Have 33' 5th Wheel - NEED ADVICE ON CAMP GROUNDS AND PRICES

[TGPILOT]

Hey all, I've been out of RVing for about ten years, and in my search for campgrounds and prices I am getting sticker shock on nightly rates.

I have a 33' 5th wheel and I need to find sites that will handle her. I thought I had done my research etc. but, at nearly 70 years of age and a dis-abled Viet Nam Vet, I guess I am just not as prepared as I thought I was. Being on a limited income, I need to find the best prices out there.

The following is the info I need, plus anything that I may have forgotten that you guys can throw in:

1. Campgrounds that are decent or as low priced as possible in the Kalispell, MT area for the last week of this month and through the fifth of July

2. Best places to stay including inside Yellowstone and the Teton's NP. Including their prices. Also, will consider outside of the parks nearby.

3. Jackson Hole, WY. for a few days around the 15th of July.

4. Then onto Moab, UT and some of the nearby NP's.

5. Then Las Vegas, maybe some Casino parking lot's whatever I can find for three or four days. What about a genset in their parking lot?

6. After that, will try and head to Yosemite NP, for a few days then home. Though, I would like to try and take the wife to SF and the wharf. I know I would need to park some where East of Oakland to find a safe, cheap as possible place to launch from.

I do have an older Honda 3K genset that I checked out and it still runs. Hopefully it will work at alt. Taking a ten foot chain to chain her to the RV, hope that works. Will put it inside when ever I am out for the day.

For the most part when we camp, I hope to get by with the basics. Water, elect. maybe sewer and cable if available. I am taking an old Direct TV dish that I hope I can get to work and I still remember how...lol.

I am mainly looking for a clean safe place to camp at night. Can I use a generator at Wal-Marts and other places if needed? I've not stayed in a state or BLM campground in years. What are the average prices in them? I know I have to watch my size limit. I do have an Oregon BLM and a state parks pass. I am sure no other state will honor it. What recommendations do you have for parking at a Wally World?


I will be going through: Oregon, WA, ID, MT,WY, UT, AZ, NM NV and CA. Thanks everyone for your advice, I need it, so, throw everything at me please. Plan to leave next Saturday the 20th.

Tom

[TGPILOT]

thanks Bubba, I've been through St. George a lot, but been awhile. I will check them out.

[BubbaChris]

If you are getting sticker shock on prices in and around Moab, look at your options in Green River. About 1 hour away and much less traveled. The KOA seemed nice, and the SP there was great (but may be fully booked on this short of notice).

Depending on how far you travel from that area towards Las Vegas, there are some nice options near St George. Some are inexpensive because there is a lack of hook-ups (Quail Creek SP). Sand Hollow SP would have lots of spots big enough for your rig, but make sure you're booking the right area (I doubt you'd like the Sand Pit).

Also this time of year, look for higher altitude locations to get away from the heat. Currently predicted to be over 104 here in St George for the next week.

Happy travels!

[MTPockets1]

ReneeG wrote:
Check out Buffalo Bill State Park between Cody and Yellowstone. I researched it for the length of our 5W which is 35" and it'll work. Also suggest Colter Bay RV park, for hookups, but it'll be a little spend. We've stayed in that area out of the way but it was worth it, off the Togwotee Pass between Moran Junction and Dubois, Wyoming at a FS CG called Falls. One loop has electricity with pull throughs that will fit your rig. We've also stayed in the West Yellowstone area at a FS CG called Baker's Hole - one of our favorites - big rig friendly with electricity at most sites and water at the entrance to fill up on. It's first come first served, but stay in West Yellowstone at Grizzly, go over in the morning to find a spot at Baker's Hole, then back to get you rig. When we stayed in the park, we stayed at Bridge Bay. Good luck.

. Buffalo Bill State Park is very nice. We were camp hosts there last summer & loved the area. Drove to town 4 or 5 times every week. The Park has two campground about 5 miles apart. The North Shore is closest to Cody, about 10 miles. Only 7 W& Elec sites. Pit toilets. The North Fork Campground is 17 miles from Cody, much larger and lots of space, 62 sites but again, only 7 W & Elec sites, pit toilets and showers with flush toilets.

