Anyone,

Really excited about arriving in LA in Sept. to search for a beautiful GMC 26' Motorhome. We're coming from Australia and will stay RVing for a year or more. You guys have such cheap gas there. lol

My hopes are to be able to get into the National Parks and travel around the country. Depends where we buy the GMC as to where we start the trip but want to see everything including the Baja right down to La Paz if we can. My question to you is do you think it's possible to go from National Park to National Park instead of the other camp sites around the country? Also, should we purchase a membership with the Parks if so, is there one?
Since we are brand new to this kind of thing any advice is good advice.

Dgrant

Keep in mind that there are national forests and national parks. Are you talking about one or both? Regardless, I suggest you purchase the Rand McNally Road Atlas which clearly displays both throughout the U.S. Reviewing the maps(s) should help get you started in answering your question about camping from national park (forest) to national park (forest). There are some states that have neither, e.g. Maryland.

As for a pass, there are several federal passes all coming under the title of America the Beautiful Passport. I suggest you click on the Introduction tab on the upper left side of this page. Then, click on America the Beautiful Passport which displays a description of the various passes, e.g., senior pass. If you decide to purchase one, they can be obtained from Forest Service and Park Service offices around the country. I should mention there may be one problem. You have to be a U.S. citizen to purchase either the senior or access pass. However, I believe you can purchase the annual pass. If you want to purchase the latter, let me know and I'll check it out.

Finally, click on the National Forests and Campgrounds tab also on the upper left side of this page. It lists and describes campgrounds in NFs all over the U.S. For National Park campgrounds, go to www.nps.gov. Hope this helps get you started. If you have more questions, please come back to us on this forum. We all love to talk

Fred

Thanks Fred for your reply,

I suppose my initial problem is not understanding the difference between the parks and the forests. Can you stay at either in the RV or are the forests owned by the Feds and offer the best of both worlds when you are camping in the nature of it all.

The parks offer a membership for $80 Do you have to purchase a membership for the forest as well.

Just a bit confused here I think.

You can camp in developed campgrounds (CG) with your RV in either a national forest (NF) or national park (NP). However, some developed CGs may not have campsites large enough to take your rig and some may be tent only either by design or the parking aprons/interior road(s) are not suitable for an RV. Another distinction for camping between the two is national forests permit dispersed camping with an RV (no amenities, just camping in the woods). NPs, on the other hand, normally do not permit dispersed camping with an RV. Like everything else, there are some rules for dispersed camping. Our research does not cover such camping so you'll have to check the Forest Service website for each NF, www.fs.fed.us - rules may vary between them. Check our website for specifics on camping with your RV in NF developed CGs. Developed means there is at least one toilet and maybe potable water in a CG and usually a picnic table, fire ring/grille and parking apron at each campsite.

Many NPs require payment of a fee to enter the park. For example, I believe the entrance fee for the Yellowstone is $25 per vehicle - $25 even if towing a dingy with your RV. With rare exception, NFs do not require a fee to enter the forest. America the Beautiful annual pass is accepted by both NFs and NPs (and most other federal recreational facilities, such as national monuments). The pass is used primarily for entering NPs and maybe some national monuments and useful only if your entrance fees will exceed $80 for a given year. It is very important to note that the annual pass cannot be used to pay CG, swimming, boat ramp and such other fees in any federal recreational facility. You can determine whether entrance fees are charged for NPs and national monuments by going to the Park Service website at www.nps.gov.

I hope I haven't confused you some more. To answer other general questions you might have about NF camping, check out our Introduction (click on tab upper left) . . . Fred

Thank you for your prompt reply Fred.

I am Sharon, Doug's wife. I just realized he had not sent you a reply so I thought I would... Yes.. it is confusing, but thank you for making the mud a little clearer anyway...lol..At least we will know what to look for and who to ask, and hopefully avoid doing anything we should not do.

I know this is not part of the forum ....but you are a bevy on information so I hope you or any other members maybe able to enlighten us.

