Full Timers who prefer state and national parks: what size rig?

TomPanning

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This question is for full timers who generally prefer camping at state and national parks. What size rig do you have? Do you wish it was bigger or smaller (or both)?

I know for the parks, having a smaller rig generally makes it easier to get a spot. But when you're full timing, you can really use a little more space. I'm looking for how people balance that, and what works in practice.
 
My Silverado is about 21’ long. Overall length of rig is about 58’. I have to stay outside the park, for the most part. Maybe I need two RV’s, one for long term outings with plenty of room and a second smaller one for National Parks.


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Please disregard above link. This link below is better as it shows when the limit is combine RV and TV vs just the RV

https://rvshare.com/blog/national-parks-rv-length-limits/

Thanks, I had found that, but it just shows what the maximum size is for the biggest spot. For example, Devils Garden Campground has a maximum size of 40 feet. There are 15 spots that can handle a 40 foot RV, but there are 44 spots (almost three times as many!) that can handle a 25 foot RV. I'm going to guess that someone with a 40 foot rig is going to have to reserve a lot further in advance than someone with a 25 foot rig.

Also, that page just covers the national parks and I haven't found something similar for state parks, probably because there are a lot more state parks.
 
Also, that page just covers the national parks and I haven't found something similar for state parks, probably because there are a lot more state parks.

At most state parks around here (Northeast) you'll find slim pickings for any rig longer than 30 feet (trailer only).
 
We travel in our 27RL grand Design Reflection 5th wheel. Actual length is 31feet and the perfect size for us. We downsized from a reflection 337RL which was 36ft cause the sites were limited we could fit. Best thing we ever did. Tara
 
11 years of full timing in a 40+ foot 5th wheel. We prefer state parks. Around National Parks we tend to stay at private campgrounds near them. The difference? Many of the National Parks are old, ergo, smaller sites. There are some with new or renovated RV camping, those are excellent. But you learn a couple of tricks to help you find sites.

First off know your lengths. How do we fit our 41' 5th wheel into a 35' spot, easy, we hang the back 5 feet off the pad, which also means you need to know your clearance underneath the rear and be able to see pictures of the back of the site, looking for rocks and trees etc.

Second call the park directly. I forget which state it was, but their reservation system only went up to 40', so when I plugged in my 41' length it said no availability. Looking at Google Earth the sites are big and open. So I call the location, tell them what I have. I don't ask them if it would be ok for me to bring my RV in, that requires them giving you permission, which they will not do because of liability issues. I ask them if anyone has ever brought a 40+ footer to this specific spot. The other thing to watch out for is seasonal employees, they often don't have the experience to understand the question. It can get tricky.

You will also learn patience in parking. Many times I have maneuvered inches at a time to get my big box into the little hole. I have many scrape marks on the sides to show the times when I miscalculated.

It is certainly easier with a little RV. But we love our 1 bedroom apartment on wheels with a garage. A good home for us.
 
I have a 280RS, just a little over 30ft. I find that when trying to reserve spots 29 seems to be the cut off on the filters for many NPS campgrounds. In the last 18 months we've visited several national parks, but stayed in few. We stayed at a USFS campground outside the Grand Canyon, could not find space inside anyway.

Went to Zion in April but stayed outside, no space inside and when we drove thru we determined that we would not have fit anyway. Stayed 3 days at Lassen Volcanic NP in November, managed to get into a pull-thru but it was a tight squeeze. Had to trim some tree branches. We stayed at a state park near Olympic NP, again, driving thru the park we would not have fit into any site. And it isn't just the sites, but roads can be very tight also.

Some of the WA and OR state parks are good for size, like Cape Disappointment and Ft. Stevens. But there are some that are very tight, especially ones in more forested areas.

California state parks, especially older ones, we don't fit in. We drove thru Castle Crag SP but would never take my trailer there. Spent a week at Lake Perris SP up in the dry loops. The FHU sites are too tight to get into. There is literally only 1 site at Leo Carrillo SP that we fit into.

Have stayed at lots of AZ state parks, they are nice and have had no issues. NM sites also are ok. TX state parks are mostly older but we've been to several and managed to fit. Caprock Canyon was easy, Palo Duro Canyon has several CG's, the Hackberry loop where we stayed was a little tight, Juniper looked better.
 
There are two in-park campgrounds that can accommodate our 310 at Custer State Park. I also believe there are now larger sites at Fishing Bridge in Yellowstone that will accommodate a total length of 95', Bridge Bay and Madison 60'
 
We have the Reflection 303 at 33' and have found plenty of spots in State and national parks and forests. National and State Forest requires some research to layout, some are tight and hard not happening to either park or drive through.

I would stay at 33 to 35 ft for comfort of navigating tighter areas.
 

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