travel trailer national park service

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The Ideal Travel Trailer Lengths for National Parks

Published on July 24th, 2020 by Levi Henley (Full-Time RVer, Content Manager and Media Specialist for RV LIFE)

Camping in U.S national parks go together like peanut butter and jelly. Our national lands are on every RVers bucket list as soon as they catch the desire to purchase one. Yet some of today’s RVs can’t get past the entrance gates because they exceed the best RV lengths for national parks.

The longest RVs allowed in national parks are between 25-30 feet in total length.

We’ll explore the many reasons for this limit and why it’s not always true. You’ll learn the best strategy to land that most sought after campsite at the best national parks for RV camping and how to get the best deal. Our research led us to a controversial proposed modernization plan to update the national park campgrounds that’s worth discussion.

RV Measurements Further Explained

National park spaces range in size between 20-40 feet. Some parks have 30 feet spaces with a couple of 40 feet spaces. As you can imagine those “prime real estate” campsites fill up quickly. Mostly, you’ll run across 30-foot spaces.

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When they say 30 feet, they mean it. If you have a motorhome, a class C or small class A won’t be much of a problem. If you’re toading your passenger car, that’s where it becomes difficult. Your total length, including anything your towing must be 30 feet or less. There won’t be a place for your passenger car and the park rangers can deny your entrance.

Towable trailers have a similar problem. The average car, truck, and SUV measures between 14-17 feet. This means that the size trailer you need for national parks must be 16 feet or less from hitch to bumper. Small travel trailers , pop-ups, and teardrops are your best bet.

The majority of sites are primitive sites (no hookups). Most have a handful of spaces with either electric-only or water and electric. Full hookup sites do exist in certain national parks but they fill up fast.

The public parks usually have bathhouses that they maintain well but don’t expect a camp store, rental equipment shack on-site, or other amenities. Most either no longer allow campfires or have heavy restrictions on them. Whatever supplies you may need, pick them up ahead of time because the nearest store is going to be many miles away.

Road conditions are usually dirt. Smaller parks may have tight turns and other road conditions that make it very difficult for large motorhomes, fifth wheels , and travel trailers to navigate. It’s a safe assumption that back-in sites are going to be par for the course.

Current Conditions of Most U.S. National Parks

Most people think that our national parks started with the Antiquities Act of 1906, signed by President Theodore Roosevelt in his second term. Actually, in 1832, President Andrew Jackson signed a bill into law protecting land in Arkansas from private development.

President Woodrow Wilson created the National Park Service in 1916. This new bureau established the actual parks on federally protected land, gave it funding, and employed staff. The first camping craze of the roaring 1920s led the Park Service to establish campgrounds in many of the parks.

One of the major destinations for World War II veterans were national parks. Many new parks established during this second camping bubble had campgrounds added into the plans for the “Canned Ham” era RVs. With President Eisenhower’s new interstate highway system, the parks were affordable and easy to get too.

The point is, many of these campgrounds opened during time periods when RVs were smaller and less technologically advanced than the ones we have today. Those that have plumbed in campground utilities can’t update the campsites without destroying protected land.

Older campgrounds within the parks have lost space due to the growth of the natural plant life. The staff maintains the campgrounds through lawn care and other normal tasks, but cutbacks and preservation guidelines allow the skeleton crew to do so much.

Best Way to Make a Reservation

If you’re planning an RV national park road trip to see as many as possible, be strategic. The summer months when children are out of school is the busiest time for both state and national parks. The spring and fall are going to be the best times to find open campsites.

If your coach isn’t the best RV size for the public park, there are many private campgrounds surrounding the park. They have to compete with the park and the other private parks in the area, so you can expect them to have modern accommodations with full hookups, long campsites, and additional features.

Park Finder Website

If your goal is to stay at the park itself, a great strategy is to take advantage of both the website and to call them directly. The National Park Service’s Park Finder Website lists all of the U.S. parks, help you narrow down your search based on a number of different criteria, and connects you to their specific pages.

Once you know the details about the park and what length RV will fit in a parking space, call the ranger station directly. The campgrounds operate on either reservation only or first-come-first-serve (FCFS) depending on how busy and the time of year. The ranger can also tell you what campsites available based on cancelations or those that have left early.

America the Beautiful Annual Pass

A great money saver is the National Park Service’s America the Beautiful Annual Pass . Campground fees generally range between $30-$50 a night. The annual pass allows you entrance into the parks free of charge and other features that they charge per person.

A one-time charge of $80 will give the pass holder and up to 3 passengers in a private, non-commercial vehicle use of the pass benefits to all of the national parks and other public lands that are open to the general citizenry. Children 15 and younger are free of charge and don’t count under the three passenger limit.

Active military personnel can receive their pass free of charge. We thank you for your commitment to our country and thank you for your service.

There are three ways you can buy your pass. Either on-site at one of the national parks, over the phone, or through the USGS Store . The website allows you to printout a temporary pass until you receive your permanent pass via U.S. Mail.

Access Pass

Seniors (62 and older) and the disabled can apply for another type of pass. The Access Pass gives the additional benefit of a 50% discount on primitive campsites. Renewal is $20 a year.

What it Would Take to Modernize

What if national parks update their campgrounds? They could install every campsite with full hookups and wifi. Camp stores and restaurants would be available on-site. What if the national parks have RV size limits increased to 45 feet and the roads remade to accommodate RVs of those sizes?

There are modernization proposals floating around Washington D.C. that talk about doing this. Proponents and opponents are debating the protection of the ecological versus the economical advantages to the national parks.

The more famous parks like Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, and Yosemite are still popular. Yet some of the lesser-known parks that offer incredible landscapes and outdoor excitement are suffering from revenue losses. Overall visitation is slowly declining.

National Parks Are Still Worth the Trip

Taking your RV out to any one of our national parks can be a trip of a lifetime. You’ll see unique landscapes that only exist here in our country. The United States has the most diverse geographies on the planet. In our nation, you can climb mountains, journey through deserts, swim in oceans, and hike on glaciers.

This is the purpose of our national parks. Grab your family, pack up your RV and go explore.

• Experience the depth of the Grand Canyon National Park
• Debate who has the biggest nose on Mount Rushmore National Memorial Park
• Set your watch to Old Faithul at Yellowstone National Park
• Explore the wonders underground in Mammouth Cave National Park
• Walk the same field the Confederates did at Gettysburg National Military Park
• Take a boat tour in the deepest lake at Crater Lake National Park

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About the author:.

Levi Henley, RV LIFE’s Content Manager and WordPress specialist, is renowned for his expertise in RVing and workamping, having lived on the road since 2015. He’s the author of the popular guide “Seasonal Workamping for a Living: How We Did It” , a testament to his deep knowledge in the RV community. For more insights into Levi’s nomadic lifestyle and expertise, visit Henley’s Happy Trails .

Levi Henley: Content Manager, Media Specialist at RV LIFE

Levi Henley stands at the forefront of RV-centric content, wearing multiple hats as a Content Manager and Media Specialist for the RV LIFE network. With his deep-rooted expertise in RVing, workamping, and the full-time nomadic lifestyle, Levi has been writing about and living the lifestyle since he hit the road in 2015 with his wife Natalie.

Their journey, punctuated by innovative approaches to nomadic income, has culminated in the guide, " Seasonal Workamping for a Living: How We Did It ," a testament to their hands-on experience and knowledge. This resource, available on Amazon and through their personal website, Henley's Happy Trails , offers invaluable insights into the mobile lifestyle. Levi's has written for RV industry media key organizations like Coach-Net, Escapees, and Workamper News.

Beyond his professional prowess, Levi is a man of diverse talents and interests. He's not only an actor and magician but also a certified scuba diving instructor. His adventures across the country in a 2011 Sunstar Itasca, accompanied by Natalie and their two feline companions and rambunctious dog, embody the spirit of exploration and lifelong learning.

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The 10 best US national parks for RV campers

Mar 24, 2023 • 6 min read

Pinnacles of the Fiery Furnace, Arches National Park, Utah © Peter Unger / Getty

Looking to get closer to nature and linger longer at a US national park in 2023? RV camping is the perfect way to experience the majestic wide-open spaces of the US national parks . 

Camping in an RV within a national park provides a comfortable base to immerse yourself in a park’s beauty from sunrise to sunset (and beyond for great stargazing). National park campsites also create a fun sense of community between RV campers, who share everything from vehicle advice to travel tips, BBQ recipes and s’mores around the campfire.

The national parks listed below are top destinations not only for the quantity and quality of RV campsites within the parks but for the access that RVs have to tour the parks on wide, paved roadways with key park attractions being within roadside viewing distance.

1.  Acadia National Park , Maine

Number of RV campsites:  3 campsites with 160 total RV spots Reserve your RV spot here:   Acadia’s Recreation.gov website   The most scenic RV route through the park:  The 27 miles of Park Loop Road unveils a spectacular vista of mountains, ocean, lakes and forests, with plenty of nearby trailheads for hiking through Maine . Acadia National Park does become quite crowded in summer, so consider a fall visit to avoid the heaviest traffic and also do some prime Maine leaf-peeping. 

2.  Arches National Park , Utah

Number of RV campsites:  1 campground with 51 sites Reserve your RV spot here:   Arches’ Recreation.gov website The most scenic RV route through the park:  Arches National Park ’s Main Park Road traces 18 miles from the entrance to Devils Garden Campground on a nicely paved roadway, with multiple pull-out stops with views of the park’s epic rock arches. After your visit here, you can add stops to southern Utah’s Bryce , Canyonlands , Capitol Reef and Zion for an epic Utah national parks RV roadtrip. 

3.  Denali National Park , Alaska

Number of RV campsites:   3 campsites with 207 total spots Reserve your RV spot here:   Reserve Denali (NOT Recreation.gov) The most scenic RV route through the park:  The only RV route in Denali National Park is the first 15 miles of Denali Park Road , although RV campers at the Teklanika River Campground can continue another 14 miles to the campsite on a gravel road. Both segments of the road provide spectacular sweeping views of Denali’s mountainous landscape.

4.  Everglades National Park , Florida

Number of RV campsites:  173 spots in 2 campgrounds Reserve your RV spot here:  Flamingo Adventures (Not Recreation.gov)  The most scenic RV route through the park:  Take your time with plenty of pull-offs to appreciate the rich biodiversity inside Everglades National Park . The well-maintained 40-mile road from the Eastern Homestead Entrance to the Flamingo Visitor Center  has vibrant birdlife (and lurking gators) in the lush green wetlands of the Everglades .

5.  Glacier National Park , Montana

Number of RV campsites:   5 campsites with 631 RV spots Reserve your RV spot here:   Glacier’s Recreation.gov page The most scenic RV route through the park:  Although Glacier National Park ’s famed Going-to-the-Sun Road is closed to vehicles more than 20 feet long, RVers can still enjoy a great sightseeing route along Highway 2 at the edge of the park. Head to the park’s eastern side along Many Glacier Road to see (as you might guess) many glaciers. 

6.  Grand Canyon National Park , Arizona

Number of RV campsites:   4 campsites with 519 spots available for RVs Reserve your RV spot here:   Grand Canyon’s Recreation.gov page and the Trailer Village concessionaire website   The most scenic RV route through the park:  The 23 miles of Desert View Drive east of Grand Canyon Village offers stunning views of the canyon, multiple pull-out points for photos and short trails through Grand Canyon National Park istelf. There's even RV parking at the Desert View Services area at the East Entrance of the park. 

7.  Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina & Tennessee

Number of RV campsites:  9 campsites with 924 RV spots Reserve your RV spot here:  Great Smoky Mountains National Park 's  Recreation.gov page The most scenic RV route through the park:   Newfound Gap Road traverses across 31 miles of hilly terrain between Tennessee and North Carolina  inside the  Great Smoky Mountains National Park . The thick forests change from southern hardwoods to northern pines so dramatically along the road, the park service says it’s “like a drive from Georgia to Maine .”

8.  Joshua Tree National Park , California

Number of RV Campsites: Eight campsites with 495 spots open to RVs Reserve your RV spot here: Joshua Tree’s Recreation.gov webpage The most scenic RV route through the park: Driving the park north to south on Park Boulevard from the West Entrance Station of  Joshua Tree National Park will give you roadside views not only of plenty of the park’s eponymous trees but notable landmarks like Skull Rock and the Jumbo Rock formations. As you continue south on Pinto Basin Road watch as the landscape and flora transform from the Mojave to the Colorado desert ecosystems.

9.  Yellowstone National Park , Montana & Wyoming 

Number of RV campsites:  12 campsites with 2147 spots (and yes, they all regularly get booked up) Reserve your RV spot here:   Yellowstone’s Recreation.gov page and Yellowstone National Parks Lodges website The most scenic RV route through the park:  Grand Loop Road is Yellowstone National Park ’s classic route passing key attractions like Mammoth Hot Springs , Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River . The 140-mile route can easily take a full day to drive, so its best to tackle in bite-size chunks, like the Lower Loop past Old Faithful and otherworldly hydrothermal highlights.

10.  Yosemite National Park , California

Number of RV campsites:   9 campsites with 1231 spaces welcome RVs Reserve your RV spot here: Yosemite’s Recreation.gov website The most scenic RV route through the park: Escape the traffic of Yosemite Valley to drive Tioga Road, which bisects Yosemite National Park from west to east. It offers 46 miles of Yosemite’s greatest hits, including mountains, streams, forests, lakes, meadows, and a view overlooking Half Dome , with plenty of turnoffs to stop for photos.  

Top tips to consider when seeking out RV camping at US national parks

• Most national parks use Recreation.gov as the website to make reservations for campsites. Each park has its own quirks regarding the timing and process for making reservations, so check out each park’s rules and regulations prior to booking. 
• Make reservations as far in advance as possible. National park RV campsites can become fully booked within minutes of dates being offered, particularly for the summer high season and holiday weekends. 
• For your RV campsite, research the length restrictions and available hookups for water, electricity, and sewage dumps. You don’t want an unpleasant surprise after a late-night arrival at a remote campground. 
• If you’re not able to secure an RV campsite within a national park, be aware that many commercial RV campsites operate just outside the boundaries of most National Parks. Reservations at commercial campgrounds will be easier to make, and these campgrounds often provide many more services than those within park limits. 
• Bringing bicycles or a towed car with your RV can greatly expand your options for exploration in a national park, particularly in areas with limited RV access. Also, consider leaving your RV in the campground and using park shuttle services when available. 

This article was first published March 2022 and updated March 2023

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The Ultimate Guide to RVing in National Parks

by Bill Fink | Oct 9, 2020

RV Living, Camp Cooking, and Family Adventure

2024 Ultimate Guide To National Parks RV Length (Huge Time Saver!)

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What is the Best Length For An RV In The National Parks?

If you are planning a national park vacation, it’s important to know if your RV is allowed in the parks. Each National Park will have RV length limits depending on the configuration of their campsites and most parks were developed before the more modern RV lengths came along. 

The average size of RV sites is 27 feet nationwide. Therefore t he optimal length for an RV in the National Parks is 25 to 30 feet.  Most National Park campgrounds will have spaces that will fit this length. Sites vary park by park and campground by campground, so always check directly with the park office prior to booking a site. 

If you are planning a national park vacation , it’s important to know if your RV is allowed in the parks. 

The rules for length restrictions on RVs vary widely by location and can be confusing if you aren’t familiar with them. This is especially true when considering that many of the most popular National Parks have unique regulations about how long your RV can be. Some parks allow any size motorhome, while others only permit small trailers or even motorcycles! 

We put together this list of information to help make sense of these different lengths limitations so that you don’t waste time trying to find out what’s possible for your trip! You don’t want to show up for your site with a rig that is too long to fit, and it is considered poor campground etiquette . 

Below are the stated National Park RV length restrictions for every National Park that allows RV camping. Please use it as an idea and then do some extra research (preferably on the phone) to get situated.

We have endeavored to clarify as much confusing information as possible by direct contact. (One park stated 30 ft restrictions on travel trailers and 21ft restriction on 5th wheels!) We have also included prices, and basic services for each of the National Parks RV campgrounds . 

If this is your first tour of the National Parks, I would highly recommend this book .  It will tell you what to look for at each National Park (we still recommend you do your own research), but this will help you with planning your trip.  

“The national park idea has been nurtured by each succeeding generation of Americans. Today, across our land, the National Park System represents America at its best. Each park contributes to a deeper understanding of the history of the United States and our way of life; of the natural processes which have given form to our land, and to the enrichment of the environment in which we live.” George B. Hartzog Tweet

Older National Park Campgrounds May Be Too Small

America loves it’s National Parks. KOA research shows that 40% of all RV Campers stay in National or State Parks.( 1 ) But as RV’s get larger, fitting them into 1950’s and 60″s era campgrounds is becoming more and more difficult with National Park RV size maximums. Many people (including us) would love to stay within the National Parks but simply cannot fit into the sites with a large RV.

If you are camping in a smaller teardrop or pop up camper, you probably do not have much to worry about, but with the increasing size of most travel trailers and fifth wheels, some care must be taken when planning a site. 

Most National Parks that have RV campgrounds do not offer any kind of hookups. So it is dry-camping only . There may be some types of amenities, like a dump station, vault toilets, etc, but sites do not have hookups in most cases. National Park RV camping accommodations as a general rule are a bit sparse.

You have to remember that the whole idea of our National Parks is to celebrate our natural spaces, so clearing and digging up large sites within those natural areas to allow for sewer hookup’s and 50 amp electrical service, or even to cut through roads to accommodate 40+ foot long motorhomes, causes a great deal of heartburn. 

That being said, many parks are making upgrades where possible to accommodate longer RV size limits as well as the demand for hookups . 

