What Stores Allow Overnight Parking? (2024)

When traveling in your RV or motorhome, there are times when you want to park in the beauty of nature or in an RV park with all the amenities around. But there are times when you’re passing through on your way to your destination and you just need a safe place to park overnight so you can be on your way.

Overnight parking at stores or businesses can be great for quick stops when all you need is safe spot to pull over for the night and you don’t want to hand over a lot of cash. Not only do you get a safe and secure free place to park, you also have access to the conveniences offered at the store or business. Here’s all you need to know about what stores allow overnight parking and best practices for a successful visit.

Why Stay Overnight in a Store Parking Lot?

Staying overnight at a store parking lot is free. That’s one of the main reasons RVers choose to overnight at places like Walmart and Cabelas. Who wants to pay $50-$60 just to pull in, sleep and leave?

Store parking lots are also usually convenient. Stores that allow overnight parking are often close to highways and city centers, so getting to them is pretty easy. They also usually have ample room to maneuver your RV, no matter how big it is. Spending the night at a store will probably not give you your most peaceful, scenic or restful night ever, but the convenience and cost is often a reason many RVers choose to overnight in a parking lot.

Best Practices for Overnight Parking at Stores

Please follow the unwritten rules of overnight parking and keep stores welcoming us back. Many businesses have stopped allowing RVs because campers have abused the privilege.
First and foremost, don’t assume that any store in this list definitely allows overnight parking for RVs, vans, fifth wheels and travel trailers. While certain franchises have policies to allow overnight guests, some municipalities and locations do not allow for overnight parking. Some specific stores may not allow it either. Sadly, some stores have discontinued allowing Rvers to overnight because others have abused the practice.

There are horror stories of people dumping their tanks in parking lots, spreading out and setting up chairs and grills, leaving trash behind and generally being bad guests. Don’t be that person who ruins it for everyone. Here are some best practices for staying overnight in store parking lots:

Stores that Allow Overnight Parking 2024

This is a list of stores that currently allow over night parking for RVs. Again, please check with each individual store to ensure it is allowed at that particular location.

Walmart

Walmart is probably the most well-known store that allows overnight parking. This is from their website Walmart.com:

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. Consequently, we do permit RV parking on our store parking lots as we are able. Permission to park is extended by individual store managers, based on availability of parking space and local laws. Please contact management in each store to ensure accommodations before parking your RV.

Walmart.com

There are more than 4,000 Walmarts, but not all allow over night parking. Approximately half do, though. How do you find out which ones allow overnight parking? There is no one resource that lists each and every Walmart that allows overnighting. There are a few apps that can help you based on previous reviews. The two I use are iOverlander and AllStays. Both are powered by user generated content and you should be able to tell pretty quickly if a specific Walmart does not allow overnight camping by finding it in one of these apps.

Two other apps that also list Walmart parking are Free Campsites and Walmart Locator . The Walmart locator app has a downloadable map where you can see which stores likely allow overnight parking and which ones do not. You can also read reviews from people who have stayed at each location.

Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel is a restaurant chain that is the favorite of many RVers and vanlifers looking for a quick, easy and convenient place to spend the night. Cracker Barrel’s welcome RVers because they know travelers need a good place to rest for the night and enjoy a meal.

Cracker Barrel’s are known for their Southern cooking and comfort food.  They serve all day breakfast and hearty biscuits and gravy, as well as plenty of other dishes like chicken, steak, catfish and pork. Meatloaf is another favorite.  Most Cracker Barrels also have a gift store where you can find unique travel snacks, t-shirts and tchotchkes. They know road weary travelers crave comfort food and by providing a spot to stay for the night, they can attract that business.

Many restaurants even have designated parking spots for RVs and tractor trailers, so this is a good spot if you’ve got a big rig. Note that not all Cracker Barrels allow overnight parking. It’s always best practice to call ahead to confirm. For Cracker Barrel locations use their website and look for the “Amenities” section. If it lists Bus/RV Accessible, then you know overnight parking is allowed. The All Stays App also has a comprehensive list of Cracker Barrel locations—as well as tons of other places useful to RVers. It’s always a good idea to double check any location you plan to over night.

Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops

Cabela’s is an outdoor store that sells hunting, fishing and camping supplies and clothes. Bass Pro Shops caters to fishing community. Both are owned by the same parent company. Since RVers need camping supplies and food, offering overnight parking seems like a no-brainer for these stores. Some Cabela’s and Bass Pro do allow overnight parking, but not all do.

Like all of the stores mentioned above and below, it’s always best practice to check ahead to make sure overnight RV parking is allowed at your specific destination. Check in with the store manager or call ahead.

