National Park Camping

[jfkbunkie]

My family is a big fan of visiting National Parks, and we are considering the purchase of a Class A MH. We strongly prefer to camp within the parks rather than at commercial RV campgrounds, and are accustomed to coping with the reduced amenities this implies. Can anyone comment on the feasibility of staying on-site at most national parks in a Class A rig with a toad?

[jfkbunkie]

2gypsies wrote:
With our 40' motorhome towing a Jeep we fit in:

Glacier Nat'l Park - Apgar campground
Yellowstone's Mammoth, Madison and Bridge Bay campgrounds
Grand Teton - Gros Ventre and Colter Bay campgrounds
Bryce - North campground
Zion - Watchman campground
Grand Canyon North Rim
Grand Canyon South Rim - Trailer Village
Rocky Mountain - Moraine campground
Big Bend - Rio Grande Village campground
Denali - Teklanika and Riley Creek campgrounds
etc., etc....

We've fit in many, many national forest campgrounds, state parks, Corp of Engineers, county and city parks.

Get the RV that you'll be happy traveling/living in. There are plenty of parks you will fit.

I will also add...… we didn't have reservations for any of the above except Denali's Teklanika.

Exactly the kind of information I needed. Thanks!

[tropical36]

jfkbunkie wrote:
My family is a big fan of visiting National Parks, and we are considering the purchase of a Class A MH. We strongly prefer to camp within the parks rather than at commercial RV campgrounds, and are accustomed to coping with the reduced amenities this implies. Can anyone comment on the feasibility of staying on-site at most national parks in a Class A rig with a toad?

I'll just say to not sacrifice one the size you can live with, for years to come, because of it, as you'll get in the majority of them, no matter.
We never felt restricted in our 36ft and don't feel restricted, now. Have also seen large rigs in Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Everglades....etc.

[Johno02]

I have found only one campground that when they said 30' that they really meant it. Of course, those sites backed up against a rock wall, had lots of trees, and narrow winding roads. But they did have a lot of other sites that had no problems with length.

[Ivylog]

“Get the RV that you'll be happy traveling/living in. There are plenty of parks you will fit.” Very good advice and in 14 years at 42’ I’ve never had a problem or any dings if some scratches high up do not count. In Yellowstone my 42 became a 40’ (never been measured) .lbut I doubt I can stink my 45’ that much. When not snowbirding we boondock most of the time...do you really think I’d go to 45’ if it was??? Sure it’s harder the longer you go and no I would not recommend 45’ for most people but 40-42 gets you big tanks and nice features to go glamping. Most of the CGs we stay in do not have a host and you put your money in a post.

[Tom_Barb]

I would add on the subject of "which one" If you decide on a big coach, +45' get training on its operation and driving instructions, This will prevent you from buying picnic tables, sign posts and the like.
How to cope with a steer tire blow out is the best training you can get in any coach.

[2gypsies1]

With our 40' motorhome towing a Jeep we fit in:

Glacier Nat'l Park - Apgar campground
Yellowstone's Mammoth, Madison and Bridge Bay campgrounds
Grand Teton - Gros Ventre and Colter Bay campgrounds
Bryce - North campground
Zion - Watchman campground
Grand Canyon North Rim
Grand Canyon South Rim - Trailer Village
Rocky Mountain - Moraine campground
Big Bend - Rio Grande Village campground
Denali - Teklanika and Riley Creek campgrounds
etc., etc....

We've fit in many, many national forest campgrounds, state parks, Corp of Engineers, county and city parks.

Get the RV that you'll be happy traveling/living in. There are plenty of parks you will fit.

I will also add...… we didn't have reservations for any of the above except Denali's Teklanika.

[DrewE]

jfkbunkie wrote:

Ivylog wrote:
I like public CGs that do not take reservations...be it NP, SP, USFS because I can almost always find a site big enough even when the max is listed as 30’ max. Do not show up Friday as there will be a 25’ rig in a site big enough for 45’ BUT on Monday you can take your pick. I made the mistake of starting at 36’ because of posts on here...went to 40’ and 42 for 14 years and recently 45’. Buy more MH than you think you need...ONE TIME.

