Length restrictions at National parks

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Length restrictions at National parks

May 28, 2014, 10:41:40 pm

My wife and I have narrowed our search down to two 36' coaches and 1 possible 40'[because of washer/ dryer ]. My wife was all shook up to read that there is a 35' length restriction at most national parks where motor coaches are concerned. Is it really this grim? and are 95 model 36' u240 and u280 coaches exactly 36'? Please say it isn't so!

Re: Length restrictions at National parks

Reply #1 – May 28, 2014, 10:47:20 pm

I think my 36' U240 is actually under 36' but I had no trouble in a Charleston county park that had the same limitation. Just tell them it is 35' and you won't have an issue.

Re: Length restrictions at National parks

Reply #2 – May 28, 2014, 11:15:09 pm

I dont think that they ever measure any coaches. The restriction is for your own good. If you have any doubt about going in OK, take a drive thru with your towed and check it all out. There may be places where you just cant maneuver around with a longer rig. I've found that our 36ft GV will go around in most 32ft parks, but not all. (it really boils down to wheel base length issue). You just dont need the "get stuck" issue. Have a great day ---- Fritz

Re: Length restrictions at National parks

Reply #3 – May 28, 2014, 11:16:24 pm

Have 40' u-320, stayed at Yellowstone in park campground. I would not worry about either 36 or 40 unless you expect to spend most of your time in NP's. Chances are you will spend most of your time not in NP

Re: Length restrictions at National parks

Reply #4 – May 28, 2014, 11:44:08 pm

Most National Parks are pretty good about listing what RV sizes fit in each campground. They also publish length restrictions for highways in the park. Some have height restrictions because of bridges or tunnels (Zion NP).

We have had no problem navigating through pretty tight campgrounds in our 36'. If we were on the road a lot more we can see where a 40' or more would be nice. For our 90-100 days/year we are well suited to our 36'.

When searching for campsites and the length choices are >30 and > 35, we find that there will be many more to choose from if we are 35 rather than > 35. I think there would be fewer for 40'.

Most NP campground do not have hookup so you would not likely be doing laundry. Floor plan is important. Pick one you like that works for you.

Roger

Re: Length restrictions at National parks

Reply #5 – May 28, 2014, 11:58:03 pm

TAS69, if in doubt, call the park you are going to and ask about sites. Most of their web sites only list 35 ft. but have larger sites. Clear as mud isn't it.
We have a 38 ft. and have had no issues for the ones we have gone to.

Richard B

Re: Length restrictions at National parks

Reply #6 – May 28, 2014, 11:58:53 pm

Quote from: fkjohns6083 – May 28, 2014, 11:15:09 pm

I dont think that they ever measure any coaches.
Fritz

I had my 35 foot SOB measured years ago when we first went to Organ Pipe NP. I don't know if it was an over zealous gate keeper, but we were not measured on subsequent visits.

Roland

Re: Length restrictions at National parks

Reply #7 – May 29, 2014, 12:03:49 am

Even so, some NPs have room for 40 footers, including our favorite, Big Bend NP.

But don't try a 36 footer up to the Basin.

best, paul

Re: Length restrictions at National parks

Reply #8 – May 29, 2014, 12:07:01 am

Our 36' U225 is exactly 35' 7" long. I know this because I have a shop that is exactly 35' long and the motor home hangs out 7".

Plus I measure it.

Craig

Re: Length restrictions at National parks

Reply #9 – May 29, 2014, 12:08:29 am

At Great Smokies this spring we asked about length restrictions. The park person at the campground said if it fits then the site was big enough. More often than not length is not an issue but some sites are too far out of level to get the coach to level up. The longer the coach the harder this becomes. Sometimes there are rocks or trees in the way. Sometimes not enough room for the slide.

Roger

Re: Length restrictions at National parks

Reply #10 – May 29, 2014, 02:13:17 am

Quote from: rbark – May 28, 2014, 11:58:03 pm

TAS69, if in doubt, call the park you are going to and ask about sites. Most of their web sites only list 35 ft. but have larger sites. Clear as mud isn't it.
We have a 38 ft. and have had no issues for the ones we have gone to.

Richard B

Which ones might those be?

Re: Length restrictions at National parks

Reply #11 – May 29, 2014, 07:39:47 am

Thanks a bunch everyone! Love this Forum! Like I thought it may well have everything to do with the disposition of certain park employees... Amen to avoiding that whole" getting stuck" experience!!!

Wedging against a large tree wouldn't do very well either...

