walmart parking lots are very well lit, some areas of the parking lot, particularly towards the back, may be less lit up. When possible, try to park in the dark as much as possible.

I know some people do not feel comfortable parking in the dark out in public spaces for fear of being carjacked or whatever, but the truth is, it is less likely to happen if you are in the dark and out of sight.

Most criminals are opportunists. If they see a lonely RV, campervan, or car, sitting in the middle of a parking lot when they are driving by, it may give them pause to stop and think about doing something further or at the very least checking out your vehicle.

Despite what you may think, a criminal is not going to let the fact that your parked under a street light stop them from breaking into your vehicle. If they want to do something, they will.

So remember, it is always best to stay out of view from other drivers passing by on the road because you just don’t know who that person (or persons) will be.

And in the case that it is actually illegal to park overnight at the specific Walmart parking lot you have pulled over at, by parking in the dark, you will lessen your chances of being spotted by any patrolling officers. Even if they were to see you hidden in the dark, they may be more inclined to let it slide on the one occasion as they can tell themselves that you weren’t visible.

RULE NUMBER 3: If you do end up sleeping at a Walmart parking lot, please do not get out of your vehicle constantly throughout the night, even if the store is still open. Sure you can get out a few times to use the restroom or go grocery shopping, but don’t get out just to stretch or to take your dog out for a walk. This just draws attention to the fact you are staying overnight!!!

In this era when a lot of Walmart stores are choosing to no longer allow overnight camping for RVers and campervans across the country, why risk being told to move on? Even if they don’t say anything to you on this occasion, they may think twice about allowing it in the future if travelers are so brazen.

RULE NUMBER 4: I can’t believe I need to mention this… but for heaven’s sake, please do not get out and cook on your gas stove, play loud music, or string your wet clothes outside of your vehicle. And absolutely do not set up your camp chairs at the Walmart parking lot.

Yes, we have seen this many times over the last several years. Is it any wonder Walmart stores do not want road trippers staying in their parking lots anymore?

Even the feint blue glow from a laptop on inside a vehicle is enough to draw attention. Use common sense.

RULE NUMBER 5: This isn’t a strict rule but a suggestion. I have heard that some travelers will go inside Walmart and ask to speak to management about whether or not they can park overnight, or they might ring the store ahead of time and ask for permission to stay in the parking lot.

I advice against this. In most stories I’ve heard the reply has been no. But if you had just turned up, management would never have even known, or if they knew, possibly not be bothered to tell you to move on.

RULE NUMBER 6: When possible, try and turn up to Walmart parking lots late in the evening, or possibly after the store has closed, and try to leave very early in the morning before the store opens. This is the best way to avoid being told to move on.

This rule should be applied in areas where you might have an inkling that store policies might be stricter, for example in very urban areas.

However, you might be looking forward to when the store opens because you need to pick up some goods. In that case, stay as long as you like if you are going to be a paying customer.

RULE NUMBER 7: It is often customary to spend some money in the store in exchange for having you stay in the Walmart parking lot. If you do need any groceries or other items, show your thanks to Walmart for letting you stay by spending some money instore.

If you follow some of the simple rules mentioned above and practice good car-camping etiquette, you are less likely to get told to move. Remember, the key is to stay low and not to bring attention to yourself.

If you’re planning a road trip and looking for more ideas on where to sleep overnight on a road trip, check out this guide to 7 Places You Can Park Overnight On A Road Trip In The USA.

You can also see this post on 7 Places You Can Shower On A Road Trip for more helpful road tripping and vanlife tips.