Big rig RVs are wonderfully spacious and roomy options for camping trips or full-time RVing. But they definitely present some challenges. Along with learning to drive and park a big rig RV, you need to consider where to find a big rig friendly RV resort.
There are plenty of big rig friendly RV parks, although you may have to do some extra research ahead of time to find them! Since your needs are more specific than other RVers, you’ll also want to make reservations for your campsites. That way you can be assured of a site that suits you and your rig without worrying they’re all booked up. We’ll take a look at how to find big rig friendly RV parks and what to look for at a campsite for big rig RVs.
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How to find big rig friendly RV parks
If you’re trying to figure out how to find a big rig friendly RV park, you have a few options! Here’s where to start:
Ask fellow RVers
One way to begin looking for big rig friendly RV parks is to ask around! If you already know people with big rig RVs, they may have great advice on where to camp. You can also look for big rig RV lifestyle Facebook groups and online forums on sites like Reddit. RVers love helping each other out with recommendations and advice!
Check out state and national parks
Many national parks, and some state parks are not big rig friendly RV parks. However, there are plenty of parks that allow larger RVs and trailers at their campgrounds. Many national parks also attract a variety of private campgrounds, which are often just a short drive from the park. If the national park you want to visit can’t accommodate your RV, check to see if a nearby resort can take you in instead.
Here are a few national park campgrounds that can accommodate big rig RVs:
- Furnace Creek Campground at Death Valley National Park
- Trailer Village RV Park at Grand Canyon National Park
- Fishing Bridge RV Park at Yellowstone National Park
- Mazama Campground at Crater Lake National Park
- Flamingo Campground at Everglades National Park
Some state park campgrounds that can accommodate big rig RVs include:
- Fort McAllister State Park, Georgia
- Custer State Park at Legion Lake, South Dakota
- Chatfield State Park, Colorado
- Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas
- Emma Wood State Beach, California
Free camping options
There are many big box stores that offer free overnight camping for one night if you need a place to set up. Often, their parking lots are big enough to accommodate big rig RVs and trailers.
Bureau of Land Management lands also offer free camping. Because your rig is larger, you’ll need a nice, big area that is flat enough for your RV or trailer. You’ll also need to make sure the ground isn’t soft, but is firm enough to hold your RV. If you’re interested in camping on BLM land, you may want to drive out to the area and survey it before returning with your RV to set up camp.
RV Life Trip Wizard
RV Life Trip Wizard is an online planning tool that can help you plot out your camping trips. Enter your big rig RV’s measurements, route preferences, and any restrictions. Trip Wizard will find campgrounds and stops. It will also determine the routes you can use when driving, and suggest things like where to stop for fuel.
Big Rig Best Bets Guide
The Big Rig Best Bets Guide includes information on campgrounds from upscale RV resorts, public parks, and quick overnight stays – all suited to big rig RV campers. The print and online guides include the lengths of the campsites for easy reference. There are also detailed directions to help RV drivers navigate, plus 720 fuel stops that are convenient for big rig RV owners.
What to look for with a big rig friendly RV park?
Of course, you’ll want your big rig friendly RV resort to have campsites large enough to accommodate your rig! But that’s just the beginning. Here are some things to look for with a big rig friendly RV resort.
Larger space
Yes, you do want to make sure your campsite is large enough for your RV or trailer. Know your trailer’s length and width measurements, and begin by making sure your campsite is larger than that. You may want to make sure there is extra room on each side as well, so you’re not right up next to your neighbor.
No overhanging hazards
Know the height of your rig as well. You’ll want to make sure your campsite doesn’t have any trees with hanging branches, electrical wires, or other obstacles that will hit the top of your RV or trailer.
Navigable roads
You need to make sure your RV or trailer can actually get to the campground in the first place! Check the roads leading to the campground to make sure they don’t have tight turns, overpasses with height restrictions, or other obstacles that would prevent you driving your RV to the campground.
You’ll also want to make sure the roads within the park can be navigated with a large RV.
Consider pull-thru sites
While it may be possible to maneuver a back-in site in a big rig RV, a pull-thru site is going to be less stressful. Certainly at the beginning of your time as a big rig RV driver, you’ll want to look for campgrounds that offer pull-thru sites.
How to know if a park is big rig friendly
The first way to know if a part is big rig friendly is to check the measurements of your RV against the measurements of their campsites. But there are other things to check to determine whether the campground is going to suit you and your needs. Here are a few ways to get more information on a campground.
Read reviews
Reading honest reviews from other people who have stayed at the campground is one of the best ways to decide if it will be right for you. You can read many reviews of campgrounds on Google, or on sites like Hipcamp. If you can, seek out reviews from people who also have big rig RVs and can provide information on what camping with them was like.
Talk to the campground host or owner
If you have specific questions about the campground, don’t hesitate to reach out to those in charge of it! Send an email, or give them a call to ask for more details.
Drive or walk the site
Before bringing your RV all the way from the campground entrance to the campsite, check the site out yourself. Hop in your towed vehicle, or walk up to the site so you can check it out and make sure you can set your rig up there easily.
There are lots of RV parks that can not only host larger rigs, but are proud of their status as a big rig friendly RV resort! With a little research and planning, you can find the perfect big rig friendly RV park for your next trip!