Which National Parks will  work for your rig? We have done the legwork for you and compiled a list of every National Park campground that allows RV camping , and the information necessary for you to make your decision. 

If you don’t have an Annual Pass for the National Parks, I highly recommend you pay one annual fee , which will get you into all of the USA National Parks.

Campground RV Size Restrictions

Every National Park has RV length restrictions. There does not seem to be any consensus anywhere, nor an authoritative resource to tell us how sites are measured. Typically the length restriction will be for  camper AND tow vehicle , so the allowable length for a trailer will be shorter than for a motorhome by about 10 feet. 

Our best advice is to take a look at the list below and use it as a guideline, but not as a bible. Nor should you use ANY online resource as authoritative. We strongly recommend that you do the following:  

Call The Park:  We have found that at the end of the day, no matter where you are trying to camp,  you ALWAYS do better by speaking to someone right there at the park. You will get first hand information that will often times contradict what you read or hear online. For instance if you are just staying overnight and do not wish to unhook, make sure you can get a site long enough for the whole shebang. 

When we were staying out at  Yellowstone  last year, we stayed outside the park, at  Henry’s Lake State Park  (AWESOME park.) During our 2 month visit, we stopped around to see several of the Yellowstone campgrounds. Keep in mind that this was mid summer, when anyone would tell you it is next to impossible to get a site within the park.

While visiting the Mammoth Springs area, we noticed that the campground there had quite a few empty spaces. We stopped to speak to the ranger at the gatehouse, and she told us that they had been experiencing quite a bit of vacancy over the last couple of weeks. They usually got several walk-ins during the days, but each morning many left. 

We also noticed that, even though the park has a maximum RV length of 30 feet, there were a large number of sites that would, and WERE holding RV’s much longer than that. The ranger told us that the restriction was there, but they often put larger rigs into the park without a problem.

Another story: When we visited  South Dakota , we stayed at a Angostura State Recreation Area, a huge, beautiful facility on the Angostura Reservoir. The campground offers electric only sites at VERY affordable prices. When I called them on the phone to get some information, I got some surprising news. 

The ranger who I spoke to told me that they did in fact have a few full service sites that were used by the on site camp hosts. Since it was late in the season, some of the hosts had been released and left. So there was a fully paved ADA site with full services and a built in stone fire-pit available if we wanted it. (We wanted it) I think we paid about $25 per night for the site. All because of a phone call. 

The point is this: call the park. ALWAYS. Get first hand information from someone on the ground , who does this every day. You never know what will happen.

You can get most of the information you need for visiting National Parks online or at the park.  If you want all of the information you need in one spot, I highly recommend this book. The pictures are beautiful, and you get a good idea of what there is to do and see!

Let’s take a look at the travel trailer restrictions in National Parks and the RV length restrictions by state .

Gifts For National Park Lovers

Looking to visit all the National Parks within the US? Well, this National Parks Bucket List art is just what you need to track your park road trips!

Each National Park has a camera icon next to the parks name. As you visit these picture-perfect parks, use the included push pins to pin your list within the circle of the camera lens to show you have “captured” that park. Makes a fun way to track and show off your National Park Adventures

I absolutely love these and will be getting one (or two) as soon as I have a wall large enough to fit them on.  The best part is you can get them personalized.  What a gift for all nature loving peeps!

How Do I Measure My Rig for Campgrounds

All of this being said, you still need to find some earmarks to use in selecting sites for your rig. Some people say that they “add a few feet” to the stated rig length so that they always have extra room in their campsite. If you have a smaller rig, feel free. For us with a 38ft rig, I would never do this. It is hard enough to find sites in some parks to fit us so I wouldn’t want to eliminate a 39ft site because I said my rig was 40ft. 

Our recommendation is this: go with the stated length of your rig, which is usually written in the model number of your rig. Then talk to someone in person so you can discuss slides, width, etc. You will almost never go wrong. 

Alaska National Parks RV Camping

Denali National Park RV Sites

Riley creek campground.

• Max Length: 30ft (Standard) 40ft (Premium)
• Price Per Night: $24 (Standard) $30 (Premium) 
• Hookups: No
• Reservations: YES. Start about May 15 depending on weather. Walk In before that. 
• Dump/Fill Station: YES in season. 
• Location:  Very near the Visitors Center, at Park entrance.
• Notes: 127 Sites Walkable to Visitors Center area and amenities. Loads of trails. 

Savage Campground

• Reservations: Reservations not required, but strongly recommended
• Dump/Fill Station: No. Potable water available seasonally
• Location: 13 Miles from the entrance on the Denali Park Road
• Notes: 33 Sites. Awesome views of Denali. Hiking trails. 

Teklanika Campground

• Max Length: 40 ft
• Price Per Night: 
• Reservations: Yes. 
• Dump Station:
• Location:  
• Notes: 53 sites.  Also known as “Tek” this campground requires a 3 night stay and you may not move your vehicle while you are there. There are shuttle passes available but they have weird restrictions for this campground. READ CAREFULLY!

Alaska National Parks With NO RV Camping

• Gastes of the Arctic National Park
• Glacier Bay National Park
• Katmai National Park
• Kenai Fjords National Park
• Wrangell St-Elias National Park
• Lake Clark National Park
• Kobuk Valley National Park

American Samoa

American samoa national parks with no rv camping.

• National Park of American Samoa

Arizona National Parks RV Span Restrictions

Grand Canyon National Park RV Sites

Mather campground:.

• Max Length: 30 ft
• Price Per Night: $18 per night. $50 for group sites. $15 (Dec-Feb)
• Reservations: Yes – up to 6 mos in advance. 
• Dump/ Fill Station: Yes
• Location:  South Rim- within the Grand Canyon Village
• Notes: 319 Sites. Walkable to all amenities of the GC Village. Dec-Feb, open as a walk-in, self pay site. 

Trailer Village:

• Max Length: 50 ft. 
• Price Per Night: Starting at $48 (seasonal) 
• Hookups: Yes (Full Hookups) 
• Reservations: Yes – open year around. 
• Dump/ Fill Station: Yes (Mather Campground) 
• Notes: Paved Sites. This is a concessioner operated campground. 

Desert View Campground:

• Max Length: 30 ft (vehicle AND trailer) 
• Price Per Night: $12 per night. 
• Reservations: No – FCFS
• Dump/ Fill Station:No- 2 water faucets available in the park. Nearest dump station Mather Campground (25 miles) 
• Location:  East Entrance (25 miles to GC Village) 
• Notes: 50 sites. Open mid-April to mid-October. Restrooms with running water (cold only)

North Rim Campground:

• Max Length: None given. 
• Price Per Night: $18-$25 per night. $50 Group Sites
• Reservations: Yes
• Dump/ Fill Station: Yes 
• Location: North Rim
• Notes: 90 Sites. Open May 15 to October 31. 

Arizona National Parks With NO RV Camping

• Petrified Forest National Parks
• Saguaro National Park

Arkansas National Parks RV Length

Hot springs national park, gulpha gorge campground:.

• Max Length: 35 ft. (40 footer has been reported) 
• Price Per Night: $30 Per night
• Hookups: Full Hookups W/E/S
• Reservations: No FCFS Only. 
• Dump Station: Yes
• Location:  NE part of the park, off US Hwy 70B 
• Notes: 44 sites. Open Year around. 

“If we are to have broad-thinking men and women of high mentality, of good physique and with a true perspective on life, we must allow our populace a communion with nature in areas of more or less wilderness condition.” Arthur Carhart Tweet

California National Parks RV Camping

Death valley national park, furnace creek:.

• Max Length: None: “Difficult to maneuver with longer RV’s.” 
• Price Per Night: $16 (Standard) $34 (Hookups) 
• Hookups: 18 Sites have water and electric. 
• Reservations: Yes Oct 15 to Apr 15. FCFS remainder of year. 
• Location: Near the center of the park. 
• Notes: 136 Sites. Open Year Around. 
• Max Length: None
• Price Per Night: $14
• Reservations: No
• Location:  Very near Furnace Creek, in the middle of the campground. 
• Notes: Open late fall thru spring

Texas Springs:

• Max Length: None: “Difficult to maneuver with longer RV’s.”
• Price Per Night: $16
• Notes:  Open late fall thru spring

Stovepipe Wells:

• Location:  30 Minutes northwest of Furnace Springs 
• Notes: 190 Sites. Open all year

Mesquite Spring:

• Location: Northern end of the park. Near Scotty’s Castle. 
• Notes: 30 Sites. 
• Max Length: 25 ft. 
• Price Per Night: Free
• Dump/ Fill Station: No
• Location:  Southwestern edge of the park in the Wildrose Canyon
• Notes: 23 Sites. Open year around. 
• Max Length: 25 ft.
• Location:  Southwestern edge of the park near the Wildrose Canyon
• Notes: 6 Sites. Typically open late spring thru fall.

Mahagony Flat:

• Reservations:
• Dump/ Fill Station:
• Location:   Southwestern edge of the park near the Wildrose Canyon
• Notes: 10 Sites. Typically open late spring thru fall.

Joshua Tree National Park

• Max Length: 35 ft. 
• Price Per Night: $20
• Reservations: Yes- September thru June. Can reserve 6 mos in advance. 
• Location:  Northwest corner of the park. 
• Notes: 100 Sites. Open year around. Also has a horse riding camp. 
• Max Length: 35 Feet Combined length. 
• Price Per Night: $15
• Reservations: No 
• Location: About 5 miles inside the North Entrance to the park off Pinto Basin Road. 
• Notes: 18 Sites. 
• Max Length: 25 Feet
• Location:  About midway between the North and West Entrances, along the Park Boulevard. 
• Notes: 44 SItes
• Max Length: 35 Feet Combined Length
• Reservations: Yes- September thru June
• Dump/ Fill Station: No- Ranger Station has water.
• Location: North side of the park on Indian Cove Road near the Wonderland of Rocks. register at the Ranger Station. 
• Notes: 101 Sites. Open year around. 
• Max Length: 35 Feet
• Reservations: Yes – September thru June
• Location:  About 10 miles inside the North Entrance on the Park Road. 
• Notes: 124 Sites. Open Year around. 
• Max Length: None stated
• Reservations: No except the Equestrian Sites which require reservations
• Location:  About mid-way through the park on the Park Road. Near Ryan Mountain. 
• Notes: 31 Sites (4 Equestrian). Open year around. 
• Max Length: 25 ft
• Location:  About 15 miles inside the North Entrance on the Pinto Basin Road. 
• Notes: 15 Sites. Open year around. 

Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park

Grant grove area (kings canyon).

This section sits apart from the larger KC park, off the NW corner of Sequoia. It is the home of the General Grant Sequoia, the worlds second largest Sequoia. 

• Max Length: Varies by site
• Price Per Night: $18
• Dump/ Fill Station: Nearest at Princess Campground, Hume Station (6 miles) 
• Location:  Grant Grove area. Walkable to General Grant Sequoia Grove. 
• Notes: 110 Sites. Open year around. Bear area. 
• Price Per Night: $18 ($40 Group)
• Reservations: No for indiv. Yes for group. 
• Dump/ Fill Station: Nearest at Princess Campground, Hume Station (6 miles)
• Location:  Grant Grove area. 
• Notes: 36 Sites, (14 Group). Open May through September. Exact dates vary. 
• Max Length: Varies By Site
• Price Per Night: $22 ($40 Group) 
• Location:  Grant Grove area.
• Notes: 157 Sites. (2 Group) 

Cedar Grove Area Campgrounds (Kings Canyon)

The other vehicle accessible area of the park, Cedar Grove is known as the “quieter” part of the park. A pay phone, restaurant, showers, and laundry facilities are available in the Cedar Grove Village, and horseback riding is offered (for a fee) nearby.

• Max Length: Varies by Site. 
• Price Per Night: $22 
• Dump/ Fill Station: NO: Nearest at Princess Campground, Hume Station
• Location:  West Entrance to the larger Kings Canyon Park. 
• Notes: 82 Sites. Open mid-May to mid-November. 
• Max Length: Varies by site. 
• Hookups: No: Nearest at Princess Campground, Hume Station
• Location: West Entrance to the larger Kings Canyon Park.
• Notes: 111 Sites. Open early July to Early September. 
• Max Length: Varies by Site
• Dump/ Fill Station:NO.  Nearest at Princess Campground, Hume Station
• Location:  West Entrance to the larger Kings Canyon Park.
• Notes: 121 Sites. Open Late July through Mid October. 

Lodgepole Area Campgrounds (Sequoia)

The Lodgepole area of Sequoia National Park is in the Northwestern part of the park. 

• Max Length: 42 ft
• Price Per Night: $22
• Reservations: Yes mid May through Mid September. (Strongly recommended) 
• Dump/ Fill Station: Yes. During the summer
• Location:  1/4 mile from Lodgepole Village. 
• Notes: 214 Sites. Loops start closing in the fall and all are closed early December through mid May. 
• Max Length: Any Length
• Price Per Night: $22 ($40-$60 Group) 
• Reservations: Yes July through August (Strongly recommended) 
• Dump/ Fill Station: No. Closest is at Lodgepole. 
• Location:  Midway between Grant Grove and Giant Forest. 
• Notes: 218 sites (4 Group) Campground closes mid Sept through early July

Foothills Campgrounds

• Max Length: 27ft (Larger not advised on the road into the park.) 
• Location: 4 Miles inside the park entrance on the south side of the park. 
• Notes: 42 Sites. Open Year Around

Lassen Volcanic National Park

• Max Length: 35 ft
• Dump/ Fill Station: No Dump. Potable Water acailable
• Location:  Northeast corner of the park. Near Butte Lake, CInder Cone and Prospect Peak
• Notes: 101 Sites. Open early June to late October, weather permitting. 
• Price Per Night: $26
• Hookups: No.
• Reservations: Yes, for 2 loops. 2 loops are FCFS. 
• Dump/ Fill Station: No. Potable water available
• Location: Northwest Corner, 1 mile from the Manzanita Lake Entrance. 
• Notes: 179 sites. Open mid May to snowfall. (Early November) 
• Max Length: 35 feet
• Hookups: No. Potable water available. 
• Reservations: 3 loops reservable. 2 loops FCFS
• Dump/ Fill Station: No. Closest at Manzanita Lake Junction
• Location:  About the center of the park. Midway between Kohm Yah-mah-nee and Manzanita Entrances along the Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway
• Notes: 94 Sites. Open July through September. 
• Max Length: Not Listed. 
• Reservations: 8 Sites Reservable
• Dump/ Fill Station: NO. Potable water available
• Location:  Southeastern corner of the park. Remote. Dirt road entry. 
• Notes: 18 sites. Open June through mid October – weather permitting. 
• Price Per Night: $62 (10-25 people)
• Dump/ Fill Station: No. Closest at Manzanita Lake Campground
• Location:  5 miles south of Manzanita Lake on the main park road.
• Notes: 8 sites. Open mid June through September – weather permitting. 

Pinnacles National Park

• Max Length: Any size. 
• Price Per Night: $40 (electric) $30 (non-electric) 
• Hookups: Yes. 30 amp Electric. Potable water available. 
• Location:  Near the Visitors Center at the East entrance. 
• Notes: 134 Sites. Open year around. Pool (summer) and camp store. 

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite has 9 campgrounds that accept RV’s. The maximum RV span in Yosemite is 40 ft at the Lower Pines Campground.  Check out below for the Yosemite RV length restrictions. 

Yosemite Valley Campgrounds

• Reservations: Yes, all year
• Dump/ Fill Station: Yes (Year around) 
• Location:  Deepest in the Yosemite Valley. Near Curry Village. 
• Notes: 238 Sites. Open year around. 
• Location:  Next to Upper Pines. Near Curry Village. 
• Notes: 60 Sites. Open Mid April through Mid October
• Location:  Just North of the Pines Campgrounds. Near Curry Village. 
• Notes: 81 Sites. Open Mid April to Mid October

South of Yosemite Valley

• Price Per Night: $26 April through September) $18 (off season) 
• Reservations: Yes (April through September) 
• Dump/ Fill Station: Yes (summer only) 
• Location: On the Wawona Road, near Wawona Village. Near the South entrance of the park.  
• Notes: 93 Sites, 2 Horse Sites, 1 Group Site. 
• Max Length: 35 ft.  
• Price Per Night: $18 ($50 Group Sites, $30 Horse Sites) 
• Reservations: Not for regular sites. Required for Group and Horse Sites. 
• Location: About 8 miles up the Glacier Point Road. 
• Notes: 110 Sites. 2 Group Sites. 3 Horse Sites. Open July through September. 

North of Yosemite Valley

• Max Length: 35 Ft
• Price Per Night: $26 
• Reservations: Yes (April through September)
• Location:  Just inside the park at the Big Oak Flat (West) Entrance
• Notes: 105 Sites. Open year around. 
• Location:  Along the Big Oak Flat Road about 30 minutes from Yosemite Valley. 
• Notes: 166 Sites. Open mid July through mid October. 
• Max Length: 27 Ft
• Reservations: No. All sites are FCFS
• Location: Off of the Tioga Road about midway through the park.  
• Notes: 74 Sites. Open July through early September. 
• Price Per Night: $26 ($50 Group) 
• Reservations: Half the sites are reservable as well as the Group sites. 
• Dump/ Fill Station: Yes (Summer only) 
• Location:  On the Tioga Road just a few miles inside the Tioga (East) entrance.
• Notes: 304 Sites. 7 Group sites. 4 Horse sites. 

Redwoods National Park

While Redwoods its self does not have any listed campgrounds, the state of California has state parks interspersed within Redwoods which have 4 RV campgrounds.  

