Tell me if I'm crazy?

Oh yes, what an adventure it will be. I started rving 13 years ago in my current 40' mh. What a steep learning curve but it was and still is a great time. I've done the trip you are describing in my 40' mh and my jeep in tow. No issues at all. All trips were well planned to the smallest detail. Now, I just take off with no reservations and never sure where I will stop at days end. Have a wonderful trip!

I didn't see how many were traveling with you, are you sure you need a rv that size? I finished a trip similar to yours in that area with a 35ft class A and if you are not used to driving something that big you may want to reconsider. When a big semi roars by you and moves you a half lane over it will thrill you. when you need gas and the only thing available is a mom and pop service station will you be able to get in and out? Even some of the public campgrounds have tight turns. And yes I think you are crazy.

We've done all your planned areas with a 40' motorhome so don't let some folks scare you about finding campgrounds. :)

Moab/Canyonlands - Arches campground will be closed all summer and there will be ongoing road work so head there first thing in the morning before the crowds. If you can do so a few days beforehand, call and reserve a space for the Fiery Furnace hike with a ranger. It is unique and absolutely awesome! For Moab we love Dead Horse Point State Park at Canyonlands - an easy drive into Moab and there are also a lot of 4-wheeling trails around it. There are also a couple BLM campgrounds near Dead Horse right off the main paved road and you'll be just fine with your motorhome. It's smooth gravel.

Here are some BLM campgrounds around Moab. Ken's Lake is very nice and easy to get in big sites. BLM camping is very restricted around Moab because of past abuse but there are still a lot of places.

http://www.discovermoab.com/campgrounds_blm.htm

Monument Valley - stay at Gouldings RV. If you want to dry camp they do have a campground by the Visitor's Center right in front of the famous 'Mittens' formation, and you'll fit. Also, north of there is Goosenecks State Park with absolute basic - a toilet - but a grand view. You could do some 4-wheeling from there. You just park wherever - no carved out sites.

Grand Canyon - definitely try to get a site in the park itself at Trailer Village - full hookups and right at the Rim. If you want close by dry camping there's Ten-X national forest campground just outside the park - and you'll fit.

Escalante - lots and lots of boondocking on good BLM land right off the paved road. Stop at the BLM office in town for information. There's also a couple RV parks.

If going to Escalante from Grand Canyon you'll want to leave Grand Canyon the east entrance and then take 89 north through Page, AZ (boondocking at Lone Rock) - use the upper level just past the entrance station with gorgeous views of Glen Canyon Lake as there are some soft spots down below at the water.

You'll then be taking Hwy 89 north to Hwy 12 and passing right by Bryce Nat'l Park. You would fit in the first campground (can't think of the name right now) or just outside the park entrance is Ruby's RV.

Each national park has a wonderful web site with things to do, road information, camping, special alerts and more. Check each one out before going.

Have a great trip and within 200 miles of driving you'll feel like a pro! You'll do just fine. We all started somewhere.

growandmake wrote:
I'm starting in Portland OR. My wife is worried that going with a 35' RV will be too long for us to find any decent places to camp. Would there be an ideal size RV to allow us to park/camp in National Parks?

The smaller the better. AFAIK, there's no standard length limit. Most of the signs we've seen had cutoffs around 30'.

But we've not hit all of the National and State Parks.

When we had our 21', I think we never had an issue.
We're in 32' now and I notice the signs.said

I'm starting in Portland OR. My wife is worried that going with a 35' RV will be too long for us to find any decent places to camp. Would there be an ideal size RV to allow us to park/camp in National Parks?

Could you give us a starting city for this journey? I mentioned in a previous post that you are not crazy and you are going to have an awesome adventure. If you give us a bit more information we might be able to give you some additional details to make this a memorable experience.

We're actually planning to not go through CO. We're leaving on the 24th of March and going through Idaho into Utah.

Breathe deeply. Read and reread the advice above. Enjoy your trip!

Oh! I assume you're taking I-70 through CO, then? Sounds like you'd be leaving pretty soon, right? Be aware that it can snow heavily at those elevations this time of year. Allow extra time in case of slippery roads.

This should be a nice time of year to visit Moab, since it isn't too hot yet. Plenty of decent RV parks around there. I've stayed at Portal RV Resort, it's set back from the highway a bit so it's quieter than some others. Of course you could always shoot for Dead Horse Point SP or something like that.

A whole different story! Moab will be fine with lots of options, including BLM land along the Colorado River north of town. Gouldings in Monument Valley is wonderful. Be sure to take the guided tour that picks you up at their RV park. Good restaurant and wonderful little museum and shopping opportunities, too. The national park campground in Arches will not handle a 35 footer. Best to explore by your 4 wheel drive vehicle. Good day-tripping (no hippie pun intended) from Moab in all directions! Same with Gouldings. Don't miss the Moki Dugway and Valley of the Gods. Both wonderful in a four wheel drive car. Natural Bridges Natl Monument is near the top of the Moki Dugway, which is very safe but very thrilling! Have fun!