What is the best NP camping experience?
We travel in a 32 foot fiver. Often, when visiting national parks, we find it convenient to make reservations at a private CG and commute to the park, but on occasion, I believe it would be a lot of f...
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I hate reservations because it dictates your trip. Therefor, I travel during the off season and you won't need reservations unless you go to places like Yosemite. Yellowstone late May, early June or Sept. Glacier, the week they predict the Going to the Sun road will open. Cumberland Gap, just about any weekend except holiday weekends, you may even luck up and be able to get a site with power. GSMNP anytime during the week when they aren't taking reservations. Blue Ridge Parkway, May or even during the week in October during leaf season (nights are near freezing so most want power). Last long trip, I even traveled July 4th weekend (4th was Monday) without reservations heading home from Yellowstone, just made sure I was in the middle of now where in NE Iowa.
Since things have gotten more crowded, I will sometimes make reservations when I'm two or three days out. Leaves the trip with a lot of flexibility, but I don't show up disappointed. If I need to delay my arrival by a little, I can always find things to do on the way. Of course, I've compensated for the crowds some by downsizing my rig. The smaller the rig, the more sites you fit in.
Another great option are your National Forest. Out west there are tons of places to boondock on BLM. You can boondock mere feet outside of Arches or Canyonlands and have the place all to yourself. So many options which only increase as the size of your rig decrease.
Since things have gotten more crowded, I will sometimes make reservations when I'm two or three days out. Leaves the trip with a lot of flexibility, but I don't show up disappointed. If I need to delay my arrival by a little, I can always find things to do on the way. Of course, I've compensated for the crowds some by downsizing my rig. The smaller the rig, the more sites you fit in.
Another great option are your National Forest. Out west there are tons of places to boondock on BLM. You can boondock mere feet outside of Arches or Canyonlands and have the place all to yourself. So many options which only increase as the size of your rig decrease.
