Big Rigs (40' +), What % campgrounds can't let you in?

[rvelementary_co]

We are a family of 5 about to go full time in a 44' rig. How often do you all find that owning a big rig means it's hard to find a campground that will let you in? Do you need to be part of 1000 trails or something similar so it's easier to find parks?

Thanks,
rvelementary.com

[Jim_Shoe]

I've never had a problem with my 30' C, pulling a Jeep Wrangler toad four down. BUT, I stay in private RV parks with pull thru sites. And I do my homework before I ever leave home. Most, but not all, privately owned RV parks were designed for modern RVs. Many national, state and county parks were designed to conserve the land and the trees. In a county park near me, I doubt any campsites could accommodate a 40 foot MH and toad.
Fishing Bridge in Yellowstone is a good example. As the nation's first national park (1872) Yellowstone was designed for tents and wagons, not motor vehicles. The first Model T was built in 1908.

[Roadpilot]

We are 65' long (45' MH plus toad). We have traveled all around the country and stayed in National Parks, State Parks, County Parks and private campgrounds. Yes we research in advance. But it's just another parameter we research. We check rvparkreviews to see how it's rated. Whether they have water, sewer or electricity. Are they clean and safe and yes, do they have big rig sites.

In 12 years of motor homing, our size has never been a serious constraint. As someone said, Mythbusters should do a show on this. I notice the people that say it's a problem usually do not have longer rv's. It's kind of like when residential refrigerators first came out, or all electric coaches, or AGM batteries.

[blangen]

2gypsies wrote:
We'd never go in blindly.

The above is, I've come to learn, the absolute BEST advice. Even if you have to walk the route in and out, shoe leather is way cheaper than five grand for an awning. I learned that lesson the hard way. I took a wrong turn in a Washington State Park and, after several progressively tighter turns and narrowing stretches of road, found three huge trees on both sides of an S curve less than 40' from end to end. Yep, I'm 40 feet. If that's not enough, picture about a hundred people all watching from their tent and pop-up sites. I was quite the entertainment. So... walk it and then decide if you want to be there.

[Executive45]

This topic comes up every couple months or so. In fact, it comes up so often SNOPES should investigate it. Owning a big rig does not prevent you from enjoying campgrounds, forest facilities, State Parks, COE parks etc. etc. THAT IS A MYTH! As with anything, there are exceptions but generally you will find parks in all areas that will suit your needs.

At any rate, this is our seventh year full timing in our current rig which is a 45'. We've put over 85,000 miles on her traveling mostly on back roads and staying off the Interstates. We've never "camped" at a WalMart, FlyingJ or others. Our experience has been positive. Even in California where their parks are generally more packed than anywhere else we've found space in their State Park System. You do have to call the park to inquire as their websites are not very accurate. The only place where we've had some issues is within the 1000 trails system. You'll have issues finding adequate spaces within their system. Different issues which I won't go into here. Do not buy a membership! If you want to try out their "system" buy a one year no obligation zone pass for $500. Almost ALL California SP, County parks etc. will have room for your rig.

[MarkTwain]

Out west, State parks, county parks, forrest service parks are generally not available to 40' rv's. Suggest you always call well in advance and make reservations. Searching for RV parks to fit my RV and/or without reservations is not my 1st choice!

[rvelementary_co]

Wow, everyone, thank you for the quick response. I feel more comfortable about our rv choice now. I will do my research before going, to make sure there's a spot for us.

ktmrfs wrote:
are you talking motor home? 5th wheel?? helps to know which.

We'll be in a fifth wheel.

[ktmrfs]

old guy wrote:
Oregon state parks are real hard even for my 25 ft I used to have. I tore off the bug shield on my truck and a big bush trying to back into a spot. the ranger told me not to worry about the bush, they planned on removing them any way.

I've had no problem getting my 35ft TT into oregon state parks. One of the states that has parks that in most cases have sites for big trailers.

Yes, you do need to check pad length before hand to make sure you will fit.

And I'm almost 65ft overall. Hardest part is usually backing in on narrow road, site length seldom is a problem.

Similar situation with a buddy I go with that has a 35Ft MH. Oregon state parks are one of his first choices.

[Ivylog]

We do three months out West staying mainly in public campgrounds without reservations during the week, not on the weekends. We travel and resupply on the weekends unless it's a long holiday weekend. Yes it's harder and takes more planning with a big rig but it is not impossible. Have always been able to stay in the general area of not exactly where we want.

When traveling we use Passport America or if it's cool enough WalMart ect.

[kalynzoo]

Never had a problem at a private campground.

[2gypsies1]

We used public parks 95% of the time in our full-timing travels. This includes national, state, COE, forest service, county and city parks. We honestly have never had a problem fitting our 40' motorhome into a park of our choice. Of course, we do research beforehand. Our travels were mainly in the west and we've stayed in every state. We also did a lot of boondocking on BLM and forest service lands. For that, we'd park and drive the Jeep in to find a suitable spot. We'd never go in blindly.

However, at times we've traveled east of the Mississippi and used state parks, COE and county parks. Again, you just have to research before.

[Johno02]

Not so much that CGs won't let you in, just that there are a lot of state parks that you can't get anything that big into! Many State parks and some National were laid out and built before the current RV boom, and were designed for pop-ups and tents. Smaller trailers tht were pulled by cars instead of big trucks.

[old_guy]

Oregon state parks are real hard even for my 25 ft I used to have. I tore off the bug shield on my truck and a big bush trying to back into a spot. the ranger told me not to worry about the bush, they planned on removing them any way.

[BB_TX]

MOST private RV parks you will not have a problem. But no guarantee. Call first. National, state, city, COE, national/state forest type parks gets more iffy. Some will have only a few sites you can get an RV that large in to. Some you will be out of luck. During busy travel times it is more of a problem.

[ktmrfs]

are you talking motor home? 5th wheel?? helps to know which.

And it will depend on where you are traveling, and what kind of campgrounds you are looking for.

We pull a 35ft TT, I'm 65ft overall. Virtually All RV parks I can fit into.
I can find spots in many state parks,
Midwest FS campgrounds usually aren't a problem.
Old County parks, CCC parks etc. with no hookups have been a problem at times.
Many Forest service campgrounds in western oregon and california mountains are pretty much off limits. Some of those are hard to fit anything more than about 15ft.

With all that said, we have yet to not be able to find someplace within a reasonable distance of our intended destination or intended recreation area.