Forum Discussion

n4hwl's avatar
n4hwl
Explorer
Mar 03, 2014

Out west trip questions

I will be leaving Tennessee and heading out west sometime this year. I plan on being gone 2 months or so. I am wide open for suggestions on routes and times. I know this leaves things wide open but can not decide when. I am thinking about heading up toward the mount rushmore/ yellowstone area in August and roam around up there and then by late sept or into October loop south through the southwest for a while before coming back to Tennessee be November 1st. I have heard that I will not be able to get into some of the National Park Campgrounds with my 40ft 4slide Phaeton. Is this true. I guess I will have to find other campgrounds near those parks. Anyway I thought that the parks and campgrounds would not be as busy after school started in August. I am wide open for suggestions on routes and times of the year to hit certain areas.

Thanks
Ken
Roads and Routes
  • harley-dave's avatar
    harley-dave
    Explorer
    Mar 03, 2014
    Just be aware that the Sturgis motorcycle rally will be the first 10 days of August. It fills CG's for at least a hundred miles in every direction starting the last week of July and sort of ending the the 2nd week of August. Many, Many motorcycles and the CG prices are sky high. Plan on doing South Dakota and Wyoming either early or late in your trip to avoid the crowd.

    Dave
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Mar 03, 2014
    We do three months out West without reservations and do not have problems finding sites for 42' in public CGs. It takes some advance planning and you do not show up Friday hoping for sites big enough. I like this site for finding Public CGs. Just because a USFS CG says 30' max, it does not mean there are not any sites bigger than that. Other than NP if you arrive Monday there are plenty of site open.
    When I search trip and West I get 2000 posts so searching under roads and routes, or RV Parks/NP, or Public Lands, Boondockiong would help.
  • eubank's avatar
    eubank
    Explorer
    Mar 03, 2014
    It'll be primarily the lesser-known national monuments where you'll have trouble with the length of your rig. Some of them are pretty remote, so no promise on finding private accommodations very nearby. By contrast, the large, well-known national parks like Yellowstone or Grand Canyon will present fewer problems.
    :)
    Lynn
  • Pop-Pop_C's avatar
    Pop-Pop_C
    Explorer
    Mar 03, 2014
    Make reservations as far ahead as possible!
    National parks questionable, but there are always
    parks for big rigs. We were thru there in a 38' fiver
    with no problems. After Labor Day it is easier to find spots.
    I don't think 2 months is long enough? Hwy 2 is good.

    Above all take your time and don't stress.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Mar 03, 2014
    In the far west you will find lots of parks that have not been upgraded, so it is going to be very possible you will have a tough time finding places to park. Not to worry though there are lots of private parks for you to visit. Start with a paper map and a pencil and note pad. Pencil out your ideal route, Then go to web sites like rvparkreview.com and start looking for parks and find ones that will accommodate you. The mountains of the west can have snow any month of the year. However summer snow storms are rare most years. September will also start to cool down, so bring a warm coat and long pants for those cool mornings. Most of all bring a smile and have fun.
  • Dick_B's avatar
    Dick_B
    Explorer
    Mar 03, 2014
    Adventure Caravans takes the entire month of September for the circle tour of the western National Parks. It's a thought.

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