[ReneeG]

TGPILOT - haven't been to Yosemite with this rig yet. As for Yellowstone. There are more affordable places to stay near Henry's Lake and Island Park. We've stayed at Red Rock RV park, but contemplated staying at Henry's Lake State park - at least they would have reservations. On the other side of the lake, is a free campground Bill Frome - check it out here along with other campgrounds in the area - Idaho Campground Reviews. We've also stayed at the campground near Lower Mesa Falls, Grand View Campground. We were able to get in several sites there and still have satellite! Nice thing about Grand View is there is electricity at each site.

[TGPILOT]

Thanks ReneeG, will try that and as for trying to get to Yosemite. I Will probably drop down from Las Vegas to Barstow and then cut over to Bakersfield to Fresno. Where do you guys recommend staying that is not too far from the park and that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? I understand that my rig at 33' is over the 30' limit, so can't stay there in the park.

Also, still looking for advice on staying in state and national parks now days. Haven't done that in 15 years or so. Also, especially around Yellowstone and the Teton's. I would hate to stay at the Grizzly as high as it is.

Again, much thanks for all the help from everyone.

[ReneeG]

TGPILOT wrote:
Thanks again guys for the info. Please keep it coming. Anyone have any secrets on getting a spot in NP's and state parks where it's first come, first to get a spot with no reservations?

Yes, Stay in a nearby RV park night before. In the am go over first thing and talk to the hosts as to which sites will be opening up. As soon as you can, put your name on the post and pay for it, then go back and get your rig.

[TGPILOT]

Thanks again guys for the info. Please keep it coming. Anyone have any secrets on getting a spot in NP's and state parks where it's first come, first to get a spot with no reservations?

[ventrman]

TGPILOT wrote:
Hey all, I've been out of RVing for about ten years, and in my search for campgrounds and prices I am getting sticker shock on nightly rates.

I have a 33' 5th wheel and I need to find sites that will handle her. I thought I had done my research etc. but, at nearly 70 years of age and a dis-abled Viet Nam Vet, I guess I am just not as prepared as I thought I was. Being on a limited income, I need to find the best prices out there.

The following is the info I need, plus anything that I may have forgotten that you guys can throw in:

1. Campgrounds that are decent or as low priced as possible in the Kalispell, MT area for the last week of this month and through the
fifth of July

2. Best places to stay including inside Yellowstone and the Teton's NP. Including their prices. Also, will consider outside of the parks nearby.

3. Jackson Hole, WY. for a few days around the 15th of July.

4. Then onto Moab, UT and some of the nearby NP's.

5. Then Las Vegas, maybe some Casino parking lot's whatever I can find for three or four days. What about a genset in their parking lot?

6. After that, will try and head to Yosemite NP, for a few days then home. Though, I would like to try and take the wife to SF and the wharf. I know I would need to park some where East of Oakland to find a safe, cheap as possible place to launch from.

I do have an older Honda 3K genset that I checked out and it still runs. Hopefully it will work at alt. Taking a ten foot chain to chain her to the RV, hope that works. Will put it inside when ever I am out for the day.

For the most part when we camp, I hope to get by with the basics. Water, elect. maybe sewer and cable if available. I am taking an old Direct TV dish that I hope I can get to work and I still remember how...lol.

I am mainly looking for a clean safe place to camp at night. Can I use a generator at Wal-Marts and other places if needed? I've not stayed in a state or BLM campground in years. What are the average prices in them? I know I have to watch my size limit. I do have an Oregon BLM and a state parks pass. I am sure no other state will honor it. What recommendations do you have for parking at a Wally World?


I will be going through: Oregon, WA, ID, MT,WY, UT, AZ, NM NV and CA. Thanks everyone for your advice, I need it, so, throw everything at me please. Plan to leave next Saturday the 20th.

Tom

I can answer one of your Questions.
Yes you can use your Generator while in a Walmart Parking lot. The only Recommendation that I have is to ask the Manager about staying there overnight.
Most will have no Problem with it.
We went to one in Massachusetts that did not allow overnight Parking because of a local Ordinance.
The Manager told us of another Walmart close by where we could park. Always ask first. Do not put out Chairs, Picnic Tables etc. It is a Parking Lot, not a Campground.

