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Krdavidson22
Dallas TX
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Joined: 03/25/2023
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I’m planning a round-trip month-long vacation with RV (pulled by VW Atlas) this summer. This would be by family’s first RV trip, so I want to know just how insane this plan is. The general idea is to go from Dallas to Seattle and back, hitting as many National Parks along the way as possible.
So generally: Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Arches/Canyonlands, Crater Lake, Olympic, Yellowstone, and Tetons.
My main concern is the balance between planning ahead and leaving flexibility for mishaps and breaks and such. Is it unrealistic to assume we’ll be able to find places to park without reserving them beforehand? I know the national parks fill up far ahead of time, but do most have private campgrounds close by that have space? If so, are they generally good quality and available?
Any input based on this kind of trip would be so appreciated!
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stripit
Prescott
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Well that is a lot of driving in a short time frame. I see about 2,000 miles each way, and if you drive every day that is about 140 miles per day. We are finding a difficut time to not have planned months ahead to get spots for the rv. Rv parks are busy and fill up quickly during the traveling season.
Stacey Frank
2016 Tiffin Allegro Bus 40AP
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Bobbo
Wherever I park
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Someone my wife knows (and her husband), who had never RV'd in their lives, bought a brand new RV from a dealer last summer. Their shakedown trip was Memphis, TN to Alaska. They had a WONDERFUL time. They broke down in a little Alaskan village and were stuck for a week while a part was shipped in. The village adopted them. This summer, they are upsizing their RV, and going back to Alaska. The adjective that I choose to describe them with is "brave."
Bobbo and Lin
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KD4UPL
Swoope, VA
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Your first night in the camper should be in your driveway so every time you realize you forgot something you can run inside and get it.
Your next couple nights should be a local campgrounds not too far away so you can get a feel for how well your hitch, tires, etc. are set up. You will need a WDH with that tow vehicle I'd imagine. You should also make sure you have LT tires and not P tires on the Atlas.
It's very difficult with my family of 5 to make more than about 300 to 350 miles a day. When you account for camp tear down, fuel stops, bathroom stops, lunch stop, and setting up camp 300 miles is about enough for us. In my opinion if you wake up early, hit the road long and hard, and get to a campground late to set up in the dark it's not a vacation, it's an endurance run.
After maybe 2 or 3 days like that my kids need a break from being strapped into seat belts 8 hours a day so it's good to have a non-travel day every 3 or 4.
That looks like an over 4,000 mile trip to me, let's call it 4,500. I say you will need around 14 days of nothing but break camp, drive, set up camp.
Campsites are had to come by, particularly on weekends and at popular destinations. I just looked at a campground a few days ago for a mid-July reservation. I only wanted 1 night. About 90% of the spots were already booked.
I usually had all my destination campsites where I plan to spend a few days booked. I often leave the intermediate travel stops up to chance. Mostly it's worked out but not always. We tried to get a spot near Charlotte, NC one time not realizing that NASCAR was in town. That was a no-go.
We've gone out for 2 weeks at a time multiple times and it's been okay but the whole family is tired by the time we get back. I want to try a 3 week trip soon and maybe get from VA to MT. That will take lots of planning and reservations ahead I'm sure.
I've owned 3 RVs over the last 24 years and I'm looking for number 4. I wouldn't advise taking off for 4 weeks with no experience, no reservations, and no break in time with the new equipment. Especially if it's a new RV, there will always be something that needs attention under warranty.
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2oldman
NM
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One month for that is going to be awfully rushed.
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wildtoad
Blythewood, SC
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First thing to consider is travel per day, butt in seat time. And with current issues in Seattle why go there unless there is family to see. 5-6 hours a day is enough for us, and one one day. We plan on no more than 200-250 miles a day and then a couple of rest/explore days. RV trips should be relaxing not how many miles a day you can handle.
Have fun.
Tom Wilds
Blythewood, SC
2016 Newmar Baystar Sport 3004
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cptqueeg
Idaho
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National Parks......summer time......"with out reserving beforehand"........we're talking divorce when you get back, if you make it back alive. LOL
Sounds like a small rv that can get into some smaller campgrounds, how about checking into some National Forests at high elevation w access to lakes and rivers. Bighorn NF, Gallatin Custer NF , Bridger Teton NF, Caribou NF and give the family a chance to camp instead of dealing w throngs of people all doing exactly the same thing at the same time. The more desirable NP, NF, State Parks campsites are already filling up, though. You have to make it fun or there won't be a second trip.
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ppine
Northern Nevada
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Listen to KD4UPL.
If you call ahead on the road a few days in advance you will be able to find places to stay except for major National Parks.
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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Well, OP, as far as trips go, you’re talking to mostly old people on here who can’t stay awake long enough drive more than a couple hundred miles a day…. And forgot that they used to be busy just like the rest of the world still is.
Sounds like a great trip!
Yes you absolutely need reservations in or around National Parks or any sort of destination….or Wally Dock or boonie dock it if you’re in the right area.
Not that difficult to figure out. Plan the big stops, weed out the ones that are too many or don’t fit in the trajectory and hit the road.
Have fun!!
Give a shout if ya need anything near Rainier. We just down the hill a bit from it.
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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wildtoad wrote:First thing to consider is travel per day, butt in seat time. And with current issues in Seattle why go there unless there is family to see. 5-6 hours a day is enough for us, and one one day. We plan on no more than 200-250 miles a day and then a couple of rest/explore days. RV trips should be relaxing not how many miles a day you can handle.
Have fun.
So, umm what are you even talking about, about Seattle?
Or are you just another one of those reverse snowflakes like the couple other ****** on here who now are making a stand by “not camping” in states they don’t agree with from a political perspective?
Or are you referencing the George Floyd riots that happened almost 3 years ago? If so, I’m not sure how to put this, but that was over….almost 3 years ago! Lol
250miles a day and a few days to relax in between each travel day? Ahhhh retirement must be lovely. Thank you for sharing that with us….
* This post was
edited 03/25/23 09:50pm by Grit dog *
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