• Max Length: 25 Ft
• Price Per Night: $35
• Reservations: Recommended thru ReserveCalifornia  
• Location: Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, 10 miles east of Crescent City, Calif. on Hwy 199.
• Notes: 86 RV or Tent Sites.  Open year round. 
• Max Length: 28 Ft
• Reservations: Recommended thru ReserveCalifornia
• Dump/ Fill Station: Yes  
• Location: Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, 7 miles south of Crescent City, Calif. on Hwy 101.
• Notes: 145 RV or Tent Sites.  Mid May through September.
• Reservations: Recommended thru ReserveCalifornia
• Dump/ Fill Station: No 
• Location:  Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, 6 miles north of Orick, Calif. on the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway.
• Notes: 75 Sites. Open all year. 
• Max Length: 24 Ft RV (no trailers) 
• Location: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, 10 miles north of Orick, Calif. on Davison Road (unpaved, no trailers).
• Notes: 26 Sites. Open All Year (subject to funding- call ahead) 

California National Parks With NO RV Camping

• Channel Islands National Park

“It’s a Colorado Rocky Mountain High, I’ve seen it raining fire from the sky. Talk to God and listen to the casual reply. Rocky Mountain High, Colorado.” John Denver Tweet

Colorado National Parks RV Size Restrictions

Colorado has 3 National Parks that offer RV camping. 

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison

• Max Length: 55 ft
• Price Per Night: $16 (Standard) $22 (Electric Loop B Only) 
• Hookups: Yes. Loop B has 23 Electric hookups (summer only) 
• Reservations: Some sites (Loops A and B) are reservable ($3 Fee) in summer. Most are FCFS. 
• Dump/ Fill Station: No.  Potable water is available in summer only.
• Location:  Just inside the park on the South Entrance. Easy access to South Rim
• Notes: 56 Sites. Open year around.
• Max Length: 22 ft
• Price Per Night: $16 in summer. Spring and fall free. 
• Hookups: No. 
• Reservations: No. All sites are FCFS. 
• Dump/ Fill Station: No. Potable water is available in summer. 
• Location:  North side of the park. Access from the town of Crawford on Black Canyon Road. 
• Notes: 13 Sites. Open April to mid November
• Max Length: 22 ft. No larger vehicles are allowed on the road in. 
• Dump/ Fill Station: No. 
• Location:  South East corner of the park. Use the South Rim Entrance and turn onto the East Portal Road. follow for 5 miles. 
• Notes: 15 Sites. Open May to mid October. 

Mesa Verde National Park

• Price Per Night: $15 
• Hookups: Yes, 15 Sites with full hookups. 
• Location:  North side of the park 4 miles inside the entrance. 
• Notes: 267 Sites. Open mid April to mid October. 

Rocky Mountain National Park

• Hookups: No. Potable water is available in summer. 
• Dump/ Fill Station: No. Potable water available in summer. 
• Location:  East side of the park at the Fall River Entrance
• Notes: 52 Sites. Open May to September (weather dependent). 
• Reservations: Yes. Highly recommended. 
• Dump/ Fill Station: Yes. Summer only. 
• Location:  About half way down the Bear Lake Road. Use the Beaver Meadows Entrance.
• Notes: 75 RV Sites. Open May through September weather dependent. 
• Max Length: 40 ft.
• Price Per Night: $26 ($18 Winter) 
• Dump/ Fill Station: Yes (seasonal) Potable water available year around. 
• Location: Off the Bear Lake Road near the Beaver Meadows Entrance. 
• Notes: 244 Sites. Open year around (64 sites open in winter FCFS) 
• Max Length: 30 ft. 
• Reservations: No. All Sites are FCFS
• Dump/ Fill Station: Yes. 
• Location:  West side of the park. 8 miles north of the Grand Lake Entrance. 
• Notes: 98 Sites. Open May to October (weather dependent). 

Great Sand Dunes National Park

• Hookups: No. Water is available. 
• Reservations: Yes (May through Sept) 
• Dump/ Fill Station: Yes. Nearby 
• Location:  88 sites. Open April  through October. 

“The more civilized man becomes, the more he needs and craves a great background of forest wildness, to which he may return like a contrite prodigal from the husks of an artificial life.” Ellen Burns Sherman Tweet

Florida National Parks RV Length

Everglades national park.

• Max Length: 45 ft
• Price Per Night:  $25 ($35 Group) 
• Dump/ Fill Station: Yes. Potable water available
• Location:  Just inside the park near Homestead FL along Road 9338
• Notes: 73 Sites. Closed summer (Opens November) 
• Max Length: 45
• Price Per Night: 45 electric. 25
• Hookups: Yes. Electrical only. (41) 
• Dump/ Fill Station: Yes. Potable water available. 
• Location:  At the end of Road 9338 
• Notes: 65 Sites. Open year around. 

Florida National Parks with NO RV Camping

• Biscayne National Parks
• Dry Tortugas National Park

Hawaii National Parks with NO RV Camping

• Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
• Haleakalā National Park

Indiana National Parks RV Measurement Maximums

Indiana dunes national park..

• Max Length: No stated length
• Price Per Night: $25 
• Hookups: No (potable water is available
• Reservations: Yes   
• Dump/ Fill Station: No (Potable Water  is available)
• Location:  Northern section of the park, near Beverly Shores RR Station
• Notes: 54 Sites Open April through October

Kentucky National Parks Maximum RV Spans Allowed

Mammoth Cave National Park.

• Max Length: 38 ft
• Price Per Night: $20. ($25 Group) 
• Reservations: Yes (52 Sites) (May 1 to October 15)  
• Dump/ Fill Station: Yes (Seasonal) Potable Water available (seasonal) 
• Location: Near the Visitors Center and Main Entrance to the caves. 
• Notes: 111 Sites (4 Group) 
• Max Length: 40 ft. 
• Price Per Night: $25 ($35 Group)
• Hookups: 2 Electrical/Water  (Horse) Sites 
• Dump/ Fill Station: No. Potable water is available. 
• Location:  North side of the park 6 miles from the Visitors Center. 
• Notes: 6 Sites 4 Horse Sites (2 electric) 

Maine National Parks Maximum RV Dimensions

Acadia national park.

• Max Length: 
• Price Per Night: $30 ($60 Group) 
• Location:  About 5 miles south of Bar Harbor. 
• Notes: 306 Sites. Open early May through mid October. 
• Location: Southern end of the park. 4 miles south of Southwest Harbor on Rte 102A. 
• Notes: 214 Sites. Open mid May through September. 
• Price Per Night: $36 Electric ($40 Electric and Water) $60 Group
• Hookups: Yes
• Dump/ Fill Station: 
• Location:  Schoodic Peninsula 3 miles Southeast of Winter Harbor. 
• Notes: 90 Sites. (2 Group) Open Late May to Early October

Michigan National Parks with NO RV Camping

• Isle Royale National Park

Minnesota National Parks with NO RV Camping

• Voyageurs National Park

Missouri National Parks with NO RV Camping

• Gateway Arch National Park

Montana National Parks RV Length

Glacier National Park

• Location:  Just inside the West Entrance to the park, near Apgar Village. 
• Notes: 194 Sites. Open Year around
• Max Length: 26 Ft.
• Location: Along the Going To The Sun road, about 16 miles inside the West Entrance.
• Notes: 50 Sites for RV’s. Open mid-June to mid-September
• Price Per Night: $23
• Location:  About 2.5 miles inside the West Entrance of the park off the Camas Road on the western shore of Lake McDonald. 
• Notes: 18 sites accommodate RV’s. Open June through August
• Location: Eastern side of the park.  About 11 miles from the town of Babb on Rte 3. 
• Notes: 13 Sites for RV’s. Open mid-May to mid-October. 
• Max Length: 25
• Hookups: No 
• Location: East side of the park, about 7 miles from the St. Mary entrance. 
• Notes: 10 sites for RV’s. Open mid-June to mid-September. 
• Max Length: None given – no towed vehicles are allowed. 
• Location: About 9 miles inside the West Entrance, along the Going to The Sun Road. On the shore of Lake McDonald.  
• Notes: 25 Sites. Open mid-May to mid-September
• Max Length: 40 ft (3 sites) 35 ft (22 sites)  
• Price Per Night: $23 summer- decreasing off season (FREE Nov to mid-April) 
• Location:  Half a mile into the park at the St. Mary’s Entrance. 
• Notes: 148 Sites. Open Year around. 
• Max Length: 35 (10 sites) 
• Location: Southeastern part of the park, 13 miles west of East Glacier. Between the Two Medicine Lakes. 
• Notes: 100 sites. Open June thru mid-October

Nevada National Parks RV Lengthiness Maximums

• Max Length: “Difficult to maneuver larger RV’s”
• Price Per Night: $22  ($36 water and elec) 
• Hookups: Yes (18 sites have water and 50 amp) 
• Reservations: Yes (Oct through April) Rest of the year is FCFS
• Location: Eastern part of the park, near the Furnace Creek Ranch
• Notes: 136 sites. Open year-round
• Max Length: No Limit
• Hookups: No. (Water is available) 
• Reservations: No. All sites FCFS
• Notes: 270 sites. Open late fall through spring. 
• Max Length: “Difficult to maneuver larger RV’s”
• Hookups: No (water is available) 
• Location:  Eastern part of the park, near the Furnace Creek Ranch
• Notes: 92 Sites. Open Year-round. 
• Location:  About midway through the park off Hwy 190
• Notes:  190 Sites. Open Year-round
• Location:  NE part of the park, near Grapevine off Scotty’s Castle Road
• Notes: 30 sites. Open year-round
• Max Length: 25 feet
• Price Per Night: FREE
• Location: SW part of the park. Where Emigrant Canyon Road meets Charcoal Kilns Road
• Notes: 23 sites. Open year-round (Some snow closures to road in winter) 
• Max Length: 25 feet (high clearance only) 
• Location: SE part of the park, off Charcoal Kilns Road 
• Notes: 6 sites. Open late spring through fall weather permitting. 
• Max Length: 25 feet (high clearance only)
• Location:  SE part of the park, off Charcoal Kilns Road
• Notes: 10 sites. Open late spring through fall weather permitting.

Nevada National Parks with NO RV Camping

• Great Basin National Park

New Mexico National Parks With NO RV Camping

• Carlsbad Caverns National Park
• White Sands National Park

“National parks and reserves are an integral aspect of intelligent use of natural resources. It is the course of wisdom to set aside an ample portion of our natural resources as national parks and reserves, thus ensuring that future generations may know the majesty of the earth as we know it today.” John F. Kennedy Tweet

North Carolina National Parks RV Size Restrictions

Great smoky mountains national park (nc campgrounds).

These are North Carolina campgrounds. For Tennessee campgrounds, see the Tennessee section. 

• Max Length: 26 ft
• Price Per Night: $17
• Reservations: No (Group sites available and reservable) 
• Location:  The campground is just inside the Deep Creek entrance, near the Visitors Center. Near Bryson City, NC
• Notes: 92 sites. Open late May to Late October
• Max Length: 40 ft (motorhomes) 35 ft (trailers) 
• Price Per Night: $20 mid May through October ($17 rest of year) 
• Location:  Southern part of the park, about 3 miles inside the Oconaluftee Entrance
• Notes: 142 sites. Open Year around
• Max Length: 32 ft (motorhome) 25 ft (trailers)  
• Price Per Night: $27
• Reservations: Yes (required) 
• Location:  Eastern end of the park. Quite remote. Chataloochie Entrance Road in is a narrow, windy mountain road. Partially dirt. 
• Notes: 27 sites. Open mid June through October. 
• Max Length:  30 ft
• Price Per Night: $17.50
• Location:  Southeastern part of the park. Just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. 
• Notes: 46 sites. Open late May to mid-October

North Dakota National Parks RV Length

Theodore roosevelt national park.

• Price Per Night: $14 ($30 Group) 
• Reservations: Yes (37 sites- rest are FCFS) 
• Dump/ Fill Station: No (potable water is available in season) 
• Location:  About 4 miles inside the South Unit Entrance 
• Notes: 72 sites. Open year-round. 
• Reservations: No (Group site YES) 
• Dump/ Fill Station: Yes (seasonal) 
• Location:  5 miles inside the North Unit Entrance (off 85)  
• Notes: 50 sites. Open year-round.

Ohio National Parks With NO RV Camping

•  Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Oregon National Parks RV Measurements

Crater Lake National Park

• Max Length:  50 ft (Motorhome) 35 ft (trailer) 
• Price Per Night: $43 (full hookup) $36 (elec) $31 (dry) 
• Hookups: Yes – FHU available. 
• Reservations: Yes (some sites are FCFS) 
• Location: Just inside the South Entrance to the park. 
• Notes: 214 sites. Open mid-June through September. 

South Carolina

South carolina national parks with no rv camping.

•  Congaree National Park

South Dakota National Park RV Size Limit

Badlands national park.

• Max Length: None Given
• Price Per Night: $22 ($37 with elec) 
• Hookups: Some electric sites available
• Dump/ Fill Station: Yes ($1 fee) 
• Location:  Eastern end of the park.  Just inside the Interior Entrance to the park. 
• Notes: 96 sites (4 Group sites) . Open year-round. (Limited sites November through March) 
• Max Length: RV’s 18 ft max. (Horse Trailers OK) 
• Dump/ Fill Station: No Potable water available near the Pinnacles Entrance
• Location:  Northwestern corner of the park, Off the Sage Creek Rim Road. 12 Miles inside the Pinnacles Entrance  
• Notes: 25 sites. Open year-round. Some weather closures expected. 

Wind Cave National Park

• Price Per Night: $18 ($9 off season) 
• Reservations: No (2 Group sites are reservable) 
• Dump/ Fill Station: No. Potable water available in season (late spring to early fall) 
• Location:  Just a few miles inside the southern entrance to the park. Right near the Visitors Center 
• Notes: 48 RV sites. Open year-round

Tennessee National Parks Allowable RV Span

Great Smoky Mountains National Park (TENN)

These are Tennessee campgrounds. For North Carolina campgrounds, see the North Carolina section.

• Max Length: 40 ft (motorhomes) 35 ft (trailers)
• Price Per Night: $17 – $20
• Location:  West end of the park, about 9 miles inside the Townsend (TN) Entrance. At the beginning of the Codes Cove Loop road. 
• Notes: 159 sites. Open Year around
• Max Length: 35 ft (motorhome) 32 ft (trailer) 
• Price Per Night: $
• Location:  About 8 miles into the park from the Sugarland Entrance (Gatlinburg)  
• Notes: 220 sites. Open year-round. 
• Location:  Northeast part of the park. About 4 miles south of the town of Cosby, off HWY 321/32.
• Notes: 157 sites. Open April through October
• Max Length: 12 ft
• Reservations: Yes- required
• Location:  Far eastern end of the park, off HWY 129. Remote campground on Abrams Creek. 
• Notes: 16 sites. Open mid-April to mid-October

Texas National Parks RV Sizes

Big Bend National Park

• Max Length: 40 ft 
• Price Per Night: $33
• Hookups: Yes Full Hookups
• Reservations: Yes (5 sites FCFS)
• Dump/ Fill Station: No – nearby at Rio Grande Village Campground
• Location:  Far eastern part of the park near Rio Grande Village. 
• Notes: 25 sites. Open year-round
• Reservations: 43 sites are reservable mid-November to mid-April. Group sites must be reserved. 
• Dump/ Fill Station: In the nearby village
• Location:  Far eastern part of the park near Rio Grande Village.   
• Notes: 100 sites. (4 Group sites) Open year-round
• Reservations: No (Group site must be reserved) 
• Location: West side of the park, near Castolon.    
• Notes: 24 sites. (1 group site) Open year-around.
• Max Length: 24 ft (20 ft trailers)  
• Reservations: Yes. 26 sites are reservable mid November through May. 
• Location: Middle of the park near the Chisos Basin Visitors Center  
• Notes: 60 sites (7 group sites) 

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

• Reservations: No (Group sites DO require reservations) 
• Location:  Southeastern part of the Park. Near the Pine Springs Visitors Center
• Notes: 20 sites (2 Group) 
• Reservations: No (Group sites DO require reservations)
• Location:   Just inside the North Entrance of the park.
• Notes: 4 sites (1 group site) 

US Virgin Islands

Us virgin islands national parks with no rv camping.

• Virgin Islands National Park

Utah National Parks Allowable RV Measurements

Arches National Park

• Price Per Night: $25
• Hookups: No. (Potable water is available.)
• Reservations: Yes- book well in advance March through October. FCFS the rest of the year. 
• Location: 18 miles into the park. At the end of the park road.   
• Notes: 51 sites. (2 group sites) Open year-round. 

Bryce Canyon National Park

• Price Per Night: $30
• Hookups: No (Potable water is available)
• Dump/ Fill Station: Yes in season. 
• Location:  Near the main entrance to the park.  
• Notes: 99 sites. Open year-round
• Reservations: During peak season (mid May through mid October.)
• Dump/ Fill Station: Yes – near the North Campground
• Location:   About 2 miles into the park. Near Sunset Point Overlook
• Notes: 100 sites. Open mid-April through October.

Canyonlands National Park

• Max Length: 28 ft
• Reservations: No. All sites are FCFS 
• Location: About 7 miles inside the park. Off the Upheaval Dome Rd. 
• Notes: 12 sites. Open Year-round
• Max Length: 28
• Price Per Night: $20 ($90+ Group) 
• Hookups: No. Water available in season. 
• Reservations: 12 sites reservable March 15 to June 30 and September 1 through October 31. Other times it is FCFS
• Location:  About a mile past the Needles Visitors Center just off UT211. 
• Notes: 29 sites. (3 group sites) Open year-round. 

