First major Trip 2015

[Newmar 14]

We are starting our plans for a 5000 mile trip from Tampa ,Fl to Mt Ru,shmore in summer 2015. Heading to Pappanee ,Elkhart,Grand Teton, Yellowstone,Badlands, Boulder,Shreveport,Biloxi, etc. Any info on best routes, roads, rv parks for large rigs and places to see. We like to see wild life, nice scenery, small towns, etc, etc All of you ideas would really be appreciated, especially since we have never been to these areas. also any tips on things we should avoid, or things to make sure we have.

[Steve Ownby]

Originally Posted by Newmar 14

We are starting our plans for a 5000 mile trip from Tampa ,Fl to Mt Ru,shmore in summer 2015. Heading to Pappanee ,Elkhart,Grand Teton, Yellowstone,Badlands, Boulder,Shreveport,Biloxi, etc. Any info on best routes, roads, rv parks for large rigs and places to see. We like to see wild life, nice scenery, small towns, etc, etc All of you ideas would really be appreciated, especially since we have never been to these areas. also any tips on things we should avoid, or things to make sure we have.

In Rapid City, Hart Ranch is a great place to stay.


Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

[gtony2]

In Biloxi, MS on Pass Rd Majestic Oaks is very nice. In Elkhart if are going to the factory stay there...


gtony2

[Kdsgone2dogs]

By the Grand Tetons there is a small cowboy town called Dubois...don't miss it. We made reservations for two nights at the KOA there...had a blast!!! Ask for site on the river. We ended up staying 11 nights...and would go back again in a heartbeat. Owners are wonderful and full of knowledge in the area. Short trip to Tetons and Jackson Hole. Really interesting little town and don't forget the pie at the Cowboy Cafe...
Last year we did almost the same trip...I'd go again tomorrow.
Enjoy your journey
Andi

[Newmar 14]

thanks for the info. Please keep them coming!

[Tom3205]

Do you have the golden age pass? free entry to fed parks, half price camping. Also do you belong to Passport America, another half price deal. That would make selection of campsites easier. Your plan to travel/see America will be an AWESOME experience. We have traveled to all 48 connected states. The sites you want to see are well worth it. Since this is a next year plan, I am sure you will receive hundreds of ideas. You may want to ask specific questions about specific places, that would help.

[gazingm42]

We live in Salt Lake City and make the trip about once a year. In yellowstone we always RV outside of the park and stay in West Yellowstone, MT just 5 minutes from the entrance. Park name is Grizzly RV park in West
yellowstone.

If you out this direction I would highly recommend go south from Yellowtone and Teton to South Utah to Zion Park.

There a very nice RV park called Zion River Resort. Just minutes from the
Zion National Park entrance. Worth the visit if you like to sight see, Hike, Bike, 4 X 4/ATV, Rock Hound. Hiking in the Narrows is like nothing you will experiencing anywhere else.

[MandG-Fun]

Zion is wonderful and The Narrows is a stellar hike. Add Angels Landing as another do not miss hike when you're there.

[n5pht]

Originally Posted by Newmar 14

We are starting our plans for a 5000 mile trip from Tampa ,Fl to Mt Ru,shmore in summer 2015. Heading to Pappanee ,Elkhart,Grand Teton, Yellowstone,Badlands, Boulder,Shreveport,Biloxi, etc. Any info on best routes, roads, rv parks for large rigs and places to see. We like to see wild life, nice scenery, small towns, etc, etc All of you ideas would really be appreciated, especially since we have never been to these areas. also any tips on things we should avoid, or things to make sure we have.

I would highly recommend Devil's Tower and the RV Park at Sundance, WYO (Mountain View) is a very nice RV Park. We stayed there last year and they honor the Passport America and let us stay a week at half-price which is more than enough to pay for a year of Passport America. We then went on a day trip (only about 30 miles) to Devil's Tower. It is awesome to see. We also went on a day trip from there to Savoy, S. Dakota and it has a very beautiful drive that includes some great waterfalls. To get there from the RV Park in Sundance (easy day trip) go on IS90 East to Spearfish, SD and then go South for a beautiful waterfalls drive to the old town of Savoy, SD. (not much left there of a town but we are from Savoy, TX so wanted to see it!) but the waterfalls on that windy road are great and right off the road with pull outs. From Sundance you could easily make a few more day trips but the two I mentioned were well worth it to us.

[GraciesDaddy]

campgroundreviews.com is the place to start. Reviews from "real" RVers who've actually stayed in the campgrounds mentioned. OK... SOME of the reviews seem kind of snarky; like they have a bone to pick with a CG or someone at the CG, but you learn to recognize those rather quickly.

Then, in three separate tabs, open up a Google Map. You can "Get Directions" from home to your 1st stop and build on that accordingly; just keep adding destinations. Use the other 2 maps to physically locate the CGs and enter their addresses into your trip map. Fair Warning: Some CGs are NOT where the map says they are! Just locate them using street view or satellite view and adjust your driving as necessary and save that map online as a reference.

Many full-timers use the "2-2-2 Rule": Don't drive more than 200 miles in a day, stop for at least 2 nights and arrive by 2PM. That system may not fit your needs if you're watching a clock/calendar and have to be back in Florida by a certain time. What I'm going to do is, on those days when I need to push some miles, make sure I do stop for at least 2 days to recover from a 6- or 7-hour driving day.

Meanwhile: Watch your tail swing, keep the greasy side down and keep it 'tweeeeeeeen the ditches!

[Newmar 14]

thanks again for the info. I knew I could count on this group. Keep the info coming. I have 4 pages of notes and hoping for many more.