RE: Prescott/Sedona Az.
Don't have any fantastic recommendations here in this area (Prescott). I would do Deadhorse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood or Distant Drums in Camp Verde. Not a far drive to either Prescott or Sedona from there. There is also Orchard Ranch RV Resort in the Dewey/ Prescott Valley area. It's a pretty nice 55+ resort with all the amenities.
There is a place in Prescott called "Point of Rocks CG." Hear there are lots of full-time residents there, reports are sketchy. I would commute in from the Verde Valley.
What time of the year are you coming out this way? Remember that it can get VERY cold up here in the winter. Down to single digits in Prescott Valley last winter a few times. Not all AZ is hot desert and cactus!!
RE: Zion NP entrance with oversize RV
When I first got my latest 5'er, 2 years ago, we saw just how strict they are at teh East entrance. They told me I was longer than 50' and couldn't go through. Then I walked to the back to discuss with the ranger. They brought out a more senior ranger who looked and said I was o.k. only because the bike rack put me over the 50' mark. They said the actual "body" of the back of the rig is what they look at.
They do have painted lines in the road and are pretty strict with making you stop right at the line in the front and then measure up the back. My rig (truck and 5'er)is only inches shy of the 50' mark. I wouldn't chance it if you are that close because then it would be quite a detour to have to turn around at the gate and go back to 89.
We'll be back in April and will be ready for the measure-up again!
RE: Yellowstone campground tips?
Madison CG!! Try and get a spot on the bottom side of loop C and you will be a close walk to the Madison, Gibbon, and Fire Hole River. Our favorite spot is C113 and has plenty of room for the awning and our set-up (see sig). Not at all cramped in with other campers. After Labor Day, the Elk activity will be great in that area too!
RE: Yellowstone
When we are in Yellowstone and come across a Bison jam in the road, we always laugh because over the years we have seen so many. But, we then think back to the first time we visited the park and saw them in the road and realize that a lot of these people stopping traffic are seeing them for the first time just like we once had. To call the people "ridiculous" and "no consideration for others" is kinda funny. You're one of the people that I pull over for because you are in such a hurry. These people clogging up traffic have escaped from their busy lives and are simply enjoying what the park has to offer. How about a little patience??
I was there for the third week in July last year and the traffic was horrible! I was doing some work for the Yellowstone Park Foundation and we had to leave VERY early in the morning to miss the traffic. The trip home was nothing short of ridiculous! Miles of back-ups where people were stopped looking at various wildlife. Absolutely no consideration for the folks behind. I had one woman stop right in the middle of the road to take a picture of a Canada Goose! A goose for cryin' out loud! You can see Canada Geese in any city park!
There was a ranger staying with us who lived on the other side of the park. Rather than fight the traffic to get home, he'd spend the weeknights at the Fisheries Dorm and only go home on the weekends.
It truly is maddening what people will do but Yellowstone is still worth the effort. Just plan on LOTS of time to go from point "A" to point "B".
Also, I understand that July is the worst month for traffic so going in August you may not have as many people to deal with.
RE: Waterton, Alberta area campground recommendations?
Just got back a few weeks ago and we LOVED the Townsite CG! I guess we were lucky and didn't have much wind at all. The town, marina, etc. is all within biking/ walking distance of the CG. Wish we could have stayed more than 2 nights.
RE: utah camp grounds centraly located
Bauer's RV Park in Glendale, UT would be centrally located to the areas you are visiting. Full hook-ups and nice folks. Restrooms with showers and a laundry room. Not a whole lot to do at the park, but, no big deal if you're out sight seeing. $26/ night with a Good Sam card.
RE: Reservations needed Glacier NP?
Just got back from our trip there. If you go to Waterton Lakes in Canada, which I HIGHLY recommend, they take reservations at the "Townsite CG." Waterton was more than what we had expected and we wished we had planned a few more days there.