Capitol Reef National Park

• Max Length: 50 ft.
• Reservations: Yes. March through October. 
• Location:  Midway through the park, in the historic town if Fruita. 
• Notes: 71 sites. Open year-round
• Max Length: None given, however the roads in are very rough.  
• Location:  At the far north end of the park, about halfway through the Cathedral Loop Rd.  
• Notes: 6 sites. Open year-round
• Max Length: None given, however the roads in are very rough.  
• Location:  23 miles south of UT 24 on the Notom-Bullfrog Road.  
• Notes: 5 sites. Open year-round

Zion National Park

• Price Per Night: $20 ($50 Group) 
• Location:  Just inside the South Entrance 
• Notes: 117 sites. (4 group sites)  Open
• Price Per Night: $30 (group sites from $50 -$130)
• Hookups: Yes (Electric) 
• Reservations: Yes (March through November) 
• Location:  Just inside the South Entrance to the park. 
• Notes: 190 sites. (7 group sites) Open year-round
• Max Length: 19 ft 
• Location: Far northern part of the park, off the Kolob Terrace Road, 25 miles north of Virgin,UT.   
• Notes: 6 sites.  Open May through September (weather permitting) 

Virginia National Parks RV Spans

Shenandoah national park.

• Max Length: No limit.
• Reservations: Yes. FCFS sites also available. 
• Location:   Northern end of the park, at mile 22.1 of Skyline Drive
• Notes:163 sites. Open Spring through Fall
• Max Length: No limit
• Reservations: Yes in summer. FCFS spring and fall. 
• Location:   Mile 51.2 of the Skyline Drive
• Notes: 231 sites. Open Spring through Fall
• Max Length: No Limit Given
• Reservations: No All sites are FCFS
• Location:   Mile 57.5 of Skyline Drive
• Notes: 31 sites. Open Spring through Fall
• Reservations: Yes in summer. FCFS spring and fall.
• Location:   Mile 79.5 of Skyline Drive
• Notes: 207 sites. Open Spring through Fall

“In wilderness I sense the miracle of life, and behind it our scientific accomplishments fade to trivia.” Charles A. Lindbergh Tweet

Washington National Parks RV Length Limit

Mount rainier national park.

• Max Length: 35 ft (27 ft trailer) 
• Hookups: No – Potable water is available. 
• Reservations: Yes. Mid June to mid September.
• Location: SW section of the park. About 8 miles inside the Nisqually Entrance.
• Notes: 173 sites. Open mid May through Mid October
• Max Length: 32 ft (72 ft trailer)  
• Location:  SE area of the park. Just inside the Ohanapecosh Entrance on HWY 123.  
• Notes:188 sites. Open mid-May to mid-June
• Max Length: 27 ft. (18 ft trailer)  
• Hookups: No- Potable water is available. 
• Location:   NE section of the park. 10 miles from Sunrise, off HWY 410. 
• Notes:112 sites.

North Cascades National Park

• Max Length: “Small” RV’s
• Reservations: No- all sites FCFS (Group Camps YES) 
• Dump/ Fill Station: No- Potable water available in season (June through September)
• Location: Located south of SR 20 at mile post 119. 13 miles east of Marblemount  
• Notes:19 sites. Open Year-round (2 large Group Camp sites)
• Reservations: Yes (Late May through Early September) May have FCFS sites available outside the season. 
• Dump/ Fill Station: Yes. Potable water available in season. 
• Location:  Located south of SR 20 at mile post 120. 14 miles east of Marblemount
• Notes: 107 Sites. (2 Group sites)  Open May through September (weather permitting) 
• Max Length: “Small” RV’s. 
• Reservations: Yes (Late May through Early September) May have FCFS sites available outside the season.
• Dump/ Fill Station: Yes (North Loop) 
• Location: Located off of SR 20 at mile post 130. 25 miles east of Marblemount   
• Notes: 135 Sites. Open May Through September
• Max Length: “Very Small” RV’s. (Mostly a tent/car campground) 
• Price Per Night: $10
• Reservations: Yes (Late May through early Sept) FCFS rest of year.
• Location: Just outside the town of Diablo on HWY 20.  
• Notes: 8 Sites. Open year-round. 
• Location:  Just inside the USA border, accessible only through Canada. Located 40 miles south of Hope, B.C. on Silver/Skagit Rd.
• Notes: 75 Sites. Open year around. (Walk in only November to mid-May) 

Olympic National Park

• Max Length: 21 Feet. 
• Reservations: No (Potable water available.) 
• Dump/ Fill Station: Yes ($10 per use) 
• Location:  Northern part of the park, off HWY 101. On the shores of Crescent Lake.  
• Notes: 88 Sites. Open late April through September
• Location:  Northern part of the park. ABout 2 miles inside the Visitors Center near the town of Port Angeles.  
• Notes: 105 Sites. Open year-round. (Walk in access only during heavy snowfall) 
• Hookups: No (water available) 
• Dump/ Fill Station: No (potable water is available) 
• Location:   Deep into the rainforest on the western part of the park. Take Upper Hoh Road from HWY 101 about 20 miles. 
• Notes: 78 Sites. Open year-round. 
• Hookups: No (potable water is available) 
• Reservations: Yes (Mid May to mid September) FCFS rest of year
• Dump/ Fill Station: Yes ($10) 
• Location:  Extreme western edge of the park along the Pacific Ocean. Just off HWY 101
• Notes: 170 Sites. Open year-round
• Reservations: Yes (mid June to Mid September) FCFS rest of year
• Location: Northwestern corner of the park. Just a few miles from Rialto Beach. 
• Notes: 94 Sites. Open year-round
• Max Length: 21 Feet
• Dump/ Fill Station: No (Potable water available) 
• Location: Northwestern Part of the park. On the shores of Lake Ozette.    
• Notes: 15 Sites. Open year-round. 
• Price Per Night: $24 (reserved) $21 (walk in) 
• Dump/ Fill Station: Yes ($10)
• Location:  Northern central part of the park. About 15 miles off HWY 101. 
• Notes: 82 Sites. Open late March through October. 
• Location:  On the Pacific Ocean 3 miles south of Kalaloch Lodge. 
• Notes: 15 Sites. Open Mid May through mid September
• Price Per Night: $29
• Dump/ Fill Station: No (Potable water available in season) 
• Location:  Southeastern part of the park. Near the Staircase Ranger Station. 
• Notes: 49 Sites. open year-round. 

Wyoming National Parks RV Dimensions Allowable

Grand Teton National Park

• Max Length: 45 Feet (RV) 35 feet (trailer) 
• Price Per Night: $32 ($31 Group) 
• Reservations: Group Sites Only. 
• Dump/ Fill Station: Yes (in Season) 
• Location:   North Central part of the park. Just off HWY 89 near Jackson Lake. 
• Notes: 346 (11 Group)  Open Year-round. 
• Max Length: 45 feet (RV) 35 feet (trailer) 
• Price Per Night: $73 to $83
• Reservations: Yes (all sites – book early) 
• Location:  North Central part of the park. Just off HWY 89 near Jackson Lake.  
• Notes: 112 Sites. Open Year-round.
• Max Length: 45 feet (RV) 30 feet (trailer) 
• Price Per Night: $30 to $55 (electric)
• Hookups: Yes (36 sites have electric) 
• Reservations: 5 sites are reservable  (rest FCFS) 
• Location: Southeastern part of the park. About 11 miles north of Jackson, on the  Gros Ventre Road  
• Notes: 300 sites, Open year-round
• Max Length: 45 feet (RV) $35 (trailer) 
• Price Per Night: $75
• Hookups: Yes full hookups on all sites.
• Location:  Extreme northern part of the park, near the South Entrance to Yellowstone National Park.  
• Notes: 97 RV sites. (Open year-round) 
• Max Length: 30 feet (RV) 20 Feet (Trailer) 
• Hookups: No- no potable water
• Reservations: No- all sites FCFS
• Dump/ Fill Station: No- No potable water. 
• Location:  Northern part of the park- near Jackson Lake. Just off HWY 89
• Notes: 60 Sites. Open year-round
• Max Length: 30 feet (RV) 20 feet (Trailer) 
• Price Per Night: $33 to $55 (electric) 
• Hookups: Yes (25 sites have electric) 
• Reservations: No – all sites FCFS
• Location:  Central area of the park. SE corner of Jackson Lake, off  Teton Park Road
• Notes: 81 sites. Open year-round

Yellowstone National Park

• Max Length: 40 feet combined length (limited sites) 
• Price Per Night: $27 
• Reservations: Yes – all sites reservable – book early
• Location:  Southern part of the park, north side of Yellowstone Lake, just off the Grand Loop Road.  
• Notes: 432 sites (4 group) Open mid May through mid September- weather permitting
• Price Per Night: $32
• Reservations: Yes – all sites reservable-Book early
• Dump/ Fill Station: Yes (seasonal)
• Location: Off the Grand Loop Road near Canyon Village  
• Notes:273 sites. Open mid May through mid September- weather dictates open/close dates. 
• Price Per Night: $79
• Hookups: Yes – all sites have full hookups. 
• Reservations: Yes – all sites reservable
• Dump/ Fill Station: Yes -seasonal
• Location:  North side of Yellowstone Lake where East Entrance Road meets the Grand Loop Road.  
• Notes: 340 sites. 
• Dump/ Fill Station: Yes – seasonal
• Location: Western side of Yellowstone Lake on the South Entrance Road near West Thumb  
• Notes: 430 sites (8 Group) Open early June to mid September.- weather dictates open/close dates.  
• Max Length: 40 feet combined length (limited sites)
• Hookups: No (potable water is available in season) 
• Dump/ Fill Station: No – potable water is available in season. 
• Location:  Northern part of the park – on the Grand Loop between Norris and Mammoth. 
• Notes: 70 sites. Open mid June to mid September – weather dictates open/close dates. 
• Hookups: No- potable water is available in season
• Dump/ Fill Station: No- potable water is available in season
• Location:  Southern part of the park between the South Entrance and West Thumb
• Notes: 85 sites. Open Mid June to Late Oct. weather permitting. 
• Max Length: 30
• Reservations: Yes -all sites are reservable. 
• Location:  On the Grand Loop Road where it meets the West Entrance Road.  
• Notes: 278 sites. (3 Group sites) Open late April through mid October. weather dictates open/close dates. 
• Max Length: 30 feet
• Reservations: Yes- all sites reservable. 
• Location: Northern part of the park. On the Grand Loop Road where it meets the North Entrance Road  
• Notes: 85 sites. Open year-round. 
• Max Length: 50 feet
• Hookups: No- potable water seasonally
• Reservations:No- all sites FCFS
• Dump/ Fill Station: No- potable water seasonally
• Location: Western part of the park, on the Grand Loop Road just north of Norris Junction. 
• Notes: 111 sites. Open mid May through September- weather dictates. 
• Max Length: None given- “some long pull-thru’s.” 
• Hookups: No- potable water available in season. 
• Dump/ Fill Station: No- potable water available in season. 
• Location:  Northeast part of the park, on the Northeast Entrance Road.  
• Notes: 27 sites. Open mid June through September- weather dictates. 
• Hookups: No- potable water available in season.
• Dump/ Fill Station: No- potable water available in season.
• Location: Located 5.5 miles (8.8 km) east of Tower-Roosevelt Junction, 2 miles down a dirt road.
• Notes: 16 sites. Open mid June to mid October
• Max Length: 30 Feet
• Reservations: No- all sites are FCFS
• Location: Northern part of the park, off the Grand Loop Road 3 miles south of Tower Junction. 
• Notes:31 sites. Open early June through early September- weather dictates. 

(1) KOA, 2019 North American Camper Report, https://koa.com/north-american-camping-report/

(2)Allstays, Overnight Parking, https://www.allstays.com/c/camping-overnight-rv-parking.htm

Frank Foley

Frank is the Head Hubby, Daddy, and Fix-It Guy of the Roving Foleys clan. He ia an avid traveler and has spent over 5 years traveling full time with his family. he loves helping others learn about the RV life. He has also traveled in Europe, Asia, and Australia with his wife Grainne.

24 thoughts on “2024 Ultimate Guide To National Parks RV Length (Huge Time Saver!)”

It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d without a doubt donate to this fantastic blog! I suppose for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to brand new updates and will talk about this blog with my Facebook group. Chat soon!

Thanks a ton for the vote of confidence!

Hi! Question about trailers. Is Max length for the combined length of a trailer and the truck towing the trailer? Or just the trailer? Thank you!

Great question Julie. As a general rule, the Max Length is for just the RV parked in the site. In other words a 30ft trailer is the same as a 30ft motorhome. That being said, ALWAYS call the park while planning and double check. You would think there would be a consistent dimension protocol throughout the NPS but there is not. Each park has it’s own way. Besides that- talking to a real person will almost always be worth the effort- no telling what you will find out- details that you would never see on the park page. We once stayed a couple of weeks at Angostura Reservoir in South Dakota (near Mt Rushmore and Custer State Park .) . It is a State Recreation Area with several campgrounds- all of which are “electric only.” Normally we would not have stayed there but I called to talk to them and found out that, since it was late in the season, some of the Camp Host sites had been vacated. The site we got was full hookup, AND was an ADA site. This meant it was fully paved and included a built in fire pit. One of the nicest site we ever had.

Thanks for this fantastic information! I am a beginner in the research phase (have never camped yet) so this may be a dumb question but.. With regards to maximum length, you mention “standard”, “premium”, and “combined”. Can you explain exactly what this means? Thanks.

The terms “Standard” and “Premium” usually refer to the size of the site, or the amenities available. Since there are no consistent description rules about sites throughout the NPS (each park writes it’s own language) I would recommend always contacting the park in question directly to make sure you have a clear understanding.

The term “combined” usually refers to an RV and tow (or towed) vehicle. In other words the total combined length of your entire rig. Again -double check with the park directly.

It would be nice if the state where each park is located were included.

HI Norman, Not sure I am following- the article is organized by state- alphabetically.

We are planning our retirement way ahead and looking to get a 39 ft Class A Toy Hauler for an ATV (or two) while pulling a 21 to 25 ft boat. Do you have a list of parks with trails for riding ATVs and/or campsites with boating?

We have not done a list for those specifically, however, the NPS does have a page listing parks for watersports: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/watersports/visit.htm For the ATV trails- I do know if there is a page specifically for that, but you can try the “Search By Activity” page and may be able to search. https://www.nps.gov/findapark/advanced-search.htm?a=8&p=1&v=0

This is such a comprehensive list. Thank you for taking the time to put in so much work for all this information.

Awww so glad you enjoyed it Tonya, thanks for stopping by.

Hello, just wanted to mention, I loved this blog post. It was helpful. Keep on posting!

Redwood National Park does have 3 camogrounds with RV camping. It is the only national park co-administered by the state parks, so the campgrounds are listed on the California State Park website.

Jedediah Smith Redwoods SP Del Norte Redwoods SP (Mill Creek Campground) Prairie Creek SP

RV max length is 25′ and trailer is 21′ feet for Jed Smith.

Thanks for the heads up- UPDATED.

I am a bit confused on whether to include the length of the tow vehicle or not. In one place you mention that the Restriction applies to Length of RV + Tow Vehicle, but in a comment you mention that MaxLength only applies to the Length of the RV. Which one is it?

I believe the mention of both RV and tow vehicle was about the term “combined” length. It is a bit confusing and you can believe me, it was frustrating trying to find consistency in putting this article together. The NPS does not seem to use any kind of consistent terminology so what I did here was to be as consistent as possible, and tell people to ALWAYS double check with the park you want to stay at. You will get better specific information that way.

However, for purposes of the article, if there is ONLY one MAX Length mentioned- it is for the RV. On some there are 2 lengths- one for RV’s (drivable) and one for trailers (TT and 5ers). Obviously that does not include the tow vehicle since the trailer lengths are always shorter. On others they actually give a “Combined” length which obviously includes both. I hope that helps, but really… CALL THE PARK!

Hello, Great article and reference information! We are a family of 6 considering our very first RV trip so forgive my newbie question. Do the restrictions only apply if you are staying in the park or does it also apply to visiting? For instance, can we drive a 32 foot long RV into a park that can only accommodate 27 foot long RV’s as long as we drive out before the end of the day? Thanks, Jon

The length restrictions we mention in the article apply to campsites, so only if you are staying. Just double check that the park has day parking that will accommodate you. Most do, but always check.

The topic of travel is very much in demand! Traveling is a great joy for every person! Thanks for the article!I agree with this information! Everything is great! The article helped me!

Thanks, hope it was helpful!

Planning ahead as buying our 35′ Pace Arrow next week. When towing car exceeds length is there room on campsite park or even on campground property? Thanks for all your efforts.

Many times yes, just call ahead and check. Usually there will be a parking area nearby.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO WRITE ALL OF THIS INFOMATION. WE JUST PURCHASED A MOTORHOME AND DON’T KNOW ALL OF THE IN’S AND OUT’S YET, SO THANK YOU AGAIN, MUCH APPRICIATED.

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The Best National Parks for RV Camping in 2022

For many Americans, 2020 fast became The Year of the RV Road Trip . Now, in 2022, recreational vehicles are more popular than ever before. Whether you’re a first-time RV buyer or a seasoned veteran, visiting the U.S. National Parks is a quintessential part of owning your own camper. But with more than 400 “units” in the National Park Service (NPS) system, how do you choose where to go next? These are the best National Parks in Spring for RV camping.

Joshua Tree National Park

Grand canyon national park, yosemite national park, kings canyon national park, great smoky mountains national park, yellowstone national park, wrangell-st. elias national park.

Few National Parks boast the mythical and mystical quality of Joshua Tree. Massive boulder piles, bleached sand dunes, and Dr. Seussian yucca forests spread across hundreds of square miles of desert are an otherworldly sight to behold. The good news for RVers is that the majority of campgrounds near the park are RV-friendly. The key is to call ahead to confirm any maximum length restrictions before you arrive. Like many National Parks in the Western United States, there are plenty of free dispersed camping options on BLM land nearby.

