What It’s Like to Camp at Walmart

You may have seen I’ve been making my way across the USA lately.  This is normally incredibly expensive as a solo traveler due to accommodation costs, but I found a better, cheaper way to do it.  In January, I bought a Ford Transit Connect cargo van.  It looks a lot like a minivan but besides the 2 seats in the front, the back is completely empty (except the metal walls, ceiling, and padded black vinyl flooring).  So, I set up a bed and got some essential gear (plates and cups, a towel, camp chair, flashlights, etc) and hit the road, trying to camp for free or inexpensive campgrounds!  While I prefer to stay at a campground in the countryside – like a state or national park, a national forest, a lake, etc, sometimes these aren’t closely available for the activities you have planned that day.  In Great Falls, Montana, I had evening plans to hang out at one of the world’s only mermaid bars, so I wanted a place to stay near the city.  Many Walmart stores allow free overnight parking, so I decided to give it a try – this is What It’s Like to Camp at Walmart…or more specifically, What It’s Like to Van Camp at Walmart

Make Sure You Can Camp There

Not all Walmart stores allow overnight camping.  Some cities have regulations against it.  Other Walmarts have been pressured by local campgrounds, KOA’s, etc. to close access for overnight parkers.  There are several websites that report what Walmarts don’t allow camping, but when in doubt, ask a manager or security guard.

 Park on the Perimeter

Walmart doesn’t want you taking a parking spot close to the store – this is reserved for customers.  The preferred spots for overnight Walmart RV parking is along the perimeter of the parking lot or on the side of the store.  I parked towards the end of one row, under one of the street lights for safety.

 Your Fellow Campers

I saw about 20 other vehicles that may have been camping that night, but I didn’t see another person coming in or out of any of them or evidence of any light.  Some of the RVs looked pretty rough, so I’m not sure if they were occupied or not.

 Toilets

The problem with drinking beer just before bedtime is obvious.  I woke up at 3am and really had to go to the bathroom so I was lucky this was a 24-hour store.  I put on my jacket (it was only about 40 degrees that night) and headed towards the store, still wearing my patterned purple pajama pants.  I hauled past the security guard as I entered and felt good to relieve myself.  As I exited, the cute security guard smiled and said “have a good night.”  I mumbled “See you in the morning”.

Paranoia, Paranoia Everybody’s Trying to Get Me

There wasn’t a lot of noise in the parking lot with one exception… a large tow truck with its parking lights on was idling ALL NIGHT LONG.  I’m not sure what he was up to, but I was a little worried I might find myself being towed away in my pajamas in the middle of the night.  But he just sat there running his engine.  Needless to say, I didn’t get towed, but I had a bit of paranoia.

I didn’t catch anyone else peeking in overnight, but I recommend putting up curtains (I didn’t have curtains at the time, so I used a bath towel and binder clips to black out the back window).  Binder clips like these are incredibly useful for van camping:

Morning Shopping Trip

I woke up and got changed into my street clothes.  I put my comb, toothpaste, and toothbrush in my purse and headed inside to freshen up.  Then I did my morning shopping – bought some groceries for the day and stopped into the gun section to buy some bear spray as I’d be camping and hiking in national parks.  The guys in the gun section were so nice! 

What It’s Like to Van Camp at Walmart – The Verdict

I’d prefer to camp like this… the Deschutes River in Oregon

Camping at Walmart isn’t my first choice, but I’d consider doing it again.  I’d definitely stay at a 24-hour store or if at a limited hour store, make sure I don’t drink before bed and use the toilet shortly before closing time.  I’d also sleep in some black yoga pants rather than pajama bottoms if I needed to make a quick stop in the store in the middle of the night.  I also feel safer now that I have pepper spray.

Have you ever been camping at Walmart?  Leave a comment about your experience below.

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