Why bother with National Parks?

[Trails_And_Tail]

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.

[Roadpilot]

We just got back from a month long trip out west with our grandkids. We visited 10 National Parks, Monuments and Recreation areas as well as 3 State Parks. We isn't stay in any of the National Park Campgrounds because there ere better choices. We did stay in State Park and National Recreation Area Campgrounds. Our grandkids will remember this trip forever. Our trip was in July and August and there were crowds. But it was worth it. My wife and I have been to many many National Parks and love them all. I didn't see any crappy roads.

[darsben]

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.

THEN STAY HOME FOR GOSH SAKE
If it causes you that much angst thinking about the possibilities then RVing may not be for you.
No trip will be without problems. No campground will be perfect.

[michigansandzil]

We go to the National Parks for a variety of reasons.

We go to National Parks to walk down an insignificant sidewalk and suddenly descend into a huge cave system.
Mammoth Cave National Park


We go to National Parks to check out waterfalls, ride trains, and take a bike ride.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park


We go to National Parks to see spectacular views on top of a giant sand dune.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.


We go to National Parks to walk on fallen trees in the creek.
Smoky Mountains National Park


We go to National Parks to wake up with the sunrise and see ponies.
Assateague Island National Seashore.


The crowds are worth it. Just try it or you'll never know what you're missing.

[toedtoes]

I'm going to assume that the OP is looking at this from the idea of touring NPs rather than just visiting one or two at a time.

For that, I do see more of a negative as the OP suggests. It'd be like touring NYC, Toronto, Chicago, Dallas and San Francisco in one go - why? After the 2nd city, the downsides of being in a crowded city start to overwhelm and the excitement gets lost.

So, I would suggest NOT doing a "tour" of similar places. Instead, make a trip out of different interests - visit an NP, then do some wine tasting, then go to a ball game, then visit a historical site, etc. Mix up what you're seeing, where you're staying, etc., during the trip. Don't just go to Grand Canyon, Moab, Yellowstone, Yosemite...

This has the added benefit of turning one quick and dirty trip into a lifetime of trips.

[Valkyriebush]

This is why. True some of the HI ways are falling apart or under construction. Lots of parks to choose from. How do you like this space?

[retispcsi]

Trails and Tails we lived in the QC for 30 years left there in 2003.Go to any National Park and buy your senior pass or as I call it my geeser pass. We are full timers and so far this summer we have been to 5 different National Parks or National Monuments. Going to the Grand Canyon and the Rocky Mountain before retreating to warm climates for the winter. You do not have to camp in the NP's but you sure can enjoy them. The beauty and splendor is well fantastic. Next year Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Denali. Give them a shot and look at the positives they offer. The reason they can get crowded is that others recognize what they have to offer.

[Community Alumni]

Don't overlook state and county parks in your travels. I've been all over the country and local parks do seem to have better upkeep. Using a combination of guidebooks and maps, you can find some gems. Sometimes, we use private campgrounds if they are close to our destination, but generally only for overnight stays when in transit. I can't recall ever a bad experience in national, state, county or city camp ground. It's good advice to stay off of the Interstates. You will see so much more and often less stressful.

[Crowe]

Relaxation and enjoyment are a state of mind. Not to be critical but I'd be second-guessing the who RV/Travel thing if I were you. If crowds and bad roads cause you that much stress, this isn't the lifestyle for you.

[NoVa_RT]

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.

Maybe more research is in order? The OP's profile indicates he & his spouse are retired, so he has the option of visiting National Parks in non-peak times. There's also the option of visiting some of the less known parks, they all don't get the same number of visitors. Reservations can also ease some concerns about crowded conditions. As others have noted, with the Senior Pass, National Park campgrounds are a bargain (50% discount). But perhaps the OP just has his own preferences. If settling down on the shores of a nearby lake is more appealing - go for it!

[TinyoneRV]

We enjoy the national park campgrounds but don't stay in them weeks at a time. Our Class B is self contained so we don't need much more than a parking place; however, some are better than others. Some have paved roads and paved camp sites; others gravel and grass. Some have showers and flush toilets while other have only pit toilets. (Thankfully we are self contained.) However, none have been bad enough to reject outright. Also, even if crowded, there's usually plenty of space between sites. Evening ranger presentations in the campground amphitheater are informative and entertaining. We're getting a little too old to hike very far, but there's still a lot to enjoy. At each park we go first to the visitor center and watch a film, if available, and get the park brochure and map. After enjoying the park as well as we can, we go to the visitor center again and buy a book of professional photos. Lastly, we intersperse our visit to the parks with stops at private RV parks for a clean shower, dump the tanks, and refill on water.

One of the greatest things about RVing is you can do it so many ways an in so many different vehicles *tent, Class A, Class B, Class C, truck camper, popup). Regardless of what I say, please enjoy your RV in whatever way you want. No matter what you do, you can't go wrong with an RV. It's the greatest way to see this country.

[lbrjet]

We stay outside of most parks because I like full hookups. The only two parks we have been to and were crowded were Arches and Yellowstone. Start with Colorado and then Utah and come back and tell us it wasn't worth it. I am from Illinois also and like the west so much I moved out here. I am sitting a few miles from Capital Reef right now (got here today). It is a little known gem skipped by many folks and this is our second visit. Most of the roads west of the big muddy are in pretty good shape, much better than east of it.

[Terryallan]

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.

Depends on what NP CG you go to I guess.

[ksg5000]

You have a point .. but some of the National Parks are unique and worth the extra hassle. Good things attract crowds and that detracts from the quality - especially when the crowd comes from diverse backgrounds where tossing your trash on the ground is the norm.

[Padlin]

I'd try a couple parks to see what the big draw is, if you're anything like us you'll want to see them all. For most you don't have to stay in the park, if you like the full serve commercial campgrounds, stay there. Staying inside the parks is our preference.

Do you have a toad you are pulling? driving the camper around might not be ideal, but then I have a trailer.

You are new to rv'ing, you may well not like it. I'd just go try it.

[agesilaus]

path1 wrote:
Then don't visit, will make room for others that want to visit.

My thought exactly.

BK