[ReneeG]

Check out Buffalo Bill State Park between Cody and Yellowstone. I researched it for the length of our 5W which is 35" and it'll work. Also suggest Colter Bay RV park, for hookups, but it'll be a little spend. We've stayed in that area out of the way but it was worth it, off the Togwotee Pass between Moran Junction and Dubois, Wyoming at a FS CG called Falls. One loop has electricity with pull throughs that will fit your rig. We've also stayed in the West Yellowstone area at a FS CG called Baker's Hole - one of our favorites - big rig friendly with electricity at most sites and water at the entrance to fill up on. It's first come first served, but stay in West Yellowstone at Grizzly, go over in the morning to find a spot at Baker's Hole, then back to get you rig. When we stayed in the park, we stayed at Bridge Bay. Good luck.

[TGPILOT]

Thanks guy/gals for the info. I've saved all the links and will check them out. Yes, I am a hundred per cent dis-abled and I do have the national park pass to get into all of them. I also have both the state and BLM passes for Oregon.

I do plan to carry a gun with me, will that cause a problem getting onto the military bases in a camper? I've never tried that before. Thanks to all for the welcome home and thank those of you for your service.

Sidianel, as mentioned, I plan to leave next Saturday and head up the I-5 to Portland, then up 84 to cut over to Spokane, WA, them Coeur D. Alene, ID, then onto Missoula, MT and then up 93 where I will stay in the big Fork and Kalispell area until the 5th or 6th of July. Then onto Browning, MT for a few days to see the Blackfoot Indian days.

After that we plan to head South to Yellowstone and the Teton's. After that towards Jackson Hole for to or three days. Then, onto Moab, UT where we plan to stay a few days in that area seeing Arches' NP and others in that area. Then, onto Gallup, NM and to Window Rock, AZ for a day, maybe two.

From there The Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, AZ and Sedona, then Prescott, AZ before heading to Las Vegas, NV for a few days if we can find a cheap place there to camp. Then, onto Yosemite NP. The few times I have been there, I always entered from the West side. I will have to see what I need to do to go in from the East side and the road conditions there of. After all that lol....Straight up 99 and I-5 to home. Almost four thousand miles.

A few years ago, I married a young gal who is 44 years younger than me and we have a four year old now. I want to try and make as many trips as possible to give them memories of me and good family times.

Again, thanks all for your help, please keep it coming, I've been researching for a month or more, just not happy with what I found. Gone are the days of $10 and $20 a night camping....lol.

Tom

[sdianel_-acct_c]

1. Rocky Mountain Hi RV Park in Kalispell seems to be the lowest price (other than state park). They have partial hookups for $165 per week. I'm afraid most campgrounds in that area may be booked up already for July 4th weekend.
2. Yellowstone will already be booked. We stayed at Yellowstone Valley Inn between Cody and Yellowstone. Their rate for partial hookup is $48 per night. It said call for weekly rates. For Tetons, Riverton WY or Lander WY are good for drive into Tetons. Lander is cheaper. There are 2 or 3 campgrounds that would work there.
If you are 100% disabled veteran you can camp in military campgrounds as ynotturbo says above. They are much cheaper and usually much nicer.
3. Jackson Hole Wyoming is expensive. There is a BLM campground in Bondurant no electric.
4. haven't been to Utah but search this forum for many options.
5. If you qualify for military campgrounds, the AFB in Las Vegas is the best option.
Once you get your route check back with us for more options.
Thank you for your service from a Vietnam jarhead! Semper Fi

[Triker33]

Check out Passport America to see if it can save you some $$$Passport America

[RollandB]

If you don't have one already, pick up the senior pass for National and Federal parked. $10 and good for more than camping!

[donn0128]

Oregon state parks run between 24 and 28 a night. Disabled vet can get as I remember 7 nights free at any OPRD facility with prior reservations, and one night free walk up. Just need to show your state veterans disabled card.