While towable RVs are great, sometimes a motorhome is the better option. Sure, you could go with a Class B or Class C motorhome, but a Class A will be the right choice in many situations. Class A’s provide quite a lot in terms of features and amenities.
I know that when most people think Class A motorhomes, they think massive RVs, but it doesn’t have to be that way. there are many good Class A models that are a bit on the shorter side. Here are some Class A RVs that measure at or under 28 feet in length.
2019 Thor Axis 25.6
The Thor Axis 25.6 offers a single large slide-out that opens up the floorplan. In the slide-out sits a Dream dinette, a flip-up queen bed, and a sofa. There’s also a closet and a TV. On the camp side of the RV, is the kitchen and bathroom. There’s also another TV on the wall. The floorplan also includes a drop-down bunk at the front of the unit and a closet at the rear.
The model comes built on a ford E-450 chassis with a 6.8L Triton V10 that makes 305 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. It can sleep up to five people and measures only 26 and a half feet in length. This makes it easily maneuverable on the road and it should mean that the model gets better gas mileage than some of the other, larger Class A models out there.
If the Thor model above doesn’t do it for you, then check out the Jayco Alante 26X. This unit features two slide outs, one on either side of the RV. One slide out is for the queen bed. The other is for the dinette and a sofa. On the camp side of the RV is the kitchen. There’s also a wardrobe next to the kitchen. The bathroom in this unit is on the driver’s side of the RV. Like with most Class A RVs, there’s a drop-down bunk at the front over the driver’s cabin.
The Jayco Alante 26X is a little longer than the Thor model. It measures nearly 27 and a half feet. This offers a bit more space without making the coach much bigger overall. The model is built on the Ford F53 chassis, which features the 6.8L Triton V-10 that makes 320 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. This unit sleeps up to six people.
Last but certainly not least, we have the Winnebago Intent 26M. This unit has two slide outs, but unlike the Jayco above, both of the slide outs are on the same side as the driver. The one towards the front of the unit features the dinette, refrigerator, and pantry. The slide at the rear of the unit features a queen bed. There’s a shower on that side of the RV, too. On the opposite side is most of the kitchen and the toilet and bathroom sink. There’s also storage areas and a TV. At the front of the unit is a drop-down bed, as you’d expect.
The Intent 26M is built on the Ford F53 chassis like the Jayco model shown above. It features the same Triton V10 engine tuned to 320 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The model sleeps up to five people and measures under 27 feet in length, keeping the model short for maneuverability.
If you’ve ever imagined setting up camp in wine country, California, or on a gorgeous sprawling ranch just outside of Yellowstone National Park, but couldn’t front the costs at the time, you may be interested in the Worldwide Organization of Organic Farming (WWOOF).
Where Does WWOOF Happen?
Photo by Jacob Stone from Unsplash
Many WWOOF opportunities exist just outside of highly-desirable, and often cost-prohibitive locations, placing them within an average (or frugal) camper’s reach. WWOOF sites exist around popular skiing locations, amusement parks, world-acclaimed museums, major cities, and beyond.
WWOOFing offers a unique opportunity for campers to have access to such sites at dramatically-reduced costs. If you have an interest in sustainability, travel, and learning more about the culture and community of whatever locale you’re visiting, joining WWOOF is an excellent option for you.
What Is WWOOF Exactly?
Photo by Thomas Gamstaetter from Unsplash
The WWOOF movement links volunteers with organic farmers all around the world, offering unique opportunities for full-timers, part-timers, and workampers alike. Full-time RVers might be especially interested in this organization, as it allows for travel without additional expenses. Many WWOOF farms will even feed you three square meals a day in exchange for a few hours’ work.
Every WWOOF site is different. As a WWOOFer and RVer, you’d have an endless amount of places to go, set up camp, and gain firsthand experience of the land and culture of the place you chose to visit. WWOOF USA offers over 2,100 sites to choose from. Simply choose your destination, choose a timeline (open now; immediate availability; or open next season) and length of stay, and select a farm type. Vineyards, homesteads, ranches, orchards, communities, and more are offered as farm type options.
WWOOF farms often have full hook-up for rigs, making long-term stays a breeze. Workampers and short-term campers will find plenty of opportunities through the WWOOF organization. A free site to boondock temporarily outside of national parks or other vacation destinations would be worth a few hours of volunteering, particularly if you’re trying to preserve your cash flow.
How Does It Work?
Photo by Balkan Campers from Unsplash
A single WWOOF membership costs $40 annually, and $65 annually for couples, which gives you access to all of the hosts’ contact information, details about their farms, reviews, ratings, and an automatic insurance policy that covers most accidents that might occur while volunteering. Volunteering can be easily tailored to individual needs: from a single-day visit to long-term stay, for an individual or the whole family.
Typically, a day would consist of four to six hours of volunteering: the details of which you can work out beforehand, with the host farm. Hosts are expected to provide basic accommodations and meals. Some WWOOF sites offer a small wage, in addition to accommodations and meals.
Be sure to ask about what projects are available before going, as hosts may require more hours during certain harvests and seasons. Before discussing the details of your stay, you’re encouraged to inquire about how your host will accommodate your RV or camper.
You’ll also want to ask about the sites available for your stay. Is this a full-hookup site, complete with water, electric, and sewage? Is the site a pull-through, with easy drive-thru access? Does it have hose bibs for water access, a sani-dump or dump station for your wastewater, and hook-ups for electricity? If not, ask your host to provide and confirm details about where you can access these utilities for longer-term stays. Boondocking is definitely worth your consideration for short-term stays in desirable locations.
