State and National Park RV Size Limit (Length Restrictions) (2023)

FAQs

What is the largest size RV allowed in state parks? ›

In general, states parks commonly set the length restriction for an RV at 45 feet. Some states allow longer campers, including Florida (50 feet), Montana (55 feet), North Dakota (50 feet), Washington (46 feet), and Wyoming (60 feet). New Jersey has a lower maximum length allowance, at 40 feet.

The longest RV that can be accommodated in Yellowstone National Park is 95 feet long. This is the total length including any tow vehicles. The only location that can accommodate this length is Fishing Bridge RV Park.

The maximum recommended size RV for national parks is 29 feet with this number holding true for most state parks as well. The reason for this is that many state and national parks will not allow campers that are longer than 30 feet.

Size Limitations: Maximum RV width 8'6”; maximum motorhome length 45 ft.; maximum trailer length 40 ft.; maximum RV height 13.5 ft.; maximum combined length for two-vehicle combination 65 ft. Riding allowed in truck campers. Required Equipment: Over 4,000 lbs.: trailer brakes and safety chains. Wipers on/headlights on.

Approximately 98% of national park campgrounds can accommodate RVs up to 19 feet long. You still have a good selection if your RV is smaller than 25 feet more than 90% of parks permit that length. The number of available campsites drops if your RV is 29 to 32 feet long since about 80% of parks will let you in.

How do RV parks measure length? To measure the length of an RV, you have to measure the exterior length of the RV, width, and sometimes the trailer and hitch. Measuring this way will give you an accurate idea of the size of your RV, and whether or not you meet those requirements for the park.

The campground accepts both tents and smaller RVs (up to 30 feet total length).

Know the Restrictions

Any vehicle over 21 feet long, 10 feet high and 8 feet wide (including mirrors) is restricted from the Going-to-the-Sun-Road. But this is all for a reason—long alpine roads with steep cliffs, tight turns and limited room for pulling over.

Grand Loop Roads

RVs can drive any of the roads within the park except for one section. The section between Tower Junction and Canyon goes through Dunraven Pass and has numerous tight curves that cling to the side of Mount Washburn during that steep climb.

Does My Tow Vehicle Count Toward My RV Length? Yes, your tow vehicle could count toward your overall RV length. Even if some RV parks or campgrounds state that you only need to worry about the overall length of your rig, you should still know how long your RV is with your tow vehicle or additional accessories in tow.

What is the 2 2 2 rule for RV? ›

The RVing 2/2/2 rule is a safe and effective way to plan your travel. It means drive no more than 200 miles a day, stop every 2 hours, and stay 2 nights in each place. Some RVers also put an appendix on the rule encouraging drivers to arrive at an overnight destination by 2:00 p.m.

By adhering to this simple rule of thumb, you can make traveling easier for your whole family. What is this? First, limit your travel to no more than 300 miles in one day. Second, arrive no later than 3 p.m. Finally, stay at your destination for at least three days.

Generally, Class A motorhomes run from around 25 feet in length all the way up to nearly 45 feet. Larger families and retired couples might need the living space of a 40-foot rig that provides more of the cozy comforts of home.

RVs up to 40 feet long can fit into pull-through and back-in sites. The sites may not be level, so plan accordingly. There are no utility hookups, but an RV dump station is just outside the campground entrance near the Bridge Bay Marina and Fishing Bridge RV Park.

In general, anything up to 35 feet is ideal, but there are exceptions. For example, Banff National Park campgrounds limit RV length to 50 feet, while it's 25 feet in Death Valley National Park. State parks also have varied limitations on the RV length permitted to stay.

However, the maximum permitted length usually varies between 40 and 50 feet. This doesn't include your tow vehicle, however, so if you're towing a fifth wheel with your truck or a car with your Class A, you'll find that maximum lengths vary between 50 and 65 feet.

RVs vary in length, but most are about 8 to 10 feet wide. This allows them to fit within standard driving lanes (which are 12 feet wide) with room on each side. Knowing the size of your RV is the first step to knowing where you'll fit and how.

It's often said that the best RV type for national parks is a unit that's 30-feet long or less, including the tow (or towed) vehicle. I agree, since the short, narrow parking aprons in most national park campgrounds make navigation difficult in anything bigger.

Almost 98% of National Park campgrounds can accommodate RVs up to 19 feet long. You will still have a large number of options if your RV is up to 25 feet since more than 90% of parks permit that length. On average, national parks will allow RVs with a maximum length of 27 feet. How to Measure the Length of Your RV?

How do RV manufacturers determine length? ›

Travel Trailers: Length is measured from the leading front edge of the hitch coupler to the rear most extremity of the trailer, bumper or rear wall/rear cap if not equipped or installed with a bumper.

Maximum lengths for trailers, campers and motor homes vary from park to park. The average maximum length permitted is 27 ft, but some parks can accommodate up to 40 feet in length. Some parks may have electrical hookups and dump stations.

Grand Teton National Park is known for its stunning peaks and its wildlife, but it's also a perfect destination for an RV trip. Just south of iconic Yellowstone National Park, it's a destination on its own or is a great stop on a road trip through Wyoming.

Teton Pass is on Highway 22 in Wyoming between Victor Idaho and Jackson Wyoming. This is a bad road for an RV. Summer or winter. Trailers are not allowed on Teton Pass in the winter.

