This National Park RV Restriction Must Be Considered Before Booking A Camping Trip

From getting your registration and insurance in order to planning your route, and packing all of the essentials, preparing for an RV road trip takes a lot more planning than you might expect. After all, traveling via RV isn't all freedom and flexibility — although, let's be honest, that's definitely a major benefit. That said, there's also a long list of important logistics and considerations that, unless you plan ahead, can turn an otherwise seamless journey into a less-than enjoyable vacation.

That said, out of all the things you need to keep in mind before hitting the road with your recreational vehicle, there's one crucial detail that can easily derail your entire trip if you're not properly clued in: unexpected size restrictions.

Believe it or not, plenty of America's best RV campgrounds and national parks out there have some pretty strict length limitations for RVs. So, while most of these destinations might certainly boast some of the country's most beautiful landscapes, they also feature narrow roads, tight turns, and campsites designed way back in the day (when recreational vehicles were considerably smaller). All of which ultimately means that, if you arrive with an RV that exceeds the park's size restrictions, you'll more than likely get turned away. And you'll be left stuck, frustrated, and without a place to stay.

Put simply, the size of your RV directly impacts which national park campgrounds you can access. According to recent data from RV Share, while all RV-accessible national park campgrounds can accommodate vehicles up to 12 feet in length, the options decrease significantly as your RV gets larger.

For example, if your RV is 25 feet long, you can access 93% of RV-friendly campgrounds in national parks. However, that number drops to 81% for 32-foot RVs, and only 53% for 40-foot models. Most striking is that only 7% of national park campgrounds can accommodate RVs longer than 40 feet, severely limiting options for owners of larger vehicles.

Additionally, these restrictions also tend to vary widely by state. For example, most Alaska campgrounds typically accommodate RVs up to 40 feet, while parks in Arizona allow vehicles between 30 to 50 feet, depending on the specific location. On the other hand, California parks have a wider range of campsites that accommodate RVs ranging from 25 to 50 feet, and Tennessee parks vary dramatically from 12 to 40 feet. Lastly, some states like South Dakota have no formal limits at all, while parks in Maine generally cap length at 35 feet. With so many variations, it's essentially up to you to double-check your destination's restrictions to know beforehand whether or not your RV will fit. On the plus side, if you're not an RV owner but are just looking to rent one, knowing exactly what's allowed at your preferred campground will make it a lot easier for you to choose the right RV size for your road trip — ensuring that you'll be able to fit comfortably and safely into the campground.

Along with length limitations, another reason an RV park can turn you away is if you're driving an RV that's simply considered too old by modern standards. Specifically, many commercial parks and private resorts enforce what's commonly known as the "10-year rule," which allows them to reject RVs that are older than 10 to 15 years, regardless of their size or condition. This, because older RVs are typically more prone to breaking down, which can potentially disrupt the park experience for other guests and occupy valuable space for extended periods.

Think you're safe if your RV is newer and the right length? Think again. Your RV's height can also completely derail your trip plans. Another big mistake that can derail your entire RV trip is not taking the time to measure your vehicle's total height accurately. Today, most RVs typically stand between 10 and 12 feet tall. That said, add-ons like air conditioning units, solar panels, and satellite dishes can quickly push you over height limits for tunnels, bridges, and overpasses. Attempting to pass through these with an oversized RV can lead to serious damage, injuries, and expensive repairs.

The best way to avoid this is to always know your exact RV height (including all rooftop accessories) and keep this information visible inside your vehicle. Additionally, downloading a GPS app specifically designed for RVs –– with routes that avoid height restrictions your vehicle can't clear ––can also save you from potentially wreaking havoc on your vacation (and everyone's around you).