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When you are driving from Pittsburgh to Colorado, it takes a couple of days to get there. So, on my most recent trip, I participated in the Rvers rite of passage, I spent a few nights in Walmart parking lots. I had read about this and even watched some videos to prepare myself and finally worked up the courage to try it for myself. Here are some questions that were answered for me:
Is it safe?
This is probably the most important question and the answer will vary by location, but, overwhelmingly I believe it is safe in many, if not most places. No one approached me, at all, while at a Walmart. I parked under lights, when possible and near other RVs or trucks who were overnighting.
Is it loud?
I found it fairly busy up until around 11:00 PM and then, in most places, it got pretty quiet. One night in Nebraska when the weather was bad, there were a lot of trucks running overnight and that was not as quiet, but still plenty quiet enough for me to sleep well.
How do you know which Walmarts allow overnight parking?
There are a few ways to do this. Several sites keep track of where it is and is not allowed. I have done some research for Walmarts along my route and saved those locations on the maps program on my smartphone. RVParky.com is a pretty good site, but sometimes they say no parking when parking is allowed. I found this to be true of a Camping World and Cabelas in Omaha. There is a Walmart Parking Yahoo group that keeps a database of where it is allowed and not allowed. Also, you can call or ask the manager.
Good Neighbor Policy
Most RV clubs and manufacturers have adopted and advocated for the following good neighbor policy. I recommend you do the same.
[box type=”note”]Industry-Sanctioned Code of Conduct (RVers’ Good Neighbor Policy)
1. Stay one night only!
2. Obtain permission from a qualified individual.
3. Obey posted regulations.
4. No awnings, chairs, or barbecue grills outside your RV.
5. Do not use hydraulic jacks on soft surfaces (including asphalt).
6. Always leave an area cleaner than you found it.
7. Purchase gas, food, or supplies as a form of thank you, when feasible.
8. Be safe! Always be aware of your surroundings and leave if you feel unsafe.
If your plans include touring the area, staying for more than one night or necessitate conduct not within the code, please relocate to a local campground. It’s the right thing to do!
Most of the complaints lodged regarding RV parking on business parking lots have to do with aesthetics and perceived abuse of the privilege. There are a variety of competing interests that were balanced to arrive at this industry-sanctioned code of conduct. As you can see, the Code of Conduct is nothing more than an Rvers’ “Good Neighbor” policy.
Not following the code has serious consequences and is detrimental to the rights of all Rvers. Already, some municipalities have passed ordinances to prohibit parking on private business property overnight. Please do not take offense to this letter; it is only provided as a reminder that Rvers must be perceived as good neighbors, or there will be more pressure to institute state, county and local ordinances to prohibit parking on private business property.
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Why Do I like It?
Here are some things that I found very convenient:
- Very easy for bad weather – 2 of the nights I used Walmart, the weather had turned bad. I pulled into Walmart, unplugged the TV, turned on the propane and hunkered down for the evening. The bonus is that there is no mud!
- TV reception – even with tiny antenna, I am able to get a few channels. this connected me with a local forecast. As good as weather apps are, in the middle of a storm, local meteorologists will give you localized, detailed information.
- Good cell phone/data connections – catch up on email, check the weather, look at your route, etc…
- Pharmacy and grocery are right there – I had to pick up some allergy meds and groceries along the way. The groceries at Walmart are generally cheaper than the tiny stores in many of the National Park area towns, too.
- Usually have food and gas close by – I like to start the day with a full tank.
- Safety in numbers
- It’s free!
Alternatives to Walmart
Some roads lend themselves better to Walmart than others. Depending on your route, you might need to search out these options. I find I-80 to have a lot of Walmart options. It does get a little thinner in Iowa and Nebraska, but there are still plenty of choices. I find I-70 to have a lot of “no parking” Walmarts. in this case you can look for truck plazas like Flying J/Pilot and TA travel centers. They are noisier. I have not stayed at the truck stops but a lot of people like them and they have laundry, paid showers, and paid Internet at many locations. Some states allow you to spend the night at rest stops. The Ohio Turnpike actually has electric hook ups and lets you stay the night (paid.) They also have showers and Internet. Most rest areas do not seem as safe, however, as Ohio’s and I would only stop briefly at them. I found the rest stops in Indiana, near Chicago, to feel quite unsafe, personally.
In the west, you can leverage BLM or Forest Service campgrounds. You can also look for municipal, COE, or state parks along your journey, as well.
Water and Dumping
I try to fill up when I am in transit with water, where I can. That might be at the Ohio Turnpike potable water fills in the RV parking area or other potable water fill locations. In addition, I travel with a two 1 gallon water jugs I use for flushing and use bottled water fro drinking and brushing. I also keep two 2.5 gallon jugs in my Jeep to refill the freshwater tank for showering if I can’t find a fill. The great part of Walmart is that if I can’t find potable water elsewhere, I can always buy it at Walmart.
I was pleased to find many states with free dump stations along my route. Ohio, Iowa, and Colorado, all have them along I-80. I also used the fairgrounds in Montrose, CO. A little Internet research will go along way towards keeping those tanks empty at no charge.
Thanks, Walmart!
I’ll be honest, I was a little nervous before I actually tried overnight parking at Walmart. But how could it be so bad if so many people do it? Walmart parking does not replace camping. I use Walmart parking to get me to and from the places where I wish to camp. It isn’t for everyone but you can save a lot of time and money if you making a long trip if you leverage Walmart parking. Thanks, Walmart! I appreciate your hospitality!