Maximum RV/trailer lengths: In Yosemite Valley, the maximum RV length is 40 feet and maximum trailer length is 35 feet, however, only a total of 8 sites of this size are available (six sites in Lower Pines and two in North Pines, which are open spring through fall).

While you can explore many parts of Glacier in your RV, there are a few things that are important to take note of before you head north. Size restrictions apply in some campgrounds and on Going to the Sun Road, so read on before you make the commitment to explore the park in your RV.

Driving. If you're driving in or around Yosemite, most roads are adequate for RVs and travel trailers. However, some roads, particularly the Glacier Point Road, Mariposa Grove Road, and Hetch Hetchy Road, have restrictions that affect some RVs and most trailers.

Can I sleep in my car in Yellowstone? No, but paid campsites will allow you to sleep in your car if you insist. Yellowstone does not allow overnight parking in attraction parking lots, trailheads, or on the roadside. Only visitors who have reserved rooms one of the many lodging options can park their cars overnight.

Campgrounds that Accept Reservations

Open late May to mid-September, Canyon offers 273 sites and is located south of the Tower Roosevelt area. It fits RVs up to 40 feet. Madison is a large campground with 278 sites along the Madison River and is open late April through mid-October.

Campsites cost as little as at $15 per night, per site. Most campgrounds with more amenities such as flush toilets and nearby laundry facilities range from $20 to $31 per night.

What does tow length mean? ›

length of tow means the combined length in feet of all barges in the tow, excluding the length of hawsers and the length of the tug.

The four-second rule

At night time, in bad weather, when the road is wet or slippery, or if someone is following you too closely, you need to increase your following distance to four seconds, because you'll take longer to stop if you need to.

The four-second rule in driving means you should remain at least four seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. This way, if you have to abruptly stop, there's a better chance of avoiding a collision. It's especially important to apply the four-second rule when driving on or in: Slippery, wet, or icy roads.

The 80/20 towing rule is a safety measure many RVers follow. Basically, the rule states that you shouldn't tow above 80% of your max towing capacity.

Drive no more than 200 miles in one day. Stop every two hours for a stretch break. Arrive at the campground by 2 p.m. Stay at least two nights at the same campground. This is the 2/2/2 rule.

Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC)

Cargo Carrying Capacity is equal or less than Gross Vehicle Weight Rating minus Unloaded Vehicle Weight, full fresh water weight, and full LP (liquid propane) gas weight.

What is the smallest motorhome? Typically these types of drivable motorhomes are known as Class B RVs. They are the smallest motorhome type and range in length from 18 to 24 feet long.

The three different classifications — A, B, and C — are all motorized RVs. The most important and somewhat strangest thing about how they're named is that they go from largest — Class A — to smallest — Class B — to middle-sized, which is Class C.

Yes, boondocking is allowed in Yellowstone National Park. However, boondocking is limited to just tent camping only, and only in specific areas of the park. Yellowstone also requires campers to obtain permits. These boondocking permits require advance reservations.

How can I camp for free in Yellowstone? ›

It's okay to store food in your car as long as it's out of sight and the car is locked with all of the windows up. If possible, don't store food in your vehicle during the evening, and clear the inside of wrappers, crumbs and garbage as well.

There are not any Yellowstone National Park RV length restrictions if you are just driving through the park. Each campground does have size limits and most sites can fit 30 to 40 feet long trailers, but the Fishing Bridge can hold a 95-foot RV or motorhome.

In general, states parks commonly set the length restriction for an RV at 45 feet. Some states allow longer campers, including Florida (50 feet), Montana (55 feet), North Dakota (50 feet), Washington (46 feet), and Wyoming (60 feet). New Jersey has a lower maximum length allowance, at 40 feet.

With that said, most travel trailers typically range anywhere from 12 feet to 35 feet long. A simple, 12-foot travel trailer allows enough comfortable space for one or two people (most likely a couple). Meanwhile, a 35-foot trailer allows enough space for up to 10 people.

The RV Industry Association supports a maximum length of 45 feet for a motorhome, a maximum allowable width of 102 inches plus up to six inches additional for appurtenances for all RVs and a maximum RV combination length of 65 feet.

By adhering to this simple rule of thumb, you can make traveling easier for your whole family. What is this? First, limit your travel to no more than 300 miles in one day. Second, arrive no later than 3 p.m. Finally, stay at your destination for at least three days.

The 330 rule is you “stop when you have driven 330 miles or it's 3:30 in the afternoon.” The idea is to get somewhere while it is still early enough to explore, chill, and enjoy the place when you're not exhausted from driving miles upon miles. In our early days, I looked at the daily driving mileage as a challenge.

4. Never drive more than 500 miles per day.

Length of Class A Motorhomes

Generally, Class A motorhomes run from around 25 feet in length all the way up to nearly 45 feet. Larger families and retired couples might need the living space of a 40-foot rig that provides more of the cozy comforts of home.

How wide should a road be in a RV park? ›

Lane Widths – The campground drives for RVs and trailers should be 20-24 feet for two-way roads and 12-20 feet for one-way roads. A good design practice is to make one-way roads that are 20-feet in width which include a 6-foot wide pedestrian walkway.