Forest Service campgrounds - RV-Dreams Community Forum

felicia · RV-Dreams Community Member

Forest Service campgrounds

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Felicia,

While I'm not the best source of information as to sizes for National Forest campgrounds, I can say the the primary one that we used for years (Purgatoire River Campground in Colorado) had spaces for different sizes. Our 26' travel trailer and 26' fifth wheel was about right for almost all the sites and included space for our tow vehicle.

The same campground also has a meadow with campsites suitably sized for folks with horse trailers. Thus, those sites could handle our 38' fifth wheel and truck.

Not all campgrounds will be so easy to say what will fit where. Give me some time and I'll see if I can't find a NF website with information with different campgrounds.

Terry

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

I hate to answer this one, but here goes. IT DEPENDS. (no pun intended). Seriously, each and every NFS campground will be different and able to accomodate different sizes. Some are fit only for tents. Others are wide open and can take any size RV. I can think of one in Colorado that is a challenge for a backpacker. When you go to the Natl Forest website and search in the area you wish to visit, most of them will give general guidance. Better yet, give the campground a call and inquire.

felicia · RV-Dreams Community Member

I've noticed this over the years as we camp regularly. I guess I'm just trying to make sure we can fit into a majority of them instead of trading in the camping trailer for a 5th wheel that's too big for most sites. Just trying to plan ahead

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Felicia,

I did some looking and found a couple of sites that might be helpful. I didn't check out each one extensively, so you will have to explore on your own. There is another site that I remember seeing, but I just can't seem to find it at this time. I'll have to do some more looking for it.

Here are the two that I found. The first one is put together by a couple that have been using national forest campgrounds. I have no idea as to how extensive it is, how detailed it is, or much of anything else. But, it is a start.

http://www.forestcamping.com/

http://www.rv-camping.org/USFSCampgrounds.html

Terry

LifeBeganInaWinnebago · RV-Dreams Family Member

Felicia,

We really enjoy the national parks, several years ago I was trying to find the same information. Of course the smaller the unit the more options there are for camping. At the time it seemed to me 28' was about the length that would get you into the majority of the parks according to the national park reservation guide. But when visiting the parks as long as you can get your rig parked I don't know that they really monitor the length. It also seems that parks are increasing the size of the sites to accomodate the big rigs. I would make a list of the parks that you know you will be visiting and go online to verify the maximum length... Happy camping.

Mark & Becky

RVRon · RV-Dreams Family Member

felicia wrote:
I was curious what's the max size rv for the forest service campgrounds that we would use for boondocking?
Thanks for the help!
Felicia

Felicia, if you go to recreation.gov you can search many of the National Forest campgrounds for available sites. Just click on the Site List tab at the top once you're at the individual campground page and you should see a complete list of all sites, with the length of camping unit that will fit each site.

blijil · RV-Dreams Family Member

Many forest service campground that have been affected by the pine beetles are being refurbished by cutting down infected trees and upgraded to accomodate newer and larger RVs. Unfortunately web sources are not being updated very quickly so we recommend that you physically go check it out when you are in a new area. We have found several campgrounds that have been upgraded to very sizable and nice campsites. However they are still dry camping and often potable water is scarce so check them out first. A second reason this is important is the road to get to the campground may well be the limiting factor. Tight corners, rough one way roads, and 10% grades and more sometimes ruin a beautiful campground.
Larry and Jacki