Questions about our first (and big) trip
We are taking our first trip in a 1998 C Class RV starting next week for the next 3 weeks. Heading from Maryland to the National Parks out west. I'm looking for any and all advice. ?? (It wasn't suppo...
Forum Discussion
Most National Parks have water available in the campgrounds. There are some exceptions such as Arches and Canyonlands. I always travel with my tanks full and fill whenever I have the opportunity. Chances are this will not matter. Unless you made reservations months ago, most campgrounds are going to be filled. You can battle for the unreserved sites but that can be frustrating during the peak season.
Adding a second battery should be done before you start your trip. All batteries in your battery bank should be as close to each other as possible including size and age of battery. If your existing battery is old, you might want to replace it and start over with new batteries. Travel should not be an issue except at the parks themselves. Most of the major parks are going to be very crowded. As an example the last time I visited Zion in the middle of the summer, there was no where to stay in the park, even the roadside pull offs were full. I just drove through the park without stopping. The campground at Arches is closed for the summer. You can count on delays entering the park. It often gets so bad that the rangers hold up new entries until someone else leaves.
Some national parks have WiFi access, but don't count on it. It is often totally overloaded and if available the access will only work in very specific locations. Most of the park areas will not have access and are not likely to have decent cellphone coverage either.
Gas is not a problem. In addition to stations outside the parks, most of the larger parks have multiple stations within the park.
I need to add a couple items you did not ask about. It is going to be hot anywhere in the desert southwest. Places like Arches and Canyonlands are likely to be in the upper 90s to low 100s. You will be quickly impressed with the power of the sunshine. You will need strong sunscreens, hats and appropriate clothing. Gnats can also be very annoying in the desert areas. Deet does nothing. You need to find some 20% picaridin repellent. You might want to reconsider your plans. Yellowstone, Glacier and the Canadian rockies will be more temperate. Consider skipping southern Utah during the peak of summer. I should also mention southern Utah is Extremely crowded in the Fall. Local residents and foreign tours have figured out that September and October are the best times to visit for weather. Now they are the most crowded times of the year.
Adding a second battery should be done before you start your trip. All batteries in your battery bank should be as close to each other as possible including size and age of battery. If your existing battery is old, you might want to replace it and start over with new batteries. Travel should not be an issue except at the parks themselves. Most of the major parks are going to be very crowded. As an example the last time I visited Zion in the middle of the summer, there was no where to stay in the park, even the roadside pull offs were full. I just drove through the park without stopping. The campground at Arches is closed for the summer. You can count on delays entering the park. It often gets so bad that the rangers hold up new entries until someone else leaves.
Some national parks have WiFi access, but don't count on it. It is often totally overloaded and if available the access will only work in very specific locations. Most of the park areas will not have access and are not likely to have decent cellphone coverage either.
Gas is not a problem. In addition to stations outside the parks, most of the larger parks have multiple stations within the park.
I need to add a couple items you did not ask about. It is going to be hot anywhere in the desert southwest. Places like Arches and Canyonlands are likely to be in the upper 90s to low 100s. You will be quickly impressed with the power of the sunshine. You will need strong sunscreens, hats and appropriate clothing. Gnats can also be very annoying in the desert areas. Deet does nothing. You need to find some 20% picaridin repellent. You might want to reconsider your plans. Yellowstone, Glacier and the Canadian rockies will be more temperate. Consider skipping southern Utah during the peak of summer. I should also mention southern Utah is Extremely crowded in the Fall. Local residents and foreign tours have figured out that September and October are the best times to visit for weather. Now they are the most crowded times of the year.
