Utah National Parks

At Bryce, I would stay at Ruby's just outside the gate to the park. Free shuttle stop there also.
At Zion, I would try and make reservations in the Park's, Watchmans CG.

Also, If you are over 50 feet in length, you cannot go thru the Zion tunnel.

jarbra15 wrote:
:@My wife and I are planning a trip in the fall to Zion NP, Bryce Canyon & Capital Reef NP. We are pulling a 31' Fifth Wheel. What campgrounds would be recommended in the parks or nearby? Any roads to be avoided would be appreciated too. Thanks in advance for your replies.

We're headed out that way. All the state parks are Booked.:(

For those 62 and over and heading to the National Parks, make sure you've got your get-in-free Senior life-time card for $10 as the price is going up soon. We visited Bryce and Zion last year on our motorcycle and it was $25 at each park to get in. Ain't paying those fees again.

Each of the national parks/monuments has an excellent web site for exploring things to do, camping, roads, special alerts, etc. Check them out. Here is Zion's and the information on the Hwy 9 tunnel road:

https://www.nps.gov/zion/frequently-asked-questions-about-the-zion-mt-carmel-highway-and-tunnel.htm

If you can't use the tunnel, a good way to go is from Bryce take 89 north a short distance past Panguitch to Hwy 20 taking you over to I-15, then south to Hwy 9 and come in from the west. Try to get an electric site in the park at Watchman campground. There's also a RV park in Springdale and further west toward Hurricane but in the park is best. You can easily get on the free shuttle. The shuttle also makes stops in Springdale.

Bryce - you'd fit in the dry campground in the park or else stay at Ruby's just outside the park entrance. The free shuttle stops there.

Capitol Reef - you would fit in the park's campground which is a lovely serene spot. There are also many RV parks in nearby Torrey.

You didn't say which highway you'll be coming in from but if it's I-70 get off at Green River on Hwy 24 going to Capitol Reef. Then take Hwy 12 to Bryce. Highway 12 is a gorgeous drive but has some steep areas. Not everyone likes it but we certainly do. It just depends on how you feel with your truck. Many, many RVers do it. If you don't want to, from Torrey/Capitol Reef continue on 24 to 62 to 89 and south to Hwy 12 then east a short distance to Bryce.

Have a great time. They're all favorites of ours!

We camped in Cedar City Ut. and drove into both parks, the car gave us the whole tour, along with the park busses in Zion. we had a great couple daze :)

rv2go wrote:
Also, If you are over 50 feet in length, you cannot go thru the Zion tunnel.

There's also a height restriction on that tunnel, which he's also almost certain to exceed.

The tunnel is on the eastern entrance to Zion, so the OP is going to have to use the western entrance and "go around" either to or from Bryce.

But oh, both of those parks are not to be missed. While you are at it, pop over to Kodachrome State Park for an afternoon.

2gypsies wrote:
...Highway 12 is a gorgeous drive but has some steep areas. Not everyone likes it but we certainly do. It just depends on how you feel with your truck. Many, many RVers do it....

There is a lot to see along the UT-12 Scenic Byway that you will not see by just driving through. Some of them are: Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, Kodachrome Basin State Park, Anasazi State Park, Calf Creek Falls, Hells Backbone, and the Burr Trail.

2gypsies wrote:
...If you don't want to, from Torrey/Capitol Reef continue on 24 to 62 to 89 and south to Hwy 12 then east a short distance to Bryce...

You can save some miles on this route by turning left off of UT-24 onto Browns Lane at the "to Koosharem" sign. Browns Lane will take you to UT-62.

Tunnel Question. No problem with tunnel with my 35" 5er at 13'1" height. You pay for a round trip ticket and they close the tunnel for 2 way traffic so you can drive in the middle of the road where clearance is fine.

I would search for each location in the RV Parks section of this Forum rather than wait for replies.