We’ve slept in quite a few Cabela’s parking lots since 2015 and some stores are welcoming while others will respond with a firm no. You cannot assume that every walmart will be welcoming RV’s parking overnight and thus you need to cross verify before make a night halt. where you can learn all about it! Some malls permit overnight RV parking as well. There are a few retail stores that allow RV’s to park in their parking lot for a night. All you need is a spot to park your RV for a meal and a few hours of sleep. Boondocking on Bureau of Reclamation Lands. Most Walmart stores and Sam’s Clubs allow overnight parking, however the cities they are located in may not. More than 80 readers left comments. What is Overnight RV Parking? WalyMart Stores Kmart Stores Target Stores Sam's Club Stores Costco Stores Meijer Stores Camping Worlds Cracker Barrels Lowes Stores Menards Stores Flying J Truck Stops Loves Travel Stops It’s only $29.99 a year! However, you will want to check with the proper Mall office or authority to get permission to park overnight. It is a search database with over 14,000 free overnight RV parking locations across the US and Canada and it is updated on a regular basis by RVers like you and me so you get the latest most accurate information about every RV parking location. Overnight RV parking is free parking in a store parking lot. Most stores don’t mind overnight parking in their lots. There are more than 2,000 Elks Lodges in the USA, and about half of them have RV facilities of some sort. Cabela’s – Most Cabela’s locations allow overnight parking. The best thing to do is to check with the manager of the store and get permission. You must be a Moose member to stay overnight in your RV but there are Moose Lodges all over the US. In fact, some of them have installed RV dump stations with potable water. Still, just because you see a sign for RV parking doesn’t mean you should be presumptuous. Talk to the manager and get permission before staying overnight. And Boondockers Welcome adds more and more hosts every day. Download Walmart Overnight Parking and enjoy it on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. They are the national leader in welcoming RVers to come spend the night with them. Rest areas are a good choice too. As an added benefit, you can purchase gas, camping gear, RV supplies, groceries, and even tires at significantly discounted prices. We always encourage people to support campgrounds and rv parks. Often overnight parking spots in these city parks are free or offered for a nominal fee. PRO TIP: In our opinion, this is the very best option for free overnight RV parking. Note that you are not allowed to open any extensions/slide-outs in the Walmart parking lot. The facilities range from full-fledged RV parks with 30/50A electric and water hookups, sewer connections, and even Cable TV, to a spot to dry camp in one corner of the Lodge parking lot, and everything in between. Free Overnight Camping at Walmart. Permission to park is extended by individual store managers, based on the availability of parking space and local laws. As long as you follow the rules of truckers, you’ll be fine. You will not want to be woken up at 2:00 am to find out that the Mall parking lot you where you are parked does not allow overnight parking, and has called a tow truck. Always ensure you park away from customers and entrances. Even restaurants such as Golden Corral and Cracker Barrell offer overnight parking when available. And ,as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. you can usually park overnight at these stores, Can You Park an RV Overnight at Home Depot. Can I Run My RV Air Conditioner on Battery Power? Jim O’Briant of Overnight RV Parking runs down the list of popular big box stores (and a restaurant chain) that do or don’t allow overnight stays. A number of casinos are also open to RV overnight stays. Just because a rest area can accommodate your RV that doesn’t mean you can enjoy overnight parking at rest areas without any hassles. Policy: Overnight parking is allowed at most Walmart stores, according to Walmart’s corporate website. There are no electric hookups or related services. So it's just easier to have it all together in one place. But for the most part, you can usually park overnight at these stores. Harvest Hosts is by far our favorite free (or almost free) overnight RV parking location. Keep in mind, many Walmart locations do NOT allow overnight parking, and you may find yourself being awakened by … For the sake of common courtesy, please ask permission before you spend the night. Walmart, Costco, cabels allow overnight RV parking. There are several reasons that a Walmart would not allow campers to park overnight. So if a Walmart is in that jurisdiction they will not be able to allow campers … Some stores that allow RV overnight parking are Walmart