St. Mary CG inside the East entrance is a great spot and walking distance to the visitor center. We pulled in there on Friday July 4th and had no problem getting a spot. Your size rig should be no problem at all. The park's campground portion of their website has a calendar that displays "fill times" of the cg's in the park, and hardly any of them fill up. 4th of July was a Friday this year too, so, I would think you will be fine in August at St. Mary.
We stayed at Apgar CG inside the park on the West side and also had no problems getting a first come/ first serve site with plenty of room. This park also seldomly fills. The key is that you have a truck camper that will allow you to be pretty flexible in these spots.
Have fun!! We can't wait to go back sometime. 6 days at Glacier/ Waterton was not near enough for us!
RE: Yellowstone Camping
We were in C-loop at Fishing bridge weekend before last and there were a few empty sites on a Saturday night in our loop. Give them a call, might just be able to get you in there. C-loop sites are listed as 40' deep. Our 33.5' 5th wheel went in no problems at all with room on the one side to park the truck. Good luck and have fun!!
Trip report: Montana
Am currently staying for a night at Alhambra RV Park in Clancy, MT. off I-15. What a great spot for a stopover. It is close to the HWY, but, doesn't reallly bother us! Especially when the fishing is so good. Catching 10-12" brown, brook, and rainbow trout within 20' of our 5th wheel in Prickly Pear Creek. Also stopped here on the way up last week. Well worth $25 and only about 7 miles South of Helena. Did I mention that the fishing is great here!!
Last week we did the following:
2 nights at Waterton Lakes in Alberta, Canada. Great spot at "Townsite Campground." Full hook-ups, and a bike ride or walk from all amenities in town. What a beautiful place!!
2 nights at St. Mary CG in Glacier NP. No hook-ups, close to the visitor center. CG is a little tight in some spots for bigger rv's. Overall, pretty nice place. watched fireworks at the St. Mary KOA on the 4th, had a blast!! Took the Going-To-The-Sun Rd. in our truck, what a beautiful park GNP is!!
2 nights at Apgar CG on the West side of GNP. Had a big pull thru spot. Again, some of the loops are REALLY tight to move a bigger RV through. The hike to Avalanche Lake is a must. The views are AMAZING!!!
Tomorrow, off to Madison CG in Yellowstone!
Hey mtlogger!!
Don't know if we passed you today or not, but, we sure saw a bunch of log trucks! We did West Glacier to Helena via Kalispell-Big Fork-83-200). What a beautiful drive down 83! Seeley Lake and Salmon Lake are beautiful!!
RE: My Top 5 Favorite Campsites
1. Yellowstone, anywhere you can get a spot!
2. Gros Ventre CG, Grand Teton NP, WY
3. Watchman CG, Zion NP, UT
4. Big Lake CG, White Mountains, AZ
5. Hopefully somewhere in Glacier NP, MT! We are leaving in 3 days!!
RE: Tire/wheel thoughts - upgrade to a LT 225/75R-16E"?
I went with the 225 75 16E Michelin XPS Ribs right after purchasing my 5th wheel. I read way too many stories about big 5th wheels riding on 225 75 15ST tries and having issues. I also did not have enough room to run a 235 or 245, so had to do the 225. Yes, the 225 does not have much more weight rating than the 15" ST, but, you get great piece of mind travelling with a higher quality tire that is also 10 ply.
I now have several thousand miles on this set-up with no issues at all. This includes trips across the desert at 115 degrees running 65-67 mph. I bought a 16x7 aluminum wheel for mine, I couldn't be happier with the look and peformance. The trailer actually rides much better too.
The BFG Commercial T/A is a great choice too, but, if you have the extra $$, I say do the Michelins. You sure won't find many bad comments on here about the XPS Ribs.
Here's a link to the 16x7, 6x5.5 wheels:
http://www.trailertiresandwheels.com/site/1284278/product/AW1612
RE: Yellowstone Questions
We are headed to Fishing Bridge soon, 4th time in 5 years. We have NEVER been displeased. No problems last year in Loop C with a 33' 5'er. It's all about the location as others have said. Can't beat where in the park FB is located.
