RV Camping Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The magic of the Great Smoky Mountains is waiting to thrill you, especially if you're traveling in the comfort of an RV. This vacation season is the perfect time to explore the ridges and hollows, forests and rivers that make Great Smoky Mountains National Park a favorite destination of our RV rental clients.

We asked our clients what, exactly, keeps drawing them back to "The Smokies" and here's what they had to say:

• Abundant Wildlife: The variety and abundance of wildlife you'll find in Great Smoky Mountains National Park may come as a big surprise on your first visit. Large species like black bear, elk and white-tailed deer can be safely viewed without disturbing their natural habitats. They share the Park with smaller birds and animals such as coyotes, barred owls and salamanders, promising wildlife lovers and nature photographers plenty of vacation memories.
• Glorious Scenery: Breathtaking sunsets and sunrises are only two of the reasons not to miss this National Park. You'll never forget finding a secret valley filled with the famous blue haze that gives the Smokies their name. Natural attractions such as Cades Cove, Roaring Fork and Newfound Gap Road are spectacular places you'll want to see for yourself.
• Endless Outdoor Sports: Great Smoky Mountains National Park isn't just for seeing from the road. Biking or hiking the trails will give you a front row seat to waterfalls, forests and streams not easily seen from the roads. If you'd like to try your hand at brook trout fishing, the streams in the Park are the place to go. There are also several horseback riding concessions and exciting whitewater rafting excursions available.
• Unforgettable RV Campgrounds: Even though this Park features many remote areas, there are several unforgettably beautiful "front country" campgrounds accessible to RV campers. Use this link to find information on NPS campgrounds suitable for RVs within the Park. Just in case those are full, there's an extremely helpful website, Smoky Mountains RV Campgrounds, with full information on two dozen campgrounds nearby.

There's no doubt about it, Great Smoky Mountains National Park should be on your list of "must camps." Our El Monte RV Rentals location in Atlanta, Georgia is closest to the National Park, about two hours away once you pick up your RV rental. Call us to reserve your RV, and be sure to let us know about your own Great Smoky Mountains adventure!

RV Camping California's Redwood Forests

This is the 2nd post of 3 posts on RV camping in California's National parks. Also see: RV Camping California's Desert Parks.

No RV camping trip to California is complete without time spent in its redwood forests. Fortunately, two parks sit side by side in California and showcase not only these redwood forests, but also mountain peaks, awesome caves and classic California chaparrals. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, east of the San Joaquin Valley, are a non-stop photo opportunity, as well as the perfect place to hike, ride horses or mountain bike.

Choose from hundreds of miles of hiking trails, take a Ranger-guided tour, or simply drink in the stillness of early morning in the forest. To plan a memorable RV trip to these two National Parks, use this link for campground information and pay attention to RV length limits and tips for camping amidst the abundant wildlife.

For the ultimate in California redwood viewing, plan an RV trip to Muir Woods National Monument, a spectacular part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Walk among the giant redwoods at Muir Woods, and then take in the astonishing variety of attractions in the Golden Gate NRA.

Being able to visit such sites as the Presidio, Alcatraz Islands and the beautiful beaches of the Bay Area all in the same trip make this a top pick among RV campers. Although no RV campgrounds exist within the NRA itself, campgrounds like Marin Park are close to public transportation and within easy driving distance of all the Golden Gate attractions.

And we haven't even mentioned the most venerable of California's redwood-filled National Parks, Yosemite. The waterfalls, granite slopes and sunlit meadows of Yosemite draw millions of visitors each year. RV campgrounds are available within the Park itself, and nearby parks like High Sierra RV give motorhome campers plenty of options.

For more California RV Camping information and information on where to rent you RV for a California National Park vacation, see RV Rental California - For Your California RV Vacation.

RV Camping Trip to the Grand Canyon – North Rim

Be sure to also see our post: RV Camping Trip to the Grand Canyon - South Rim.