and Camping World. Can You Sleep in Your Car at a Rest Area? Recently however, a small number of location have begun prohibiting overnight parking. Some Planet Fitness locations allow RVers to park overnight if you have a membership to the gym. With "OverNight Parking Finder RVSleepy" app you will know which Walmart's allow overnight parking , has built in turn by turn navigator to get you there. Many big stores such as Home Depot will allow you to park overnight on their lot. Like Home Depot, some Kmart stores will allow you to park your RV overnight on their lot. But not always. Plus, it’s good to talk to the location manager as they may have a designated area for free or paid overnight parking, which alleviates any possible conversations that may come up from parking in a busy zone. RELATED READING: Check out our article Free Overnight RV Parking for a complete review of the Website and App for OvernightRVParking! As many RVers know, one of the many benefits of joining your local Elks Lodge is the availability of RV accommodations at Elks Lodges. They do not support us and we do not endorse or support this store in any way. Anti-RV Parking Policies. City park campgrounds are usually located in smaller towns and run by the municipal government. If it was, then free overnighting is okay, provided you jump through all of the … Some have even created overnight parking areas. For thousands of RV travelers, though, its stores are appealing for a different reason: Spacious parking lots where people can relax and stay overnight for free. You can also ask the staff or other customers if they can recommend any nearby RV parks or campgrounds. This is done to drive away homeless people from their areas. Not all Costco’s permit overnight parking, but if you can stay furthest away from the store entrance, you’ll probably be fine. Rest Areas – Some rest areas (in some States) allow you to stay overnight. There are also national parks that allow you to stay for free. Free overnight RV parking locations can be very beneficial for RVers traveling longer distances from one campground to another. Note: When you make a purchase using our links in this article, we may make a commission. If you need more info check out the article I wrote about OvernightRVParking. Some place you can cook dinner and use the facilities when nature calls. Most large cities have laws that prohibit sleeping overnight in vehicles, or parking overnight in shopping center parking lots. On the other hand, if it’s a Walmart in a medium to small town, or a rural area, it’s usually a safe bet that you can stay there overnight. But, most locations still allow it. Above: Cabela’s often has nice big RV spots and openly welcomes RVers. Keep in mind, Home Depot has been selling off much of its rarely-used parking lot space to help raise cash. You should always pop into the store and ask if you’re allowed to stay overnight. However, it can be tough to tick all of the boxes just mentioned but we have managed to compile a list of 7 places you can park overnight and sleep on a road trip along with their advantages and disadvantages. We love this app and try to share it with everyone we know because you just can’t go wrong with it. So here is our list of 25 Free Overnight RV Parking Locations: Done correctly, overnight RV parking can be a win-win situation where everyone benefits. Walmart – Most Walmarts allow overnight parking. Note that you are not allowed to open any extensions/slide-outs in the Walmart parking lot. Walmart Stores that Provide Overnight RV Camping. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. No parking pass means no overnight stays, and the excellent possibility of your RV will be towed off in the middle of the night. Consequently, we do permit RV parking on our store lots as we are able. It does seem, however, that a new twist is developing. It is essential that we, as RVers, follow proper overnight parking rules of etiquette. Target is like the other big stores. Some big box stores and retail chain stores may allow RVs to take overnight refuge in their parking lots during storms or the dark of night. You’re tired, hungry, and need a few hours of rest. Recently local towns have begun to pass ordinances that prohibit overnight parking. Refer to this list of "RV Friendly" Walmart stores for more information. So that’s 15 months for the price of 12 months which is $2.00 a month. Unfortunately, local laws have begun to deny weary travels from parking in their towns with more frequent regularity. Be sure to ask the store manager's permission before seting up for the night. Once you’ve purchased a guest subscription, which is very reasonable by the way, you’ll be able to request stays with over 1000 hosts. There are usually community activities going on, such as sports fields, pools, playgrounds, picnic areas, and even access to lakes and rivers. Truck stops are an oasis of services spread across the country. Read more at, “Can You Park an RV Overnight at Home Depot?”