Ussually I use the rvparkreviews site to find campgrounds along our route of travel and it's worked out OK with regard to commercial parks. I'd like to stay at more state or federal parks but am really concerned about getting into a situation (or park) that is a mess to get out of. As an example, we just left the Blue Ridge Parkway and looked at several of the campgrounds on the parkway - most were listed at rvparkreviews as big rig accessible but I couldn't have even made it into the entrances, let alone into any of the sites or through the interior roads. For those of you with Big Rig type RV's, is there a relatively easy way to determine ahead of time if your rig will fit into the park and sites?Even calling the parks directly has given me mixed results: often the person manning the phone at the park knows very little about RV's or has even been into the campground.I'd appreciate any advice or tips.

Many state parks are listed with reserveusa.com. Check the parks on there they usually have acceptable length limits on that site. As for height problems, all you can do is look at rvparkreviews.com and find that park. Read the reviews. If someone had a problem with low limbs you'll sometimes find it listed there. Otherwise you'll have to call the park and ask. Most are good for that height, it is the common height of fifth wheels.BK

13' 6" height is pushing the max .........most 5vrs are not that tall.40' is an added obstacle as you have found out.......State/Fed CG interior roads weren't designed with long rvs in mind so even when you find one with camp site you can get into getting to it can be 'interesting' due to trees, boulders, natural obstacles etc along/by/crowding the roads

You can't call many of the state and federal parks directly. But 40 feet is pretty long for a Forest Service campground

Try Allstays.com. Their campground descriptions and listings are very complete and include national, state and COE parks along with reviews of them. That site will also give height clearances of bridges, etc along the route.To have more campground options you may want to consider a rig that is is not as tall or as long. Having an agile rig will provide access to many more destinations than you have now.

Often times the roads leading into campgrounds have low hanging tree branches. No government agency claims responsibility for keeping them trimmed. I have a long scar near the top curb side of my fifth wheel to prove it.Once in the park I had no trouble.The trailer is 13'5" tall and 38'6" long.

State Parks suitable for 40' Fifth Wheel 13' 6" tall

agesilaus
Explorer III
Nov 09, 2014
Many state parks are listed with reserveusa.com. Check the parks on there they usually have acceptable length limits on that site. As for height problems, all you can do is look at rvparkreviews.com and find that park. Read the reviews. If someone had a problem with low limbs you'll sometimes find it listed there. Otherwise you'll have to call the park and ask. Most are good for that height, it is the common height of fifth wheels.

BK
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Nov 09, 2014
13' 6" height is pushing the max .........most 5vrs are not that tall.

40' is an added obstacle as you have found out.......State/Fed CG interior roads weren't designed with long rvs in mind so even when you find one with camp site you can get into getting to it can be 'interesting' due to trees, boulders, natural obstacles etc along/by/crowding the roads
korbe
Explorer
Nov 09, 2014
You can't call many of the state and federal parks directly. But 40 feet is pretty long for a Forest Service campground
magnusfide
Explorer II
Nov 09, 2014
Try Allstays.com. Their campground descriptions and listings are very complete and include national, state and COE parks along with reviews of them. That site will also give height clearances of bridges, etc along the route.

To have more campground options you may want to consider a rig that is is not as tall or as long. Having an agile rig will provide access to many more destinations than you have now.
Boxer_Lovers
Explorer
Nov 09, 2014
Often times the roads leading into campgrounds have low hanging tree branches. No government agency claims responsibility for keeping them trimmed. I have a long scar near the top curb side of my fifth wheel to prove it.

Once in the park I had no trouble.

The trailer is 13'5" tall and 38'6" long.
wanderingdawgs
Explorer
Nov 09, 2014
Our total length when towing is 46 feet. We are not as tall as you but have 3 slides. Don't give up calling the parks. I have called many parks before making a reservation to get a recommendation for a campsite that we could get to with our rig and that we fit in. I have found the people I've talked to very helpful.

I always look at a map of the campground and read a description of the site if available. I also try to get a pull through if possible.

We just returned from a 3 week trip and stayed in a TVA park, 4 state parks, and 3 COE parks.

Good luck!
dahkota
Explorer
Nov 09, 2014
Right now we are in Huntington Beach State Park, South Carolina, parked between a 40' 5er and a 39' class A. Two weeks ago, we were in Sesquicentennial State Park, SC, where anything over 37' was pushing it and 13'6 would definitely run you into some low hanging trees. Wekiwa in Florida was tight, Bahia Honda no problem.

Typically, when looking at where to go next, I will check out reserveamerica.com to see if there are any details on the campground and campsites. Then I will check campsitephotos.com. to see if they have pictures or information. Then, rvparkreviews.com for more information. If it still isn't clear, I will look at the campground on googlemaps in satellite view. Sometimes that gives a clearer picture, sometimes not.
MoFanatic
Explorer
Nov 09, 2014
dahkota wrote:
Right now we are in Huntington Beach State Park, South Carolina...

That's exactly the park that led to my making the original post!

We were there not long ago at the recommendation of someone else and decided we liked the state park experience and decided to try to stay at them more often. Without a direct recomendation though we didn't know how to reliably find State Park Campgrounds we could get into.

Thanks to everyone that posted suggestions. I guess I need to really do my homework ahead of time in my trip planning. And arriving early enough that it's not much of an issue if we encounter access problems.
jjson775
Explorer
Nov 09, 2014
Unfortunately, about 90% of commercial RV parks are dumps. There are exceptions, Goulding's at Monument Valley, Disney Ft. Wilderness, some of the destination parks in FL and south Texas, etc. We much prefer to camp in state, federal or other public campgrounds and plan our trip itinerary accordingly. There is no comparison, bigger and better sites, natural beauty, wildlife viewing, peace and quiet, you name it. We will put up with commercial parks for location like the Liberty Harbor RV Park near NY city, Trailer Ranch in Santa Fe, Cherry Hill near Wash. DC. Accessibility is not an issue for us with our Pleasure Way B+ not towing anything. Good luck with your travels.
RGar974417
Explorer
Nov 09, 2014
life is about choices.By buying such a big RV you have limited yourself as to where you can camp.Since we prefer state and federal parks,we have chosen to stay with a 26 ft TT. But since you asked a question,I would say go to campsitephotos.com.They don't have every campground,but the ones they do have pictures and site information which will be helpfull.