Travel plans to visit National Parks

Thanks we have the pass in our 70's. Looking for recommendations on what to avoid. Thanks again. Our first extended trip the last 50 trips were less than two hours from home

Your questions cover two forums, but most folks choose one or the oter and still get answers.

Try a different route planner, or fiddle with order of the stops. These planners use "preferred route" heuristics to get around the issue of the "best route" problem being intractable with today's technology. Somewhere along the list you've put something together such there is no connection in the planner's data for one or more of your moves, particularly if you are using RV restrictions.

I've run into this with other planners. A couple days ago Google Maps was convinced that it is impossible to drive from Naples to Lhasa, because it's preferred routes led to a dead end in an Asia desert. I needed waypoints to show it a longer way around, and that app doesn't accommodate waypoints.

As for printing from the Good Sam planner, can't help with that, as it has changed in the several years since I last used it. Someone who uses it can help.

Why not get a good road atlas and a highlighter? Highlight each national park you want to stay and then connect the dots as to the way YOU want to go, not a computerized planner.

It's really very easy to travel this way. We did it all the time in our 16 years of full-timing and constant travel. We didn't do interstates unless we really needed to for a short distance. Secondary roads are much nicer to see things.

We use a Truckers Atlas you can buy at any Truck stop. Shows roads Truckers can use safely. Many that are not highlighted can be used by RVers but gives you a heads up on what to research a bit online or in person before heading out.

We use RVparksreview.com for checking on commercial parks. Gives "guest" reviews of their experience.

If traveling in summer, reservations will be a must anywhere in or near Natonal Parks. If travelling in the fall, remember to consider elevation and when the snows/freezing weather can occur.

Do check out Adventure Caravans website and see how they route their National Parks caravans. Can give great insight. As an aside, we have done two tours with them and while pricey, have enjoyed them immensely. Not for everyone to have to stay on schedule however.....

Happy trails!

Quite a few of those national parks have campgrounds that don't even accept reservations. For instance, Grand Teton has two for a combined amount of 600 sites. They rarely fill. If you park nearby the previous night and pull in by 11 am, you'll get a site.