. Another overnight RV parking option is Cracker Barrel. And you can add on Golf Plan to add another 400+ free overnight RV parking locations. There are no electric hookups or related services. We did check with them to be sure it was OK and they were fine with it. Here is a YouTube video which is our review and tutorial of the OvernightRVParking Website and App. It’s a great resource that will save you some money when you need a place to park your RV overnight conveniently. If you’re too cheap or broke to pay for an RV park and a big box parking lot is out of your way, overnighting in a truck stop parking spot might seem like a good idea—but the long-haul truckers of the highways disagree, and with good reason. Of there is a local ordinance forbidding overnight parking, there should be signs posted to inform the public. Stores like Walmart, Sam’s Club, Costco, Home Depot, Cabela’s, Camping World, Cracker Barrel, Anytime Fitness, 24 Hour Fitness, typically allow overnight parking. Make sure you lock your doors, windows, and keep valuables out of sight for safety whether you’re in the RV or out exploring. Walmart does not only offer camping supplies, it’s also a little known fact that they offer free overnight camping. Managers must take into account local laws and the availability of parking spaces, so it is best to speak with the manager before you park overnight, even if you have parked at that particular location before. In nearly every case, these RV facilities are for the use of Elk Members in good standing only. #2 – Large Retail Chain Stores. Some of their parking lots have a designated space for free RV parking. The answer should be clear. However, it can be tough to tick all of the boxes just mentioned but we have managed to compile a list of 7 places you can park overnight and sleep on a road trip along with their advantages and disadvantages. We can’t automatically assume that every Wal-mart Store, Wal-Mart SuperCenter or Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market Store will allow RVs to park overnight. Again, follow the rules and thank the store by spending a little money before you leave. Even if you're not a fisherman, ask where you might be able to fish (and camp) in the area for a few days or if there are any great hiking trails in the area and if you would be allowed to park overnight at the trailhead. And you’re sure to make some great friends while saving a few dollars on your adventure. In the past, Camping World was always a reliable spot for a free, one-night overnight stay. Some RVers prefer to telephone ahead for approval so that they can make other arrangements on those occasions when the store says no. Costco locations are often very convenient, and their parking lots are usually well-lit, providing a pleasant environment for overnight parking. Certain store locations have chosen to prohibit overnight parking. Now, it’s close to 58%, according to Jim O’Briant, who runs OvernightRVParking.com, a website that tracks more than 14,000 free RV parking locations in the United States and Canada. We also discussed this problem of finding out which stores do or don’t allow Overnight RV Parking, and how you can find current and accurate information. Most camping stores like Bass Pro Shops are delighted to allow free overnight RV parking, especially if you are stocking up on supplies or equipment. Just like with Walmart, you’re asked to park furthest away from the store entrance to give shoppers easier access. And their parking lots are also usually well-lit, which provides a pleasant and safe environment for free overnight RV parking. They do not support us and we do not endorse or support this store in any way. Some of these lots have the added benefit of 24-hour patrolling to keep travelers safe. This is because locations usually close up at 10:00 PM and don’t reopen until 7:00 AM. And, sometimes you don't want to park overnight but you need these places to fill up on supplies. The manager of the store does have the final say, so like with Home Depot, it is always best to talk to the store manager and get permission. About 80% of the stores we spoke with allow overnight parking for cars and RVs. There are a few retail stores that allow RV’s to park in their parking lot for a night. Follow the rules of etiquette and ask for permission. RVers are taking advantage of overnight parking at truck stops across the country every day. Free Overnight RV Parking 101. It was such a foreign idea to drive into a retail parking lot, turn off the truck, crawl into our camper and sleep for the night. The Walmart chain allows RVs to use their parking lots for one night, free of charge. Retail stores like Walmart, Cabelas, and Bass