Where to camp a 45 footer in Yosemite

[holstein13]

I'm starting to plan my trip to Yosemite next year. I'll be there in the middle of May.

On the NPS website, it says the maximum size of an RV is 40 feet but they don't check the size and if the RV fits, they don't care.

What do you suggest I do? Any good places for me to park the big rig?

[CVD]

Be careful coming from the south (41) and going through the tunnel just before the “view”. That granite is very unforgiving if it hits your awning (don’t ask how I know).

[Travelr]

We have a 40 footer. Been fortunate to get into Yosemite three times. We have walked, not driven, walked all the roads, measured, talked about if we could get in that spot etc.

There are only 6 spots inside of the park that we can fit. We have stayed in two of them, one twice. It is very difficult to get in the space and even then we are marginally in it. Tires are back against the parking bricks, yet we have manuvered back and forth to get that done.

Suggest you not try it. Its not the driving in the park on the main roads, you will be fine, even driving inside the varous campgrounds, will be fine. Its getting into the space. You will need a big jar of lub and lots of time to do it. If someone comes down that particular road, the pressure will be on you.

PM me and I will ask my wife the space numbers if you think you want to try it.

[rr2254545]

Two Hands wrote:
We have stayed in the KOA in Mariposa and like the park.

One of the best campgrounds we have stayed in ever - be prepared for long drives into the park however - but not really a choice it is 26 miles from the KOA to the Arch Rock entrance of the park

[Gottahaveit]

jolooote wrote:
The words 45 footer & camping don't really fit together.

Actually they really do fit. We dry camp in the middle of no-where and also enjoy to "camp" near a particular place like Yosemite as well. Just because we may have a big rig does not mean we don't love all the aspects of camping. Campfires, cooking bacon and eggs, the smell of the great outdoors etc.

[holstein13]

jolooote wrote:
The words 45 footer & camping don't really fit together.

I guess it all depends on how you define camping. If by camping, you mean roughing it with a backpack and sleeping bag, then a 2015 Thor Motor Coach probably isn't camping either.

But I get your point. It looks as if the 45 footer will not be camping inside the park, itself. I'll take the suggestions above and find a larger campground (or RV Resort, LOL) within 15 miles of the park entrance.

[ugh]

jolooote wrote:
The words 45 footer & camping don't really fit together.

X2

[jolooote]

The words 45 footer & camping don't really fit together.

[aerbus32]

With a coach that big, I'll presume you have a dinghy, Check the fairgrounds in Mariposa & the facilities at Lake McClure. Believe Horseshoe Bend. We've used both to access Yosemite. I don't care for KOA's but did check the one out near the park. I'd check it's rating at one of the RG park review websites. Also, be sure you check something like the Mountain Directory.

[bikendan]

agesilaus wrote:
I have my doubts that you'll get that 45 footer into North Pines. There are several sites: 101 thru 113 (by odd numbers) which are right after the gatehouse and on the riverbank. Those in particular since that is just about the only ones that I know of that you don't have to go down the roads. Which are very narrow with bolders and trees to steer around. But you'd need a very tolerant group of rangers and could not have a toad. They do not measure the rv but they check to see that it is on the pad and not protruding into the roadway. We had 101 for a week with a 34 ft fiver.

North Pines is the only CG that takes RVs in the valley.

i agree. that's the only ones i saw RVs of that size that fit.
and no hookups of any kind.

[2gypsies1]

Do not try to drive or stay with your 45' in Yosemite. We've gotten in many national parks with our 40' but we didn't even try for Yosemite. We stayed in Coarsegold at the Escapees park (membership).

[Marv_Hoag]

There is only one spot I know of in Lower Pines, #36. I've stayed in Yosemite four times and have checked out the so called 40' sites. When they say 40' they mean it. With the exception of the site I mentioned non of the other sites would handle anything larger that a 40'. When reservations open up, site 36 goes within the first 15 minutes. I have only gotten that site once, and for just 3 nights.

[agesilaus]

I have my doubts that you'll get that 45 footer into North Pines. There are several sites: 101 thru 113 (by odd numbers) which are right after the gatehouse and on the riverbank. Those in particular since that is just about the only ones that I know of that you don't have to go down the roads. Which are very narrow with bolders and trees to steer around. But you'd need a very tolerant group of rangers and could not have a toad. They do not measure the rv but they check to see that it is on the pad and not protruding into the roadway. We had 101 for a week with a 34 ft fiver.

North Pines is the only CG that takes RVs in the valley.

[Two_Hands]

We have stayed in the KOA in Mariposa and like the park.

[rv2go]

Be aware, that site length is not the whole story. The roads are narrow with a lot of trees. Turn radius has a lot to do backing into a site. If you can't get into the reserved site. Tough luck. Had this happen to me.

Then too...getting a site will be like winning the lottery.