Topic: Length limitations at National Parks (Read 1630 times)

Ojisan · « **on:** October 13, 2009, 01:49:17 PM »

Greetings to all ! Sorry to be a PIA but have tried to find the answer to a question in the forum and was overwhelmed with the amount of information available ,so I guess the next best thing to do is simply ask.

I was looking at an ad for a motorhome locally and one seller was touting the advantage of the 29' length of his motorhome for sale claiming that it is not restricted to use in the national parks system.

My question is this: Is there a restriction on the length of motorhomes in the National Parks System?

Mc2guy · « **Reply #1 on:** October 13, 2009, 01:56:49 PM »

Depends on the Park. Many of the older parks with campgrounds that have not been renovated do have length limitations, in particular for "non-rv" sites. There is no set limitation that I am aware of, it is based on the infrastructure of the specific location.

I stayed in a National Recreation Area (part of the park system) this weekend and sat on a pad that could have handled a 45' rig plus a car...

Pierat · « **Reply #2 on:** October 13, 2009, 02:19:23 PM »

You might check with the parks you are interested in.

Ojisan · « **Reply #3 on:** October 13, 2009, 03:10:51 PM »

Thanks for the reply I tried checking with the National Parks website but didn't find what I was looking for. Seems the guy selling the motor home was trying to blow smoke up someone skirt. Thanks for the reply

Carl L · « **Reply #4 on:** October 13, 2009, 03:16:51 PM »

A person needs to look in the NPS website of the particular park they are interest in. Here, for example, is the camping info for Yosemite NP;

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/campground.htm

ferfer · « **Reply #5 on:** October 13, 2009, 04:53:22 PM »

I do not think he was 'blowing smoke" In the Arizona national forests there are more places available 29' motorhomes then 35' or greater. You have to check the length limitations of each park.

Jennifer

Tom · « **Reply #6 on:** October 13, 2009, 06:07:46 PM »

There are also length limitations with some state parks. Here in California, we used to visit many state parks with our 29' motorhome, but our current 38' coach wouldn't be able to fit. OTOH many Oregon state parks have huge sites. e.g. when we were touring Oregon with a friend who owns a 44' coach, he was very skeptical when I told him his coach would fit in the state parks. One day we drove a car to the nearest SP, I rolled down the window and asked "what's your longest site?" and the answer was "80 feet".

seilerbird · « **Reply #7 on:** October 13, 2009, 07:01:02 PM »

Contacting the parks sounds like a great idea but in reality it won't work. Last summer I had a 32' class C and I emailed North Cascades National Park to see if it would fit in Woodell Creek Campground. They told me no, 30 foot was the maximum length that would fit there. I went anyway and I fit in no problem. This summer I returned in a 39 foot Class A and had no problem fitting in. I could have gotten a 45 footer in my spot. Most park rangers know nothing about RV length. Some parks, like Yosemite are on the reservation system and each site has a maximum length listed. I reserved a spot that was for up to 40 feet with my 39 footer and I had a devil of a time parking it in the site. Driving out of the campground was a nightmare. I was sure I was going to hit a tree, but fortunately I didn't. However, in most of the National Parks I have been in this year I had no problem finding a spot for my 39 footer. Now that I am separated and no longer in the 39 footer I am in the market for another motorhome and it will not be longer than 29 feet.

Ron from Big D · « **Reply #8 on:** October 14, 2009, 05:52:16 AM »

Smoky Mtn NP has a 35 foot limit. They have that length marked on the pavement where you pull up to register. They can tell immediately if you are too large and they will turn you away. All is true unless something has changed in the last couple years. Based upon park expenditures in the NP budget, I bet not.

mshetzer · « **Reply #9 on:** November 08, 2009, 07:00:35 PM »

How are the parks doing the math on this??

For example, a 30' Travel Trailer is probably 34' long.

A 34' 5th Wheel is around 30' long behind the bumper

What are your experiences on this ?

Thanks in advance.
Matt

Wendy · « **Reply #10 on:** November 08, 2009, 07:15:52 PM »

The 2 parks where we encountered length limits in the campgrounds (Navajo Nat Mon and Natural Bridges Nat Mon) simply measured the largest site and said that's the biggest that can fit. In some parks, it has to do with what size RV can get around in the campground (tight turns, trees, etc).

