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I’m sure you’ve seen the same recycled lists of stores that supposedly allow overnight RV parking – Walmart, Lowe’s, Cracker Barrel, and so on.
Well, I wanted to find out if any of them really do.
So, I contacted the corporate headquarters of 15 stores in search of the truth. Here are the results.
1. Walmart
Walmart is arguably the most popular overnight option for RVers. They have extremely large parking lots, are just about everywhere, and they do allow overnight RV parking.
In fact, they display their corporate overnight parking policy for RVs on their website.
Remember that the policy states, “Permission to park is extended by individual store managers, based on availability of parking space and local laws. “So, be sure to reach out to the store for confirmation before attempting to overnight.
Use the Walmart store locator to find a Walmart near you, or try out the AllStays app, as they list Walmart locations that have been confirmed to allow overnighting (still call and ask the store beforehand).
And be sure to follow our rules of overnight RV parking at Walmart if you decide to stay.
2. Cabela’s / Bass Pro Shops
Bass Pro Shops, which operates over 170+ Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shop stores across the country, is another popular store chain that RVers often talk about overnighting at.
But what did corporate have to say about the practice?
They are open to it on a store-by-store basis. Of course, you should reach out to the particular store you plan to overnight at for confirmation.
Use the Bass Pro Shops store locator to find a store to overnight at.
3. Cracker Barrel
I’m not going to lie. This one surprised me. While I’ve personally never stayed overnight at a Cracker Barrel, I’ve heard from countless RVers in the community who have.
However, according to their customer service, they “are not able to accommodate overnight parking” at this time.
Of course, it probably comes down to the store. If the store has parking spaces that will accommodate RVs, the store manager may let you overnight. While it may not be corporate policy to allow it, I know many RVers who have, so it may still be worth contacting the store and simply asking.
Check out the Cracker Barrel store finder to find ones that have RV parking.
4. Camping World
In typical fashion, Camping World customer service was no help.
I then called, and no answer. But that said, I personally know a few RVers who have stayed overnight at various Camping World locations. So, while I may not have gotten a definitive answer at the time of publishing this, I recommend just calling the Camping World you wish to stay, and they’ll likely be accommodating.
Use the Camping World state directory to find locations nearest you.
5. 24 Hour Fitness
The good news is that 24 Hour Fitness has over 280 locations in 11 states across the US, so finding a location should be fairly easy. The bad news? Their corporate customer service department never got back to me.
While this store chain may be on many of the “best of” lists to stay overnight at, I cannot confirm nor deny that they will let you.
This may simply come down to a store-by-store basis, like most stores that allow overnight RV parking. But let us know in the comments if you have any experience staying at a 24 Hour Fitness location.
If you want to give it a shot, use the 24 Hour Fitness gym locator to find a location near you.
6. Planet Fitness
Unlike 24 Hour Fitness, Planet Fitness replied almost instantly, stating that they “do not have a universal policy,” but it is “at the discretion of the individual club or property manager” whether they will allow overnight stays.
Plus, they have over 1600 locations in the US! You can use their handy gym locator to find a location to contact.
7. Sam’s Club
Similar to Walmart stores (probably because they fall under the same parent company), Sam’s Club stores do allow RV parking on a club-by-club basis “due to local zoning regulations.”
In other words, their policy allows it, but local zoning laws might not, so you need to call the store and verify with the club manager if it is permissible.
Their policy also states that failure to notify club management could result in your RV being towed at your expense, so be sure to call ahead and confirm.
Use their club locator to find a Sam’s Club to potentially overnight at.
8. Costco
Getting a hold of a representative at Costco proved difficult, as they have no online contact form, and they didn’t answer the phone when called.
So, while I’ve heard of RVer’s staying at Costco, I cannot confirm nor deny whether it’s allowed. Like all other stores on this list, you’ll likely just need to contact the particular store you are interested in staying at and ask the manager for permission.
I’ll update this as I get new information. In the meantime, you can use their store locator and try contacting the store you would like to stay at and ask.
9. Love’s
Love’s has always welcomed RVers with open arms and has been open about allowing them to overnight at any of their 700 locations across 42 states.
While you can typically stay overnight at Love’s for free, they are upgrading many locations with Love’s RV Stops, which offer various amenities like full hookups, water, and dump for a fee. They currently have over 45 locations that offer this service, which ranges from $37 – $48 per night.
Use the Love’s locator to find a store, or check out the Love’s RV Stop locator to reserve a space online.
10. Pilot Flying J
Similar to Love’s, Pilot Flying J is open about letting RVers overnight at certain locations. They have a page dedicated to it on their website. Many of their locations even have RV fueling lanes, an RV dump station, and propane refueling.
Download their RV Locations list, which details which Pilot Flying J locations have RV parking, dump stations, propane, and more.
If you plan to overnight at a location not on the list, call ahead and double-check with the store manager that it’s allowed.
11. Home Depot
Home Depot has more than 2,300 store locations across the United States, so no matter where your RV travels take you, there’s probably a store nearby.
That said, Home Depot does not have a universal policy on short-term or long-term parking at their stores. Furthermore, they didn’t specify whether it’s on a store-by-store basis.
Again, it might be worth contacting the individual store and talking to the manager to see if it’s OK to overnight in your RV at that particular location. Remember, sometimes local zoning laws don’t allow it, so it’s not always up to the store either.
You can use the Home Depot Store Directory to find a location.
12. Lowe’s
Lowe’s, another home improvement store with 1,700 locations across the country, does not have a corporate policy regarding overnighting at their store locations, according to customer service (I was actually able to reach a live person over the phone).
Contact the Lowe’s store you want to stay at for permission.
13. Menards
I’ve seen Menards on several lists of places to overnight for free, so I was a bit surprised that they, at least at a corporate level, “do not participate.“
If you’ve gotten permission from a Menards store to overnight, let us know in the comments below.
14. Tractor Supply
Believe it or not, Tractor Supply Store (TSC for short) has 2,198 Tractor Supply stores in 49 states! That’s pretty impressive and makes it easy to find a store near you as you travel across the country.
And while they don’t have a corporate policy, they are open to the idea on a store-by-store basis.
Just make sure to contact the store beforehand, as it’s “up to the store manager to make the final decision.“
Use their store locator to find a Tractor Supply Store near you.
15. Kmart / Sears
Honestly, with only 20 Kmarts and 11 Sears stores left in the country and declining, I didn’t see the need to reach out to them. It’s sad to see such big store icons go, but I don’t foresee many if any, stores left in the next couple of years.
If you’ve overnighted at any of these or any stores I didn’t mention, let us know in the comments below!