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Camping While On The Road

Ron Hutchison

Ron Hutchison

Novice
I'm planning to begin a 6 month trip to many of the western U.S. and Canadian National Parks in mid-April in my teardrop. I have a couple of questions and would appreciate your input/recommendations.

When on the road traveling between destinations, such as from one N.P. to the next, where there might be a day or two in between, where would you recommend staying? Would it be an RV Park or KOA or Walmart parking lot, other?

I need to be cost conscious because of such a long duration trip. Are Walmart parking lots considered fairly safe for overnight parking?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Hutch
 
While we have never actually parked in a Walmart lot, many campers we have met over the years have, and none have indicated any safety issues. I would think a 24 hour Walmart would be the least likely to result in a problem. And it would certainly be the cheapest. Sounds like a great trip!
 
You might want to visit the Good Sam forums. There are some threads regarding camping in a Walmart parking lot. I believe there is also a link to a website that lists the one's that allow overnight parking. I believe the recommendation is that you speak with the management even if they are listed.
 
We've did it twice last year. Both times there were other RVs that we parked next to. We also parked under one of the parking lot lights. They had 24 hr security that drove by every 10 minutes. Seemed pretty safe to me.
 
Visit the teardrop and tiny travel trailer forums. There are links available for very cost effective, free campsites. Some town offer free sites with a variety of hook ups.

I have never camped at Walmart.
 
I thank each of you for your input/suggestions. I like the idea of finding towns along the way that may offer free or low cost camping at parks, etc.

I'm looking forward to my trip and hope to meet up with some of you along the way. You never know as teardrops are easy to spot. I'll be on the lookout for fellow tear-droppers.

Hutch
 
If you can keep us updated while on the road. Perhaps we can hook up in the NW.
 
Evan,

I will be traveling in the NW and hopefully, we can hook up somewhere along the way while in your area. I will be posting and watching forum sites for teardrop gatherings throughout my journey.

I plan to begin my trip in mid-April traveling first to Rocky Mtn. NP then to Yellowstone and on to Glacier. From there I plan to cross into Canada to Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper and then over to the Vancouver area. Then back into the U.S. for parks in Washington, Oregon and California. I expect my wife to join me for a wine country tour while in CA. From there I will go to Yosemite for awhile. Then over to Arches, Canyonland, Brice Canyon and Zion NP's. Then on to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Then to the four corners region of AZ, UT, CO & NM. From there back home to Tennessee.

I expect to be gone 4 to 6 months and have no particular plans for how long I will be in any given area. As well as camping, I will be hiking and backpacking (my passion) in all of these areas. I have had this trip in mind since 2004 and it's finally about to happen.

Hopefully, I would be able to meet up with several forum members along the way.

In 2012 I plan to do the eastern U.S. and Canada.

Hutch
 
Hutch,

You are a lucky man because you get to travel and your wife allowing you to travel. The only suggestion I have is reverse the trip. Spend early Spring in SW, then warmer months north.

Feb 2009 I was in the SW areas you mentioned: nice temps. Would hate to be there in Summer! If y ou have a 4 wheel drive, strongly consider spending one to two days on White Rim Trail. You will not be able to take the tear. Neat experience. I camped under the stars one night. An experience I will always remember. Edit: White Rim road is closed due to major road washouts, bummer. Only section I did not visit was the Maze. Someday I will return.

Glacier is nice, but I think the Canadian Rookies are much more beautiful! Road snow closures due to remaining snow will be an issue early Spring.

Jean
 
Sounds great Hutch, You are going to be doing what I have dreams of doing. My wife wouldn't understand my long absence though, especially since I would be taking one of my dogs and not her. I am not sure what scene you are going for, but I think I have to agree with Jean. I have been to Crater Lake and the rim road was half open, and 2 ft of snow were on the down hill side of the road that was open. We camped at the CG and loved it. Enjoy!
 
Jean,

Your suggestion has a lot of merit. I have considered doing the SW first, but don't want to get into the northern areas so late that some areas are closed due to snows which I understand can cause many roads and areas to shut down as early as mid-September. I may still consider doing the SW option first though.

Thanks to all for your input. Any additional suggestions or comments are appreciated.

Hutch
 
Having done Yellowstone many times over the past 30 or so years, I would say to avoid it during April & even up through mid May. We spent part of our honeymoon in Yellowstone at the end of April/beginning of May and there was still 4+ feet of snow in most areas. While there, we encountered a snowstorm that closed several roads in the park. Even in mid June we've encountered snow in some areas. With the exception of Mammoth, which is open year round, the campgrounds start opening in early May - usually Madison is the first, with others following in mid to late May. We've also been there in August...mid August is really busy but late August, not so much as the tourist season is winding down.

