Visiting National Parks Like A Pro

If you’ve never visited one of our spectacular national parks in an RV, you’re really missing out on an incredible experience. 

Not only does a trip to one of these gems offer an educational experience, but there’s also plenty to do, from hiking to exploring to enjoying the wildlife. And this type of RV trip can also be relatively inexpensive compared to other vacations.

If you’ve never visited a national park by RV, it’s a bit different than taking a trip to a state park, if for no other reason than the number of people who are enjoying it via camper. To make sure your trip goes off without a hitch, we’ve put together a few tips to help you out.  

Say no to spur-of-the-moment trips – This rarely works out, so be sure that you plan your visit well in advance. Many national park campgrounds have 6-12 month booking windows, so get on it. Trust us; when you plan ahead, it takes the stress out of hurriedly trying to book your site and possibly not staying at your first choice of campgrounds. 

Check out pet policies – Not all national parks welcome Fido and Fluffy, so be sure you do your research to see if they’re allowed and if there are any other restrictions. 

Make sure you get the site you want – If you want a campsite with water, sewer, and electricity, make sure you review the campground information thoroughly to ensure the sites have what you need. There’s nothing worse than getting to a campground and discovering it doesn’t have full hook-ups. 

Plan your route – Many parks have limited routes in and out, and some of those could be difficult to maneuver your camper through. Make sure you follow RV routing and use the National Park app, which can be a beneficial tool. 

Plan where you park and go early – If your camping site is all the way across the park – or outside the park – you may be driving to various attractions and trailheads. In general, small parking lots are the norm, and with plenty of people visiting, it’s always a good idea to get there early. Many parks and campgrounds have shuttles you can utilize.

Schedule your time wisely – Plan your activities and visits to attractions so that you’re not backtracking and wasting time. Also, consider having meals out earlier or later than usual, so you don’t spend as much time waiting. 

Take advantage of programming that comes with your pass – Study the schedule of events and select some you’re interested in. Most of these programs are free and geared toward families with kids. This can be a fun, educational, and economical way to spend some time. 

Before you hit the road to any national park this year, make sure your RV is in tiptop condition. Crowder RV’s service department is here to serve you Monday through Friday, so just schedule an appointment at 423-282-5011.