Although it’s “only” the sixth most popular park in the NPS system, Grand Canyon National Park is arguably the most iconic. The views from virtually any roadside pull-out are nothing short of spectacular. Wide roads around the park also make for easy driving, especially for novice RV owners. There are just four developed campgrounds inside the park. But if you’re looking for creature comforts, Trailer Village is the only option with full RV hookups.

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It’s California’s most iconic National Park, and with good reason. There are countless opportunities for hiking , world-class rock climbing, wildlife spotting, and nature photography, especially during the park’s exclusive annual Firefall event. There is, in fact, so much to see here that we recommend setting up your RV at a campground inside the park to experience as much as possible. Fortunately, there are a large number of campgrounds within the park boundaries. However, take note that none offer RV hookups. Tuolumne Meadows Campground is among the best options, but spaces fill up fast.

This “little brother” to Yosemite has many of the same features — fantastic mountain views, pristine rivers, and groves of towering Sequoias — but with one-tenth of the visitors. For RVers who appreciate a little more solitude, this is a true not-so-hidden gem among California’s National Parks . It’s also a fantastic place for hiking , horseback riding, and spotting wildlife, including bears (don’t forget the bear spray !), cougars, rattlesnakes, and more. Plus, it’s easy to notch a two-for in your National Parks passport with Sequoia National Park immediately adjacent.

Tennessee and North Carolina

This monster of the National Park system attracts more than 12 million visitors every year. That’s more than the next three most popular parks combined. With borders that stretch from Tennessee to North Carolina, there’s plenty of room and reasons for RVers to explore. Visitors will find opportunities for everything from history and auto tours to waterfall hikes and wildlife-watching. For campers, there are no less than ten campgrounds inside the park. However, only half of those accommodate RVs and are without hookups, so plan accordingly.

Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho

If there’s one park that ties Grand Canyon for “flagship” status among all U.S. National Parks , it has to be Yellowstone. It’s a massive expanse spread across 3,500 square miles — almost three times the size of Rhode Island. RV campers can spend weeks exploring here and never get bored. Beyond the iconic Old Faithful geyser, Yellowstone is home to four mountain ranges, numerous waterfalls, and more than 60 mammal species, including bison, timber wolves, lynxes, and grizzly bears.

For RVers looking to escape the maddening crowds, Alaska is home to the four largest parks in the National Park Service system. None holds a candle to the awe-inspiring size of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. At more than 13,000 square miles, it dwarfs the likes of the Grand Canyon. This is truly remote RV camping territory, as the park is home to some of the largest volcanoes and peaks in North America. More than a quarter of its land is covered in glaciers. For RVers of all stripes, from first-timers to experts, exploring this park is truly the trip of a lifetime.

As of early 2022, most parks within the National Park Service have reopened. Still, amid the ongoing pandemic, hours and COVID-related restrictions are regularly changing. It’s best to visit the official NPS website or call ahead to confirm before visiting. Whatever you do, don’t forget to come prepared with our top must-pack essentials for every RV owner .

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National parks have become increasingly popular in recent years, attracting all kinds of nature enthusiasts, adventurers, and families who seek a slice of the great outdoors. However, that may become slightly more difficult as national parks across America begin to implement extra fees and reservation systems in 2024.

In this article, we will look at the changes currently being made in four iconic national parks and what that could mean for you and your crew.

National parks are full of majestic landscapes and are among the most sought-after vacation spots in the country. But as beautiful as they are, these parks often suffer from a curse of their own success -- overcrowding. The sheer volume of visitors can sometimes shatter the tranquility of nature, making it difficult to fully appreciate the serenity you sought. Fortunately, we have compiled a list of the best hiking spots in national forests, where you can escape the throngs of tourists in the national parks and reconnect with the great outdoors.

Pisgah National Forest: North Carolina Catawba Falls Trail With an elevation of 1,932 feet and a hiking distance of just 3 miles, the Catawba Falls Trail is a perfect escape from crowded national parks. Located in the southeastern reaches of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this trail leads to the enchanting Catawba Falls, formed by the headwaters of the Catawba River. Along the way, hikers are treated to the sight of not one, but two beautiful waterfalls, making this hike a must-visit for nature enthusiasts. South Toe River Loop For a longer but equally serene hike, the South Toe River Loop offers an elevation of 3,282 feet and a 3.5-mile journey. Starting and ending at the Black Mountain Campground, this trail winds its way along the river, flanked by towering trees and majestic mountains. Graveyard Fields Trail With an elevation of 5,289 feet and a hiking distance of 2.9 miles, the Graveyard Fields Trail is a fantastic hike along the Blue Ridge Mountains. Named after the stumps that dot the landscape, resembling gravestones, this trail isn't only rich in natural beauty but also steeped in history. It's an excellent place for foraging blueberries or catching a glimpse of a black bear, offering a unique and adventurous experience for hikers.

Betway has recently revealed the top 100 most beautiful Natural heritage sites based on the number of Instagram hashtags, and the United States and Italy dominate the top 5 spots. If you're considering a trip this year, why not go and see what all the fuss is about? This post will explore the top 5 results of Betway's study and provide some valuable planning information for all of these heritage sites.

Grand Canyon What list would be complete without the Grand Canyon? About 5 million people visit the Grand Canyon every year, so it's not a surprise that it's one of the most Instagrammed places out there. Coming into first place with a whopping 4.3 million hashtags, the Grand Canyon is sure to blow your mind.

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Maximum RV Sizes: What’s the maximum RV Length Limits For State And National Parks?

• Last Updated: February 25, 2024
• 8 minutes read

There are 62 National Parks in the U.S., and these natural paradises encompass a diverse range of climates, geological marvels, and historic monuments.

Traveling by RV is one of the best ways to visit the National Parks, since you can often stay within or very near the park in designated campgrounds.

According to KOA, about 40% of all RV campers stay in state or National Parks when camping, instead of private campgrounds. 

However, not all National Parks allow RVs, and some have rough roads or lack the facilities to accommodate large motorhomes or long trailer campers. 

What is the best RV Length for Fitting into National Parks? 

If you are traveling with a towed vehicle such as a trailer or fifth wheel, it’s important to keep in mind that the maximum length allowed in most National Parks includes the camper itself and the truck or SUV you’re towing it with.

Unless you’re traveling in a motorhome without a second vehicle, your trailer will need to be about 10 feet under the length restriction to fit in your campsite along with the towing vehicle.

In this article, I have compiled a list of the most popular National Parks (with links) to provide a look at each campground’s vehicle length limits at-a-glance.

You can also get an idea for whether there are hookups or a dump station available at the campgrounds, and know whether you’ll need a reservation for a campsite or if they are first come, first served (FCFS).

FAQs About RVs and Camping in the National Parks

When you’re considering camping in the National Parks with an RV or trailer, there are some common questions that you may be asking. 

Are There Any State Regulations About RV Length I Should Know?

Although the National Parks are federally-operated property, they need to adhere to state guidelines and restrictions for the state in which the park itself is located.

Each state has its own regulations about the maximum allowable length of RVs. Keep in mind that some states refer to these vehicles differently, such as RV, motorhome, private motorcoach, house car, or even just ‘vehicle’.

Additionally, most states restrict the width of the vehicle to eight feet, including:

• New Hampshire
• Washington D.C.

Finally, you should keep your vehicle’s overall weight in mind as well. In some states, you’ll be required to have a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) if your RV’s weight exceeds 26,000 pounds.

However, with the average length restriction in most National Parks being between 25 and 30 feet, you most likely will not surpass this weight and therefore you should be fine with a standard Driver’s License when operating your RV.

Do the National Parks Allow Class A RVs and Fifth Wheels?

In addition to length, it’s important to consider the type of RV you’re driving , since some models are larger (and longer) than others.

For example, Class A RVs are generally 30 feet or longer, and while they offer more luxury for living on the road full-time , they might not fit into many National Park campgrounds . 

Fifth wheels are the largest towable trailer campers available, and are often longer and heavier than standard campers .

Additionally, you must consider the total length of the trailer and your towing vehicle to fall within the length restrictions of states and National Park campgrounds, which might make an RV (with inclusive driving cab) preferable. 

Keep in mind that many National Parks can accommodate RVs and trailers (with towing vehicles) up to 40 feet in total length, but there are also several where the length restrictions are much shorter (around 20 feet).

So, for ease of getting around and camping in the National Parks, smaller is better and you’ll be safer staying away from Class A motorhomes and fifth wheel campers. 

what is the maximum length of rv allowed in national parks?

While the general average length of RVs allowed in most National Parks is between 25 and 30 feet, the overall average maximum length according to the U.S. National Parks Travel Guide is 27 feet.

However, there are a lot of National Park campgrounds that can comfortably accommodate longer RVs – even ones that are more than 40 feet long.

Always remember that for trailers, the total length must include the trailer itself and the truck or SUV that you’re towing it with.

Campground RV Length Restrictions In The National Parks

Most National Parks that have campgrounds allow RVs and campers, but some are tent-only.

The following guide lists only those campgrounds in the National Parks that allow RVs and trailers.

However, there are often private campgrounds near the National Parks that can accommodate RVs and sometimes have more amenities (i.e. full hookups ) if you are looking for a more comfortable, fully-equipped stay near the National Parks.

1. Acadia National Park (Maine)

2. Arches National Park (Utah)

3. Badlands National Park (South Dakota)

4. Big Bend National Park (Texas)

5. Black Canyon Of The Gunnison (Colorado)

6. Bryce Canyon National Park (Utah)

7. Canyonlands National Park (Utah)

8. Capitol Reef National Park (Utah)

9. Chaco Culture National Historical Park (New Mexico)

10. Crater Lake National Park (Oregon)

11. Death Valley National Park (California)

12. Denali National Park (Alaska)

13. Everglades National Park (Florida)

14. Glacier National Park (Montana)

15. Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)

16. Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming)

17. Great Sand Dunes National Park (Colorado)

18. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (North Carolina & Tennessee)

19. Guadalupe Mountains National Park (Texas)

20. Hot Springs National Park (Arkansas)

21. Indiana Dunes National Park (Indiana)

22. Joshua Tree National Park (California)

23. Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park (California)

24. Lassen Volcanic National Park (California)

25. Mammoth Cave National Park (Kentucky)

26. Mesa Verde National Park (Colorado)

27. Mount Rainier National Park (Washington)

28. North Cascades National Park (Washington)

29. Olympic National Park (Washington)

30. Pinnacles National Park (California)

31. Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)

32. Shenandoah National Park (Virginia)

33. Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Dakota)

34. Wind Cave National Park (South Dakota)

35. Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming)

36. Yosemite National Park (California)

37. Zion National Park (Utah)

How to Find the Maximum Length for RVs at National Parks

While this article and the tables included here should help provide estimates of the maximum length of RVs and campers allowed in each National Park campground listed, you should always double check with the campground before making your reservation.

Sometimes, the camper length limit posted on the National Park’s website may be inaccurate, or sites that accommodate longer RVs might not be available. 

Your best bet to ensure your RV can fit in your campsite is to call the park and speak directly with a ranger or staff member who can confirm the details of your campsite.

Additionally, even if there is an RV length limit, sometimes there will be sites that can accommodate and allow for longer RVs and campers. 

The park ranger can also tell you about other information that might not be posted on the website, such as if the campground facilities will be unavailable during your trip due to renovations or repairs, or if they’ve recently added hookups to some sites that didn’t previously have them.

How to Measure Your RV or Trailer for National Park Campgrounds

Once you know the length limits for the National Park campground you intend to visit, it’s time to measure your camper to make sure that it will fit.

Start by referring to your owner’s manual or the RV manufacturer’s website to find the stated length.

This is usually bumper to bumper on an RV, or hitch to bumper on a trailer or fifth wheel.

Be sure to measure it yourself, though, especially if you have added storage boxes or other gear that you have loaded on to either end of your vehicle. 

It’s also a good rule of thumb to add a foot or two to your size just in case, to make sure you’ll have plenty of room to maneuver in your campsite.

However, if you have a longer camper, you might not want to do this, since it could rank your vehicle outside of the limit in some campgrounds.

Amenities at National Park Campgrounds

As you’ll probably note from this guide, most National Park campgrounds don’t have hookups for water and electricity, and are dry-camping, only.

Others have bathroom facilities with flush toilets, but no showers. However, there are some campgrounds with everything including hookups, dump stations, restroom and shower facilities, and even a camp store where you can buy firewood, ice, and other camping necessities. 

While it may be a bit of an inconvenience to camp without hookups, keep in mind that the whole point of the National Parks is to maintain the natural, rugged beauty of our park spaces.

By digging up the camp areas to provide sewer, water and electrical hookups and facilities, the parks system would be counterproductive to that goal. 

Like with the RV length limits, it always pays to call the park campground ahead of booking or arriving for your stay so that you can be fully prepared.

In addition, the campground may have sites with full hookups available later or earlier in the season, which are normally used by camp hosts that have left or haven’t arrived yet.

The park rangers can help you find the best spot for your needs, based on what’s actually available.

Summarizing RV Lengths for National Park Camping

Generally speaking, your RV or camper should be between 25 and 30 feet, maximum, to be sure you can fit into National Park campground sites and maneuver around the campground with ease.

However, some National Parks can accommodate longer or larger RVs and campers, but campsites for bigger vehicles may be limited or unavailable.  

It’s important to call the park before you book your site to make sure you’ll fit and still have plenty of room to enjoy your campsite.

About Author / Aaron Richardson

Aaron Richardson is an expert RVer and the co-founder of RVing Know How. Aaron, along with his wife Evelyn, has been living and traveling in their Keystone Fuzion RV since 2017. Their adventures span across the country and beyond, including memorable RVing experiences in Mexico. Aaron's passion for the outdoors and RVing shines through in his writings, where he shares a blend of travel stories, practical tips, and insights to enhance the RV lifestyle.

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Photography In The Parks

There are four primary components to the Great Sand Dunes geological system: mountain watershed, dunefield, sand sheet, and sabkha. To read more about this, click here .

How many of you have hiked the dunes at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve and noticed black patches or black ripples in the otherwise beige palette of the soft sand? What you are seeing are black magnetite grains in the sand. Magnetite is magnetic, and if you place a magnet on the sand, you'll pick up clumps of black magnetite grains. For real, and not an April Fool's joke! Cool, right?

On a clear, sunny day when 14,410-feet-tall Mount Rainier may be seen from miles away, the locals will tell you "The Mountain is out, today."

"Majestic figures of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, surrounded by the beauty of the Black Hills of South Dakota, tell the story of the birth, growth, development and preservation of this country. From the history of the first inhabitants to the diversity of America today, Mount Rushmore brings visitors face to face with the rich heritage we all share."

The 1,300-mile Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail is not a single hiking trail but rather, a route traveled by Mormons who fled Nauvoo, Illinois, to the Great Salt Lake Valley in 1846-1847. Along this route you can see some amazing landscapes while learning about this route and the hardy people who traveled it.

"In the middle of a bustling urban setting, this 72 mile river park offers quiet stretches for fishing, boating and canoeing, birdwatching, bicycling, and hiking. And there are plenty of visitor centers and trails that highlight the fascinating human history of the Mississippi River."

"Kitchens were one of the busiest rooms in the home not just for cooking of meals, but also washing of laundry."

"The Mescal Historic Mining District was a small-scale producer of tungsten and tin in the Mojave Desert, and produced tin for domestic World War II stockpiles. Due to the temporary nature of mining activity on the site, some of the features have deteriorated, but the character and significance of the site remains strong."

Mug House, built around 1,100 - 1,200 AD, was so named from the discovery of three pottery mugs tied together with a rope and hanging in one of the rooms of this cliff dwelling in Mesa Verde National Park.

"Rolling hills, deep river valleys, and the world's longest known cave system. Mammoth Cave National Park is home to thousands of years of human history and a rich diversity of plant and animal life, earning it the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve."

Cave tours are a unique and immersive way to understand and safely explore Mammoth Cave. You can go to the website to learn more about tours, tickets, and times.

"Fort Jefferson, the largest all-masonry fort in the United States, was built between 1846 and 1875 to protect the nation's gateway to the Gulf of Mexico. Supply and subsidence problems and the Civil War delayed construction. The fort was never completed because of fears that additional bricks and cannon would cause further settling and place more stress on the structure and the cistern system. Distinguishing features include decorative brickwork and 2,000 arches. Time, weather, and water continue to take their toll, necessitating ongoing stabilization and restoration projects."

"For centuries, the Oneida Carrying Place, a six mile portage connecting the Mohawk River and Wood Creek, served as a vital link for those traveling by water from the ocean to the Great Lakes. When Europeans arrived, nations fought for control of the carry, the homelands of the Six Nations Confederacy, and the rich resources of North America. In this struggle, Fort Stanwix would play a vital role."

"The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal of French power from North America. The stage was set for the American Revolution."

" Originally established as a private fur trading fort in 1834, Fort Laramie evolved into the largest and best known military post on the Northern Plains before its abandonment in 1890. This 'grand old post' witnessed the entire sweeping saga of America’s western expansion and Indian resistance to encroachment on their territories."

"Throughout its history, the story of Fort Matanzas has been closely intertwined with that of the city of St. Augustine and the Castillo de San Marcos. This Spanish outpost fort was built in 1740-1742 to guard the Matanzas Inlet and to warn St. Augustine of British or other enemies approaching from the south. Fort Matanzas now serves as a reminder of the early Spanish empire in the New World. In addition, the park, which is located on barrier islands along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas estuary, provides a natural habitat rich in wildlife with the salt marsh, scrub, and maritime hammock now protecting endangered and threatened species like the historic Fort Matanzas protected St. Augustine long ago."