Pro benefit from the sales to overnighters who come in and browse the store the next day. If you’re worried that you might not recognize a Cabela’s after a long day behind the wheel, fear not. Note that you will not be allowed to open any extensions/slide-outs. If you use our link you will get a 15% discount on the membership fee so please feel free to take advantage of this offer from us to you! You need to park on the side by their parked boats, and have a 2 night limit. The manager of the store does have the final say, so like with Home Depot, it is always best to talk to the store manager and get permission. Take the time to talk to the store manager, so you know where to park. For a small fee, you can have over 1000 free places a year to park your RV overnight! Please go to Boondockers Welcome here and check them out. What if there was an app or a website where you could easily type in your location and free overnight RV locations that are updated by other RVers popped right up on your phone or computer screen? And there are local and regional stores that allow camping as well (A1 Superfoods grocery store in Montana is a prime example). ‎- Rated "Excellent" by Wired Magazine - As seen in "Harvard Business Review" The store founder was an RVer and the general policy remains that RVers can spend one night free in a store parking lot. Lowes falls into the same category as Home Depot and Kmart. Become a Passport America member and save up to 50% at a wide selection of campgrounds across the USA. It’s a great place to park for the night and get a workout in the morning! In this short video, learn which ones are RV … During our first cross-country trip, we never realized that national brand truck stops welcome RVers to spend the night for free.Just like with the big rigs, truck stops expect to make their money from fuel, food, and other supplies you purchase, rather than charging you to park in their lot overnight.These are some of the major truck stop chains with travel centers covering th… You may even want to call ahead because several of these companies allow camping at some of their stores but not others. One thing to always consider is that towns or cities can have local ordinances that can override a business’s policy. You might think overnight parking at a Casino would be a bit of a gamble, but most Casinos allow free overnight parking. But not always. However, because they are open 24 hours a day, you can often get away with it. RELATED READING: Check out our article called Is Overnight RV Parking at Costco Allowed? Check out our YouTube video review of 4 different Harverst Hosts locations in 3 different states! Just ask ahead. It’s the owner or manager of the property where the RVer wants to park. Overnight RV parking used to be something of a feature at Walmart, but now only about half of stores allow it, and the number is going down. The number of Walmart stores that have allowed overnight RV parking has decreased from 78% in 2010 to 58% now, according to data from the head of … Consequently, we do permit RV parking on our store lots as we are able. Dump Station Some of … A NEW WRINKLE A t least one Camping World location, in Wood Village, Oregon, now allows Overnight RV parking ONLY if the RV was purchased at a Camping World RV dealership. A ton of Walmart stores will allow overnight RV parking and you can double-check those RV camping locations here. To find out which Cabela’s location allow overnight parking, call the store and ask the manager. The Hosts are typically RVers like you and me who are willing to let you stay overnight for free on their property. Like Bass Pro Shops, Cabelas will often welcome free overnight parking. Personnel at these stores can be a great resource for finding free non-urban overnight RV parking. Take the time to talk to the store manager, so you know where to park. I bet you’ll love it too! Unless local ordinances forbid it, Menards is another regional retailer that typically allows RVers to park overnight for free on their lots. Walmart encourages RVers to park at their stores when it's safe to do so. Walmart has long been a haven for the tired RVer in need of a place to sleep. It provides safe, overnight parking to break up long travel days, while also offering the convenience to stock-up on groceries and camping essentials. 