Walmart - Durango | Informal Campsite

January 2nd, 2024 by holybathhouse30

Can confirm that we had no issue sleeping overnight here. The lights were bright but it was quiet and flat. I felt safe and followed the advice by previous campers to park near the discount tire

October 2nd, 2023 by brettyd1972

Parking is definitely allowed here as security moved all RVs to their designated overnight parking area which is in front of Tyre shop. He advised that he would be patrolling all night. Plenty of vans here and felt very safe.

October 2nd, 2023 by turner.bd1969

I can 100% confirm that you can stay overnight at Walmart in Durango. We pulled in around 9:00PM and there were other Vans and RV's in the parking lot. A little after 10:00PM we got the dreaded "knock" on our door from the security guard. He asked us if we were planning to stay the night and I told him yes if that is okay with you. He said it was no problem and asked us to move about 100' to the overflow parking close to Discount Tire. There were around 10 other people in Vans and RV's and we all moved to the area he asked us to move to. Walmart in Durango closes at 11:00PM and opens at 6:00AM. No issues at all staying here for the night.
We had driven down to Home Depot and although the parking lot is much nicer, it just felt sketchy so we decided to move back to Walmart where others were staying overnight. Safety in numbers and always go with your gut. Durango has a large homeless population and it seems Walmart used to have an issue with homeless camping behind the store. That is no longer the case and you can safely park in their parking lot overnight as long as you park really close to the Discount Tire Parking lot. You "do not" need to park in Discount Tire parking lot as others have said. Just need to be close to it.

September 4th, 2023 by koolbaba

The security guard waved his hand and recommended parking overnight in the far corner of WalMart.

August 9th, 2023 by vivermontessori

We and our friends sleep here for 3 nights. Everything ok. One day the police pass and talking with homeless that was there, but no problems for us.

July 23rd, 2023 by kjoye8

Walmart allows but can’t guarantee you won’t be asked to move. Several others here for the night. Including big rigs .

April 30th, 2023 by RAV4Girl

Home Depot said no, Walmart said no, recommended subway instead of Discount Tire.. started to drive to Mavericks and our trailer lights weren’t working… we turned back and parked with 5 other RVs, Schoolies and Vanlifers near Discount Tire. No knock on door and they were all with us in the morning.

City ordinance has been in place for as long as I can tell, reading these reviews. Walmart management is probably just trying to save their butt by saying no, since they dont own the lot (?) and it’s illegal (?) per the ordinance.

So you’re not really risking it with Walmart security there, just the police if they check in and fine I believe. We definitely weren’t planning on driving with broken trailer lights at night.

November 23rd, 2022 by stas.cherniakov

No longer allowed to overnight due to city wide ordinance as told by the store manager - went to mavericks instead.

October 3rd, 2022 by marciamanter

I spent 2 nights here and didn't see or have contact with a security guard. No early morning parking lot sweeper either. There is a sign posted about No RV parking, but I spent the second night next to a class C, but it wasn't huge. I did move my van the second day but that was to catch the sun with my solar panel. Pretty quiet and nice Walmart. I picked up a few things to show my appreciation for a safe place to sleep. Thanks Durango Walmart.

August 18th, 2022 by dan.ricciotti

Security came by and asked us to park closer to the Discount Tire - but still on Walmarts lot - to an area where they have more camera. He was super nice. ☀️

August 13th, 2022 by swimmingwithcrocodiles

Walmart has Security now and they profile. Newer RVs security will likely leave you alone. Older RV highly likely they will ask you to leave. Also what others say is true you need to park as close to Discount Tire as possible. Security does do a good job keeping the place safe. Very polite and professional.

I have cruised through the parking lot at 6AM and there’s always a few newer camper vans and RVs, nice looking RVs-Vans.

Never seen older vehicles camping probably due to a lawsuit Walmart is fighting. Apparently a camper was cooking breakfast outside while putting the stove back in the camper when it had not cooled down. This caused a fire not only in camper van but also a car that had parked next to it. Google the story tragically one child passed away and the other critically injured. This occurred back east I believe

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August 9th, 2022 by deaves2015

8-7-22 Management changed, a woman in a van had a drug emergency in the parking lot. They no longer allow parking overnight at all due to liability. I was told of a new truck stop that the internet doesn’t show yet. Security told me this.

July 28th, 2022 by antonpug

This place is permanently closed.

July 28th, 2022 by antonpug

GOT A KNOCK BY SECURITY. Was told to leave. This place does no longer allow overnight camping and they are cracking down. Town of Durango has become rather hostile to van folks and have been closing down many boondocking spots.

