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.

[Naio]

It's just a different experience.

Sure, the big 3 are not places to go for quiet alone time. But they are breathtaking.

I also sometimes stay in city RV parks that are basically just a parking lot with some trees and a laundry/shower building. I am there for the city, not solitude.

Then, other times, if I see one other car at a cg I go on and find somewhere less crowded ;).

Not all 'camping' has to be the same.

[OutdoorPhotogra]

List the parks/sights your wife wants to see and the folks here will give you plenty options. Yosemite, has plenty options outside the park if you have a toad or rental, which I think you will need. You will get much of the beauty of Yosemite from the car or short walks. Just don't go during the summer or lack of parking will drastically increase the walks. There is a bus system depending on how well you can get on and off a bus.

While Sequoia is beautiful, Kings Canyon is much more accessible and you don't give up much other than a bad drive on a winding road. you can camp no hookups in the middle of the sequoias in Grant's Grove which is a relatively easy drive on 180. You can also take the back route to General Sherman tree from Grant's Grove and Sherman has handicapped parking.

I can't speak as indepth to other parks because even though I have visited many of the Western Parks I wasn't local but others here can. Plenty threads on Yellowstone and options for staying in Yellowstone West with full-hookups.

Good luck!

[coolmom42]

2gypsies wrote:
Absolutely NOTHING is crappy about national parks. They were created for a reason - there is nothing else like them.

So what do you plan to do as you travel? Sit at your campsite? Watch TV?

This.

I don't know where you are reading all this negative information. Don't think it's on here.

Our National Parks & Forests and other public lands are among the greatest blessings we have in this country.

Yes, there are crowds. There are lots of people in any nice place. Because lots of people like to see it. You are retired and you don't have to go at the same times as other people. You can visit National Parks during the week and in the off-seasons, which are beautiful.

Yes, there is traffic. There's traffic everywhere. There is less in National Parks than in many places.

So you can sit at home and think about what's wrong with everything, our you can go out and see this beautiful country.

[Trails_And_Tail]

TonyandKaren, I will definitely check out the blog and get back to you. Thank you so much for the info. I fear the only way to have time for all that we want to do is to take 2 or 3 marathons over the next 2 or 3 years if we still can. I don't really want to get into it, but we probably have limited time.

[tonyandkaren]

Trails and Tails, please read some of my blog - http://rollinginarv-wheelchairtraveling.blogspot.com/search/label/NATIONAL%20%20%20PARKS My husband and I travel fulltime in a 25' class C and I use a wheelchair so we have some of the same concerns as you. I note whether RV parking is available at every place that we visit and I also note the level of accessibility.

We've been to many more parks than I have reviewed on the blog because I started the blog just a few years ago but we've been RVing for many years. The only ones that I wouldn't return to due to a lack of access are some of the ocean beach parks. They're beautiful and worth visiting but just too hard in a wheelchair.

Our national parks are so beautiful and even though you won't be able to see much of the interior of them you'll still be able to enjoy the beauty from the roads. Don't miss visiting them. If it's possible go to some of the smaller parks or monuments first. Don't do a marathon trip. Take short trips especially since RVing is new for you.

[bee_46]

My husband and I do very little hiking/walking when we travel. We traveled out west last summer in a 20 ft MH and visited the Badlands, Rushmore, Devil's Tower, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Arches, Canyonlands, Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon and the Grand Canyon. We only camped in Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon as they had campgrounds with full hook-ups. Everywhere else we stayed outside of the parks. In Arches you can take a long hike to Delicate Arch or a very short walk to a viewpoint. We used our cameras to get closer. Take a look at our blog from our trip and see that it is doable without long walks or hikes.

Arches, Geysers, and Canyons

[D_E_Bishop]

Traveling is something special for many of us, my DW and I like to go all over, desert, mountains, slick rock country, beaches and we have been to all 49 continental states in our rig. We have been to 53 od the 59 National Parks(we're not in a competition)and untold monuments, preserves, parks, reserves museums, because it's better than sitting around watching TV.

It's true, many areas have crappy roads, there are crowds and lousy weather, but until you sit on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon at sunrise, trudge through the dunes in Great Sand Dunes in the snow, puzzle as to why Congeree is a National Park, visit White Sands missile range and park, witness the wonder of Denali from the Fairbanks to Anchorage train's mailcar in the winter and one I waited over 60 years to see, Carlsbad Caverns. Well, have you gotten the idea?

Some of us love looking and camping and walking and starring in wonderment to the point that we don't remember the roads, crowds or weather. If it's not your thing, find someplace to park the RV and go fishing or take a nap, it's okay, but, at least give it a try first.

I just read your post explaining what you're trying to do and your concerns. We are both handicapped, and the have a towed so we use the placards we have to drive instead of walking or waiting for a bus and all sorts of things. There are ways to see Sequoia(it is beautiful) that don't require driving, or being able to drive a rental car, hire a tour. There are work arounds and once you start traveling and meeting people ask them if they have been to the Grand Canyon and what about parking in Williams at a campground and taking the train up. Come to think of it, now that we know your real concerns, ask US for help not with crowds but who has the best rental cars over in St. Mary at Glacier, where to camp outside Yellowstone.

We will give you the info you want.

By the way, your wife seems to be on the receiving end of your desire to do it for her even if it's not your thing. Cool!

