Community Forums

PapaBobby · 01-08-2014, 08:37 PM

We're thinking of heading to the Grand Canyon after leaving Lake Tahoe. I was considering driving 395 into so. Cal. And onto Arizona. Does anyone know this road? We'll be driving our 35 ft Tiffin. Also, any recommendations for rv sites at or near the canyon?

SeeTheUSA · 01-08-2014, 08:44 PM

We have driven it from Yosemite south to the Death Valley cutoff . . . easy drive, not much traffic, nice scenery.

jamesgr81 · 01-08-2014, 09:00 PM

Be sure to stop at Schat's bakery in Bishop, then, while driving, catch the historic courthouse in Independence, the White mountains, and the Panamint Mtns. leading into Death Valley. Interesting and desolate views. To the east of the highwayyou will pass the long abandoned Potash works too, must have seemed like hell itself working there in the summer. When you get to Mojave you can see the mothballed airline fleet too.

missourijan · 01-09-2014, 01:14 PM

We have driven it many times, great road. It's our preferred route over I 5 or 99 going south. Fuel, food, scenery, rv parks, all available. There are Yolo county parks (no hookups) you can stay in and there's a fairgrounds in Bishop (Tri County on Sierra St) full hookups for $25. Just a gravel parking lot but clean & well kept. We stayed at the Canyon Gateway RV park in Williams because it was a Passport America park, I would not recommend it. It was gravel, sort of, actually looked like volcanic rock and hurt your feet to walk on it. There are several other parks in the area, none that nice but adequate.

pagosajoe · 01-09-2014, 01:26 PM

Highway 395 is a great road, well maintained, 4-lane in many places. I agree on Schat's Bakery - I lived in Bishop, went to high school with one of the family members who operates it, and my mother worked there. Good food! It's on Main Street, and parking could be tough to find for a coach.

Be careful coming down Sherwin Grade, just north of Bishop. It's a 4-lane highway, but a steep one for a few miles. Gear down and you'll have no problems. Enjoy the trip!

ScoobyMike · 01-09-2014, 01:54 PM

It is a good road with absolutely beautiful scenery however it can be treacherous in the winter. Lots of grades. Tahoe is in my back yard, feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

lanerd · 01-09-2014, 02:38 PM

As others have said...good road to travel. Caution during the winter months as the elevation of 395 north of Bishop promotes lots of snow (google Mammoth Mtn). Another place that has really good food is a small place in Lee Vining just off 395 on Hwy 120 (to Yosemite), called "Whoa Nelly's Deli". It's located in a gas station about a 1/2 mile off of Hwy 395. Town of Mammoth Lakes also has some good eating an a large rv park ($50).

We also have stayed at Williams...several rv parks there, just google for them.

biosensai · 01-11-2014, 01:22 PM

395 is the main artery in the Eastern Sierra. No issues, but some steep grades. Watch the weather. Crosswinds can be hazardous, as can winter storms. Depending on how much you drive per day, from Tahoe, a good first night stop can be either the fairgrounds in Bishop or Boulder Creek near Lone Pine. Schat's bakery does nothing for me, but the barbecue place across the street is excellent. Didn't say how far south into Cal you're going, but if you cut over to Barstow on 58 there's not much in the way of highly recommended parks until east of Kingman at Blake Ranch. Needles might have something also. If you're heading further south, we always use Desert Willow just off the freeway in Hesperia to coordinate our travels between commuter traffic in the Inland Empire. Both Five Guys & In 'N Out across the street!