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?

Let me take a crack at this - first thing you need to do is take a hard look at parks you want to, or are considering visiting and see what the limitations are on size. Also, how many locations the NP has for class A type vehicles and hookups. Example - Yellowstone only has one CG with hookups and space to really handle large class A's and that is at Fishing Bridge. Most NF campgrounds restrict size to 29', max, but you will always see bigger units crammed in tight spaces. Most NP's have dry camping sites available, but again, size becomes the listing factor. Same goes for RMNP - you just really have to research what your options are. If you really require a large Class A, then you are really going to be limited, I think, in most NP's. This is one of the reasons we opted for a Class C Sprinter pulling a Jeep JK. No issue wherever we go space wise for size.

You have to keep in mind most National and State Campgrounds have been around since the 40's and 50's or longer. They were designed back when most people were tent camping and RVs were the Canned Ham type travel trailers which usually were under 20 feet in length. The roads and campsites were built to accommodate this era of campers. The parking spots at the campsites may accommodate much larger RVs but the twists, turns and trees of the roads in the campground may not. What we have found is at some campgrounds there will be sites accessible by larger RVS but it is hit and miss whether these sites are available and if the staff will allow you to enter with a larger than maximum length RV. We've actually have had rangers escort us the wrong way on the roads in order to get into a spot that would accommodate our 38ft 5th wheel. Of course this will only happen on slow days when the campground is lightly occupied.Most of the time, instead of trying to find a National or State Campground that is big rig friendly, we choose to stay in private RV Parks located near the National/State park. We drive in daily to see the sights and then come back to our RV with full hookups and all the amenities the RV park has to offer. In our opinion-It makes for a less stressful experience.

i have never had hookups, when in a National park, forest, or monumentgenerator hours usually limitedbut we have a class A & motorcycle on carrier (no toad) and have been to Sequoia , kings canyon, Mammoth caves Ky, i too prefer inside the Park, but not always possible

There are many national parks and many many more facilities operated by the NPS. The feasibility of staying in them can vary a great deal. Some national parks have no road access at all.For parks with developed campgrounds, a class A with a toad is hardly any less feasible than a trailer of the same general size. You often need to be prepared to dry camp. The biggest challenge is whether there are sites (and access roads) that can accommodate the RV, and that varies a good deal with how big the RV is. A 45' class A will be a lot more restrictive than a 30' or 35' one.Towards the smaller end of the scale, my gut feeling is that there are suitably large spaces at most of the parks. I haven't done anything at all like a proper survey. So far, I have not generally had trouble finding sufficiently large sites with my 32' motorhome in national and state parks. That does not in any way mean that there are many sites I would not fit or fit comfortably in, only that I haven't usually had trouble finding and getting one the other sites.

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 used to all the time first in a 26' class A with no toad and then in a 35' class A pulling a jeep. some camping areas would have electric, some not. a very small number of the state parks we used might have a fresh water source serving 6-8 campsites (and campers with long enough hoses to reach). none had sewer connections. so, yes, it's very feasible.

National Park Camping | Good Sam Community

jfkbunkie
Explorer
Jun 25, 2018
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
Explorer
Jun 23, 2018
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
Explorer
Jun 23, 2018
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
Explorer III
Jun 23, 2018
“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
Explorer
Jun 23, 2018
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
Explorer III
Jun 23, 2018
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
Explorer II
Jun 23, 2018
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
Explorer
Jun 23, 2018
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
Explorer
Jun 23, 2018
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
Explorer III
Jun 22, 2018
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.

Forum Discussion

National Park Camping

About Motorhome Group

Related Content

National Parks

National Park Trip

Canadian National Park Passes

Badlands National Park

Waterton National Park