So - What is it Really Like out there in RV-Land

[twogypsies]

Unfortunately, all those people without masks are on vacation and will be traveling from city to city, state to state and if asymptomatic, will be exposing a lot of people to the virus.

[zmotorsports]

Originally Posted by Ivylog

WY update...YES it’s CROWDED. We moved yesterday from Grand Lake (RMNP) to the Tetons staying at Hatchet USFS CG in the crowded overflow area. In 5-6 times of staying there we’ve never had to stay in overflow before. Moved this morning to Gros Ventre (318 sites) closer to Jackson at 9:30. After waiting in line for 45 minutes we lucked into 2 sites (just vacated) as at first we were directed to overflow for one night and then having to get in line again tomorrow morning as we are staying 4 nights.

We were in the same general area between July 29 and August 2.

We opted to stay in Afton, WY and took a day drive in the Jeep up through Jackson and then into Teton NP. I have never seen so many people in Teton NP. Jackson Lake Lodge was closed so maybe that was a variable in why everywhere else was so crowded. Jenny Lake area had people lining the highway about a mile from the actual lake and lodge. Holy crap there were a lot of people.

We stayed here last year and took the same drive and although there were people out and about, it was no where near as crowded as this year.

[RickNC]

8 days on the road so far from NC to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. WV and Michigan have been the most compliant to mask wearing and everyone everywhere we have encountered has been good about keeping their distance. We have purposely avoided the busy tourist areas so camping on short notice has not been a problem.

We expect to hit the Black Hills and those attractions after Labor Day and will assess then whether we will go over to Yellowstone NP.

[Busskipper]

Originally Posted by RickNC

8 days on the road so far from NC to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. WV and Michigan have been the most compliant to mask wearing and everyone everywhere we have encountered has been good about keeping their distance. We have purposely avoided the busy tourist areas so camping on short notice has not been a problem.

We expect to hit the Black Hills and those attractions after Labor Day and will assess then whether we will go over to Yellowstone NP.


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Good to see you have made the repairs and that the trip is going Well. We are in WV now on our way back home, and West Virginia has a few things going for it - just Fewer people (Really Friendly) in many locations - and Beautiful Mountains - while not as high certainly as Imposing as the Rockies - the drive across the state on I-64 was 180 + - Miles of serious driving - with Up's and Down's that rival anything in the Rockies, as it was continuous, for the entire drive. JMHO

Nice to hear that the Masks and Social Distancing are in effect where you have been - as the crowds increase and the Rockies get closer, along with Popular Locations - I venture you will not continue to see that practiced as well, just from our observations.

With the Black Hills in your future after Labor day it sounds as if you will be able to slow down a bit, hope the weather has been good as it will often determine how the trip is going, and weather or not it is enjoyable.

Report back often, maybe a an Image or teo to let us know how it is going.

Best of Luck,

Sunset on those Hills of West Virginia -

[Ivylog]

We found Yellowstone to be about the same as last summer... long line to get in from west side unless you go before 8AM. Lots if new families RVing so after Labour Day should help. One big plus is no tour busses with short people taking 3 minutes to take a picture while blocking the walkways.

[Busskipper]

Eastern States update - Brother just did an 11 day trip to a Corp of Engineers park and had to leave over the weekend as it was full - think this is normal - so as Ivy has said - weekends are the issue still and mid week not so much.

He reported that the Boating and Fishing activities were all going full blast and that, as others have reported there is spotty compliance with distancing and Masks.

So, stay smart and stay Safe.

[Ivylog]

Originally Posted by zmotorsports

Jenny Lake area had people lining the highway about a mile from the actual lake and lodge. Holy crap there were a lot of people.

We stayed here last year and took the same drive and although there were people out and about, it was no where near as crowded as this year.

We were by Jenny Lake last summer in late August and people were parking way outside on the main road. Went by again a couple weeks ago and still bad, but actually not quite as bad.

A small USFS CG East of Moran we like was overflowing this summer unlike previous years when it has half empty.

We were able to book 2 days in a public CGs a week in advance by asking for Sun-Monday except in W Yellowstone.

