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

[jamway]

djgarcia wrote:
Just wondering!
What are the advantages of NOT making reservations for your RV as you are traveling???

For us it is very important not to have to be some where at a given time. We do make reservations for a Destination stay.

On our trip to Alaska we left home without any reservations and had a great trip. Some days we drove 200 miles or more but one day we went only 90 miles because we happen on a place we wanted to stay for a while.

It is very nice to be care free and flexible.

Like a fellow R V Net poster we spent the night some where every night.

[Veebyes]

There is no way around it. Size matters. Oh sure most of the private CG will squeeze you in somewhere. Thats fine if you don't mind being up against your neighbour. Out west & the midwest, COE CGs especially, are good for longer sites quite often. SPs & NPs are another matter.

Without research & planning the bigger the rig the more problems getting a site especially if the CG is one where they don't asign sites in advance leaving people to go pick for themselves. Get there too late & you will find all of the long sites occupied by class Bs, Cs & small TTs, with nothing left but short sites that your 40' plus 5er does not stand a hope of fitting into.

The bigger you are, the fewer the possible sites. It is really that simple.

[Billinwoodland]

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

That's the key to not having any issues. I can tell you even with my 35' MH, at private CGs, they do not have an unlimited number of spaces that can accommodate my rig. On my last trip to the N. California coast, DW and I took the toad to several CGs, some county, some state, some city, and several did not have large enough sites for us. With a rig as large as the OPs, I would do my homework ahead of time.

[tsetsaf]

It is a pain finding spots. Usually you end up in the "super sites" = higher rates. Biggest issue with a rig of that length is maneuvering thru and into sites. We like this resource as they have video and pics allowing us to see where we are staying resource

Sounds like a fun adventure.

[2gypsies1]

djgarcia wrote:

bikendan wrote:

2gypsies wrote:
We've also stayed in California in forest service campgrounds and county parks. In fact, no problems in any western state finding sites for a 40'.

you didn't mention California STATE PARKS in your statement.
they are a totally different story, than forest service and county parks.

What is the name of the county parks and forest service campgrounds, where are they located??? Good info to know for future reference.

No, I didn't mention CA state parks as they are pretty much ruled out for big rigs and this is the only state that we would not consider state parks. However, there are many better and cheaper options. I'm not going to remember all of them offhand (16 yr. of full-timing in many states) but here are some.

Oak Grove NF, Aguana; Agua Caliente Co Park, Borrego; Anza Borrego State Park, Bootleg NF, Bridgeport; Death Valley NP, Mesquite Springs; Empire Landing BLM, Earp; Taboose Creek County at Independence; Joshua Tree NP, Black Rock Canyon; Glass Creek NF, June Lake; Oh Ridge NF, June Lake, Cave C.G. Lassen NF, Lone Pine BLM campgrounds; Cibola Nat'l Wildlife Refuge; Sycamore Grove COE, Red Bluff; Santee Lake, San Diego.

Of course, in addition, there are many fairgrounds, casinos, and awesome forest service and BLM boondocking areas we've stayed. Also, the Escapees parks.

Our favorite places to boondock are along Hwy 395.

[MarkTwain]

bikendan wrote:

2gypsies wrote:
We've also stayed in California in forest service campgrounds and county parks. In fact, no problems in any western state finding sites for a 40'.

you didn't mention California STATE PARKS in your statement.
they are a totally different story, than forest service and county parks.

What is the name of the county parks and forest service campgrounds, where are they located??? Good info to know for future reference.

[MarkTwain]

Just wondering!
What are the advantages of NOT making reservations for your RV as you are traveling???

[Gjac]

My experience has been most NF,NP,SP,COE CG's have a few spaces available for 40 plus ft MH's. What that means is if a CG has 4 spaces out of say 50 that will fit a 40 ft plus MH you have a lower chance of finding a spot over someone with a 32 ft MH. I went to Alaska with a friend that had a 38 ft DP mine was 33 ft. I always went into the CG first to make sure he could negotiate the roads and sites were available for his MH. We camped exclusively at these types of CG's. You may have to stop earlier to get one of these larger campsites with that size rig but it can be done, it will take more planning.

[jims1]

We are 63' overall, 39' 5th wheel and a converted Volvo semi truck as our hauler. We primarily stay east of the Rockies and haven't had any issue with maneuvering or finding sites in any campgrounds. In the northeast- Mass, Vermont, Maine, etc you do have to do your homework on what's available in the area.

[bikendan]

2gypsies wrote:
We've also stayed in California in forest service campgrounds and county parks. In fact, no problems in any western state finding sites for a 40'.

you didn't mention California STATE PARKS in your statement.
they are a totally different story, than forest service and county parks.

[dahkota]

HERE are the published length limits for California State Parks. By my count (and experience) only 7 out of 80+ campgrounds will hold a 40'+ rig. It was difficult finding space in CA state parks for our 34' as the larger sites were always booked way in advance and there were typically only one or two.

[2gypsies1]

djgarcia wrote:
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!

Hmmmm. We have not found that problem and we rarely made reservations - even on the Oregon coast in the state parks. We've also stayed in California in forest service campgrounds and county parks. In fact, no problems in any western state finding sites for a 40'.

Off the top we've stayed on the coast at Cape Blanco, Bullards Beach, Washburne Memorial, Fort Stevens

[tpi]

There's some loops in CA Forest Service campgrounds I can barely drive my car through without scrubbing up against brush-let alone any RV. They often were designed for tent camping mid 20th century with small unlevel pads and tiny winding interior access roads. There are intermediate degrees of this in many public campgrounds-ranging all the way to wide open you can park anything.

There will be lot of places you can park but do your diligence. Call first to private parks. Scout public parks without your trailer. Be inclined to get reservations or stopping early vs. pulling in at last minute when the most desirable large sites are already taken.

Here's a blog from owner of a good sized motorhome who travels off the beaten path:
http://wheelingit.us/

[bikendan]

Having camped in California State Parks for over 30 years, I disagree with some of the above.
Yes, a lot of the parks have sites large enough for that size RV.
But most only have a few available.
Most State Beaches have a higher percentage of larger sites, than other State Parks.
But those sites are usually the first to be reserved 6 months in advance.

And less than 1% of California State Parks campsites have any hookups, which many larger RV owners want.