10. You should also note that not every Walmart store allows overnight parking. What stores allow overnight RV parking. Following these simple rules can go a long way toward keeping our hosts happy and our free overnight parking spots open. Well kept parking lot with lots of perimeter areas. We always encourage people to support campgrounds and rv parks. Some place you can cook dinner and use the facilities when nature calls. Check it out! Policy: Overnight parking is allowed at most Walmart stores, according to Walmart’s corporate website. It was such a foreign idea to drive into a retail parking lot, turn off the truck, crawl into our camper and sleep for the night. Overnight RV parking is free parking in a store parking lot. However, not all big box stores allow large vehicle or RV parking. Walmart Stores that Provide Overnight RV Camping. Above: Cabela’s often has nice big RV spots and openly welcomes RVers. Some RVers interpret the presence of marked long-vehicle spaces to mean that overnight RV parking is allowed, but this isn’t always the case. Boondockers Welcome isn’t quite free but it’s pretty close! Since we started traveling full time in 2015, we have had our share of Walmart RV parking experiences around the U.S. However, as Camping World has changed its focus from accessories, parts, and service to RV sales, this has changed. When parking overnight in a regional retailer parking lot you want ask for permission in advance, making sure the particular branch allows overnight RV camping. Many Cabela’s have created RV parking lanes, or set up a dedicated parking lot just for RVs. Can I park my RV at a Walmart store? Many stores will allow RVs to park for free overnight on their lot. See the full disclosure here. Free RV camping at Walmart has become a way of life for many travelers. Here’s more about Overnight RV Parking at Wal-mart and Sam’s Club. It’s the best source of places to stay for free or inexpensively in the USA with a self-contained recreational vehicle. More than 5,100 of our readers responded. Follow the rules and thank the store by stocking up with some supplies or gear before you leave. 5 Free or Cheap Overnight RV Parking Options 1) Big Box and Retail Chain Stores. Many other large retailers allow RVs to stay for the night, though that could depend on local laws. But over the years, boondocking has changed and can now be done in shopping mall parking lots and truck stops. Sam’s Club – Being owned by Walmart, it’s no surprise that Sam’s Club is another popular area for overnight parking. Most RVers know that Walmart is usually accommodating, but what about the other big chain stores? It’s way better than any parking lot you can find! “Be extra diligent about locking your doors, though,” Lindsey pointed out, “as these places can attract some shady characters.” Camping World. Just ask permission if you’re unsure. Free overnight parking spots offer RVers a fantastic and cost-effective way to travel America’s highways and byways. Each store has a different policy which is why you want to call and speak to the manager. Most RVers know that Walmart is usually accommodating, but what about the other big chain stores? For example, Walmart is super-friendly to the RVers and encourages them to park in front of their stores. And what if it only cost you $2.00 a month to have this awesome program available at the touch of a button when you are tired of driving all day. Camping World in Wood Village, Oregon now allows overnight RV parking if the RV was purchased at a Camping World dealership. Overnight Parking Ideas Why list store Locations? It works much better that way for some reason. Well, you can read the list of the 25 free overnight RV parking locations below but to find each of the specific locations for these businesses that allow free overnight RV parking you should use our favorite website and that is OvernightRVParking .com. Also has a RedBox locator that can find any redbox in the USA.We also added a pilot and flying j locator ,rest stops and now free RV dump Station Locator Please note: we are not affiliated with any of the above Entities. We’ve heard that some Cabela’s locations even have dump and water refill stations. Historically, a tired traveler could easily find a free place to rest overnight at a variety of places, such as the parking lot of a Wal-Mart, Cabela’s, Cracker Barrel, or at a rest stop. If you should learn that the store doesn’t allow overnight camping, accept the situation gracefully. Camping World RV stores often don’t have a ton of space in their parking lots. We ran a survey last week, asking readers if they believed Walmart would still allow overnight stays in its store parking lots in five years. You can check with the State Police or Highway Department. ‎- Rated "Excellent" by Wired Magazine - As seen in "Harvard Business Review" The store founder was an RVer and the general policy remains that RVers can spend one night free in a store parking lot. How could that possibly be a sane thing to do? Walmart has long been a haven for the tired RVer in need of a place to sleep. You pay a small membership fee for Boondockers Welcome and then stay at … The Secrets Of Walmart Camping. Some big box stores and retail chain stores may allow RVs to take overnight refuge in their parking lots during storms or the dark of night. The parking lot will be divided into two sections: