40' Park spaces?

[Singing Land Cruiser]

Hello All, we have not been on the road since the 1st part of 2002. Back then we had a 38', 102 Bounder. But we always heard from the park mangers  "another couple of feet and you wouldn't be allowed in here". Now that we have a 40' 102a3, I would like to know if the parks are set up to handle the big busses? What parks should we stir clear of? Thanks, M&C

[Dreamscape]

Michael, There are a lot that do and some that don't. You just have to google where you are going and read what the website says for the park you choose. I'm sure more experienced campers will chime in. Start doing the research before you guys hit the road! We haven't  been turned down, but our experience is limited.

~Paul~

[bobofthenorth]

We've travelled a lot and never been turned away from a park because we were too big.  I'm sure those parks exist but they haven't been a problem for us.  We've been in places where the Ranger said that some of their sites were too small for us but for us to go ahead and find something big enough and then let him know where we parked.

[PP]

M&C,
We've never been turned away from a park (public or private) because of size. In fact, most private parks act toward us like its a real coup to snaggle such a rig away from their competitors in the area. On one occasion, we were put on a side road in the park because he didn't have a large enough space available and even strung out a heavy cord and water hose to our coach to accomodate us for the night. Use your own judgement and feel for the park when you pull in. Some just do not have anything long enough for us 40 footers but can usually tell you the nearest park that does. This has been our experience, I'm sure there are those that will differ and attitude goes a long way in either direction.
Will & Wife

[Sean]

As with Bob, we have had few problems in our "nearly" 40-foot rig.  We are actually 39'5", so we always say "39" when asked -- there is a magic cut-off for many people at 40'.

We have had problems in a few places:

• The Park Service campground at Grand Canyon South Rim ("Mather") enforces a strict 30' limit.  If you want to stay at the Grand Canyon, you will either need to go to the concessionaire-run "Trailer Village" or stay outside the park, in Tusayan.  The North Rim has a nominal 35' restriction, but the rangers there are more laid back, and will usually let you hunt for a space that you can fit.
• Many, many California state parks have limits well below 40'.  Of all the 42 states we've visited, only California has presented this issue.  Many parks we simply can't do; a handful have a site or two where we fit.
• Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument actually measured us with a tape.  If we had been even an inch over 40', they would have turned us away.
• Lots of Forest Service and other primitive campgrounds list limits lower than 40', but usually do not enforce this if you can find a way to fit.
• Many private parks charge extra by length.
• Death Valley NP restricts you to certain sites by length.

Of course, your 40' length and 102" width will also restrict you from certain roads.  Most of NJ and a good part of the northeast are technically off limits, as well as some mountain roads in the west.  If you have anything attached to your coach that makes it longer than exactly 40', most of California will also be off limits.

All that said, we have rarely been unable to go wherever we wanted.  We've never been stopped and measured anywhere (except Organ Pipe).  There is one road and one campground in Death Valley from which we are restricted, and a handful of roads with low clearances where we have to go around on an alternate route (such as the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway).

-Sean
http://ourodyssey.blogspot.com

[Singing Land Cruiser]

Thanks Guys, the info will come in handy. All the Best, M&C