Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2008 10:48:24 -0500
Reply-To: Ben Cichowski <aquasheck@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Ben Cichowski <aquasheck@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Summer camping Wa/Or/Ca?
In-Reply-To: <481886EF.25954.6EE0D526@vwdiesels.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Hey Shawn,
1. First national park stop you make, pick up a "family pass" for 1 year. Get the one that is combined with the "national forest" pass - which
will waive any fees (if there are any) for national forests along the
way. - adds maybe $15 and will pay for itself with 1-2 stops. (check
these out first though, as many national forests have no fees).
That'll get your whole rig through every national park gate on the cheap. Depending on the state you first pick it up in, you may have an option to combine it with a "state park pass" for just a few bucks more - saves you a huge amount of money.
2. Typically, the National Park campgrounds you WANT to be in do not take reservations - first come, first serve. A lot of these fill up by 10:00 - 11:00 AM or so. If you can plan your trip to sneak in at that time, you'll be golden.
But...there's almost always something you can reserve - just spend one night there and then move to the good area early the next AM if you plan on staying a few days. Or do your motel 6 stay, then get up early and move into the good sites.
Hope this helps a bit.
-Ben
> Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2008 07:49:19 -0700
> From: vwdiesels@GMAIL.COM
> Subject: Summer camping Wa/Or/Ca?
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>
> We are planning a trip from BC to southern Calif. in late July, probably down
> the coast, then hitting Disneyland (will probably stay at a motel 6 for a few
> nights), then returning inland stopping at some highlights like the Grand
> Canyon, Zion, etc. mostly avoiding major highways where possible. I have
> not been on this route since 1976, and have no idea how busy the
> campgrounds will be, but can guess they will be crazy. Is there any
> possibility of doing this sort of trip mid summer without reservations? I really
> detest the thought of planning so far ahead, as it just doesn't suit our travel
> style. Any advice, trip reports, web guides, etc. would be appreciated.
>
> We'll be travelling in our Westy with 2 kids ages 10 & 11, and will have
> about 3 weeks total. Our preference is to stay in state/natl parks with fewer
> big rigs and minimal services where possible.
>
> Thanks for any info you can offer!
>
>
> Shawn Wright
> http://members.shaw.ca/vwdiesels
> '88 Westy 1.6TD 5 speed
> '85 Jetta Diesel 1.6NA
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