one for visitor (shopper) parking and the other for RV and truck parking. It is important to remember that Truck stops do attract all sorts of people. If you happen to be in an RV, they consider that “camping”. That’s why we recommend using RV Trip Wizard to find Walmarts that still allow overnight parking when planning your long-distance trip. Just join Costco! Thanks for your support! Some stores that allow RV overnight parking are Walmart and Camping World. Many of the comments mention that rv’s should park at places like Walmart but in truth many stores no longer allow overnight parking so this option is often not really an option. These businesses range from farms and wineries to stores like Walmart, Cracker Barrel and Cabelas. Usually, each Walmart store would prefer you park furthest away from the store entrance so as to allow shoppers easier access. It’s in the helpful blog articles highlighted at the end of this article. We figure if you stay one night for free somewhere you have more than covered the cost of the app. When you sign up please go through the website and after you have joined then go ahead and download the app onto your phone. That’s why we recommend using RV Trip Wizard to find Walmarts that still allow overnight parking when planning your long-distance trip. Camping stores usually allow for free overnight camping. There’s a popular belief among many RVers that it’s OK to take advantage of free overnight RV parking at truck stops around America. Some lodges do allow the RV of a non-Elk who is traveling with an Elk RV to stay as the guest of the visiting Elk. Answer 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. Also has a RedBox locator that can find any redbox in the USA.We also added a pilot and flying j locator ,rest stops and now free RV dump Station Locator Please note: we are not affiliated with any of the above Entities. Restaurants like Cracker Barrel will let RVers stay overnight in the hope that their overnight guests have dinner or breakfast in their restaurants. Please contact management in each store to ensure accommodations before parking … Just remember that every location has different rules, so it’s proper etiquette to obtain permission from the manager. So between those hours, they allow RVers to use their lot. Check out our YouTube Video Below about staying overnight at Walmart for free. Many people traveling on the road these days use stores for parking and supplies. By practicing proper overnight RV parking etiquette and working hard to be good RV neighbors, we can help ensure these fantastic overnight parking locations remain open to us into the future. Anytime Fitness, 24 Hour Fitness, and Planet Fitness – These three fitness chains do not have a policy of allowing RVers, vanners, or car campers to park overnight in their lots. Walmart “camping” is a convenience that many RV travelers experience on the road. The only way to know for sure is to do your research. Which Walmart stores permit overnight RV parking? And again, check with the store manager if you have any questions. Each Walmart establishes its own policy on the matter, and often times this is in accordance with local ordinances. And it’s cheap! That is one reason why it is still essential to ask first. It’s usually not an issue. Apart from the fact that all walmart store allow overnight parking, it can be a very good option considering the facilities that you may access at a … Free Overnight RV Parking 101. In this short video, learn which ones are RV friendly. You want somewhere that has privacy, is safe and quiet. Others – Plenty of other unusual spots allow one-night stays. They have large parking lots for that purpose. We love it and think you will too! ... Big Stores – Some of the larger stores (K-Mart, Lowes, Home Depot, Camping World) will allow you to spend a night. where you can learn all about overnight RV parking at Costco. The most popular stores are Walmart, Sam’s Club, Cabela’s, casinos and Cracker Barrel. You should also note that not every Walmart store allows overnight parking. You should also note that not every Walmart store allows overnight parking. Otherwise, an officer might cite you. Overnight RV parking at Cabela’s stands out from the rest of stores offering free overnight RV parking, as you’re not entirely without hook-ups here. However, not all big box stores allow large vehicle or RV parking. Best of all, there is a Walmart in almost every city or town in America, and they are often easily accessible right off the interstates. If you don't see these types of spots, Walmart still encourages RVers to park in their lots. We love to stay overnight there because we can get a great dinner at night and breakfast before hitting the road in the morning! The following is a list of 25 Free Overnight RV Parking Locations offering Free overnight parking to RVers.