[Trails_And_Tail]

Sincerely, thanks everyone for the great feedback. I said new to RVing, but we have camped for years. This is a bucket list trip and it's not likely we'll have another opportunity to do this again together. Let me explain some of what I'm finding and my interpretation of it so maybe my postion will be clearer. Roads: As an example we would like to go to see the Sequoia's in Sequoia NP, BUT there doesn't seem to be a road that we can tour with a 27' foot rig (180 and SOME of General's Highway seems to be all that's available to us). Campgrounds: It's NOT that we want (or need) full hookups, but rather it's the fact that you have to make reservations up to a year in advance and we don't want to be tied to a "schedule". Lots of walking: We both are semi-handicapped and have trouble walking long distances. Large crowds: Means long waits and no parking so we may not see/experience anything (we're hoping for) without walking and/or standing in line or maybe even skipping it entirely. So you see, we're not sissy's that want the lap of luxury, but rather a couple of beat up old folks that want to have something special to share together while we can. The anquish that I'm dealing with is because I want to give this trip to my wife(of 43 years) and I'm so afraid it will be a bust.

[Walaby]

OP won't be back to this thread.

Mike

[magnusfide]

4runnerguy wrote:

Trails And Tails wrote:
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.

Crappy Road: Loved to death with so much visitation
Crappy Campgrounds: Some of the most scenic CG's we've ever been to are in NP's
Large Crowds: Lots of people appreciate the unmatched beauty and splendor of our NP's, including many from other counties who travel great distances to get here
Lots of Walking: These aren't theme parks. One has to get out into nature to appreciate it -- the sounds, the smells, the weather.
Varying Rules from Park to Park: a little variation, but most of the rules are consistent from park to park
Unpredictable Conditions: Same can be said about going to the beach, predicting the weather isn't exactly precise, yet.

But there are some who can't or won't deal with these issues. Keeps the crowds down a little bit.

Double ditto. Well said.

[Jim_Shoe]

Some things to consider: In the summer when school is out, so are families with kids. These same people can't very well leave their kids at home and in school, so they go during June - August. If you want to avoid big crowds (like me) travel when schools are in session.
Sounds like you would prefer commercial parks that offer water, electric and sewer connections. Many, if not most of them also offer cable TV and WIFI connections. And they're located next to things that you might want to see.
Example: When I visit Yellowstone, I stay at Grizzly RV Park. Its two blocks outside the West gate, has full hookups and free coffee every morning. And West Yellowstone has grocery stores that compete on price. Still not cheap, but cheaper than if there was only one.
And because I'm a visitor to these places, I stay more than one night, taking my time before I move on. But traveling the way I do pretty much requires pulling another vehicle, a "towed" to see the sights while your 'C' stays in the campground. If you're just starting, Enterprise rents cars near the big attractions and they'll deliver one to you at the CG and drive you back to the CG when you're ready to drop it off.
But if you're dead set on not doing something that you know nothing about, there's not much any of us can say or do to change your mind.

[obgraham]

There's a reason why the National Parks are where they are and why they are crowded at peak seasons: That's where the great scenery is.

If you don't like scenery, then you should go elsewhere, but that would be up to your interests. I can't stand casinos, but to others they are the destination of choice. To each their own.

[dewey02]

A few National Parks are busy and often crowded. But there are many many lesser known parks that are often pretty empty. We find a lot of parks a very enjoyable experience. Do the busy parks during the shoulder season and there will be less people.

[OutdoorPhotogra]

More To See wrote:
I'll cut the OP some slack. He presented his case a bit forcefully but I suspect a lot of old timers don't go back to the National Parks hardly ever anymore because of what he has brought up.

One example. Yosemite. That place is a zoo in the summertime. they should allow no more than about 20 or 25% of the current crowd going in there. Go in the dead of Winter.

About the only way to truly enjoy many of the National Parks is to visit in the shoulder seasons most likely with snow on the ground.

But you can't limit access to any park because all the local business interests are friendly with their local power brokers and it would get nipped in the bud real quick. So don't blame the National Park Service for the problem.

For most people who have never been to the National Parks they just overlook or don't notice everything the OP mentioned but with wisdom comes the knowledge that you don't revisit midsummer (depending on your sensitivities to such stuff).

The great thing about Yosemite is that the crowds don't align with the best time to visit. Sure, you'll fight snow or crowds at Yellowstone but Spring thaw in Yosemite is the best time for water falls and wild flowers and the crowds are easily manageable because school hasn't let out. Ditto Fall. I will agree partially about snow on the ground though - my favorite weekend in Yosemite is when I got into the valley ahead of a storm and got 8" of snow overnight. Beautiful! Didn't try to camp though. Just stayed in Curry Village.

[Roy_Lynne]

While I kind of agree you sound a bit crabby about the whole National Park idea and I agree you wife would probably have a better time if she went alone as nothing worse than a traveling companion who doesn't enjoy the trip and spends the whole time complaining, - - saying that, you just can't believe that all National Parks are alike. We've been to dozens, and found that there is usually a reason for them to be National Parks; scenery is like no other, historical interest is like no other, or wildlife is like no other. Places like Yellowstone and Yosemite are crowded in the summer but there are some wonderful Nationals Parks that are practically empty if you go off season. If you want to see some of the most beautiful mountains in the world, come visit our (WA State) North Cascades National Park, or on the other side of the country is the Dry Tortugas in Florida, Great Basin in Nevada, Big Bend in Texas. Your wife is right, they are there to be seen +