trailer size and campsites in National Parks

Of the 49 National Parks in the lower 48 only 8 have full hookup sites and another 8 have sites with electric, leaving 33 with no camping at all - twenty one feet will limit you and you will soon grow to regret your decision

We have visited 31 or the 49 in the last 10 years

Every park is different. Sometimes length limitations are due to site size and sometimes to trees or rocks along curves in the roads to the sites. I have been hosting in a NFS campground that has a part of the sites in which rvs are limited to 28 feet, but that means trailer under 28 feet. It’s because of the road; there are sites there that would fit a 64+ Class A or fifth wheel. You just can’t get one that size to the site.

I wouldn’t choose a trailer based on such a limitation, if I were you. Don’t put the cart before the horse. No matter what size you choose, there will be places you can’t take it. Make your choice based on floor plan and features.

It is true that smaller goes more places. But too small is no fun everywhere. In addition, know that rules like that 40 foot rule are both arbitrary and flexible. Nobody is going to take a tape measure to your rig and deny you because you are 6 inches too long. Or 2 feet too long. The rule is to guide folks, not forbid them. If you are skillful maneuvering a slightly longer rig, you’ll be fine. If you are very low skill, you might not be able to use even a slightly shorter one.

rr2254545 wrote:
Of the 49 National Parks in the lower 48 only 8 have full hookup sites and another 8 have sites with electric, leaving 33 with no camping at all - twenty one feet will limit you and you will soon grow to regret your decision

We have visited 31 or the 49 in the last 10 years

Do you mean 21' is too long or too small?

naturist wrote:
Every park is different. Sometimes length limitations are due to site size and sometimes to trees or rocks along curves in the roads to the sites. I have been hosting in a NFS campground that has a part of the sites in which rvs are limited to 28 feet, but that means trailer under 28 feet. It’s because of the road; there are sites there that would fit a 64+ Class A or fifth wheel. You just can’t get one that size to the site.

I wouldn’t choose a trailer based on such a limitation, if I were you. Don’t put the cart before the horse. No matter what size you choose, there will be places you can’t take it. Make your choice based on floor plan and features.

It is true that smaller goes more places. But too small is no fun everywhere. In addition, know that rules like that 40 foot rule are both arbitrary and flexible. Nobody is going to take a tape measure to your rig and deny you because you are 6 inches too long. Or 2 feet too long. The rule is to guide folks, not forbid them. If you are skillful maneuvering a slightly longer rig, you’ll be fine. If you are very low skill, you might not be able to use even a slightly shorter one.

I have owned a few boats and was skilled at backing, but I have not owned a trailer, this will be my first one.

I appreciate your insight. The trailer I choose will be my home for a few years. Thus, making the right choice is important. With regard to your thoughtful reply, I am now looking at the Lance 1995. I toured one yesterday and it seemed about right.

Personal decision but I would at least get one large enough to have a walk around bed and a slideout usually in the 24'-26' range. Some of the older COE parks were built many years ago when a 20' trailer was the norm.

Others will chime in with more knowledge then I on the subject.

robvasi wrote:

rr2254545 wrote:
Of the 49 National Parks in the lower 48 only 8 have full hookup sites and another 8 have sites with electric, leaving 33 with no camping at all - twenty one feet will limit you and you will soon grow to regret your decision

We have visited 31 or the 49 in the last 10 years

Do you mean 21' is too long or too small?

Way too small

I have stayed at many National Parks and have found that as long as the TT is under 30' in length you will be able to get into most. Just about all are dry camping and a few have have some sites with limited hook ups.

I, too, am looking at the Lance 1995, as well as a Winnebago 2108tb. The extra two feet comes in a slightly narrower body.

If you plan to focus on national Parks, you might want to consider tank size and room for extra batteries as well since you will most likely be dry camping

21 feet seems to be the max in Oregon for the most part. Bigger is not always better. So many variables here.