Visiting and camping in America’s national parks is near the top of most RVers’ bucket lists. One crucial factor that can make or break an RVer’s camping experience is whether an RV will fit into a campsite. Let’s explore what size RV is ideal for national park camping, and what you should expect when trying to find a spot.
The national park RV size dilemma
Many national park campgrounds were built long before RVs became as big as they are today. While national parks very often offer some breathtaking scenic views, they often come with smaller and less accommodating campsites for larger RVs. Knowing the right size RV for these campgrounds is essential before making a reservation.
Typical campsite lengths in national parks
Though the sizes of campsites can vary significantly across different national parks, most are designed to accommodate RVs under 30 feet. Here are some general guidelines for the average RV length limits in various types of national park campgrounds:
- Most campsites: A 25- to 30-foot RV will usually fit in most sites. These spots are common in most parks including those that haven’t updated their facilities for today’s larger rigs.
- Some parks and upgraded sites: You’ll find a limited number of spaces in certain parks that can accommodate RVs up to 35-40 feet. These larger sites are often premium and can fill up quickly.
- A few specific parks: If you’re pushing the limits with a bigger rig, there are certain parks, like those in newer or renovated campgrounds, where RVs up to 45 feet can be accommodated. But don’t assume the park where you’re headed with your big rig is among them.
Ideal RV size for national parks
Given these campsite restrictions, many RVers have found that staying under 30 feet will almost always fit in most national park campgrounds. That’s generally true in most state parks as well. Here’s why:
- Maneuverability: National parks can have narrow roads and tight turns, especially in more mountainous regions. A smaller RV is easier to navigate through these areas, saving the stress of navigating sharp curves.
- Campsite availability: Since most national park campgrounds favor RVs under 30 feet, you’ll have a much wider selection of available campsites in your smaller rig.
- Ease of booking: Most parks require reservations in advance, and campsites that can fit larger RVs are more limited and tend to book earlier. An RV less than 30 feet provides an advantage securing an available space.
Breaking down the best sizes
- Under 25 feet: RVs in this range are perfect for almost any national park. They offer excellent maneuverability, and you’ll have a much easier time finding campsites, even in the most popular parks. Class B motorhomes and smaller Class C motorhomes fall into this category, making them ideal for adventurous travelers.
- 25-30 feet: This is the sweet spot for many RVers. You get a bit more space and comfort while still fitting into the majority of national park campgrounds. Many parks can accommodate this size without issue, but it’s still a good idea to check specific size restrictions when booking.
- 30-35 feet: You’re pushing into a larger size category here, but it’s still possible to find campsites that will fit your RV. However, you may need to do more research to confirm which parks can handle this length, and you may have fewer options.
- 35-40 feet and above: At this point, your options become limited. Some parks will not accommodate rigs over 35 feet. If you have a large Class A motorhome or fifth wheel, it’s essential to call ahead, make reservations, and plan your trip around the few parks that can accommodate you.
Choosing the best RV length for national parks
- Plan your itinerary: Before investing in an RV, consider the types of destinations you want to visit. If national parks are high on your list, it’s worth opting for a rig under 30 feet.
- Check each park’s limits: The National Park Service provides detailed information about RV size limits for their campgrounds on their websites. Always check these limits before booking your site.
- Be flexible with your sites: Some parks have a variety of camping areas, some with more space than others. If your rig is a bit larger, you might be able to secure a spot in one of the more spacious campgrounds if you’re flexible with dates and locations.
- Consider towed vehicles: If you travel with a towed vehicle, make sure to factor that into your total length when booking campsites. Some parks consider the total length of both your RV and your toad (tow vehicle).
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RVDT2737
Under 30 feet is the general size limit for Florida State Parks.
I’m 28 feet 8 inches.
Many on-line booking sites ask the length of the RV. That’s a bit deceiving for towed trailers – especially bumper-level tow. Yes, the tow vehicle can be unhitched, but how far away from the site might it have to be parked?
My single-axle TT is 21′ 8″. About 25′ with the cargo carrier. And getting close to 40′ when hitched to our Subaru Ascent. There is no indication in most websites How much or even if, the website is adding something for the tow vehicle when indicating available camp sites.
We had a 27′ fifth wheel towed by a 3/4- ton truck. NPs like Great Sand Dunes and Black Canyon of the Gunnison had pull-out (not pull-thru), “45′ long” sites. But our fiver and truck could not fit in them if we unhooked. We ran into state parks in Utah with the same problem–pull-out sites where the tail end of the fiver was still in the road. We also had that problem at times even with our 22′ travel trailer and mid-size truck because of the tongue length. Plus many NP cg. sites are not wide enough to park the tow vehicle beside the trailer. Now we have a 25.5′ Class C without a toad (just Ebikes) and can park in any NP or USFS cg. We are also much better equipped for NP dry camping.
We began sizing ourselves out of some campsites, NP and others, when we bought our first, tiny popup. Our current travel trailer is 19’8″, coupler to the back of the spare tire. Our truck (tow vehicle) is 19′. We’ve found that some campgrounds, national parks, US Forest Service, have measurements of the driveway in the details on the reservation site. Frustratingly, not all sites are included, but it’s still helpful.
We’ve found that we fit in some arc-shaped sites that are listed as shorter than our total length, because of the pivot point of the hitch. For places we return to, we make notes of sites we like and ones we don’t fit in, etc.
I have had major issues with the height of my rig. The length was fine, but trees and tight turns were a problem.
Personally, I wish they would just list the site’s driveway/parking area length. RV size is rather meaningless. My TT from hitch to bumper is 29ft even though the actual box is 25ft. Add my tow rig and it’s total length if 44ft. However, if I park the TT closer to one side of the site rather than the middle, I can generally park next to the TT’s tongue, or across the front of the site.
One of several features that I like about our truck camper is that it fits just about anywhere. If we have a challenge parking, it’s usually on the sides with too close tree branches or occasionally height.
Thank you for the information, RV Travel! This is extremely helpful. Have a great day and safe travels!