According to the National Park Service, " In the northwest corner of Fort Vancouver's protective palisade wall, a three-story tower called a bastion or blockhouse rose above the surrounding plain. From the top, Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) employees could keep watch over the Columbia River valley and its gently rolling hills. The bastion was a common feature of HBC posts throughout North America. They typically had open slits or windows through which guns and cannons could be aimed at attacking enemies ...  Though Fort Vancouver's bastion never saw any real military action it was still certainly an imposing structure. The tower, shaped like an octagon, was built into the northwest corner of the palisade. It stood three stories tall and was capped with a pointed roof. It was the tallest building at the fort. At the top level, eight three-pound iron guns pointed through small windows in each of the bastion's eight sides. When not in use, the windows were shuttered. The entrance on the ground level was probably on the bastion's southeast wall since that was the only side accessible from inside the fort. When the HBC left Fort Vancouver, the bastion fell into disrepair along with the rest of its buildings. Sometime after 1860, it burned to the ground. While it stood, however, the bastion was an important part of Fort Vancouver's image, and a key way that the HBC projected strength in a tangible, visible way."

"Only from an aerial view can the entire breadth of Fort Monroe [National Monument] be taken in all at once. Consisting of many significant examples of historic, cultural, and natural resources the almost 600 acres of Fort Monroe, VA has been a National Historic Landmark since 1960."

According to the National Park Service, "Fort Pulaski National Monument is located in Georgia and was added to the Network in 2019. Fort Pulaski National Monument was captured by US forces in the Spring of 1862, an event which served as the impetus for General David Hunter to issue a series of orders formally emancipating the enslaved people of coastal Georgia and South Carolina. The fort was later garrisoned by United States Colored Troops in 1866."

"F" is for "Fort" and all the forts and their history preserved as or within units of the National Park System.

According to the National Park Service, "In November 1805, the Corps of Discovery reached the Pacific Ocean. Having found 'the most practicable and navigable passage across the Continent of North America,' the mission was complete. Although eager to begin the journey home, members of the Corps knew that travel would have to wait until spring - more than one snowy mountain range stood in their path. The Corps would build a temporary home on the coast."

"In early December,  William Clark  recorded that  Meriwether Lewis  had found a suitable location for their winter quarters with 'Elk Suffient to winter on.' Once completed, their home, a fortification measuring just fifty feet square, housed 32 men, 1 woman, a baby, and a dog. On Christmas Day, according to Joseph Whitehouse, '[w]e all moved into our new Garrison or Fort, which our Officers named after a nation of Indians who resided near us, called the Clatsop Nation; Fort Clatsop.'"

"About 1.2 million years ago, a spectacular volcanic eruption created a 13-mile-wide circular depression in the earth now known as Valles Caldera. The preserve is known for its huge mountain meadows, abundant wildlife, and meandering streams. The area also preserves the homeland of ancestral native peoples and embraces a rich ranching history."

Guide to RV Size Limits for Popular National Parks

National Parks

You’re in the mood to hit the road and explore nature’s bountiful offerings. Traveling in a safe and comfortable RV is the way to go! Whether you own an RV or are looking to rent an RV   for the road trip ahead, being familiar with national park RV length restrictions is important.   

That’s why we compiled this list, featuring national park RV size limits for parks across the country. Before you roll up to the gate of a beautiful national park,  get familiar with these national park RV restrictions. 

National park RV length restrictions 

These numbers come from the most recent National Park Service information available. They are subject to change based on weather conditions and availability, so make sure that you call ahead to inquire about spaces that will fit your RV. 

As a bonus, we sprinkled links to extra information about some of the glorious national parks. If you want to learn more about a park, things to do there, and the best times to go, click the links throughout this piece!   

Acadia National Park

• Psst. Here is our guide to RV Camping in Acadia National Park .

Arches National Park

• Check out this guide to RV Camping in Arches National Park .

Badlands National Park

• 40 feet, 18 feet at Sage Creek Campground 

Banff National Park

• Oh, Canada! Trailblazing across Calgary has never been easier thanks to this RV guide .

Big Bend National Park

• Learn more about RV Camping in Big Bend National Park . 

Canyonlands National Park

• If you’re headed to Canyonlands, you’ll be near these Instagram-worthy Utah locations . 

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

• No RV camping inside the park. 

Death Valley National Park

Denali National Park

Everglade National Park

Glacier National Park

• 25 - 45 feet, depending on the campground 
• This breathtaking park has so much to offer. Learn how to make the most of your trip with our guide to RV camping at Glacier National Park . 

Grand Canyon National Park

• ​50 feet at South Rim 22 feet at North Rim 
• A natural wonder of the world awaits. RV camping in Grand Canyon National Park  is truly unforgettable. 

Grand Teton National Park

• ​30 - 45 feet, depending on the campground
• Here are some insider tips for visiting Grand Teton National Park . 

Great Basin National Park

• Want to know the best time to visit? Check out this guide to Great Basin National Park . 

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

• 23 - 35 feet, depending on the campground
• Escape to the western edge of Texas! Learn about the great mountain range in Guadalupe Mountain National Park . 

Jasper National Park

• 25 - 27 feet for most campgrounds. Some campgrounds accommodate up to 35 feet. 

Joshua Tree National Park

• 35 feet for most campgrounds. Some campsites accommodate up to 42 feet. 
• Here’s what you need to know about RV camping in Joshua Tree National Park . 

Kings Canyon National Park

• Varies by the campground. The maximum length for many roads is 22 feet. 

Lassen Volcanic National Park

• 35 - 40 feet 
• Before you hit the road, learn about the  Lassen Volcanic National Park .

Mesa Verde National Park

Mount Rainier National Park

• 27 - 35 feet 

Olympic National Park

• ​21 feet. Limited spaces are available for 35 feet long RVs.
• Pining for the Pacific Northwest? Here’s a breakdown of the  best Olympic National Park RV parks and campgrounds . 

Redwood National Park

• 24 - 28 feet, depending on the campground.
• Set out to the enchanting forests of the Redwood National Park ! 

Rocky Mountain National Park

• ​24 - 31 feet, depending on the campground 
• Hello, adventure seeker! Get your guide to RV Camping in Rocky Mountain National Park here. 

Sequoia National Park

• 42 feet in Lodgepole Campground, any length in Dorst Creek Campground.
• Lace up you boots, and get ready to travel the southern region of the Sierra Nevada mountain range! Check out this guide to Sequoia National Park . 

Shenandoah National Park

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

• Whether you're a historian or adventurer, check out this guide to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park .

Yellowstone National Park

• ​Varies by the campground. The average is 40 feet. Ranges from 25 - 50 feet
• Want more details about the oldest national park in the U.S.? Learn about the camping options in Yellowstone here. 

Yosemite National Park

• A popular park for a good reason, Yosemite is a beautiful RV camping destination . 

Zion National Park

• ​19 feet at Lava Point Campground; 40 feet in other areas.  
• From information on the weather to popular campgrounds to best times to visit, this guide to RV camping near Zion National Park has everything you need to prepare. 

Visit the national park with an RV 

Thousands of people are finding adventure  with Cruise America vehicles. Join in on the fun and rent an RV today !

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Best RV Length for National Parks (2022)

• August 7, 2021

Table of Contents

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The mountains are calling, and I must go. John Muir Tweet

You’ve been summoned.

Drawn to the majesty of the alpine Rocky Mountains, the grandeur of Acadia, the balds of the Smokies or the alpine lakes of Glacier. National Parks are America’s greatest idea, and you can’t resist the temptation of Mother Nature’s siren song.

Visiting a National Park in an RV allows you an up-close-and-personal experience with the park’s weather, scenery and wildlife. 250-350 million people visit America’s National Parks every year. Most travel by automobile, but you know the secret: the best way to experience the parks is by RV!

But … how big can you go?

Because in case you don’t know, most National Parks have restrictions on maximum RV length.

Now, this can (and should) actually be broken down into several questions:

• How big of an RV do you need for the trip you want to take?
• How heavy and large of an RV trailer are you comfortable driving?
• How long of an RV is recommended for National Parks?

Let’s talk about Question Number Three.

The optimal length for a towable or motorhome RV in a National Park campground is 25-30 feet.

That’s the short rule of thumb: I f you want to visit lots of National Parks for your bucket list, a safe bet is 30 feet or less. Scroll down to learn more about whether this applies to just your RV or if it also includes your tow vehicle.

Important Things to Know!

• Many parks, particularly the more popular ones, commonly allow RVs up to 40 feet in total length.
• Some parks even allow RVs up to 50 feet – or no maximum length whatsoever!
• Campgrounds may have separate length limitations for motorhomes and trailers (e.g. motorhomes 40 feet, trailers 35 feet). When this is the case, allowable length for trailers is usually 5-10 feet less than motorhomes.
• RV length limitations often (but not always) jump in increments of 5-ft (e.g. 25, 30, 40 ft allowed).
• On the smaller end, some NPS campgrounds limit RV length to 22-25 feet (or even smaller!). These campgrounds tend to be more remote, smaller, without any hookups, and may require high-clearance vehicles for access.

As a rule, the more rugged the terrain, the more limited the RV length.  

And don’t forget about those slide-outs! Check width restrictions as well. Restrictions may vary by campsite due to tree location and turn radius. When in doubt, call ahead.

If your RV is up to 35 feet long, you can usually find a spot at most National Parks.

According to Camper Report, RVs up to 35 feet in length will fit in 73% of National Park campgrounds. And since many Parks have multiple campgrounds, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll find a home for the night.

Your odds are still decent up to 40 ft. It is reported that roughly half of all NPS campgrounds accept RVs up to 40 feet in total length. You’ll be restricted to more developed campgrounds in more popular parks, however, so the odds of reserving a spot become slim. Everyone wants the same spot you do!

Camping opportunities take a nosedive after 40 feet. Only the odd NPS campground here and there will accept behemoth RVs. Even where no maximum length is posted, you’ll find anything 40 feet and over will be a tight squeeze. You may find yourself dammed up on a hairpin turn or in a zero-clearance parking spot.

Call ahead! Some sites have “fudge room.”

No one really likes this answer. Unfortunately, it really is the best advice.

Some sites only allow 30-ft combined length, but guess what?! – there’s room to unhitch and park beside your RV (but you’re only allowed up to two vehicles per site, remember). 

Meanwhile, other sites only allow 30-ft combined length – period. No room to park beside your camper. Sorry.

But maybe others have a campground parking lot that’s a 100-yard walk away!

Or maybe there’s a public parking lot that’s a 5-15 minute drive away. 

Also, let’s just say that some of the numbers posted online by the National Park Service aren’t known for their accuracy. Or maybe they haven’t been updated in 8 years. Who knows?

So do yourself a favor and call ahead! Talk to a park ranger or campground host and get the goods. You may be pleasantly surprised (or you may avoid a tremendous headache).

Combined vs. Total Length?

Don’t get confused by combined vs. total length!

Body Length

First of all, you should know that actual lengths rarely correspond to “sales” lengths! This is particularly true for travel trailers. The sales length, or the length indicated on a floorplan name, is often the nominal size of the RV body only.

More often than not, a “24-ft travel trailer” only has a body length of 24 feet. The body length is the front-to-back measurement of the box that sits on the trailer frame.

Total Length

The total length of the RV is the actual tip-to-tail measurement, body and frame included.

In the case of a travel trailer, the total length of the RV, once the frame is added, is usually about 3-5 feet longer.

Combined Length

The combined length includes the total length of the RV and the total length of the tow vehicle.

For instance, say a trailer has a total length of 26 ft. When towed with a 16-ft pickup truck, the two have a combined length of 26+16 = 42 feet.

Or if you drive a motorhome with a toad, the combined length includes both.

Do not assume whether a length restriction applies to total RV or combined length!

For instance, most campgrounds restrict total length . If you can unhitch your towable RV and move your tow vehicle out of the way, more power to you.

*This isn’t true for every campground. Some campsites have no separate parking area. In this case, the combined length is the most restrictive.

For details on how manufacturers will measure your RV, visit this page from RVIA.

How to Measure Different RVs?

Many different vehicles fit under the RV umbrella. The biggest division within these vehicles is:

• A) Whether or not you will need an extra vehicle to tow it.
• B) What type of hitch is required to tow or haul.

If we split up RV types by how they are measured, we have four types: Motorhomes, towables, 5th wheels, and truck campers. These are all measured differently.

How Do I Measure the Length of My RV?

Measuring an older rv.

it is a good idea to bring a measuring tape when you go to the retailer or do some research on your own as some manufacturer numbers are more a way to sort the different sizes than exact measurements.

For instance, the Puma 23-RBFQ model is listed as 23 feet long. In reality, it is 28 feet. Five feet can easily decide whether or not your RV will be accepted into a campground, and you do not want to find this out when you pull in after a long day of driving!

The manufacturer may provide measurements, but you should confirm with a measuring tape.

Hint: Nothing makes the job easier than an open reel measuring tape!

Some will recommend adding a few feet, just to make sure you’re covered. This may be helpful if you are new to driving an RV, but in general go with the stated/ measured number and then talk with someone ahead of time to determine any potential issues.

Measuring a New RV?

If you’re buying a new RV, you’re in luck! As of January 1, 2021, all RVIA-approved Recreational Vehicles are required to have a sticker adjacent to the Cargo Capacity label that states: “Recreational vehicle overall length ­­­­______ as manufactured.”

Thie measurement is generally extremity to extremity but does not include ladders, handles, accessory receivers, spare tires, etc.

RV Motorhome

Motorhomes offer the all-in-one option and therefore range greatly in size. Smaller class B and C motorhomes are often similar to driving an SUV (going down to 18 ft) with popular sizes ranging 20-28 ft. Large class As can feel like a semi-truck at 25 to nearly 45 ft. Remember part of that space is taken up by the actual driving area (driver’s seat, steering wheel, dashboard, passenger seat, etc.).

Towable Trailers

Towable trailers are your best bet if you’re looking for something smaller that could be towed by an SUV or mid-size truck, with options ranging from 12-40 ft. Towable trailers include travel trailers, fiberglass campers, pop-up campers, and (almost) everything in between!

How to Measure a Motorhome?

Motorhomes are the easiest RV to measure! Simply measure from tip to tail, from the front bumper to the rear bumper. This is the same for Class A, Class B, or Class C motorhomes. This length should be stated on the vehicle specifications as well.

How to Measure a Travel Trailer?

Towable trailer lengths are a common source of confusion. RV manufacturers may market the size of the RV by its interior length, exterior body length, or tip to tail length!

What you care about is total length, including the chassis frame. Measure from the tip of the trailer coupler to the rear bumper. For newer RVs, this length should be on a unit sticker as well.

Fifth Wheels are typically big, coming in sizes ranging from 25-45 feet, which allows for full-time living including bedrooms, and potentially washers, dryers, and dishwashers. They will also need a powerful truck to tow them, but are typically considered better than TTs in towability.

Truck Campers

Truck campers are sold as either slide-in or flatbed models, with the first being far more popular. They can also be hardshell or expandable. They come as small as a bed cover to a miniature mansion!

How to Measure a 5th Wheel?

When measuring a 5th wheel, measure from the tip of the overhanging nose to the rear bumper. This is the total length (imagine a hollow box the camper could fit inside of). Measuring directly off the nose could be a challenge, so it’s easier to project the nose on the ground and then measure from there. For newer RVs, this length should be on a unit sticker as well.

How to Measure a Truck Camper?

You’ll rarely have a length problem with a truck camper. But if you do need to measure one, measure from the front bumper of the tow vehicle to the rear bumper of the camper.  If you’re just looking for the tip-to-tail length of the camper itself,  you can find that on the VIN sticker.

FAQs about RVs in NPS Campgrounds

National park length limitations at-a-glance.

While the restrictions vary from park to park, the average maximum length permitted is 27 feet with about half having at least one campground allowing RVs up to 40ft.

In general, RVs between 25 and 30 feet are recommended to maximize your options as over 90% of parks permit 25 footers and 84% permit 29 footers.

IMPORTANT TIP: Most parks count the COMBINED length of your RV and your tow vehicle in their restrictions. This also applies if you are towing a car behind a motorhome.

Always call/ contact the park ahead of time to confirm these details and discuss any areas of potential concern.

Why Are NPS Campsites Small?

Many NPS campgrounds hail from the ’30s through the ’50s, when RVs were much smaller. These campgrounds can trace their heritage to the Civilian Conservation Corps or the construction and travel boom following World War II. This was the era of Scotties, Shastas and “canned hams.”

Today, the average length of a towable RV is 27-28 feet and creeping upwards. 

Finding the balance of what you need and want with restrictions and road conditions is vital to a good trip.

What are Common Park Road Conditions?

Most trafficked roads in National Parks are paved. Campground loop roads, however, are usually maintained gravel or dirt.

All bets are off when it come to backcountry sites. Access roads maybe paved, soft road, or high-clearance required. There may not even be a dedicated campground loop road!

Call ahead to confirm any road conditions after inclement weather events. Or find information about temporary road closures at the park website at the National Park Service.

Do National Parks Offer Full Hook-Ups?

Most national parks do not offer full-hookups (water, sewer, electric). Electric-only or water+electric are far more common. Dump stations are typically shared by an entire campground (or even entire park). Smaller parks may have no dump station at all.

The following national parks all offer full hookups:

• Arizona | Grand Canyon National Park: Trailer Village
• California | Death Valley National Park
• Mesa Verde National Park | Morefield Campground
• Texas | Big Bend National Park: Rio Grande Village RV Park
• Wyoming | Yellowstone National Park: Fishing Bridge RV Park
• Wyoming | Grand Teton National Park: Colter Bay RV Park

Several other campgrounds, such as the Everglades, Badlands and Gulf Islands, offer partial (electric and water only) hookups.