If you've never seen the Grand Canyon, or have only visited the South Rim, it's time to plan a trip to the North Rim. Much wilder and more remote than the popular South Rim area, there are fascinating vacation possibilities there for the intrepid RV camper. Let's talk about places you should definitely visit while on your RV camping trip to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

First, we should discuss how to get to the North Rim area. You'll find the entrance to the North Rim thirty miles south of Jacob Lake in northern Arizona. For an incredibly scenic drive, pick up your RV from El Monte RV Rentals in Las Vegas and discover the beauty of Zion National Park in the southwest corner of Utah along the way.

Once you arrive at the Grand Canyon's North Rim Entrance, take the road to the North Rim Visitor Center on Bright Angel Peninsula. You'll find trail maps and other helpful information there to make your visit more rewarding. Grand Canyon Lodge, located very near the Visitor Center, offers some once-in-a-lifetime views from its dining room.

Park your RV at the Visitor Center and hit the trails for the ultimate North Rim experience. A note of caution: the North Rim is at 8,000 ft. elevation, so hiking here is best left to those in good physical condition. But there are spectacular views available for almost everyone from Bright Angel Point, a half-mile walk from the Lodge.

For hikers, the North Kaibab Trail offers three options, depending on your level of fitness. Seasoned hikers will love the slightly less than five mile hike down to Roaring River. A less challenging hike takes visitors to the Supai Tunnel, two miles from the trail head. If your group includes non-hikers, consider Coconino Overlook as your destination, a mile and a half round trip with an amazing view of the Grand Canyon as a reward.

Two more essential North Rim experiences are Point Imperial, about eight miles down the road from the Visitor Center, and Cape Royal, at the end of a twenty-three mile journey from the Lodge past breathtaking overlooks.

Now, where to camp while you're there? The North Rim Campground is located within the Park itself, while DeMotte Campground, Jacob Lake Campground and Kaibab Camper Village are all located within an easy drive from the Park entrance. Use this link to National Parks Service information on RV campgrounds in the North Rim area.

There's nothing quite like viewing the sunrise from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. It's an experience everyone who loves traveling by RV should enjoy at least once. Why not plan to make the trek to the North Rim this year? We can safely say it's a trip you'll never forget.

RV Camping Trip to the Grand Canyon - South Rim

No matter how many times we visit Grand Canyon National Park by RV, we find something different to enjoy. To experience the full range of what the Grand Canyon has to offer, try camping at a different RV campground each time. Let's focus on the magnificent South Rim area this time, and look at the sights, activities and camping possibilities there.

What You'll See on the South Rim
Here are some of our clients' favorite South Rim experiences. Pick a few for this visit and really start getting to know the South Rim.

1. Desert View Drive: This winding twenty-five mile drive along the South Rim from Grand Canyon Village to the Desert View Watchtower has enough photographic potential to fill your camera's memory card. Developed overlooks and primitive turnouts can be viewed from your vehicle or one of the Park's commercial tour busses.
2. Hermit Road: You won't be able to drive a vehicle on this super-scenic drive along the South Rim, but if you head west from Grand Canyon Village on foot, by bike or on one of the free shuttle busses, you'll see more scenery than you could ever imagine. Nine overlooks highlight famous views such as Maricopa Point, Hopi Point and Mohave Point.
3. Take the Mule Train! RV campers hoping for a more in-depth view of the South Rim should definitely take a mule trip or horseback ride into the Canyon. A private vendor manages these enjoyable trips into the wild, and you can make your reservations here.
4. Take a Hike! Trailheads leading to scenic day hikes abound on the South Rim. Bright Angel Trail, South Kaibab Trail and the Rim Trail are just a few of the hikes you might want to try when you're here. Read the materials provided here by the National Park Service to plan a safe hike appropriate for your fitness level.
   

