General Sherman Giant Tree

The General Sherman Tree is fine but Yosemite has several stands of sequoia, maybe not as big but still very big and a lot more fantastic things to see. Its also a lot easier to get to that park. That late in the year you should be able to get in, the escapee have a cg right outside the park, think it's called the Park of the Sierras - Escapees Park in Coasegold.
Great Sand Dunes has a good cg in the park, no hookups. You did not specify what sort of cg you want. There are many places to visit in the Monument Valley area, Cortez CO makes a good base camp for that area. There is one good cg that I don't have the name for now. But Mesa Verde, Trail of the Ancients, Natural Bridges, Canyonlands and a lot more are all near there.

agesilaus wrote:
The General Sherman Tree is fine but Yosemite has several stands of sequoia, maybe not as big but still very big and a lot more fantastic things to see. Its also a lot easier to get to that park. That late in the year you should be able to get in, the escapee have a cg right outside the park, think it's called the Park of the Sierras - Escapees Park in Coasegold.
Great Sand Dunes has a good cg in the park, no hookups. You did not specify what sort of cg you want. There are many places to visit in the Monument Valley area, Cortez CO makes a good base camp for that area. There is one good cg that I don't have the name for now. But Mesa Verde, Trail of the Ancients, Natural Bridges, Canyonlands and a lot more are all near there.

If you make it that far, go to both. Sequoia NP is awesome. I have no idea what you mean about easier to get to...if anything Yosmite is more difficult but really neither is a big challenge.

To the OP: Based on your post, I assume NP and the like are a priority:
- Consider on the way out, going north across I-80 so you can hit Rocky Mountain NP, then Dinosaur NM before swinging south thru Bryce NP and Zion NP. Then you can hit the N. Rim of Grand Canyon NP. Swing by Death Valley NP.
- On the return consider your original route (It's further south so better for later in the season.

How long do you have? We did a similar trip at the same time last year. Also hit Joshua Tree, Congaree and several National Monuments but we had all winter.

Gouldings RV park in Monument Valley is a good stopping place. FHU and they have tours hosted by native Americans that take you on land and to sights that is otherwise not accessible to the general public.

Lots of great boondocking sites around Tusayan at the GCNP south entrance.

Try to spend a few days at Sequoia -- lots to do and see. Great hiking. Much cooler and less crowded than Yosemite Valley. And, if you are there in the winter, great snow-shoeing -- that's DW in the lower right corner of the photo. This was taken in Congress Grove, not far from the Sherman Tree.

And no, this is not a trick shot -- those trees really are astonishingly big. Standing amongst them is like being in a cathedral:


Click For Full-Size Image.

It is amazing standing near General Grand and General Sherman. One branch fell years ago, and I think the sign that was posted said it could have built a 2000 sq ft home. Sequoia trees once covered Nevada and other states. Weather changes do to the Himalayas rising in altitude caused the earths weather pattern to change. The US west turned to desert and south east Asia desert turned to rain forest.

Before you leave for anywhere in NoCal, check the fire status.

Thanks everyone for the many good ideas. We have as much time as we need to do this trip right and see what is there to see. I really appreciate your ideas so far. We might not make it out that way again so we'd prefer to see it all on this trip, or at least most of it.

We are open to any type of camping, have a generator and can boondock, but the wife prefers RV parks. However, she has liked state parks too.

In the Sequoia area, I'd recommend Sequoia RV Ranch. If you have a toad, it's about 45 minutes up to Congress Grove. Don't take a big rig up Highway 198 -- very twisty.

Seems like I read recently that Yosemite required reservations now, even for a day visit. Might want to make sure first.