There have even been reports of stores that used to allow it, changing their policy or removing some RVing amenities they used to provide. This might be a trend with stores that allow overnight parking, especially if people take advantage of this offering and don’t practice common courtesy and respect.

Camping World

Camping World is a big RV retailer and camping store. Some Camping Worlds do allow overnight RV parking. How can you tell? If you go to the Camping World website and search for locations, select the store you will be near and scroll to where is lists “Location Features.” If “Overnight Parking” is listed, you can assume that that location allows it. Of course, it’s always a good idea to check in to be sure.

Truck Stops: Pilot, Flying J, Love’s, TA Travel Center

Big truck stops and travel centers that cater to truckers can be a good place to overnight park your RV. Keep in mind that while RVs can park many places (see the list above!), truckers have fewer options. Also, truckers are highly regulated on how often they need to stop and take a rest. If they can’t stop and rest because an RV is in the last parking spot, they could be fined or lose their job. It’s serious.

So, while, yes you can park overnight at truck stops, be sure to be courteous and park out of the way of the big rigs and do not take a spot if there are only a few left. The last time I stayed at a truck stop, I pulled way out of the way, in the back of a nearly empty lot.

Home Depot and Lowe’s

Some hardware store chains, like Lowe’s and Home Depot do allow RVs to park overnight. The parking lots are usually large and offer good in an out access. Some localities may not allow overnight parking, so be sure to always check the parking lot for “No Overnight Parking,” signs. It’s also a good idea to check with the store, to avoid a knock in the middle of the night asking you to move.

Rest Areas

Rest areas are specifically made for drivers to stop and rest so they can continue safely on their way. They usually have rest rooms, a path to walk around and stretch your legs and a pet exercise area. In many instances, rest areas can be a great place to stop for the night. There are some rest areas where overnight parking is not allowed. Look for signs that say “No Overnight Parking.” Some will have time limits.

I’ve personally spent the night at a rest area that had a six-hour time limit. It was getting dark and was super windy outside. It felt like the safe thing to do to stop for the night. I figured if someone knocked and asked me to move on, I would state that I was too tired and needed the rest to drive safely away. It didn’t happen and I was up and out early and on my way.

Casinos

Casinos are some of my favorite places to park overnight. They often have spacious parking lots and security that patrols all night. Not all casinos have free overnight parking. You will need to check in beforehand. The casinos that I’ve stayed in all require you to register with security, give your license plate number and hand you a placard to put in your window. Some allow one night only, others will allow more. Some require you to sign up for their rewards program. Others give you credit toward gaming.

Some casinos operate their own RV parks on property and it’s safe to assume in those places, that it’s not ok to stay overnight for free in their parking lot. But you can certainly pay their fee to spend the night.

Alternatives to overnight parking in stores

Personally, I only overnight in stores as a last resort. When I am traveling and I just need to stop for the night, my first choice is usually Harvest Hosts. Harvest Hosts and affiliated business, Boondockers Welcome, is a membership organization that allows you to spend the night at wineries, farms, museums, brew pubs and more. I’ve had many great stays at Harvest Hosts—one of my favorites is a cheese factory on the Oregon Coast. I’ve also stayed at a few lavender farms, alpaca farm, goat farm, museums, brew pubs, golf courses—you name it! Sometimes the scenery is on par with any forest service campground. Other times, it’s just a convenient and safe place to camp for the night.

FAQs: What Stores Allow Overnight Parking

Can I sleep in my car in Walmart?

If a Walmart allows overnight parking, then yes, you can sleep in your car. The last time I stayed overnight at a Walmart, there were several people sleeping in their cars in the lot.

What’s the difference between overnight parking and overnight camping?

Overnight camping infers that you are not just sleeping, but recreating. Camping can involve setting up a tent, setting up chairs, cooking outside, etc. Overnight parking includes none of those. It’s simply parking to rest and move on the next day.

Is overnight parking allowed at Costco?

Costco appears on many other lists of places where overnight parking is allowed. I did not include it on my list, as I’ve found that Costco is not welcoming of overnight parking. If you want to park overnight at a Costco, I strongly recommend calling ahead and talking to the store manager to get permission.

Does REI allow overnight parking?

While REI is a great store that sells many products that are useful to RVers and campers, most REI stores are in locations where overnight parking is not allowed.

Conclusion: Stores that Allow Overnight Parking

Many stores allow RVs to overnight as a courtesy. It’s always best practice to check with the individual store before you settle in for the night. Also, make sure that you’re just stopping and sleeping, not camping. That means, not putting out chairs or awnings. No grilling outside. Don’t put your jacks down or slides out. No loud music or hanging out outside your rig. Leave the place better than you found it and spend a little money at the business to support them.