We just sold our 36 ft sail boat, and in many way I think RVing will be similar....But..What is considered a "Big" rig, I see that term used but no figure attached..30ft ..35ft 40ft?.

We want to purchase a MH and really do not want to pull anything, We may get a couple of bikes and do the best we can. The larger ones seem to be cheaper...(like 30ft)...finding a 24 or 26 is more difficult to find..and we want to stay in the late 1990's. The internet has been wonderful for searching our different options.

We are now looking at spending up to $25.000...(the share market has knocked our budget around a little..lol) and an A class 30ft.......Is that just too big for a lot of the camping and forrest grounds?

We are flying into LA Sept 10th..and have a few to look at..the size has been a question for us. We know with boating the smaller you get the easier it is ...Any thought would be welcome..

We want to get some of your books. As we will not have a postal address, what is the best way to order them? I am sure others have had that problem also.

regards Sharon Grant

heh, couldn't resist....

I just thought I would add my 2 cents on the RV question...a 26 foot rig is not that big...not in comparison to the 30 ft + diesel pushers. However, you may want to reconsider towing a small vehicle to transport around from your base camp as 26 ft would not be very convenient to go to the store etc. Also, once you get camp set up and you plan on staying a few days it is not always feasible to pack everything away if you want to go sight seeing and you have to take the RV.

Also, you will need to plan ahead and make sure that your trip does not include any tight curves on a windy road (I think they are called Kingpins) that might be too tight for an RV that size.

As for the Post Office delivery, most Offices will take general delivery parcels if you call ahead to a specific post office and notify them.

Have fun and I hope you make it up to the Sierra's on your trip....that is if they don't go up in flames by September!

Annie

Thanks Annie I appreciate your reply,

I am open to all information.

Firstly, my husband does not want to tow anything...also we are not sure how long we are traveling for...so selling or storing ( we live in Australia) two vehicles gets expensive and more difficult I imagine.

I am used to provisioning for months with out shopping, so I am ok about the shopping. Although the sight seeing thing is more of a concern, we did think of a motor bike tacked on to the back. but no "toad"...I love that word!

I am trying to get my husband to consider a 5ver, but he would still prefer not to tow...also they seems a bit big as well..

I am an Artist and coming to Paint..isn't there a great Art gallery around the Sierra's? I am so excited about it all.

Do you think in the scheme of things their is much difference from a 26ft and a 30ft..I would prefer the narrower MH without slides..

Thanks for mentioning those tight turns or kingpins, I suppose they are mentioned on maps?

I have never driven a motor home before...but I keep imagining that smaller is easier and safer, I may be wrong ...we wanted an A class as we felt it may be have more visibility.

cheers Sharon

Just read you are a painter and must say - Oh my! bring lots of paint!

I would suggest, if you start in LA area, head east for the Grand Canyon, south rim. Sedona is a must see and hiking Oak Creek Canyon a must do. Then back up to Flaggstaff, AZ and visit Sunset Crater (Bonito campground is right there and a personal favorite). The colors are amazing. Take US 89 north across the Painted Desert to Marble Canyon where you'll pick up US 89A to the Grand Canyon, north rim. Here you could meet an elk or two but no where near the number of humans you saw on the south rim. Check out the photo albums I have on the Camping with Suzi web page for an idea of just have amazing Sedona and the north rim can be (and these photos were taken on lousy weather days.)

Now you have a choice. You can go north to the Canyonland of Utah (Zion and Byrce are here but the lesser know Parks and Monuments are equally glorious.) Or you can continue eastward for the Four Corners area which also has the Monument Valley (if you have seen any of the "classic" American western, you've seen Monument Valley.)

Warning-If you look up 'boring" the landscape of west Texas appears.

But it will be worth the drive when you get to east Texas. Consider Cagle campground outside of Houston - very nice.

I would suggest you stay in the southern part of the country for the winter months. It may get cold and icy but snow and freezing temperatures aren't as likely as in north.