To check a particular NPS park, got to nps.gov/ and after the / enter the first 2 letters of the first 2 words of the park name (like GRCA for Grand Canyon) or all 4 of the first letters if there's only one word (like YELL for Yellowstone). Works for 95% of the NPS sites. At the website, click "Plan Your Visit" and then "Things To Do" and you should find camping info there. Often, the RV lengths listed are suggestions but they are enforced at some parks. If you need more info about the campground, call the park number and ask for the campground or the fee collection ranger. They should know what their rules are and should also know what will fit.

Enjoy the parks
Wendy

PancakeBill · « **Reply #11 on:** November 08, 2009, 10:13:00 PM »

Even in the park, we worked in Yellowstone this summer, and site sizes interested me. I have a 35' with a 12' (15' total) trailer and it all fit in my employee site. Lewis Lake CG had a 24' limit. Fishing Bridge, while tight could take about anything. Rangers won't have much of a clue, but the vendors running the CG will. Just because they can take a 45' doesn't mean in every site, heck you could find a Casita in one of those, because they wanted that view and got there first.

I am in RV sales and many customers state 29' max so they can go to NPS. Somewhere someone started a rumor that is being passed around and believed.

Jim Dick · « **Reply #12 on:** November 08, 2009, 10:33:31 PM »

I originally thought park limits were a discretionary decision. We tried to get into Organ Pipe Cactus National Park many years ago. We had a 36' motor coach. The limit was 35'. I thought it would be easy to just say we were 35'. Not so!!!! They had lines painted on the entry point at 35'!!!

A forum friend told us he had been in that park and could not see why we could not make it even at 36'. Just another beaurocratic descision made without thorough investigation.

Wendy · « **Reply #13 on:** November 08, 2009, 11:23:35 PM »

Quote from: Jim Dick on November 08, 2009, 10:33:31 PM

Just another beaurocratic descision made without thorough investigation.

While we may not know the reason why 35' was chosen as the maximum, I'm sure there was a reason.

Alaskansnowbirds · « **Reply #14 on:** November 08, 2009, 11:43:18 PM »

Wendy,

I think the OP was asking how the Park Service does the measuring. Is it bumper to bumper or the model size? Do you include the tow vehicle when talking about a trailer? Unless they paint strips on the road like Jim mentioned, how do they measure?

taoshum · « **Reply #15 on:** November 09, 2009, 12:12:08 AM »

Maybe the book by Terri and Mike Church would clarify this?

PancakeBill · « **Reply #16 on:** November 09, 2009, 07:03:42 AM »

I went to a park that had a height limit. 10' I think. When asked the height I told her 17'. Turns out they have to send a ranger with you to open a back gate if over 10' because of height of a bridge. What cracked me up is that she didn't doubt the 17'. I assurred her we were less, had been there before and could pass under the bridge. (with enough momentum)

Cheesequake SP in NJ.

RV Roamer · « **Reply #17 on:** November 09, 2009, 10:27:28 AM »

It is my understanding that motorhomes are measured bumper to bumper in those parks that have actual length restrictions (in many its just a recommendation). I've never learned how they measure a trailer, though. Also, I've seen some that state a different length limit for RVS (motorhomes?) vs trailers, e.g. a 36 foot RV or a 31 ft trailer.

BernieD · « **Reply #18 on:** November 09, 2009, 12:04:12 PM »

I can't remember who (it gets tougher as you get older

), but a few years ago a Forumite couple workcamped at Organ Pipe. They might have the answer about the 35' limit there, but IIRC it is because of the tightness of some turns.

Wendy · « **Reply #19 on:** November 09, 2009, 12:50:25 PM »

Quote from: BernieD on November 09, 2009, 12:04:12 PM

the answer about the 35' limit there, but IIRC it is because of the tightness of some turns.

We have a friend who used to work law enforcement at Organ Pipe and I think Bernie's got it right, it's something about tight turns in the campground, not the size of the sites. They probably had too many people getting stuck or running off the roads. As for the Church's book, it doesn't even mention the 35' limit.

Wendy

John Canfield · « **Reply #20 on:** November 09, 2009, 12:54:04 PM »

Twin Peaks Campground (in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument) used to advertise 35' as the max length, but if you drove up in a 40' you would find an entire row designated for over 35'. I notice they now advertise 40' as the max length.