June 19th, 2022 by amy-roy

Take the comments seriously of parking close to the discount tire side. Around 11:30 security came and asked us, and a few other vehicles to move. He was very kind but definitely saves everyone the hassle. Other than that, great night.

June 19th, 2022 by lilsunshine742

park as close to the discount tire as possible. security around 11 pm will as u to move closer to there. nice man. very pite

May 22nd, 2022 by chrisbettencourt

Regular Walmart lot. lots of room. lots of RVs. close to all the action.

May 16th, 2022 by infinite.explorers.wi

This place is permanently closed.

May 16th, 2022 by infinite.explorers.wi

Talked to an employee in Walmart and they said no overnight parking allowed anymore since the city owns the lot. Signs posted all over the parking lot.

May 4th, 2022 by dudesenack

Had a chat with security and he explained they try and get everyone into the one section by the discount tire as that is where the security cameras are, and they patrol the lot. Super friendly gentleman.

So feel free to park on the discount tire side, and keep the place tidy. Also, he said only people from outa state are welcome.

April 27th, 2022 by candy

Had a good night’s stay with others also parking here. No issues at all.

April 19th, 2022 by vania.hamner

Park in the far back corner on the Outdoor Living side, close to Discount Tire. Several other overnighters in everything from pickup trucks to massive motorhomes. We weren’t bothered in our van, but security came around 10pm and asked someone to move (couldn’t hear why). I assume someone was parked in a fire lane instead of designated spots? Some road noise.

April 8th, 2022 by jasonandsharon

Great overnight spot in Durango. We had no issues staying one night

October 26th, 2021 by venturingangel

Perfect overnight Wal-mart spot. @thislifeunraveled

October 10th, 2021 by Roam4wild

A dozen or so vans/Rvs + people sleeping in cars near the tire shop.
12am - smaller trash pickup truck, blue and white - with yellow flashing lights driving donuts around all the vans, driving slow, then fast etc - trying to wake and annoy people. If you see that truck (has writing on the side) slash that cocksuckers Fkn tires.

May 29th, 2021 by Mark J Bloomfield

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They ask that you park down by the Discount Tire. Average amount of nose for a Walmart parking lot

May 19th, 2021 by travelingwithjoe

Asked inside, manager said it’s ok to park near Discount Tire and stay one night if you’re from out of state. In addition to a few other van dwellers, there were two abandoned vehicles, several homeless people, and a few RVs running their generators all night in a very small part of the lot. Right before I went to sleep, I heard rustling noises and saw three raccoons looting one of the abandoned vehicles through a broken window. I would only recommend this place if you don’t have other options.

April 15th, 2021 by bertrand.aud

Spent one night here, because all national forests are closed until May... it was ok for one night. A little creepy with all the abandoned cars... We parked next to the garden area.

August 26th, 2020 by markman5

Well, we parked our van on the "end" of the building by the outdoor living, and the security guard knocked on the van and told us to relocate out in the corner of the lot by Discount Tire store, which is the East corner of the lot, in front of the left end when facing front of the Walmart. A number of trees in the parking area, and a number of cars and campers also overnighting.

June 14th, 2020 by fanny.gallagher.cohen

Nice Walmart we had a good night. Very quiet.

October 5th, 2019 by slarkin.bu

Be aware, if you stay here, there is a loud street cleaner that does the entire parking lot starting around 10pm and so far going for about 2 hours. Not sure how frequently they do it.

September 28th, 2019 by aventure.aux.pieds

Update : Make sure to park on the Outdoor Living side as mentioned in the description, otherwise the security guy will knock on your door and kindly ask you to move there. They want all the people sleeping in their cars/vans/RV to be in the same spot.

September 27th, 2019 by aventure.aux.pieds

I’ve done a tour of the parking lot, and I’ve only seen a few signs saying "No RV or commercial vehicles overnight". So to double check, I spoke to a Walmart employee and she told me it’s totally fine for cars and vans to overnight in the parking lot, they just don’t want the huge RVs or the commercial trucks to overnight here. There is about 10 "small" RVs here tonight (short enough to only take 2 parking spaces). They also have a security vehicle patrolling the parking lot at night (very nice guy!). Overall a pretty good and quiet night.

August 11th, 2019 by michelle.honsberge

Tons of no-parking signs, they make it pretty obvious they don’t want you to be here. This parking lot is actually owned by the City of Durango and the (extremely lovely) Walmart employee said the cops apparently come through and give tickets occasionally.

June 14th, 2019 by jpvr55

Walmart parking, even indicated no overnight, it is not a problem to stay overnight, but on the outdoor-living site of the parking. Many rv's. I asked permission inside and they told me to do so. I stayed next to the flowers and plants and it was very quiet all night.