Even if you’re not normally a camping enthusiast, you can save a lot of money on vacations by renting a RV or campervan and staying in national or state parks while traveling. If you travel through the western United States, there are many amazing parks to visit, including:
- Yosemite National Park
- Redwoods National Forest
- Yellowstone National Park
- Grand Tetons National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Mount Rushmore National Memorial
To give yourself more time to take in the sights in these parks, here are four tips for camping in national parks while in a campervan.
Research Routes
When you visit some of the national parks out west, many of them are only accessible by going up steep winding roads. Research the park that you wish to visit and the routes that will take you there. Also, look up information about the park online to find important information such as fire warnings, road closures if you’re traveling in the winter or early spring, and other recommendations about getting to the park.
Take a GPS
To help you get to the park without getting lost in the mountains, make sure that the vehicle has GPS or buy one to take with you. Without a GPS, you could easily take the wrong road and find yourself miles away from your destination before you can get back on the right one. Also, try to stay on the main roads even though the GPS may recommend a shorter route because the road may be too small for a campervan.
Be Aware of Size
You should know the measurements of the vehicle that you’re driving into the park, including anything that you’re towing, to prevent frustration when trying to park it or turn around. If you don’t own the vehicle, companies providing campervan rentals should be able to tell you the height and length of any vehicles on their lots. Before leaving for your trip, research campsites to find out which amenities they offer and the size of their parking spaces to plan which part of the park you’ll stay in.
Learn Vehicle Limitations
Unlike RV parks that provide full hookups for campervans and larger RVs, national parks do not provide those amenities. As a result, you need to learn how to run the vehicle without always being connected to hookups or a generator. Find out how long you can go before the tanks will need to be refilled with water and before needing to empty the waste tanks. Also, try to practice water and gas conservation techniques so that you won’t be running on empty while staying in the park.
With these tips, you and your family can have a great time staying in and exploring national and state parks no matter where in the US you’re traveling.