Our usual procedure is to first stay in a commercial campground in an area of interest and then scout out non-commercial parks in the Jeep

Wendy · « **Reply #21 on:** November 09, 2009, 01:01:32 PM »

Do they still have the lines painted on the road for the RV limit? Did they repaint them to 40-feet? I'd be interested to know if it's overall lenght (MH w/toad or trailer w/tow vehicle) or if it's just the RV length.

Wendy

geodrake · « **Reply #22 on:** November 09, 2009, 01:19:34 PM »

I just finished a camp host gig for the BLM at Calf Creek Recreation Area in Utah. At the entrance there is a sign that states not recommended for RVs over 25 ft. There are several sites that will accommodate about any length rig, and we didn't prevent anyone from entering. Calf Creek must be crossed via a ford in order to reach the back side of the campgrounds. A rig that has a long overhang behind the rear wheels would likely drag and cause damage to the RV. Apparently that is the reason for the recommendation there.

Wendy · « **Reply #23 on:** November 09, 2009, 01:22:48 PM »

A lot of the length limitations and suggestions are probably to keep someone from suing the government if their RV is damaged by trying to get into an area that they're too big for. We are a lawsuit-happy society.

Wendy

John Canfield · « **Reply #24 on:** November 09, 2009, 01:34:41 PM »

Quote from: Wendy on November 09, 2009, 01:01:32 PM

Do they still have the lines painted on the road for the RV limit? Did they repaint them to 40-feet? I'd be interested to know if it's overall lenght (MH w/toad or trailer w/tow vehicle) or if it's just the RV length.

Wendy - didn't notice any lines on the pavement, but that doesn't mean they aren't there. The 40' limit is the motorhome length (when talking about Class A rigs.) We discussed the situation with the work-camper in the contact station, and drove around the CG. Saw many 40' Class As in the 40' row. I assume we're discussing the same CG?

Wendy · « **Reply #25 on:** November 09, 2009, 10:06:22 PM »

John, I think there are only 2 campgrounds in Organ Pipe and one is for tents so we must be talking about the same one. Maybe we'll have to go thru ORPI on the way home and check it all out. Or on the way to Puerto Penasco in February.

Wendy

Jim Dick · « **Reply #26 on:** November 10, 2009, 11:53:46 PM »

Quote from: Wendy on November 08, 2009, 11:23:35 PM

While we may not know the reason why 35' was chosen as the maximum, I'm sure there was a reason.

Wendy,

You may be right but I trust this person's assessment. It may be for a reason other than the roads. In any case, we enjoyed thre trip through the park with the toads.

John Canfield · « **Reply #27 on:** November 11, 2009, 10:26:47 AM »

Jim - we drove the campground (Twin Peaks) and it looked fine for a 40 footer. We have been in far worse commercial ones.

ZuniJayne · « **Reply #28 on:** November 11, 2009, 06:52:14 PM »

In my experience, the 29 ft length limit is usually for the turns and roads in a park. A travel trailer or a fifth wheel can bend around some of those tight turns much easier than a comparable size motorhome. Many older campgrounds, such as El Morro National Monument nearby, have great roads but only one spot fit for an RV (and a short one at that).

For example, I called the Forest Service about Madera Canyon campground in AZ. I was told there was a 27ft length limit. I parked my 27ft trailer at a friend's property and drove my pickup truck in.

Yes, there was a concrete flash flood ditch across the road that was also on a sharp corner. It would have been a problem for a motorhome, especially one with a long overhang in the back (This is most of the shorter ones) or a rig with little ground clearance.

Lo and behold, sitting in the host spot was a travel trailer the same model as mine. THEY got in. There were a three sites that I could have fit into.

Some of Joshua Tree National Park's campgrounds have a 24ft length limit, and you better take it seriously. I couldn't have gotten my extended cab, full bed pickup truck into most of those sites and some of the turns were a challenge.

However, when in doubt, SCOUT IT OUT!

PancakeBill · « **Reply #29 on:** November 12, 2009, 07:54:12 AM »

Of course, if you ask anyone in a tent and they would likely reply none of us should fit. Among park visitors, i hd the impression that most of the improvements were all at the detriment of the pristine-ness of the park. Had that conversation many many times. Actually it is better now than near the turn of the previous century when hotels and such were popping up. This was at Yellowstone. If you watch the park movies by Ken Burns you can see some of that. We had a lot less hotels now than way back.

As to the campgrounds, same thing, they were little, 'SHOULD REMAIN LITTLE!' just ask anyone in a 20' coach.

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Author Topic: Length limitations at National Parks (Read 1630 times)