IMHO, Fishing Bridge beats the heck out of the full hook-up park at Colter Bay in GTNP. What a rip-off that place is for $50/ night.
You will be happy at Fishing Bridge as long as you don't want to just stay in camp all day. When we are there, we have b-fast, pack a lunch and hit the road for the day, not returning until dinner time.
Have fun! We'll be at FB 7/12 on our way through!
RE: Phoenix (Fountain Hills) To Yellowstone and Back
From Phx, I would go up there the way we take from P.V.
I-17 North to Flagstaff. Hwy 89 North all the way to Kanab. Can stay a night at Lake Powell in Page, or go further to Kanab and North from there. Pretty decent CG at Wahweap, full hook-ups at Powell. We go up Hwy 89 in Utah all the way to Glendale, UT (Bauer's Cyn Ranch) for the 1st night. (probably 6-6.5 hrs. from Fountain Hills)
We take 89 to North up to I-70, then cut over to I-15. I-15 to Brigham City, UT for night #2. Then, you can get all the way to Grand Teton or Yellowstone for night 3. You are on the road for 2 months, so, I might take Hwy 89 in Utah all the way into Wyoming, a lot more scenic.
With kids, the I-15 down to Vegas is a cool idea for the kids. We have stopped there on the way home before and stayed at the oasis RV Park where there is a great pool for the kids, a place for them to have fun and parents to wind down a bit. Just an idea.
With 2 months, I would go through Glacier Np also. We have not been there yet, but, are leaving in 2 weeks!
I've got some great family-type activities that we have found in Yellowstone/ Grand Teton over the years, send me a private message and I'll get you all the info you want!
RE: Glacier NP/ Waterton Lakes, here we come!!
Well, we're now 2 weeks away from leaving. The itenerary did change another time though. All reservations are made and I think my loan has been approved for my diesel fuel bill!!
1. Glendale, UT 1 night
2. Brigham City, UT 1 night
3. Helena, MT 1 night (Alhambra RV Park)
4. Waterton Lakes Park, Alberta/ Canada 2 nights
5. GNP, St Mary CG 2 nights
6. GNP, Apgar CG 2 nights
7. Helena, MT 1 night
8. YNP, Madison CG 3 nights
9. YNP, Fishing Bridge CG 1 night
10. GTNP, Colter Bay CG 2 nights
11. GTNP, Gros Ventre CG 2 nights
12. Brigham City, UT 1 night
13. Glendale, UT 1 night
A few scheduled activities include whitewater rafting in West Glacier, scenic float trip in GTNP, and of course a dinner show in Jackson at the 1 and only Bar J Chuckwagon! Plan on doing hiking and fishing in all the parks as well as a bus tour over the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
This trip can't start soon enough!! If anybody is going to be in the parks during our time there, look for a Savoy 5th wheel with an AZ license plate: "2YLWSTN"
RE: Black Tank Sewer Flush
I also have the built-in tank flush hose connection, but, have found it works better for us to do the following:
1. Use a "clear elbow" as stated above, it really let's you know how your flushing is doing.
2. Hook it all up, open the dump valve.
3. After it's done, go back into the rv with a 5 gallon bucket of water, dump down the toilet. Do this as many times as it takes until clear water is going through that clear elbow. Have never had to do more than 2 buckets.
Don't empty them black tanks after only 1 night. Let it fill up a ways before dumping. Also a good idea after dumping to put your treatment in with a few gallons to slosh around while driving. I never leave my tanks dry.
The key on the whole flushing thing, IMHO, is to use that clear elbow to make sure you're getting everything. Well worth the expense to have that on your connection!
Helena, Mt. to Waterton Townsite, Alberta??
Any preferred routes?? I see I have a few options. We'll be taking the edge of the park back into the U.S., but, not sure of the better route on the way up.
Thanks for any input!
Getting closer now! Be on the road 2 weeks from today!