There are plenty of other activities we haven't mentioned that will fill your days on the South Rim, but let's look at some of the great camping areas for motorhome campers. Both private and National Parks Service campgrounds are available in the area. Here are just a few:

• Desert View and Mather Campgrounds are both within the Park boundaries and can accommodate RVs. Neither has hookups, but can provide a pleasant "dry camping" experience in unforgettable scenery.
• Trailer Village, next door to Mather Campground, has full services available and is run by a private vendor. It's a very popular area, so make your reservations early.
• Ten-X Campground: The Kaibab National Forest, adjacent to the South Rim, is run by the US Forest Service. Less than five miles from the entrance to the Grand Canyon, Ten-X may not have hookups for RVs, but it does have beautiful scenery from its pine-filled campsites.
• Grand Canyon Railway RV Park: Park your RV in this wonderful park in the mountain village of Williams, Arizona, and take the Grand Canyon Railway to Canyon attractions. It's a wonderful way to the see the South Rim! You'll love this full-service RV campground's amenities and convenient location.

Even if you've traveled by RV to the Grand Canyon's South Rim, we're willing to bet you haven't seen all it has to offer. Contact our Las Vegas RV Rentals or Phoenix RV Rentals office for the right motorhome for your trip. We can't wait to hear what you discover this year on the South Rim!

RV Camping Outside Yellowstone

With boundaries in three states, and millions of acres of forest land surrounding the Yellowstone National Park, there's no shortage of scenic RV campgrounds outside Yellowstone. West Yellowstone, Montana, for example, boasts more than a dozen RV campgrounds.

Towns like Jackson and Cody, Wyoming also offer campgrounds close enough to use as your base camp. Many offer bus tours to the Park, so why not plan to spend at least one day getting familiar with Yellowstone with an experienced guide?

Use this link to choose the state and town you'd like to camp in and make your reservations early! The National Parks Service site also has a wealth of fascinating information to make planning your trip to Yellowstone easier.

RV Camping Inside Yellowstone National Park

With numerous campgrounds operated within the Park itself, and a wide variety of private RV campgrounds nearby, finding a place to park your RV rental isn't difficult. Here are some basic guidelines for finding an RV campsite within the Park:

• The twelve campgrounds within Yellowstone are operated by a private firm, and several are on a first-come-first-served basis for campsites.
• RV campers not planning to stay another night must check out by 10 a.m. at these campgrounds. Arm yourself with a plan for which campgrounds interest you and be there to claim your site.
• Here is a wonderful website with comprehensive information about all Yellowstone campgrounds, as well as many RV campgrounds outside the Park. You can also use this site to find how to reserve campsites in campgrounds that take reservations.
• Camping along roadways or in undeveloped areas isn't allowed at Yellowstone. One more important rule to plan for: generators aren't allowed after 8 p.m. at most campgrounds.
• Yellowstone is a wild and wooly place! Bears, wolves, bison and coyotes are only a few of the species roaming the park. Food, cooking utensils, coolers and anything that might attract animals must be stored inside your RV unless being used.
• Yellowstone is enormous! More than two million acres, spread across Montana, Wyoming and Idaho, make this Park the perfect place to camp for a week, or two. It also makes drive times outside the norm. It's common for campgrounds to be twenty or thirty miles beyond the closest entrance, so plan your arrival times accordingly.
• Your RV is a comfortable way to view the remarkable beauty of Yellowstone. Grand Loop Road takes you around the Park to most of the major attractions. Plan several hours to traverse this one hundred forty two mile series of figure eights, designed way back in 1883!

RV Camping In and Around Yosemite National Park

RV campers who have never experienced the extraordinary beauty of Yosemite owe it to themselves to make the trip. No matter what the season, there are special joys to be experienced at Yosemite National Park. To make your journey easier, we've pulled together some top tips for RV camping in and around Yosemite. Read through our ideas and then start planning your trip today. There's a world of wonder waiting when you journey to Yosemite.

Finding an RV Rental Near Yosemite
If you're in need of an RV rental before you camp, we suggest contacting the El Monte RV Modesto RV Rentals location. From Modesto Airport (MOD), we're only five miles away and can quickly get you down the road to Yosemite National Park. The Park's Big Oak Flat Entrance is about an hour and a half from Modesto.

