Community Forums

fisher99 · 02-14-2016, 03:47 PM

We are looking to stay in Bryce Canyon and then Zion National Park in mid May. Wondering if those of you who have been to these 2 parks might have recommendations for RV/campground spots that will accommodate a 34' travel trailer plus the tow vehicle. Hookups are nice but not required.

twogypsies · 02-14-2016, 03:59 PM

The very best places to stay are in the parks themselves.

Zion has Watchman campground which has electric. There's also another campground without electric.

Bryce also has two campgrounds, both without electric.

Both parks have a dump station and water fill.

Check out the park's web sites for lots of good information, including camping and things to do.

http://www.nps.gov/zion/index.htm

http://www.nps.gov/brca/index.htm

fisher99 · 02-14-2016, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

The very best places to stay are in the parks themselves.

Zion has Watchman campground which has electric. There's also another campground without electric.

Bryce also has two campgrounds, both without electric.

Both parks have a dump station and water fill.

Check out the park's web sites for lots of good information, including camping and things to do.

Zion National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

Bryce Canyon National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

Thanks for the info. I just went to the website for Watchman campground and I see that you can't get 2016 reservations until Feb 26 (loops A and C) or March 4 (Loops B and D). Interesting that there are different dates for the loops. Guess I'll have to put that on my calendar and make sure I get on their site first thing on the 26th.

**CLIFFTALL** · 02-14-2016, 04:55 PM

Zion River Resort for Zion and Ruby's for Bryce are my choices and where I stayed twice.

tomwalt · 02-14-2016, 05:09 PM

FYI - incase the National park campgrounds don't work out, May 14th is $10 to stay at the Bryce KOA (Cannonville, Utah). It is a nice, basic campground with a pool.

DebnDan · 02-14-2016, 05:48 PM

Rubys, right outside Bryce is an excellent stop. Lots to do, shuttles to park, clean, etc

Dan Callahan, North Jersey
2008 Fleetwood Excursion 40E
Freightliner, Cummins, Allison

It's not the Destination or the Journey
It's the Excursion

WYRon · 02-14-2016, 06:09 PM

Went to Bryce and Zion last year and decided to stay about midway. Several private campgrounds that fit the bill, but not very exciting. Agree best is staying at or in each park, but consider a few items. Watchman can be difficult to get reservations, and you need to be sure to read about the rules for going through the tunnel in Zion...non-trivial with an RV. Have stayed in Bryce, but no hookups. Have heard good things about Ruby's outside Bryce.

Nana25K · 02-14-2016, 07:00 PM

If you don't get reservation at Watchman and decide to use the first come first serve campground be advised that you need to arrive there early morning. It fill fast

Rags · 02-14-2016, 09:29 PM

The Tunnel in Zion is something to be considered. You might want to stay on the east side and come in with your truck. If you go to Zion try to get to Kolob Canyon on the West side of the park. It is well worth it.

vtwinwilly · 02-15-2016, 03:24 AM

Just to be a little more specific. The Zion Tunnel has height, length and width restrictions.

If your RV (rig) is 11' 4" tall or taller, 7' 10" wide or wider (including mirrors awnings, etc.), you will require a permit to pass through the tunnel.

If your RV is over 13 feet tall, you are not allowed to pass through the tunnel at all.

If your RV is 40' (single vehicle) or 50' (combined vehicle) you cannot pass through the tunnel at all. The tunnel has curves in it.

Now, with that said I've been there and I've seen 45' tour busses going through the tunnel, so I'm not sure how closely they stick to the length rule.

Also, I've been twice. Once in September. The park was very busy so there was no permit required. They just allow traffic to pass through the tunnel one way at a time. So there's only east bound for say 10 minutes (estimate), then west bound for 10 minutes.

The second time I went it was November, and I did have to have a permit, and RVs (permitted vehicles) can only pass through the tunnel during working hours during the day. I don't recall there being a fee. If there was one it was minimal.

The only thing the permit is for is to coordinate stopping traffic so you can drive your RV down the center of the tunnel. You see, the tunnel was built in the 1920's and cannot accommodate today's larger RVs.

I think I've hit the highlights, but be sure to do your research before you go... Or just enter the park on the west side. There is no tunnel to deal with on the west side.

fisher99 · 02-15-2016, 12:56 PM

The campgrounds inside Bryce are all full for the dates we want so I went ahead with reservations at Ruby's. Thanks for that recommendation.

Now to find someplace for our visit to Zion. Watchman is full and the other parks appear to be first come, first served. Any recommendations for something outside that park? Given how full things seem to be I'm a bit hesitant to risk a first come, first served campground.

**CLIFFTALL** · 02-15-2016, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fisher99

The campgrounds inside Bryce are all full for the dates we want so I went ahead with reservations at Ruby's. Thanks for that recommendation.

Now to find someplace for our visit to Zion. Watchman is full and the other parks appear to be first come, first served. Any recommendations for something outside that park? Given how full things seem to be I'm a bit hesitant to risk a first come, first served campground.

Did you see my recommendation in post #4 ?

BoDu · 02-15-2016, 01:03 PM

X2 on Zion River Resort. Very nice campground a few miles from the Zion Entrance.

DebbieMH · 02-15-2016, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clifftall

Did you see my recommendation in post #4 ?

We have reservations at Zion River Resort for the last week in June. Can we go to Bryce in our toad for one day ... or is it too far to make it a day trip? After Zion, we head to Heber City for Mountain View RV for the 4th of July week. But, really did want to see Bryce as well. Thoughts?