getting trapped inside a park

[strikeu]

I've searched the different forums and haven't found any stories about this, but this question doesn't just apply to fifth wheels, it could apply to any rig :

has anyone pulled into an unfamiliar park, only to find out their rig is too large to maneuver through and get out? if so how did you do it?

we recently visited a state park, and I just moved from Washington where there are several state parks near where we lived. we drove in without our rig, which was a GOOD thing because if I had been pulling my fiver there was NO way we would have gotten out. switchback roads, trees lining the very narrow drive. deception pass state park comes to mind, on the island side. I think there is a sign or some literature that limits trailers to 20 ft, but if you didn't know that and pulled in...you're screwed, you're not getting out.

[Lwiddis]

Me? An unfamiliar campground and get stuck? Not that I’d admit. Besides an hour backing out a half mile was...educational...not stuck.

[naturist]

For several years I hosted at a campground with three loops, the first of which was limited to 28 feet (for good reason). There was a sign at the entrance saying 28 foot max, and only once in the 4 years I was there, did somebody make that mistake. I was sitting at my host site admiring my campfire when in came this dually pulling a utility trailer that had to be in the 34 foot range. Biggest utility trailer I've ever seen. By then he was well past the point of no return. I stopped him, and learned he was looking for his group. He did manage to get all the way around, using the entire road, tree to tree (only a couple of which were "brushed"), and having a couple folks move cars and stuff. Took a while, including a wee bit of backing and filling, but he made it.

[ford_truck_guy]

gbopp wrote:
You can check out any time you like,
But you can never leave.

Someone should make a song with that phrase. 🙂

Ask Glen Frey, perhaps he can twist the arms of a few friends to put a song together...:B

[joebedford]

I never go into a state or provincial park because most are too small for us.

[BarabooBob]

Peninsula State Park in Door County Wisconsin has a turn around at the entrance that is impossible for anything longer than a 20 ft trailer. If you pull in and for some reason decide to leave, you have to drive into the park quite a way to get turned around. If you go against the instructions that are posted at the turn around, you will hit either a large rock or a tree. I have seen it often. One time I watched a tow truck skid a 5r sideways to get it out of the turn.
If you go into the park about a half mile, there is a nice turn around.

[jfkmk]

garyp4951 wrote:
My Gps took me to the 9th Ward in New Orleans, and I did a few blocks of backing to get out of there quick.

I was on a trip for work a year after Katrina and heading back to the airport from Chalmette. My gps took me through the 9th ward to a closed bridge, and I had to backtrack to the main road. Lovely area.

[troubledwaters]

My truck has a reverse gear in it. They beauty of that is you can go out the same way you got in. I use that gear frequently.

[strikeu]

padredw wrote:
Almost -- twice.

About ten years ago in California, Valley Center, Woods Valley campground. This time my fault: one wrong turn took me into a portion of the campground with no exit for my 34' fifth-wheel. Fortunately residents of that area stopped me just before point of no return and helped me to back out--long way!

Two years later, Stone State Park near Sioux City, Iowa. Had reservations but found no campsite adequate, proceeded to a loop at the end of the campground--loop too small and tight with a small tree right in the center. Took much hemming and hawing but I did just barely get out. Went on to a KOA across the river in South Dakota. Finally did get a refund because there was no one on duty to assist me at the state park.

These are the campground close calls. Many others on the road. Once near Brandon, MS went to visit a friend in a retirement center pulling the fifth-wheel (on the way to Florida). No parking at all, but I turned down the residential street across from it. It turned out to be a cul de sac. It was a narrow street with mailboxes at driveways. Would not want to do that again. Almost destroyed a mailbox and had to back into a very busy boulevard.

A thread like this excites us all and brings back memories mostly of narrow escapes which are our victories.

my opinion is that state parks are the WORST. most of the state parks are much older than the current generation of campers. used to be a small pop-up or tent camping--which a lot of people do and enjoy-- then comes along (maybe since the late 70s?) 30+ ft trailers and tow rig combos well over 60 ft and you quickly mark state parks off your list. I don't think the funding is there to make them any different...no all, but most.

[Fisher_Bill]

And if you choose not to decide you still have made a choice...

gbopp wrote:
You can check out any time you like,
But you can never leave.

Someone should make a song with that phrase. 🙂

[magic43]

A GPS will get you in trouble big time. If something does not seem right, STOP, because it's probably not right.

I often take a walk through a campground following my expected path to be sure that all is OK.

[ford_truck_guy]

It happened to me once, pulled into a park only to find out the gate was stuck and no way to turn around... I backed it out onto the street and went down the highway to the next CG

[strikeu]

garyp4951 wrote:
My Gps took me to the 9th Ward in New Orleans, and I did a few blocks of backing to get out of there quick.

one of the best investments I made was a truckers GPS, enter weight, height and size all around and if properly updated will keep you off narrow streets, one ways, bridges, etc..the one I have runs about $400 but well worth it.

[padredw]

Almost -- twice.

About ten years ago in California, Valley Center, Woods Valley campground. This time my fault: one wrong turn took me into a portion of the campground with no exit for my 34' fifth-wheel. Fortunately residents of that area stopped me just before point of no return and helped me to back out--long way!

Two years later, Stone State Park near Sioux City, Iowa. Had reservations but found no campsite adequate, proceeded to a loop at the end of the campground--loop too small and tight with a small tree right in the center. Took much hemming and hawing but I did just barely get out. Went on to a KOA across the river in South Dakota. Finally did get a refund because there was no one on duty to assist me at the state park.

These are the campground close calls. Many others on the road. Once near Brandon, MS went to visit a friend in a retirement center pulling the fifth-wheel (on the way to Florida). No parking at all, but I turned down the residential street across from it. It turned out to be a cul de sac. It was a narrow street with mailboxes at driveways. Would not want to do that again. Almost destroyed a mailbox and had to back into a very busy boulevard.

A thread like this excites us all and brings back memories mostly of narrow escapes which are our victories.

[ppine]

Could be time for a smaller rig.

[garyp4951]

My Gps took me to the 9th Ward in New Orleans, and I did a few blocks of backing to get out of there quick.