Do National Parks Offer Pull-Through Sites?

Unfortunately, I recommend you become an expert in backing in before reserving a spot at a National Park! Back-on sites are par for the course. Bring a set of walkie-talkies and maybe even a rearview camera.

Will National Parks Measure My RV?

Generally, no, no one will pull out a tape or stick and measure your RV. However, if your rig is obviously larger than what’s allowed, you may be asked to leave. That’s for your safety and the safety of everyone around you.

Do I Need to Reserve My NPS Campsite?

Booking a spot in a campground is highly recommended.

Many of the national parks offer multiple campgrounds with a range of maximum RV lengths, but spots fill up. Especially if you have a larger vehicle, it is best to book a spot early as those campgrounds may have a limited number of those spots available.

No matter what size your RV is, it’s best to check ahead of time which campground will work for you and reserve a spot early.

NPS reservations are first-come, first-served or reserved through ReserveAmerica.com. Some campgrounds have walk-in only sites; some don’t. Visit ReserveAmerica.com to check availability, pricing, location and restrictions.

Where Can I Find Easy References for All the Parks?

You can use the National Park Service’s Park Finder Website to sort and filter different options and then book your spots.

There are also a number of online resources that have compiled easy guides for the most popular parks. The Roving Foleys compiled an entire list of RV length restrictions by campground. You can check it out here  at TheRovingFoleys.com

Considering all of these questions before you even go to your first RV retailer will ensure that you are best equipped to make the best decision for your trip.

What Else Should I Know About the Campgrounds that Allow Bigger Rigs?

• The campgrounds that do accommodate bigger rigs typically have a smaller number of spots available.
• There may also be an upcharge for these premium spots.
• You may be able to get to the campground, but travelling to other sites in the Park may be restricted to only smaller vehicles.
• Planning ahead of time is always important with RVs and more so the bigger you go.

What About Road Access to the Parks?

Longer RV Pros

• More lounge room
• More cargo and storage
• You can escape from the kids

Longer RV Cons

• Difficult to drive and park
• Not allowed through many tunnels or mountain roads
• Prone to sway from crosswinds

What About High-Clearance Roads?

Driving a big rig is always going to be a concern if you are off-roading. This can even include general roads within a park which are often narrow, unpaved, and/or on an incline. Do your research on what type of terrain is expected both arriving and departing the campsite as well as the general area.

Many parks allow bigger rigs in their designated campsites, but other roads within the park may have length restrictions, which will restrict where you can go with your RV.

Utilizing a TT or a 5th Wheel would give you the opportunity to leave the RV at the campsite and explore in your tow vehicle.

What About U-Turns and Sharp Bends?

While some of these roads may be tight, if the campground can accommodate a vehicle of your size, your vehicle should be able to make the turns to get into the site as long as you follow the routes to the campsite and keep an eye out for roads that would prohibit a rig of your size.

What About Maximum Height?

You won’t typically find overpasses and bridges in a National Park, but you’ll often come across low-hanging trees, rock arches and natural features. Read about road conditions and restrictions beforehand.

In the Zion-Mt. Carmel tunnel, for instance, any vehicle that is 7 feet 10 inches (2.4 meters) in width and/or 11 feet 4 inches (3.4 meters) in height or larger is required to have a tunnel permit and may only pass through the tunnel during restricted hours.

What About Arrival and Departure Angles?

RVs with excessive overhangs and/or short wheelbases (here’s looking at you, Class A and Super C motorhomes) may struggle with steep inclines.

Low-riding RVs can easily get stuck or high-centered on steep or unmaintained roads. You might need to invest in larger tires, a lift kit, or an axle flip to increase your ride height (but don’t make your rig too tall!).

In general, plan ahead and do your research. Know the capabilities of your RV. Practice with it ahead of time if possible. Feel free to reach out to the Park ahead of time and ask questions about the routes into and out of the campsite/ park to help spot any potential areas to avoid.

Andy Herrick is a blogging nerd, #8 Enneagram, wannabe bread baker, INTJ, RV industry professional, and small business entrepreneur. He can be found hanging out with his lovely wife and family, skiing, cycling, climbing, hiking, and convincing anyone who will listen why dogs aren’t really that great of pets. Also, he runs this website.

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What is the most visited national park in the US? Answers to your biggest park questions

Most people have heard of Yosemite’s Half Dome or Yellowstone's Old Faithful , but how about the largest national park? Or which gets the most visitors each year? 

USA TODAY rounded up answers to the most popular park questions to help travelers better understand these national treasures and share some fun trivia with family and friends on their next park visit.

Here are 10 things to know about America’s national parks .

What is the most visited national park in the US? 

Great Smoky Mountains is the most visited national park in America, by far. Last year, it drew nearly three times the visitors as the second-most visited park, Grand Canyon , according to National Park Service data .

These were the 15 most visited national parks in 2023:

• Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina and Tennessee - 13,297,647
• Grand Canyon in Arizona - 4,733,705
• Zion in Utah - 4,623,238
• Yellowstone in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming - 4,501,382
• Rocky Mountain in Colorado - 4,115,837
• Yosemite in California - 3,897,070
• Acadia in Maine - 3,879,890
• Grand Teton in Wyoming - 3,417,106
• Joshua Tree in California  - 3,270,404
• Olympic National Park in Washington - 2,947,503
• Glacier National Park in Montana - 2,933,616
• Cuyahoga Valley in Ohio - 2,860,059
• Indiana Dunes in Indiana - 2,765,892
• Hot Springs in Arkansas - 2,502,967
• Bryce Canyon in Utah - 2,461,269

The least visited national park is Gates of the Arctic in Alaska, which drew 11,045 visitors last year even though there are no roads to get there.“Even for Alaska, Gates of the Arctic is sort of above all the rest in terms of difficulty of reaching it, solitude, remoteness,” Peter Christian, chief spokesperson for Public Affairs for the National Park Service’s Alaska region, previously told USA TODAY.  

'Finding hidden gems': America's least visited national parks

What are the big 3 national parks?

When people think of national parks, three loom large in many minds: Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Yosemite. 

However, they’re neither the three most visited national parks nor the largest in size. 

What is the largest US national park?

Wrangell-St. Elias is the biggest of all. It’s more than three times the size of Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Yosemite national parks combined. 

The three biggest national parks are all in Alaska:

• Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve - 13.2 million acres
• Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve - nearly 8.5 million acres
• Denali National Park & Preserve - more than 4.7 million acres

The smallest national park is Gateway Arch in Missouri, at roughly 91 acres.

What is the newest national park?

New River Gorge , in West Virginia, became America’s newest national park in December 2020.

It was previously designated a national river. 

Story continues below.

How many national parks are in the US?

There are 63 national parks across the country, including two in U.S. territories.

USA TODAY has been spotlighting each one in a yearlong series that shares insights and tips from the park rangers who know them best.

Has anyone been to all 63 national parks?

Yes. Multiple people have accomplished this bucket list feat, including Stefanie Payne, who visited all 63 parks within one year and wrote about them in " 100 Things to See in the National Parks ."

“The Alaska parks are the ones that are deepest in my heart because they are in such a remote and rugged landscape,” she previously told USA TODAY . “It's really just mind-bending to be in some of those areas, especially when the mountains are so big and the glaciers and the terrain is really challenging and you start to see what you're made of.”

What state has the best national parks?

Many national parks fans point to Utah’s Mighty Five : Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion, but best is subjective. 

“I'm sure every park is like, ‘Everywhere is the best.’ It's all so good, right?” Petrified Forest National Park park ranger Jessica Barnett told USA TODAY.

Which state has the most number of national parks?

California has the most national parks, with nine: Channel Islands, Death Valley, Joshua Tree, Kings Canyon, Lassen Volcanic, Pinnacles, Redwood, Sequoia, and Yosemite.

Death Valley actually straddles California and Nevada. A number of America’s national parks span multiple states.

What state has no national park? 

There are no national parks in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont or Wisconsin.

However, all 50 states are home to other National Park Service units , like national battlefields and seashores, which are sometimes called parks.

The National Park System currently has 429 units. The most recent addition is Amanche National Historic Site in Colorado. Travelers can find sites by state on the National Park Service’s website .

What is a national park a park for? 

When Yellowstone became America’s first national park in 1872, Congress designated it “a public park or pleasuring ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people,” but national parks have come to offer and protect much more.

“The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations,” according the mission shared on its website. 

To help protect these spaces, visitors are asked to leave no trace .

Contributing: Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY

Is it illegal for national parks not to take cash? Lawsuit says the park service is violating the law.

It’s more costly, the lawsuit claims, and it may violate u.s. code..

(NPS) The National Park Service has a cashless fee system in place at roughly 30 sites, including the recently added Hovenweep, above, and Natural Bridges national monuments.

The National Park Service (NPS) recently announced it would no longer accept cash payments at Hovenweep and Natural Bridges national monuments . But a lawsuit is challenging whether that arrangement is even legal.

A trio of Americans filed a lawsuit naming NPS and the federal Department of the Interior as defendants. The plaintiffs, Esther Van Der Werf, of California, Toby Stover, of New York and Georgia resident Elizabeth Dasburg allege the park service’s refusal to accept U.S. currency to pay for entrance fees “constitutes a clear violation of federal law.”

NPS, according to the lawsuit, denies access to nearly 30 national parks or monuments to those without bank accounts or possess credit cards. It is estimated nearly six million American households are impacted.

The plaintiffs also argue they have a right to pay in cash regardless of their banking situation.

“NPS’s violation of federal law cannot be overlooked in favor of any purported benefit NPS Cashless could hope to achieve, such as reducing logistics of handling cash collected,” reads the lawsuit. Indeed, San Deigo-based attorney Ray Flores II argues that NPS will incur increased costs due to processing fees, personal surcharges and bank fees.

“However, plaintiffs do not ask the court to prohibit NPS from accepting credit cards, debit cards or digital payment methods, such as ApplePay, should visitors to NPS sites prefer to use them. Rather, the plaintiffs ask the court to restore entrance to NPS sites to those who cannot access non-cash payment methods and those who choose not to by declaring NPS Cashless to be unlawful.”

Flores, in court documents, cites the U.S. code that establishes “United States coins and currency, including Federal Reserve Notes and Federal Reserve Banks are legal tender for all debts, public charges, taxes and dues. Foreign gold or silver coins are not legal tender for debts.”

The fees NPS assesses fall under the public charges category.

The factual basis for the lawsuit regards trips the defendants took. New Yorker Stover traveled to the NPS entrance to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s home in Hyde Park, New York in January. Stover proffered a $10 bill to the NPS employee at the gate, who told Stover cash was not accepted and barred her entry.

Van der Werf was denied entry at the Tonto and Organ Pipe national monuments and Saguaro National Park, each in Arizona, in late January and early February. She had cash to cover the fees but was told cash was not acceptable. (Note: Checks are likewise refused.)

Dasburg emailed Fort Pulaski National Historic Site near Savannah, Georgia asking if she could pay cash to enter and was told in a written reply in early March that the change to cashless that went into effect in 2020 was permanent. It was suggested she purchase a gift card that “we can accept in leu (sic) of cash.”

This story was first published by The Times-Independent.

Donate to the newsroom now. The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity and contributions are tax deductible

Converts, children and missionaries fuel post-pandemic surge in LDS growth

Utah journalism giant r. gail stahle dies at age 88, full summary of saturday’s lds general conference: holland recounts near-death trial; women’s leader anette dennis stresses wearing garments; nelson attends, how the u.s-mexico border divides these two lds congregations — in more ways than one, prep spotlight: you can find this corner canyon senior in the pool, on the course, or in the mountains, drug cartel violence claimed this lds teen. how his congregation rallied in response., featured local savings.

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Montana GOP Senate candidate says he lied to ranger about gunshot wound in 2015

Tim sheehy was cited for illegally discharging a weapon in a national park but says he made up the gunshot to cover up a bullet wound he received as a navy seal in afghanistan that he never reported to superiors.

Tim Sheehy, a charismatic former Navy SEAL who is the Republican candidate in a U.S. Senate race in Montana that could determine control of the chamber, has cited a gunshot wound he received in combat that he said left a bullet in his right arm as evidence of his toughness.

“I got thick skin — though it’s not thick enough. I have a bullet stuck in this arm still from Afghanistan,” Sheehy said in a video of a December campaign event posted on social media, pointing to his right forearm.

It was one of several inconsistent accounts Sheehy has shared about being shot while deployed. And in October 2015, more than a year after he left active duty, he told a different story.

After a family visit to Montana’s Glacier National Park, he told a National Park Service ranger that he accidentally shot himself in the right arm that day when his Colt .45 revolver fell and discharged while he was loading his vehicle in the park, according to a record of the episode filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Montana.

The self-inflicted gunshot left a bullet lodged in Sheehy’s right forearm, according to the written description accompanying the federal citation that the ranger, a federal law enforcement officer, gave Sheehy for illegally discharging his weapon in a national park. The citation said the description was based on Sheehy’s telling of events.

Asked this week about the citation, which has not been previously reported, Sheehy told The Washington Post that the statement he gave the ranger was a lie. He said he made up the story about the gun going off to protect himself and his former platoonmates from facing a potential military investigation into an old bullet wound that he said he got in Afghanistan in 2012. He said he did not know for certain whether the wound was the result of friendly fire or from enemy ammunition, and said he never reported the incident to his superiors.

Sheehy said he did not shoot himself in the park in 2015, but rather fell and hurt himself on a hike, necessitating a trip to an emergency room, where he said he told hospital staff he had a bullet in his arm, triggering his interview with the ranger.

“I guess the only thing I’m guilty of is admitting to doing something I never did,” Sheehy said of paying a $525 fine for illegally discharging his weapon in the national park; he now says the gun never went off in the park. He added of his platoonmates: “It was a small price to pay to make sure that a whole team of really great Americans didn’t get dragged through the mud over this.”

Lying to a federal officer is a crime, though it is past the statute of limitations for prosecution. People are sometimes charged with lying to National Park Service rangers, a review of cases found, often in instances in which they are stopped and questioned and provide a false name.

A lawyer for Sheehy, Daniel Watkins, said that because no crime had taken place, Sheehy did not impede or obstruct a law enforcement investigation.

Sheehy’s latest account of his arm wound is one of several differing descriptions he has given of being shot while deployed. In his 2023 memoir “Mudslingers,” he wrote in one passage that he received multiple bullet wounds in Afghanistan. In another, he wrote that his body was hit by a bullet just once. In the book, he also offers varying accounts of how he was shot.

Asked why he wrote in his book that he was shot by friendly fire in Afghanistan after he said he lied to the ranger about the incident in 2015, Sheehy said that the passage of time had eased his fears of his old injury sparking a military investigation.

The Sheehy campaign did not make available any witnesses who were with Sheehy when he said he was hiking with his family and did not provide medical records from the 2015 hospital visit, saying he had requested them but was unable to obtain them immediately. The campaign also declined to give permission for hospital officials to discuss his treatment.

Sheehy’s campaign did provide an X-ray of Sheehy’s arm taken on Monday in response to questions from The Post, on the condition that it could be described and shared with experts for review but not published. The X-ray showed what appeared to be a circular item lodged in a right forearm, close to the elbow.

The image probably depicts a bullet, but it is not possible to tell what type of weapon it came from nor the age of the wound, said Joseph V. Sakran, a trauma surgeon at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, who reviewed the X-ray at the request of The Post. Thomas J. Esposito, a professor at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Peoria who has spent 30 years as a trauma surgeon, said that the X-ray looks like an injury from a low-velocity firearm, such as a handgun, and that he found it “doubtful” the bullet was the result of ricochet from an assault weapon because of the smoothness of its edges.

Sheehy, the wealthy 38-year-old founder of an aerial firefighting company who has never served in office, was handpicked to run for the Senate by Steve Daines, Montana’s junior senator and the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Donald Trump has endorsed Sheehy, and Republicans believe he is their best bet to win the Montana seat now held by Sen. Jon Tester (D) in one of the most hotly contested Senate races of the election.

Sheehy has campaigned in part on his experience as a combat veteran, saying the Biden administration’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 inspired him to run. Becoming a Navy SEAL requires completing a rigorous training course that is notoriously grueling, and their specialized missions have given SEALs a reputation as particularly tenacious warriors.

Sheehy was awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for separate episodes in Afghanistan. Neither is in dispute and neither involved wounds received from gunfire, according to the citation for the Bronze Star and a local news report describing the Purple Heart.

In the park

Sheehy and the ranger spoke in 2015 at a hospital in Kalispell, Mont., about two hours from Logan Pass, the popular Glacier National Park destination that Sheehy had visited that day.

According to the ranger’s written description of their encounter, Sheehy told him that his Colt .45 long revolver had slipped down a pile of gear in the back of his vehicle and hit the ground in the parking lot of Logan Pass, discharging a bullet into Sheehy’s right forearm. Sheehy said he was relieved the bullet didn’t hit his wife or young children, who were with him at the time, the ranger recalled in an interview in recent days, speaking on the condition of anonymity out of concern about potential retaliation.

The ranger said that Sheehy told him that the medical team who treated him decided to leave the bullet in his forearm. After speaking with Sheehy, the ranger said, he took Sheehy’s weapon from him briefly. Sheehy wanted his weapon back, so the ranger called and got approval from his boss to return it. According to the ticket, Sheehy paid the fine using a credit card.

Sheehy said this week that the story he told the ranger was a lie.

Instead, he said, he slipped on ice while hiking, hitting his arm on some sharp rocks as he fell, and then went to the hospital, worried that he may have broken his arm and that the bullet from years earlier may have been dislodged.

When checking in at the hospital’s emergency room, Sheehy said, he told staff that he had a previous injury in his arm and had fallen and hurt it. “I didn’t give them the whole backstory because I was just checking into an ER,” he said.