We stopped at Crater Lake in mid July last summer...temps were in the 40's with a 30mph wind...still a lot of snow combined with mosquitoes! We also stopped at Lassen Volcanic NP. Weather was nice but cool...still quite a bit of snow in several areas.

We've spent quite a bit of time in the national parks in Utah and have found mid June a good time, weather-wise, for camping...not too hot, not too cold. Same with NPs in Arizona & New Mexico. Camped in the Grand Canyon at the end of April...was pretty chilly with 20º at night plus wind...we were tent campers then & I was 6 months pregnant, but we had a great time.

As far as places to stay when traveling point-to-point & trying to make miles, we have used Wal-Mart parking lots from Wisconsin to Florida, Minnesota to Idaho, Nevada to Nebraska & down to Texas. Never had any problems...always let them know we were there. Sometimes they would even show us a good spot. Many also would have security make rounds every so often throughout the night.

Sounds like a wonderful trip! So many beautiful parks to visit. Craig & I started dating after spending a day together at Yellowstone...that's why we decided it was only fitting to spend our honeymoon there. We made it a goal to visit/camp at as many national parks as we could in our lifetime together and so far we've checked off more than 1/2 of them over the past 30 years, plus many national monuments, landmarks & historic sites. Always well worth the visit.

Have a great trip!

:cool:
 
Betsey,

Thanks for the insightful information regarding the camping experiences you and Craig have shared over the years in many of the areas and parks that I plan to visit. What I take from this is that I would indeed be better served to do the southwest portion of my trip first and plan to be on the back end of the trip in the Yellowstone area by around late August to mid-September. Others here have suggested I do the trip in reverse of my original plan as well in order take advantage of the more favorable weather conditions in all areas. I believe this plan will become my focus for the trip from this point on.

Thanks for the reassurance regarding WalMart overnights as well.

I'm excited to be nearing the time to get this show on the road. The trip planning has been fun, but, Lord willing, implementing the plan should be wonderful.

Thanks,

Hutch
 
Hutch,
I agree with the southern trip first.... we are still getting good snowfall here in Steamboat CO and Trail Ridge Rd in Rocky Mtn National Park probably would be still under feet of snow.
I envy you your trip. karin and I are still trying to get our act together for this year. Safe travels and keep us all posted...

Barb
 
Thanks Barb,

Your comments and advice as well as all the others make a lot of sense. I have been to many of these areas before, but only in winter for short stays to ski. I never really gave much thought to how late in the spring the snow continues to fall and stay around in these areas.

Everyone's input has been spot-on helpful in making my decision. That's what is SO GOOD about this forum. The people are great and offer top notch information and sharing of ideas!

Thanks to all...

Hutch
 
We love the national parks. The only problem with them is that so few are located near us!

You mentioned the Grand Canyon. You're absolutely making the right call going with the North Rim. Less crowded, lower temperatures. Loved it!

While you're in the area, do not miss Antelope Canyon in nearby Page, AZ -- it is so beautiful in an other-worldly type of way. You do have to go on a tour with a Navaho guide; you can no longer just drive out there -- also, it's a long way off the road, and I am certain that my little car would never make it through all that soft sand.

Temperatures in Yellowstone are quite unpredictable. We were there last summer in mid-JULY, and 50-degree temperatures forced us to buy sweatshirts. Who'd have expected that?

If you're near Yellowstone, don't miss out on nearby Cody, WY. We enjoyed it almost as much as Yellowstone. Also, Grand Tetons is simply . . . grand.

Walmart parking lots. I hate to be the sole nay-sayer here, but I will never sleep in one. Why? Because our local Walmart LOOKS like a perfectly safe place -- and it IS perfectly safe during daylight hours -- but I personally know multiple people who've been attacked and robbed in that parking lot after dark (and I cannot say that about any other parking lot in my town). Here's what's not obvious at first glance: Our Walmart is a perfect storm for car jackers. It's on a straight road, so thieves aren't afraid to run the red light -- they can SEE that no one's coming a mile away. And it's only about a mile of uninterrupted highway to the county line. They know that the police are unlikely to get there in time to chase them, and it's even less likely that they could get the neighboring county's police there in time. It's such a bad spot that all the smaller businesses in that parking lot have been forced to close up shop. It is a dangerous, dangerous area. I haven't been there after dark in more than a decade. My husband won't go there after dark. It may be the only Walmart in America with this set of circumstances . . . but because this is "my reality" here at home, I could never sleep in any Walmart's parking lot.
 
I just returned from a trip to the Las Vegas area. Visited Death Valley National Park. Great time to be there with few tourists and very comfortable temps. Only has one full day and a few hours of second. No way near enough time.

Someday I will return again!

Jean
 
Theresa and Jean,

Thanks for the info. Both Antelope Canyon and Death Valley are on my "To Do" list when I am in those regions.

I plan to spend considerable time in the four-corners region. Especially North AZ, and So. Utah while in the southwest.

Hutch
 
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