Re: Length restrictions at National parks

Reply #12 – May 29, 2014, 08:34:34 am

Paul, Are you referencing GREAT BASIN NP in NV ? If so I took my 280 in there a couple years ago, CG was tighter than tight but I got it to fit.
Gary B

Re: Length restrictions at National parks

Reply #13 – May 29, 2014, 09:17:34 am

Quote from: Gary Bouland – May 29, 2014, 08:34:34 am

Paul, Are you referencing GREAT BASIN NP in NV ? If so I took my 280 in there a couple years ago, CG was tighter than tight but I got it to fit.
Gary B

The Chisos Basin is the top of the mountain campground, and lodge in Big Bend National Park TX, which has a length restriction due to the tight road corners. "Trailers over 20' and RV's over 24' are not recommended due to narrow, winding road to the Basin and small campsites at this campground."

Re: Length restrictions at National parks

Reply #14 – May 29, 2014, 09:36:35 am

I believe the NPS is suggesting a 35' limit. But, I've seen plenty of big rigs, including 5th wheels of behemoth size at the National Parks we've visited...Acadia, Rocky Mtn, Glacier, Yellowstone, GSM NP and all the State Parks we've gone to all over the USA.

Re: Length restrictions at National parks

Reply #15 – May 29, 2014, 10:39:52 am

We like the national, state and local parks and have found rvparkreviews.com to be a good resource. Anyhow, it sure would be a lot easier to park these things if they bent in the middle.
jor

Re: Length restrictions at National parks

Reply #16 – May 29, 2014, 11:01:22 am

any user will use a motor home 10X the nights outside of NP than in them. Â Almost all NP have campsites for big rigs near or adjacent.

I go for the floor plan and size you like, not worry re NP campsite, Detach toad and explore!

Re: Length restrictions at National parks

Reply #17 – May 29, 2014, 11:45:23 am

Tom, San Elijo State Park, Dockwieler in the LA area( just past LAX) also Trailer Village at the Grand Canyon was a really good one. They all had sites for 40 footers.
It's always best to call first though.

Richard B

Re: Length restrictions at National parks

Reply #18 – May 29, 2014, 12:23:15 pm

I was in Yosemite last year (in my car) and asked a ranger at the campground ranger station about fitting our 48' coach into their campground. I was given a list of hittable sites, and checked them out. Most did look like they would work, but getting there would have been tight in places. I also asked about a campground outside of Yosemite Valley (Wawona Creek) that has a 35' limit but I know a 40' would easily fit. I was told the limit is only a suggestion, and go for it.

Re: Length restrictions at National parks

Reply #19 – May 29, 2014, 04:55:57 pm

Organ Pipe NP seemed to have a strictly enforced policy of 35 feet or under (or at least they did when we were there). They measured our 36 foot FT before they would let us stay there. It measured 35 feet, 10 inches. They truncated to the 35 feet and let us in. The park seemed like it could easily accommodate a much longer rig. We asked about it and were told that too many long rigs were coming in, missing the corners and tearing their rig and the park up. So the length enforcement was instituted.

Re: Length restrictions at National parks

Reply #20 – May 29, 2014, 05:42:24 pm

Quote from: Gayle McNeece – May 29, 2014, 04:55:57 pm

Organ Pipe NP seemed to have a strictly enforced policy of 35 feet or under (or at least they did when we were there). They measured our 36 foot FT before they would let us stay there. It measured 35 feet, 10 inches. They truncated to the 35 feet and let us in. The park seemed like it could easily accommodate a much longer rig. We asked about it and were told that too many long rigs were coming in, missing the corners and tearing their rig and the park up. So the length enforcement was instituted.

I'm glad Forrest is 34'. LOL

Re: Length restrictions at National parks

Reply #21 – May 29, 2014, 07:07:03 pm

Sue and I were volunteers at Oregon Pipe NM a few years ago, since most all camp sites are pull thru, some can be more tight when pulling out of the site then pulling in. The campground hosts at the Kiosk have a list of what sites are suitable for rigs longer then 34 ft in the upper area and 24 feet in the lower area. I have seen rigs as long as 45 feet in the campground. Also they will allow long rigs with car trailers to camp in the group area. I have put our 36 in sites that SOB's cannot get into, as they don't have the same range of steer cramp angle our FT's have.

Al

Re: Length restrictions at National parks

Reply #22 – May 29, 2014, 09:07:24 pm

Also consider that just because the national park ranger lets you into a 35' campsite with your 36' coach, it doesn't mean you can really get in and out without damage, like in Blackwoods campground at Acadia national park on the coast of Maine, don't do it ...you don't wanna know how I know this... Doh!

...and they're pull through sites even, but don't do it

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