RV Camping Within Yosemite
RV camping is allowed within Yosemite National Park, and can be a great experience with some preparation. The first thing you should know is that there are no RV hookups within the Park. During the summer, there are two dump stations available to make things easier.

There are ten campgrounds inside the Park boundaries that can accommodate RVs, with some specific length restrictions. Most of them have potable water and all are relatively inexpensive.

These campsites are primarily on the valley floor and can be crowded during the summer months. It's important to make your reservation far in advance, because Yosemite sees millions of visitors each year. Here's the Yosemite National Park Campground Reservations link for learning what dates each year those reservations can be made.

One more very important thing to know about camping within Yosemite National Park has to do with not tempting the wildlife by leaving food lying about. To keep yourself and your RV safe from hungry bears and other creatures, food must be kept out of sight and all windows, vents and doors of your RV closed tight.

To make yourself familiar with the rules and regulations of RV camping within Yosemite, click here to learn more about RV Camping in Yosemite National Park.

RV Camping Around Yosemite National Park
RV campgrounds can be found in beautiful mountain settings surrounding Yosemite. About fifteen miles west of the Park in El Portal, Indian Flat Campground is the closest RV camp to the Park on the Highway 140 route. Enjoy camping along the Merced River each night as you return from Yosemite.

Thirty miles west of Yosemite near the historic mining town of Mariposa, you'll find Yosemite West/Mariposa KOA Kampground. With a convenient shuttle to Yosemite, and a whole host of optional activities available, this campground is a great base for your trip.

Another beautifully scenic RV campground is twelve miles from the West Gate within the Stanislaus National Forest. Yosemite Ridge Resort in "Buck Meadows" features a waterfall and swimming hole your kids are sure to remember, plus a general store, vintage campsite buildings and an on-site restaurant.

One more place to consider for RV camping outside Yosemite National Park is High Sierra RV Park & Campground in Oakhurst, California. The spectacular mountain setting and abundant amenities make this one of the most highly-ranked RV parks in the area.

No matter where you camp when you visit Yosemite, it's a vacation of a lifetime. Sights like El Capitan and Half Dome restore our wonder for America's natural beauty. Yosemite Valley and the Falls are photo opportunities from every angle. Plan enough time to absorb the glory of Yosemite. It's definitely a place where you'll long to linger once you've arrived.

Buffalo, Rainbows, and Dragons Breath

I recently led an RV Rental caravan from Las Vegas through Salt Lake City, Jackson Hole Wyoming, and into Yellowstone.

The trip itself was a blast and I hope to be able to post details about each major tour area here.

There was one day that made the whole adventure come together for me. We had just left Artists Point in Yellowstone

headed back to camp and a brief rainstorm came and went. My wife and baby were seated in the back of the motorhome and she was still talking about the waterfall we had just seen.

Suddenly we saw coming toward the side of the motorhome what looked like a small wooly mammoth. Snorting and stomping as he came, the buffalo didn't seem to mind cars, trucks, or motorhomes as he pushed across the road and stopped traffic.

The big fellow joined a herd on the other side of the street. The sun came out of the clouds and above the herd a rainbow grew.

We later came to one of the many geological features of yellowstone, a hot springs area with a particular feature called Dragons Breath.

This feature actually puffed steam and made noise that made it seem like a dragon might really live at the bottom of this cave and be puffing steam up to warn us to stay away.

I suppose there are many memories I could keep in my head to remember this trip. I remember early mornings and coffee with friends, and the late nights with campfires and smores and songs and jokes. However, I suppose the lifetime memory I'll take with me from this trip is sitting in a motorhome with my family after a rainstorm with buffalos, rainbows, and dragons breath.

If you want to go to Yellowstone or another national park and see these things for yourself check out the El Monte RV Rentals National Parks page.