Why bother with National Parks?

Then don't visit, will make room for others that want to visit.

Trails And Tails wrote:
We're new to RVing and have just bought an older Class C. My wife wants to take a trip touring many of the western United States' National Parks. I've been doing some research and this is what I'm finding: Crappy Roads, Crappy Campgrounds, Large Crowds, Lots of Walking, Varying Rules from Park to Park, Unpredictable Conditions and more that I'm forgetting righ now. With all of this, why in the world do people even bother with these parks and how do you even think about relaxing and enjoying the scenery? Righ now all I see is a gut-wrenching experience and I'm already a wreck just thinking about it.

We have traveled and explored more than 30 of our National Parks since we retired and started traveling full time. Our lives have been enriched so much by the time we have spent experiencing these national treasures. That said, I cannot begin to imagine where you are getting your information. Maybe you should sit down and have a heart to heart conversation with your wife and discuss what she hopes to accomplish by dragging you along with her if you truly don't want to go. I'm hoping you wrote your post in a moment of frustration and your outlook really isn't as bleak as it appears at first glance.

Try Big Bend. You will have people on horse back chasing you on the trails so you can buy their trinkets. If you are caught buying anything it's a federal crime. Why are they in the park in the first place? I dont know but I wonder the same thing.

Trails And Tails wrote:
I've been doing some research and this is what I'm finding: Crappy Roads, Crappy Campgrounds, Large Crowds, Lots of Walking, Varying Rules from Park to Park, Unpredictable Conditions and more that I'm forgetting righ now.

Crappy Road: Loved to death with so much visitation
Crappy Campgrounds: Some of the most scenic CG's we've ever been to are in NP's
Large Crowds: Lots of people appreciate the unmatched beauty and splendor of our NP's, including many from other counties who travel great distances to get here
Lots of Walking: These aren't theme parks. One has to get out into nature to appreciate it -- the sounds, the smells, the weather.
Varying Rules from Park to Park: a little variation, but most of the rules are consistent from park to park
Unpredictable Conditions: Same can be said about going to the beach, predicting the weather isn't exactly precise, yet.

But there are some who can't or won't deal with these issues. Keeps the crowds down a little bit.

Stay home and let the wife go by herself. She will probably enjoy it much better without a wreck as a traveling companion.

We have been to quite a few national parks. We go either early or late season to avoid the crowds. There is alot of beautiful country to see and you are missing out by not going.

Different strokes for different folks.

If you are 62 or over you can buy a lifetime Golden Age pass for $10. Then you can get into most Federal Gov't parks for free, including all the occupants in your car/rv. (May have a limit now) Campsites are 1/2 price at most Gov't parks. There are lots of COE parks that are great all over the country.

Consider Corps of Engineer parks - they are the parks less travelled!!