He said he told hospital employees: “You know, hurt my arm. You know, there is a gunshot wound in there. … I just need to take a look at it and make sure everything’s okay.”

Sheehy said hospital staff members informed him they were required to report all gunshot wounds to law enforcement, so he then decided to lie to the ranger about how he had received it.

In a letter subsequently provided to The Post, Watkins, Sheehy’s lawyer, said Sheehy tried to clarify the situation at the hospital. “Mr. Sheehy attempted to explain that the wound was not fresh but was told they had to report the injury regardless,” Watkins wrote. Watkins said Sheehy then told hospital staff that he had discharged his gun at the park.

Neither Sheehy nor his representatives addressed whether the health professional who actually examined the wound was told it was fresh or old.

Sheehy told The Post that hospital personnel informed him his arm was “fine.” When the ranger arrived, Sheehy said, he was afraid the ranger would report him to the Navy if he revealed the bullet dated to his time in the military. He decided to tell the ranger a false story that wouldn’t cast blame on anyone else, Sheehy said.

Sheehy was still in the Navy Reserve at the time and said he feared he could get called back to active duty and court-martialed for an investigation into the bullet in his arm that could damage the reputation of his former teammates, many of whom were still serving. He cited the trial of Eddie Gallagher, a Navy SEAL who was tried and ultimately acquitted on charges of killing a prisoner on a 2017 deployment, as an example of someone whose team was “dragged through the mud” in a trial.

Sheehy’s account this week came as a surprise to the ranger. In several interviews with The Post, the ranger said that Sheehy showed him the weapon that Sheehy said he had accidentally discharged. The ranger said he recalls that the firearm was in a holster in Sheehy’s vehicle, fully loaded except for one missing bullet.

The Sheehy campaign did not respond to the ranger’s contention that he inspected the weapon or saw a missing bullet but noted the ranger did not mention a missing bullet in his report from the time. Watkins called the ranger’s more recent recollections “a fabrication.”

The ranger, who said he is a Marine Corps veteran, said he has voted for Tester but was not motivated by partisanship to answer questions. “It’s just the truth,” he said.

“I don’t in any way impugn the law enforcement officer,” Sheehy said of the ranger’s written account. “Everything he says is true to the extent of his knowledge.”

Watkins also wrote that Sheehy could not have accidentally discharged the Colt .45 by dropping the gun because “doing so is not possible based on the design of the weapon’s firing mechanism.”

Rick Vasquez, a firearms expert and former Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives official, said it would indeed be “very unlikely” for that weapon to misfire when dropped as Sheehy told the ranger.

As for Sheehy’s fear of being court-martialed, Katherine L. Kuzminski, a military policy expert at the Center for a New American Security, said she believed it was highly unlikely that a civilian hospital would report a years-old bullet wound to the Navy or that anyone would fear such a report would result in an investigation.

Military service in Afghanistan

Sheehy was awarded a Bronze Star with “V” for Valor for running into enemy fire to help a wounded comrade, shielding him with his own body and then carrying him 200 meters to a medical evacuation helicopter during an April 9, 2012, firefight in the Arghandab River Valley, according to a copy of his citation provided by his campaign. His Purple Heart came after he was knocked unconscious by an IED blast, according to a local news report about his ceremony. The campaign provided a photo of the Purple Heart certificate but not a copy of the citation. He wrote in his 2023 book that his exposures to IEDs had produced traumatic brain injuries and that shrapnel had hit his head and right leg.

Sheehy has offered varying accounts of how many times he was shot while serving and under what circumstances. In his book, he wrote that he was wounded numerous times and never reported many of his wounds because he did not want to get pulled off the battlefield or imperil a fellow service member’s record.

At a presentation at Billings Clinic Hospital in 2022 about a trauma center effort he had helped fund, Sheehy said he had been shot “three times” while serving. “I was wounded on about seven different occasions, IEDs, and was shot three times on different occasions, in different spots in my body,” he said. “I was shot multiple times,” he said in a Shelby, Mont., campaign event in November.

He wrote in one section of his book that he had multiple “bullet wounds.”

Later in the book, he wrote that there was only one time that “my body was actually hit by a bullet.” He described going on a routine “walkabout” to resupply local Afghan troops when suddenly he and his troops came under fire from a ridgeline. Sheehy wrote that he didn’t notice his arm hurt until they dropped the supplies off and the adrenaline wore off. He thought he had hit his arm on a rock. Once he got back to the base, his arm felt “pretty sore,” Sheehy wrote.

“I learned later there was a bullet in my arm!” he wrote. “It’s still there today by the way.”

In another chapter in the book, Sheehy wrote that he was struck “by a friendly ricochet bullet” in Afghanistan. In that instance, he said he never reported it because he didn’t want to get sent home or have the person who accidentally shot him (“a total stud who went on to a successful career as a SEAL”) be punished, either.

In the Post interview, Sheehy said his separate descriptions of being shot on the night patrol and the friendly fire incident in the book referred to the same event. He described being shot twice, once by a ricochet bullet and another time into his body armor. “I was not wounded, but I was … technically hit by another round in a separate incident,” he said. Asked to clarify his previous claims that he was shot three times, a campaign spokeswoman, Katie Martin, said Sheehy was also hit on his radio that was on his body.

In contrast to his account in his book — in which Sheehy wrote that he knew the identity of a particular “stud” who shot him — Sheehy said in the interview that he is not certain whether he was shot by friendly fire, and, if so, the identity of the person who shot him. He said he believed that when his team came under fire during the night patrol that he says resulted in his arm wound, a ricochet bullet from someone on his team hit him, given where he was positioned during the fight and that he could see bullets appear to hit rocks nearby.

“To be very clear, I don’t know where the bullet came from,” Sheehy said. “Sometimes people find that hard to believe, but in Hollywood, they make it look like [in] a gunfight everyone knows exactly what’s going on. … That’s just not how it goes down.”

He said that patrolling at night in the mountains, alongside Afghan allies as together they faced enemy fire, was “chaotic” and it was often hard to know what was happening. The firefight in which his arm was injured occurred in late April or early May 2012, he said, after a bruising stretch of engagements that had left several of his men wounded, including his second-in-command.

Sheehy said he received no treatment for his gunshot wound, which he noticed only after his ring finger and pinkie finger stopped “working very well” and the adrenaline had worn off when he had gotten back to the base hours later.

Sheehy said his injury, which he did not report to his superiors, didn’t affect his ability to carry a weapon or do his job. “As a team leader, I was normally not shooting that much, I was on the radio coordinating things,” he said.

Sheehy said he believed reporting the bullet, whether in Afghanistan in 2012 or in Montana in 2015, would have triggered a “massive NCIS investigation,” referring to the law enforcement agency that investigates criminal allegations in the Navy. He also did not want to report the injury and then have to leave his men to receive medical treatment, he said.

It was very unlikely a years-old potential ricochet injury would compel naval investigators to open any kind of investigation based on a park ranger’s report, because the victim — Sheehy — was not accusing anyone of wrongdoing, said Rachel E. VanLandingham, a former Air Force attorney and president emerita of the National Institute of Military Justice, a nonprofit focused on military law issues.

A former teammate of Sheehy’s who served under him in the small outpost in Afghanistan in 2012 said he remembered Sheehy telling him at the time that he was hit by a ricochet bullet in his arm. The teammate, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he is a military reservist and said he is not authorized to speak to the media, said he believed they talked soon after a nighttime mission, though he could not remember what Sheehy’s injury looked like or whether he had said he thought it could have been the result of friendly fire.

“We talked about it and he said, ‘Hey, man, I’m not going to report it,’” said the service member, who spoke at the request of the Sheehy campaign. He added that Sheehy’s decision not to report the injury made sense to him, given he also had not reported wounds in the past to stay in the fight.

Other service members who served with Sheehy in Afghanistan either declined to comment or could not recall him discussing a gunshot wound.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tim Sheehy (@sheehyformt)

Another former platoonmate, Scott Weaver, was part of the small unit that Sheehy oversaw in Afghanistan in early 2012. Weaver was medically evacuated after an IED blast took off his left calf in April 2012 — just before Sheehy says he was shot.

Weaver said that he heard of Sheehy suffering a traumatic brain injury from explosive devices but that Sheehy made no mention of a gunshot wound when their unit reconvened in Virginia Beach in August 2012 after the deployment. There are reasons Sheehy may have stayed quiet about other wounds, Weaver said, including the possibility that members of the unit could have been in danger if he had been forced to leave to get treatment.

“The facts make clear that Mr. Sheehy was a dedicated combat veteran who served his country honorably,” Watkins wrote to The Post.

In a résumé Sheehy submitted to the Montana legislature in 2021, Sheehy said he moved to Montana and founded his business “after being medically separated from active duty due to wounds received in Afghanistan.”

In his 2023 book, Sheehy describes deciding to leave the Navy after doctors discovered a heart problem when a dive training exercise in Hawaii gave him decompression sickness, also known as “the bends.”

“Sheehy was honorably discharged from the Navy after being declared medically unfit to continue to serve as a Navy SEAL,” Martin, the campaign spokeswoman, wrote when asked whether he left the service because of his wounds from Afghanistan. The Navy confirmed he left in September 2014 but would not share details of his discharge for privacy reasons.

Sheehy, who grew up in Minnesota, is the overwhelming favorite to win Montana’s GOP primary in June after Trump endorsed him in February and Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) dropped his bid. Sheehy’s ability to help fund his campaign and lack of a voting record to defend as a political newcomer both made him a top recruit.

Alex Horton, Beth Reinhard, Isaac Stanley-Becker, Fenit Nirappil, Razzan Nakhlawi, Aaron Schaffer and Devlin Barrett contributed to this report.

The National Park Service awarded Paterson $4.9M for this park rehabilitation

3-minute read.

PATERSON — The massive $15 million rehabilitation of Paterson’s long-neglected Westside Park has secured its final piece of funding: a $4.9 million grant from the National Park Service.

Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. on Wednesday announced the grant award from a federal program designed to boost park projects in poor communities with insufficient outdoor recreation opportunities.

The work would include improvements to the existing recreation facilities, including the tennis courts, baseball field and Totowa Oval complex, used for football and baseball, as well as the creation of a new cricket field, officials said.

There also would be new pathways, including the extension of a riverwalk, and some roads inside the park will be converted to walking paths.

“Safe, clean spaces are the foundation of any society,” Pascrell said in announcing the funding. “Government works best when it uses resources to make daily lives better. Here it is happening for our great city.”

A plan years in the making

City officials and various nonprofit groups have been working on the Westside Park plan for more than seven years. Last fall, the project was about $5 million short of the funding it needed, and Mayor Andre Sayegh’s administration said the opportunity to complete the full $15 million plan hinged on the city's getting the federal grant.

“This is enormously important,” said Bob Guarasci, executive director of the New Jersey Community Development Corporation, the nonprofit organization that started the planning for the park in 2016. “This closes the loop on the finances for this massive rehabilitation that will return the park to its former grandeur.”

It remains unclear when construction will start. The city Planning Board last September voted in favor of the park design. But the Paterson Historic Preservation Commission still must give its final approval before any work can begin, officials said.

The preservation commission has expressed concerns that the park design does not adequately address historical aspects of Westside. In particular, the commission wants the work to include the rehabilitation of the park’s Colt Mansion entrance pillars and walls, the World War I bronze statue “Liberty” by Gaetano Federici, the concrete boat launches, and the concrete base of the bandstand.

Sayegh last November sent the commission a letter expressing his commitment to addressing the historic features of the park. But the preservation organization said in its conditional approval in December that it will withdraw its support if the historical features are not included.

Kenneth Simpson, a member of the commission, welcomed the new funding for the park, saying the project is tremendously important.

“But we also need to be mindful of the historic elements of the park,” Simpson said. “They need to be addressed as well.”

The park was built in 1889 and runs along the north bank of the Passaic River in the western part of Paterson. Flooding is one of the problems that have exacerbated the poor condition of the park, city officials said.

The Sayegh administration has applied for a state grant to build a flood wall on the southern bank of the river across from Westside, along Pennington Park. But the proposed wall would not protect the new $15 million investment proposed for Westside, officials said.

Joe Malinconico is editor of Paterson Press. Email: [email protected]

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Alerts in effect, national park entrance fees, why did entrance fees change in 2024, when did fees change in the past, was the public involved in the decision to increase fees, how are entrance fees determined for each park.

Since 2006, the National Park Service has had an entrance fee structure in place that simplifies and standardizes entrance fees across parks of similar types.

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• Rehabilitate Back Country Camping Facilities
• Installation of new shower houses in Long Pine Key Campground
• Installation of new entrance signs at Pine Island, Shark Valley, and Gulf Coast
• Replacement of the Anhinga Boardwalk at Royal Palm
• Replacement of the Bobcat Boardwalk at Shark Valley
• Reconstruction of the Flamingo Visitor Center
• Reconstruction of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Visitors Center in the Gulf Coast District
• Repaving of the main entrance road
• Replace Marine Route Markers in the Florida Bay District
• Replace Marine Route Markers in the Gulf Coast District
• Replace Marine Route Markers in the Flamingo District
• Rehabilitation of the Gumbo Limbo Trail
• Rehabilitation of the sewage lift stations in the Flamingo District

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How do i purchase a park pass, if i’m a local resident who visits the park regularly, what pass should i get, will i have to buy a new pass when the fees go up, does the park offer any discounted passes.

Yes. Entrance fees are not charged to persons 15 and under. If you are permanently disabled, a member or veteran of the U.S. Military, a volunteer for the NPS, or a child in 4 th grade, you may be eligible for a free entrance pass. Senior Passes are available at special rates for US citizens or permanent residents ages 62 or over.

Since 2012, currently serving members of the military and their dependents have been eligible for a free Military Annual pass. In gratitude for their service and sacrifice, U.S. military veterans and Gold Star Families can receive free lifetime access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas.

Details and purchase information for the various options in the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Pass Series can be found at https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm .

Additionally, the public is invited annually to experience national parks,  without entrance fees . Dates for 2024 are:

• January 15  –  Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• April 20 – First Day of  National Park Week
• June 19  –  Juneteenth
• August 4 –  Great American Outdoors Day
• September 28  –  National Public Lands Day
• November 11 –  Veterans Day

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Last updated: April 1, 2024

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Advance timed entry reservations for july visits to paradise and sunrise corridors available monday, april 1.

ASHFORD, Wash. – Mount Rainier National Park timed entry reservations for visits to the Paradise and/or Sunrise Corridors during the month of July 2024 will become available on Monday, April 1, 2024. Visitors who wish to plan ahead for a July visit can visit  Recreation.gov  any time after 8 a.m. Pacific Time starting Monday, April 1, and select their preferred dates and time blocks. Timed entry reservations for the  Paradise Corridor  starting on Friday, May 24 are also available.

Visitors who prefer a more spontaneous visit can enter the park without a timed entry reservation before 7 a.m. or after 3 p.m., or they may choose to wait for a second block of timed entry reservations to be released at 7 p.m. every summer evening for visits on the following day.

Entrance passes  are required for all visitors accessing any area in the park, regardless of the day and time.

The 2024 pilot timed entry reservation system seeks to spread out visitation in the most heavily impacted corridors throughout the day. The system will be in effect from Friday, May 24, 2024, through Monday, September 2, 2024. “We believe the timed entry system will not only reduce overcrowding but will also help protect special places like the wildflower meadows at Paradise and Sunrise that so many folks enjoy.” stated Superintendent Greg Dudgeon.

Park visitors will need a reservation between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. to: 

• Enter the  Paradise Corridor  from either the Nisqually Entrance via State Route 706 or Stevens Canyon Entrance via State Route 123 from May 24 through Sept. 2. Starting April 1, timed entry reservations for May 24–July 31 will be available.
• Enter the  Sunrise Corridor  at the White River Entrance via State Route 410 from July 4 through Sept. 2. Starting April 1, timed entry reservations for July 4–July 31 will be available.

Each reservation is for one personal vehicle and will cost $2.   The reservation will provide a two-hour entry window. For instance, visitors with a 9 a.m. reservation could enter the park between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. There is no required departure time.  

Visitors with in-park reservations for  lodging  or  camping  in one of the two corridors will not require an additional timed entry reservation and can enter that corridor any time after 1 p.m. the first day of their reservation and throughout their stay. Other permit holders may enter the park without reservations as outlined in their wilderness permit, special use permit, research permit or commercial use authorization. 

The park has grown in popularity in recent years, with visitation growing from just over 1.1 million in 2013 to about 1.6 million in 2022. Most of those visits occur between July and September and are concentrated in a small number of destinations, including Paradise.  

The National Park Service has been engaged in a visitor use management planning effort focused on the Nisqually-Paradise Corridor. During the planning process, the public also raised concerns about congestion in the Sunrise Corridor. A draft environmental assessment was shared with the public in April 2023 and identified reservation systems as a strategy to address the overall visitor experience.  

This pilot reservation system is a key part of evaluating what type of system will provide a more enjoyable experience for visitors. The system is not expected to reduce overall visitation, but rather spread it out throughout the day and season to reduce crowding. 

Detailed information on both the pilot reservation system is located at  https://go.nps.gov/MORATimedEntry  

Visitors with questions about the park’s timed entry reservation system can contact the park at  e-mail us  or review the  timed entry reservation system frequently asked questions  list. Timed entry reservations may only be made online at  Recreation.gov  or by calling 877-444-6777 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Pacific Time.

For more information on Mount Rainier National Park, please visit the park’s  website .   

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About the National Park Service:  More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 429 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities.  Learn more at  www.nps.gov , and on  Facebook ,  Instagram ,  Twitter , and  YouTube .   

Last updated: March 29, 2024

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