[RickNC]

The UP of Michigan was getting too crowded and the campgrounds too noisy, so we shortened our stay there. DW was getting anxious to head into ND so we head west with overnights in Marquette MI ,Duluth MN and Devils Lake ND. The past 3 days we have been here in Watford ND camped in a city RV park with 3 other campers. The city has blocked every other space to maintain social distancing.
Camping has been great. We are staying clear of the popular camping areas and having no problem finding excellent camping in state and city campgrounds without making reservations.

The past two days we have been checking out both the north and south units of Theodore Roosevelt NP.
The South unit was pretty busy with only one stop along the tour where people were in close proximity necessitating a mask. Buffalo and wild Horses right along the road. The North Unit, there was probably 10 vehicles other than us the whole 3 hours we were there. We both liked the north unit better. Though there was less wildlife near us. The landscape is more green and the formations more dramatic with great views along the way. Going back early tomorrow morning to see if I can get a few good photographs with the morning light.

Today we are off to Glendive Montana for a day trip to see Makoshika State Park with a loop up ND16 which I’m told is a beautiful drive.

Not sure what we are doing for the next week. We will likely try to score a ACOE spot on a lake for a week. We are trying to stay away from Mount Rushmore / Sturgis/ Devils Tower etc until after September 1st if possible.

[Busskipper]

Originally Posted by RickNC

The UP on Michigan was getting too

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[Earl II]

We were at Glacier NP the end of last month. We got to the west entrance around 6 A.M. and it wasn't too crowded. Turned around where the road was closed and by the time we got to the Logan Pass Visitor Center it was a zoo with nowhere to park. No tour bus activity.

[RickNC]

Originally Posted by Busskipper

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My finger slipped.....

[oldnavycdr]

RickNC, Around the end of September I'll be taking my coach from near Raleigh NC to Elkhart, IN for some service and upgrades. It will be my first time through the "mountains" in my Eagle 40' DP. I noticed on the route map you posted above what appears to be stops (lettered) and I was curious as to your route, where you stopped along the way and the road conditions. Also, how challenging a drive it is through WVA and eastern Ohio. This is less of a pleasure trip than to get there but I do want to enjoy a little on the way and need to start planning and getting reservations. Any suggestions and insight would be very helpful.

[RickNC]

Originally Posted by oldnavycdr

RickNC, Around the end of September I'll be taking my coach from near Raleigh NC to Elkhart, IN for some service and upgrades. It will be my first time through the "mountains" in my Eagle 40' DP. I noticed on the route map you posted above what appears to be stops (lettered) and I was curious as to your route, where you stopped along the way and the road conditions. Also, how challenging a drive it is through WVA and eastern Ohio. This is less of a pleasure trip than to get there but I do want to enjoy a little on the way and need to start planning and getting reservations. Any suggestions and insight would be very helpful.

Sorry for the slow reply. We have been in a ACOE campground with poor cell service the past couple days.

We have a much smaller(23’ gasser) and mostly travel backroads so many of the roads might not be a great choice in a much larger DP. Our route was mostly following US52 except between Fancy Gap VA and Princeton WVA where I used I-77. US52 was pretty boring through West Virginia. Mostly dying coal industry towns. The only town of interest we passed through was Welch. That was because the park we stopped in had a war memorial that included a French box car that was part of a thank you to the United States from France for our relief efforts immediately following World War II. Next time we travel that way, we will follow US23.
US52 in Ohio between Ashland and Cincinnati on the other hand was far more interesting. More history, more interesting towns. dozen or so nice RV parks we passed . Most notable stop was in Point Pleasant Ohio, birthplace of Ulysses S Grant. Home and museum was open to the public when we stopped. Another interesting POI was the former town of Utopia(just a historical marker exists now) but the story about its existence and ultimate failure is fascinating .

We bypassed Cincinnati using I-275 over to Lawrenceburg Indiana. From there we followed IN-1 north. Not a road I would recommend for a DP. Narrow and twisty the first 30 miles and rough in other places. I won’t travel it again.

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