Forum Discussion
PawPaw_n_Gram
Aug 30, 2016Explorer
When you see such limitations listed on a NPS web site - it is a very good idea to plan to drop the trailer in a parking lot, and drive the road. Only you can determine if your rig can make the drive.
We hosted at an NPS campground with such a limitation. We had no trouble making the drive up the 12% grade and the seven tight switchback turns pulling our 36' trailer in our 22' long pickup.
However, I would not try to go to that CG for a visit because while there are a few sites that can/ did hold 32 ft long Class C rigs - none but the host sites could hold our rig. Even then, I had to back the rig about 1/4 mile uphill to get out of the CG. There wasn't a loop that I could get the trailer around the tight turns.
As far as getting an answer - maybe 1% of the people you can reach on the phone know anything about RV travel and needs.
Some great people work at NPS, USFS, COE and State Parks - who have never pulled a trailer, driven a Class C/A, never actually camped in an RV (or a tent).
They really don't know what you need for clearance. I've seen places my 36' TT can clear on campground turns, but a 32' 5er cannot because it tracks farther inside the turns. I've seen places that my 22' long truck cannot make the turns, but an 18' short bed can.
We hosted at an NPS campground with such a limitation. We had no trouble making the drive up the 12% grade and the seven tight switchback turns pulling our 36' trailer in our 22' long pickup.
However, I would not try to go to that CG for a visit because while there are a few sites that can/ did hold 32 ft long Class C rigs - none but the host sites could hold our rig. Even then, I had to back the rig about 1/4 mile uphill to get out of the CG. There wasn't a loop that I could get the trailer around the tight turns.
As far as getting an answer - maybe 1% of the people you can reach on the phone know anything about RV travel and needs.
Some great people work at NPS, USFS, COE and State Parks - who have never pulled a trailer, driven a Class C/A, never actually camped in an RV (or a tent).
They really don't know what you need for clearance. I've seen places my 36' TT can clear on campground turns, but a 32' 5er cannot because it tracks farther inside the turns. I've seen places that my 22' long truck cannot make the turns, but an 18' short bed can.
About Campground 101
Recommendations, reviews, and the inside scoop from fellow travelers.14,749 PostsLatest Activity: Apr 04, 2026