We shoehorned a 35' 5ver into a 30' campsite in a trip to Acadia NP last week. Sounds like you've done the same with some regularity. Is it commonly permitted to do this sort of thing?

If you can fit into a site and navigate the roads to get to it, they generally don't care if your rig is "too long" for the site. The rangers and hoste have many much better things to do than go around with a tape measure and evict well-behaved campers.

On the other hand, if you reserve a 35' site and cannot park your 40' RV in it without sticking out 3' into the access road, you are not too likely to receive heaps of sympathy. Similarly, mowing down posts or breaking picnic tables to get an oversized RV in won't win many friends.

Private campgrounds may have different policies, though still most mainly just care if you can or cannot fit, rather than what the precise length is.

[Johno02]

When we stayed at Grand Canyon MP several years ago, there were a number of LARGE class As there. Ours is just 30', so we had no problem, but there was a 45' Prevost pulled in next to us with no trouble at all. However, there was another big one that came in after dark, and ran over the power post, and a couple of picnic tables. He dug one of the tables around a bit, doing some damage to the rear of his rig. Saw him leaving the next day, with parts of the table still hung on the rear, and a lot of sheetwork damage. Last year, we spent three months at Hot Springs National Park and stayed in the park campground. It has been reworked, and has ALL 50A FHU sites, but has no bath houses. Many big rigs were there, but not all sites will support the bigger ones. 40' did not seem to be any problem.

[jfkbunkie]

Ivylog wrote:
I like public CGs that do not take reservations...be it NP, SP, USFS because I can almost always find a site big enough even when the max is listed as 30’ max. Do not show up Friday as there will be a 25’ rig in a site big enough for 45’ BUT on Monday you can take your pick. I made the mistake of starting at 36’ because of posts on here...went to 40’ and 42 for 14 years and recently 45’. Buy more MH than you think you need...ONE TIME.

We shoehorned a 35' 5ver into a 30' campsite in a trip to Acadia NP last week. Sounds like you've done the same with some regularity. Is it commonly permitted to do this sort of thing?

[wa8yxm]

Another thing to think about.. The last National Park I have been to was Grand Canyon (South Rim) many fine commercial CG's just outside the park but the one inside the park.. Well no way on earth can I get my 38' A in there and I'm good at "Squeezing" as it were. Heck I was a bit uncomfortable with a car.

AND.. IT IS A COMMERCIAL campground. Operated under a lease agreement by a "Vendor". so my "Geezer's Pass" not honored.

(Not a problem since I left the A in Page AZ)

Not all National Parks even have a campground. However there may be a State or Private nearby. Hiawatha National Forest is an example of such. And I might add a lovely chunk of woods. Been there.

[Tom_Barb]

jfkbunkie wrote:
My family is a big fan of visiting National Parks, and we are considering the purchase of a Class A MH. We strongly prefer to camp within the parks rather than at commercial RV campgrounds, and are accustomed to coping with the reduced amenities this implies. Can anyone comment on the feasibility of staying on-site at most national parks in a Class A rig with a toad?

We've been in a 40' Class A for 9 years now, we have never been denied a space in any National park, some times we must unhook the tow'ed and park it off spot.
No we haven't been to all parks, we are still working on that, but generally there are no full hookups, and the space may be tight.

now that we have gone computer and cell phone we call ahead see what is available.

we go early in the year may usually, later during the "Season" will be different.

[Ivylog]

I like public CGs that do not take reservations...be it NP, SP, USFS because I can almost always find a site big enough even when the max is listed as 30’ max. Do not show up Friday as there will be a 25’ rig in a site big enough for 45’ BUT on Monday you can take your pick. I made the mistake of starting at 36’ because of posts on here...went to 40’ and 42 for 14 years and recently 45’. Buy more MH than you think you need...ONE TIME.