We have a 31 foot MH and Fred loves it. I find it a little big and am uncomfortable driving it on city streets but Fred does just great. There should be some outstanding deals right now and our gas prices are starting to tamper off. Since you will be living in your MH for months, I would suggest going for the bigger rig. I think a 26 foot would be fine if you could always have the great outdoor as your livingroom.

FYI - Most private campground will accept mail for you if you ask ahead and plan to stay for a few days. US Post Offices will hold General Delivery mail for a couple of weeks and than will either return it to sender or forward it to a location you authorize in writting.

What a great adventure you and Doug are going to have!

.AHHh I just lost my post ..got eaten up by the post monster...lol
Starting again...

Thanks for the reply suzi...yes I will check your web site out....mine is

wwwsharongrant.com.au

Yes the rv will be filled with Art stuff...but I think I will buy everything in the USA..a bit worried about taking paints into the country, even in the belly. You have set my mind at rest about the size..I think we will go to 31 ft and enjoy the extra space. We have resigned ourselves that we may have to get a toad, but will wait till we are more comfortable on the road.

My husband had a RV when he was a kid and drove around Canada...so he just has to get use to it again. I don't know if I mentioned it but I received my 5 year this week...still have to in and out the county every six months but that is easy.

I hope I meet some of the people that I have been reading about on different forums, and although they have not realized it, have been a wonderful source of information. I am so looking forward to getting some of your books..with out the right information, unless you have a life time to explore you can really miss out.

I will post what we end up buying and where we are.

I will fly an Australian and American flag...maybe Canadian..too... lol..Wow I will be very multicultural.

Till next time...

Cheers Sharon

Sharon, you're right. You will have plenty of time to decide if you want to deal with a tow behind. Our neighbors have one of those huge Diesel Pushers and tow a small car behind but do not always take it.

Suzi is right...Arizona holds some magnificent sights! So many things to see everywhere really. From there you could also head up to Nebraska Montana/wyoming...beautiful country as well...then head over to Nebraska and Mt. Rushmore.

I do hope you make it to Northern California though...also some spectacular places to visit. If you go into Nevada be sure to visit Virginia city! It is not a national park, but a true old Silver Mining town that was built in the early 1800's. The RV park is right next to the cemetary "Boot Hill", and the locals swear you can catch a glimpse of ghosts of old miners. The last time we RV'd there a band of wild horses passed through...it was great! They have museums and guided trips through the mines as well as a short train ride around the countryside. Of course coming off season, you may find some attractions closed. From Virginia city it is just a hop skip and a jump to the old well perserved ghost town of Bodie.

Again, so much to see!

On the flip side...Australia is the only place I have ever ever wanted to visit. Forget Hawaii or Cancun! I want to go to New Zealand and Tazmania as well....someday maybe I'll make it there.

Let us know when you get here!

Annie

Wow ...I am so glad we applied for the Five year visa...sounds like this trip could be much longer than we thought, so many wonderful things to see! Maybe "the house will need to be sold"....lol..Thanks for all the ideas...

cheers Sharon

sharon a 5th wheel is the way to go you can leave 5er at camp site and travel in the truck there are lot's of 5er's you can tow with a 1/2 ton truck and it is much cheaper a mh will get about 7-8 mpg a truck about 12-14 depending how fast you tow.

Thanks for that info, but I just have to get me a MH. I would like you to tell me where the term 5th wheeler came from. No fifth wheel on the rig that I can see.lol

Dgrant

The term 5th wheel is derived from the type of hitch used to tow the trailer. It originates from semi tractor trailers which have a fifth wheel plate where the trailer hooks to the tow vehicle. 5th wheel campers use the same type of hitch only smaller.

Well??!! Didja go??!! How did all this turn out? Where did you travel? How was your camping experience? Or are you still traveling? Enquiring minds, even what little is left of my own--and that ain't much--want to know!