Feedback on overnight parking...

[Mcamper]

I will be soon taking a trip where it will be necessary for us to stop for the night, only to get a few hours sleep, and then move on to our destination. We will be traveling along an interstate.

My question is how safe is it to stop, park, and sleep in a Walmart parking lot? (I would ask the manager for the OK, and where to park.) I know there is a LOT of discussion on this forum about Walmart parking, but I have not read about too many experiences, good or bad.

I have never done this, so I am not so sure about it, and I have concerns about how safe it would be. Since all we need is to sleep, I think a campground stay for one night would be a waste.

I would appreciate if you could share your actual experience with this, and any thoughts on any place that may be safer.

[Sandia_Man]

I've never experienced any problems overnighting at Walmart or any of the other places including truck stops, rest areas, casinos, and churches. By the time we get to these locations, it is very late and there are other RVs already parked for the night, we just pick a spot nearby and get a few hours of shut-eye. We usually purchase gas and/or food when we overnight in any commercial parking lots.

[dan-nickie]

TucsonJim wrote:

dan-nickie wrote:
Since you have already read a LOT of posts about walmart camping.
Do you really need to discuss it again? 🙂

"STAY OFF MY LAWN"

OK, OK....Just waiting on my dog to get finished. 🙂

[RoyB]

I pulled into a closed McDonalds parking lot one time late and we both went to sleep. Guess we was really tired. We just stretched out in the truck seats We woke up around 9AM with little kids peaking inside the windows haha...

Another time I had pulled into a rest area with just me and my truck. Went to sleep leaning back in the drivers seat... Then woke up late at night with red and blue lights moving all around me... Jumped up and the police had a guy next to me on the ground with guns pulled and one police car right sitting right behind me. Then a police guy walked up on the passenger side of the truck and I rolled down the window - he said I guess you want to back up huh... I said well if its OK with you Ill just sit here and see how this all turns out if its safe to be here. He said sure... We chatted until they got the guy all hooked up and had searched his car for all kinds of things I guess. They had two or three bags full of something...

Sure woke me up - After they all left I got back on the road again and made another hundred or so miles haha...

Roy K

[wanderingbob]

I stayed in WM 50 nites a year . Never told a manager except the first time . He could have cared less . Pull off to the side , out of the way . Rest areas are also a perfect spot . Ain't no guard gonna run you off and assume the responsibility of putting a sleepy , impaired driver back on the road ! We stay in church parking lots , RV sales lots , shopping centers all over the south .

[gbopp]

We have overnighted at WalMart, no problems. We do ask for permission from a manager.
There are other options in addition to Wally World:

Free Campgrounds

Free Campsites

Casino Camper

There are other sites, just do a little research.
Enjoy your trip.
And, remember, it's not camping. It's just overnighting, so please don't set up a campsite, awnings, chairs, grills, etc..

[TucsonJim]

dan-nickie wrote:
Since you have already read a LOT of posts about walmart camping.
Do you really need to discuss it again? 🙂

"STAY OFF MY LAWN"

[TucsonJim]

I stayed in one a couple of times for a few hours sleep. It was kind of unnerving when a car parked right next to us with his headlights aimed at our window and the engine running. We were at the far end of the parking lot so they weren't parking there to access the store. I finally got out of bed and went to another window where I could see a little better. It looked like they had pulled off the highway to talk on their cell phone, and probably didn't even realize there were people sleeping in the RV.

[JnJnKatiebug]

I have stayed at WM several times when I drive late. Have also stayed at Cracker Barrel several times. Never had any problems, just pull in and go to sleep, get up the next morning and do our shopping at WM or eat breakfast at Cracker Barrel. Have also stayed at truck stops a few times but they are way to noisy for me. We only do this when we drive past 10pm at night. The only reason we do is so we don't bother the campers in an RV park. It is not to save the cost of the park. I don't think anyone would like my rattling diesel pulling in beside them at midnight.

Some people get all upset when this comes up. Don't pay any attention to them. Do what works for you.

[Heisenberg]

Generally you will see others at the Walmart when you get there. I have never lost a wink at one. However there are Walmarts where it is not legal to park due to local codes etc. I cannot remember a time when we have not given them some business. Google Walmart Camping and check the stores along your route. Some Home Depots and Flying J/Pilot and others allow overnite parking. Good Luck.

[path1]

That is a topic that hardly ever comes up, should be "interesting":D

[dan-nickie]

Since you have already read a LOT of posts about walmart camping.
Do you really need to discuss it again? 🙂

[cps68500]

I've parked in a Wal-Mart before... its as safe as any parking lot. There are cameras but you are still out in the open.

There was another post a few days ago where a OP stayed in an airport short term lot. Monitored, security... fenced in, etc... I think the OP said they paid 6.50$ for the evening.