[Dutch_12078]

On the eastern side of the country, the NPS Midway Campground in the Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida has all big rig friendly paved sites with 50 amp electric, with water and a dump station available. The Salt Springs Reacreation Area campground in the Ocala National Forest has mostly full hookup big rig friendly paved sites. In North Carolina, the Lake Powhatan Recreation Area campground in the Pisgah National Forest has big rig friendly paved full hookup sites on the Lakeside Loop. And most COE campgrounds have at least electric on their sites.

[2chiefsRus]

This is where we have stayed in our 40 foot class A motorhome at the National Parks we have visited. The list is alphabetical by State and includes the Month & Year we were there.

• Teklanika (in park), Denali RV Park, Denali Rainbow Village Jul-09 Denali National Park and Preserve Alaska
• 
  Seward Resort (Mil) Jun-09 Kenai Fjords National Park Alaska
• 
  Kanab RV Corral, Kanab, UT Sep-08 Grand Canyon National Park - north rim Arizona
• 
  GC Trailer Village (in park) Mar-11 Grand Canyon National Park - south rim Arizona
• 
  Crystal Forest Gift Shop - Free Boondock - South entrance Apr-13 Petrified Forest National Park Arizona
• 
  Davis Monthan, Tucson, AZ (mil) Dec-10 Saguaro National Park - East & West Arizona
• 
  Catherine's Landing Dec-12 Hot Springs National Park Arkansas
• 
  Twenty Nine Palms Resort Oct-08 Joshua Tree National Park California
• 
  Country Manor Mobile Home, Visalia, CA May-11 Kings Canyon National Park California
• 
  Manzanita (in park) Jul-11 Lassen Volcanic National Park California
• 
  Golden Bear RV, Klamath, CA Jun-11 Redwood National and State Parks California
• 
  Country Manor Mobile Home, Visalia, CA May-11 Sequoia National Park California
• 
  Escapees - Park of the Sierras, Coarsegold, CA May-11 Yosemite National Park California
• 
  Saddle West Casino, Pahrump, NV (east) & Boulder Creek RV, Lone Pine, CA (west) Apr-11 Death Valley National Park California, Nevada
• 
  Great Sand Dunes Oasis Jun-15 Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Colorado
• 
  Mesa Verde RV Resort May-15 Mesa Verde National Park Colorado
• 
  Bridge Bay (in park); Fishing Bridge (in park); Grizzly Bear, West Yellowstone Aug-07 Yellowstone National Park Idaho, Montana, Wyoming
• 
  Singing Hills, Cave City, KY Apr-08 Mammoth Cave National Park Kentucky
• 
  St Mary's (inside) & Johnsons (outside) Jun-13 Glacier National Park (part of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park) Montana/Alberta
• 
  Whispering Elms RV, Baker, NV Jul-11 Great Basin National Park Nevada
• 
  Carlsbad RV Park May-15 Carlsbad Caverns National Park New Mexico
• 
  Red Trail (South) & Juniper Campground (north-in park) Aug-07 Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Dakota
• 
  Cedar Pass Campground (in park) Jun-10 Badlands National Park South Dakota
• 
  Guadalupe NP - Pine Springs (in park) May-15 Guadalupe Mountains National Park Texas
• 
  Moab Valley RV, Moab, UT Jul-11 Arches National Park Utah
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  Ruby's Inn Sep-08 Bryce Canyon National Park Utah
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  Moab Valley RV, Moab, UT Jul-11 Canyonlands National Park Utah
• 
  Thousand Lakes RV Park May-15 Capitol Reef National Park Utah
• 
  Kanab RV Corral, Kanab, UT & Watchman (in park) Sep-08 Zion National Park Utah
• 
  Escapees - Evergreen - Chimacum, WA Jul-11 Olympic National Park Washington
• 
  Colter Bay RV Park, GTNP, MT Jun-13 Grand Teton National Park Wyoming
•