10 Best National Park Campgrounds For Big Rigs

Above, Trailer Village at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon can accommodate larger RVs. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I was out shopping for a motorhome six years ago, I was looking for one that would fit into my parking space and would also accommodate my car at the same time. 

I settled on a 23 foot Winnebago Minnie Winnie 22R. It is big enough for me and fit into into my parking space at my Tarzana, California apartment. 

Its size is also easily accommodated in national park campgrounds. I was always aware that larger RVs cannot fit in most national park campsites. But there are some who can.

RV Life has posted an article that includes a list of ten best national park campgrounds suitable for big rigs.

They it begin with:

There are so many reasons to adore our national parks. They feature some of the most iconic landscapes, incredible hiking trails, astonishing natural wonders, and lots of diverse wildlife. These locations are at the top of most bucket lists.

However, because our national parks have been around for so long, many of them are just not able to accommodate some of the bigger, more contemporary RVs that visit them. While maximum length for trailers and motorhomes vary between parks, the average permitted length is around 27 feet long. This includes driving through and around the park as well as accessing and parking in various parking lots and campgrounds.

This cuts out some of the more rugged parks or those with smaller campgrounds or narrow roads, bridges, or tunnels. Some examples of these are the Zion-Mount Carmel tunnel in Zion National Park, and some of the curvier roads in Smoky Mountains National Park. Some parks such as Congaree National Park in South Carolina don’t even allow any RVs in their campgrounds.

However, there are still many national park campgrounds where big rigs can easily drive, park, and camp. Below are 10 of our favorites where larger RVs either have their own sections or can be accommodated anywhere within the park. It is good to keep in mind that most national park campgrounds may not have full hookups or even electrical hookups, so be prepared to dry camp.

Before visiting any national park campground, check ahead with the park for available big rig sites as well as hookups. In addition, ask about maximum length and any road restrictions, height restrictions, and obstacles such as large trees or sharp curves. Use an RV-safe GPS like the RV LIFE App and check Campground Reviews to learn whether or not a campground will be able to accommodate your RV.

To read more, go here.