Let’s face it. If you travel enough, things are bound to happen. Specifically delays. Maybe you get distracted by a cool roadside attraction, and you don’t make it as far as you had hoped for the day. Possibly your children’s bladders just couldn’t hack it, and you made 700 more stops than you had planned out in your mind, and on the map. Unexpected summer thunder storm when you were planning on tent camping. Or dare I say the words? Never ending construction. You always hope that you don’t find yourself hooked up to a tow truck in rural Montana with a blown rear rocker arm, but hey, it happens. Trust me.
There are a few options here, maybe you will get lucky and score a hotel room in the location that you land in. If you are camping, there is always the chance that the local campground will have a vacancy. Or, you could just be so tired, and ready to call it a day that you really don’t care what your sleeping arrangements look (or feel) like.
When the latter becomes your reality, there is an option that requires no reservations, only a little do diligence, and manners.
Cue boondocking at Walmart. 
Boondocking is usually referred to as camping for free, either in a parking lot, or out in the boonies – hence “boon”docking. Boondocking is also dry camping, as you will not have a power source hook up, or water.
Not all Walmarts participate in this traveler tradition, and some are actually very visible in their signage against it. What I have found looking at some maps using the All Stays site, {https://www.allstays.com/c/walmart-michigan-nop-locations.htm} is that if there is a store that does not allow overnight parking, just a few more minutes up the road you will find a store that will welcome your snack binge, and morning munchie dollars. Another site that lists them alphabetically by city is {https://www.walmartlocator.com/no-park-walmarts-by-state/} These are not official sites, they are not run or endorsed by Walmart, but are maintained by fellow travelers based on their experience. Each has a list of Walmarts that are known to not allow overnight camping. It is always expected that you will go in and speak to a manager to make sure that overnight parking is ok. Do not assume that it is ok just because there are other RVs in the parking lot, you could all wake up, a little stiff, and with a ticket on your dashboard.
Some people, especially those who RV travel often will actually choose to build these overnight stays into their trip for either budget purposes, or because they are convenient stops in an otherwise awkward travel days. 
Our most recent stay in a Walmart parking lot came this summer when our plan was tent camping, and severe Thunderstorms swept through the area, and looked like they were going to keep popping up throughout the day. I just didn’t want to take the chance that we would get the tent all set up, and then have the storms become so severe that we ended up camped out in the car anyway, but with a wet tent on top of it. We called around town to see if we could find a hotel, but the town we were in didn’t have many hotels, and on top of that it was the weekend of a couple of major festivals, and there was no vacancy to be had.
To make it fun for the kids, we went into Walmart before dinner, picked out a Redbox movie, some snacks (both semi-healthy, and a splurge), as well as a couple of travel games to pass the time. Buggie was excited at the idea of being able to just go into the store in the morning for a breakfast treat. 
I know you are cool, and will be great parking lot neighbors. I’m not going to create a list of etiquette. If you are questioning it, pretend that your Grandma is sitting there judging your actions. That should cover it. If you end up boondocking at Walmart either intentionally or unintentionally, let me know your experience!
Other Places to Overnight FREE:
There are other retail stores that might allow you to camp overnight in their parking lot with manager approval such as Costco, Cabelas, Bass Pro Shop, Camping World, and Cracker Barrel.
If you are looking to plan ahead a little more, and would feel better having a “reservation,” and have a self contained RV unit, here are a couple of great options!
Harvest Hosts – This is a network of over 835 wineries, breweries, farms and more that welcome boondocking in their parking lots. This is again dry camping with no hook ups, but as my parents have experienced, fantastic food and drinks to be had with the night’s stay. What a great way to eat and drink local with the return of a free nights stay. You are required to have a self contained camping unit in order to stay at any location. This means kitchen, water tank, and toilet. You are not allowed any type of tent. If this fits your needs and your rig fits the requirement, I have partnered with Harvest Hosts to offer you 15% off your yearly membership fee when you use this unique link: http://harvesthosts.refr.cc/kidingmama
Boondockers Welcome – This one is an interesting concept. Sort of like Air B&B, except it is a spot of land where you can park and enjoy your camping experience for free on someone’s property. They likely will be home, and will enjoy meeting all of the travelers that come for a night stay. See, I told you it was interesting! You can sign up for a membership for only $30, which is less than a night at a campground for most places. Again for this option, you do need to have a self contained camper unit in order to apply for a stay. (this includes your toilet, kitchen, and sleeping) http://boondockerswelcome/referrals/30930/
