Community Forums

twojayhawks · 12-10-2017, 08:24 AM

We don't fit in most NP's but one that we did fit was Trailer Village in the Grand Canyon NP. We had a pull thru that fit coach & car. I would guess it was 70' or so.

Kiawah · 12-10-2017, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angelbones

I was hoping to hear from some big rig owners that have actually stayed inside national parks. I read a lot and get a lot of information about it and I understand that each Park will vary. However my question is in regards to those parks that do allow big rigs what has been your experience? We total out at about 59 feet total. That includes our 36-foot motorhome plank a flatbed car hauler. Are there any national parks that would allow our situation? If so which ones? If not have any of you detached a trailer so that you could pull the motor home in? If so what would you do with the trailer?

On a related note we were wondering how hard it would be with are set up to park on to BLM land or Forest Service land? I am assuming that it would be easier but then again I could be wrong about that as it may be harder to find a spot for something so big. If anyone knows that please tell me. We're going to be spending the next couple years out west meaning anywhere in the mountain and Pacific time zones so any advice from someone that pulls something as big as ours or longer would be greatly appreciated.

Talking only about national or state//county parks, the real problem is going to be the maneuverability of your rig (with flatbed trailer) including clearances due to uneven ground dips. There are many more spaces that are backin, and I think you are going to have problems trying to back you rig in given narrow roads, trees, and overhangs. For best chance, your toad should have a hitch so you can unload the car as necessary, unhook the trailer, and use the toad to position the trailer first.

You'll have much better luck sticking to commercial pull thru sites outside of the parks, and using your toad to drive in. Else, get rid of the trailer and toad that forces you to have that long flatbed trailer. You will have a hassle wherever you go inside parks.

TXTiger · 12-11-2017, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXTiger

Not a National Park but the second biggest State Park in the USA is Custer State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota near Mt Rushmore is a great place to stay and use your toad to see the surrounding area. There are several campgrounds in the park that will accommodate your rig and if you call in advance they will try to get a place to park your trailer.

Just an FYI. Custer State Park currently is closed (12/11/2011), due to a very large fire in the park. It should be reopened in a very short time.

jroubique · 12-11-2017, 08:43 PM

I work for the US Forest Service. The dilemma we all have is that the older campgrounds that most federal agencies offer were designed/built many decades ago, well before today’s modern MH. Some have been redesigned but not too many. For that to change Congress will need to allocate funds for redesign and construction. You can check the online reservation system which is providing better and better information. My sense is that you will only find a few places that provide what you ask, at least for now. When I travel on my own time, we often stay outside the cool places and drive in.

Dutch Star Don · 12-11-2017, 10:06 PM

Your issue will be the flatbed trailer. Most National Parks don't have pull thru sites. I know Trailer Village at the Grand Canyon has long sites, but Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion don't have long sites. Typically they are large enough for up to 40' and have some side space for a car, but not a trailer. Most National Parks are old with small sites.

MoCoTom · 12-12-2017, 09:42 AM

We booked a site in Yosemite for a 35' mh this past spring. We stayed at a camp ground in Oakhurst for two nights prior to moving to the Yosemite site. After driving the toad into Yosemite to check out our assigned site I quickly realized this was not an option. As others mentioned driving in without damaging something would be a challenge and once in the site sloped severely toward the river. We opted to stay outside the park and drive the toad in. PS: Yosemite is amazing and worth any inconvenience you might incur.

alpha99 · 12-12-2017, 11:38 AM

You should flat tow a toad, ditch the trailer. Buy a cheap used toad that you can tow 4 down and your travels will be significantly easier. Worth the investment, imo. Cheers

lo-tek · 12-12-2017, 12:43 PM

Big Bend limits motorhomes to 40' in the full hookup parking lot. My Palazzo is 37 and we barely fit.

bobk3d · 12-13-2017, 12:14 AM

I haven't stayed there, but I was recently looking into Pinnacles NP and I think their sites are typically 75' long (recreation.gov is down at the moment).

Cell coverage looks pretty marginal.

Crasher · 12-13-2017, 08:38 AM

We used to be 73' long with our 43' coach and 30' (including tongue) enclosed trailer. Most National parks would have been tough if not impossible to maneuver in. However, we have found State parks that had sites longer. Last month we were at Sand Hollow State Park near ST George, UT on a 90'+ black topped site with full hookups. In your case (the OP) the best option has been suggested. Exchange the trailer for a towable toad and all of the National parks will be open to you in a 36' coach. We use the trailer when taking our offroad Jeep, but flat tow our Avalanche all other times. Being able to unhook and have the wife follow in the toad is a big advantage in places like the Zion tunnel and the Big Bend campground in Texas.