Additional Things to Know about WWOOF
Image by Tim Mossholder from Unsplash
After your stay at the WWOOF site, you can leave a review and rating about your experiences. The host will, in turn, leave a review and rating for you. As a member, you’ll have access to all of the reviews left by previous volunteers, which you can access before even contacting the host.
These two-way reviews include clear, factual accounts intended to help future volunteers find the right community for them, and to help hosts improve the experiences they provide for volunteers. Personal opinions and impolite accounts are discouraged, and third party information is never shared. Disputed accounts of WWOOF experiences are reviewed by their board.
In addition to the review and rating system for members and hosts, WWOOF offers a Verification Program for hosts, which ensures that the host is following these five requirements:
Practicing organic or sustainable growing methods.
Providing an educational experience and sharing knowledge with WWOOFers.
Providing adequate food for three meals per day.
Providing suitable and sanitary living accommodations.
Asking WWOOFers to help for a maximum of half a day (between four to six hours), five and a half days per week.
These requirements are verified by a representative who has visited the site and confirms that the host is providing a safe, educational, and comfortable environment for volunteers. You’ll see the searchable, “WWOOF-verified” badge on the farm’s website.
Whatever site you choose, an adventure surely awaits! Explore the North American continent and beyond from the comfort of your home-on-wheels. Conserve your savings while visiting popular vacation destinations. Learn about, and foster a real connection to nature and the ways of the land while volunteering at the WWOOF site of your choosing.
Have you ever volunteered with WWOOF or a similar organization? What was your experience? Leave a comment below!
Half the fun of a summer road trip is taking time to discover quirky roadside attractions along the way. This summer we’re helping you add some fun to your RV road trip with this list of must-see stops. Plot your route, and get your camera ready to grab some snaps in front of these five funky summer road trip stops across the U.S.
Prada Marfa
Image by Robin Benzrihem from Unsplash
This art installation has entrenched itself as an iconic roadside attraction since its opening in October 2005. The building was built to look like a Prada storefront, complete with authentic shoes and handbags donated by Prada. The items are not for sale, however, and the storefront’s door does not open. The handbags’ bottoms have been removed while the shoes are all right-foot shoes. PRADA MARFA is located along US-90, 35 miles northwest of Marfa in western Texas.
Along your travels, you’ll likely want to stop in if you’re heading east or west along I-10. When you reach Van Horn, TX head south for 35 miles on US-90. PRADA MARFA will be one mile north of Valentine, TX. If you like PRADA MARFA, be sure to check Ballroom Marfa’s biggest public commission since PRADA MARFA: a sculpture located in the grasslands of Texas called Stone Circle.
Salvation Mountain
Image by Chelsea Bock from Unsplash
Colorful Salvation Mountain is the beautiful vision of its creator Leonard Knight. Leonard was steadfast in his mission to share a message of love, working on his creation for nearly 30 years while living out of his camper in the desert.
Originally, from Vermont, Leonard became very devoted to God at age 35. Unfortunately, his faith and belief in the simplicity of the message that “God is Love” was misunderstood by churches and the religious community around him. Believing that God loves every single human on Earth, he decided he would spread his message via hot air balloon.
After many years and failed attempts, he found himself out west in Slab City and a new idea to build a mountain struck him. His first attempt failed, collapsing on itself. Always maintaining a grateful and positive outlook, he set out to try again.
Half a million gallons of donated paint later, his mountain stood five stories high and 150 feet wide, decorated with birds, trees, and flowers. His work and message resonated with those around him, and eventually with visitors from all over the world. He passed away in 2014, but his monument still stands welcoming all.
You can see Salvation Mountain for yourself if your travels are taking you along I-10 or I-8 in California. It’s 90 minutes from Palm Springs, south of Joshua Tree National Park, and east of the Salton Sea. It’s a great stop if you’re headed to or from Anza-Borrego, Joshua Tree, or San Diego. Take Beal road out of Niland and into Slab City. Don’t forget to bring some paint cans to donate if you can!
Ben and Jerry’s Flavor Graveyard
Image by Doug Kerr on Flickr
Should your travels take you to Leonard’s home state of Vermont, stop in at the Ben and Jerry’s graveyard. The Ben and Jerry’s Flavor Graveyard is where all of their retired or as they say, “dearly de-pinted” flavors go.
The graveyard is located at the Ben and Jerry’s factory in Waterbury, Vermont. You can combine your walk through the flavor graveyard with a 30-minute guided tour through the factory. The guided tours do fill up, but the flavor graveyard is self-guided and open to all at any time during the day. To get to the flavor graveyard take a walk up the hill, behind the ice-cream plant, and to the left of the playground.
Market Theater Gum Wall
Image by Taylor Vick from Unsplash
When in the Northwest, make time for a stop at Seattle’s Market Theater Gum Wall. It’s an easy stop to make, when in Seattle since it’s right outside the entrance to Pike Place Market. The wall became a gum wall back in the early 90s. At the time, theatergoers began sticking their gum to the brick wall while waiting outside. At first, there were attempts to clean it up, but that never stuck (no pun intended!). Theatergoers and eventually visitors continued to stick their gum covering a 50-foot stretch of wall, transforming the wall into a colorful, well-known attraction.
More than 2,000 pounds of gum was removed in 2015 for restoration purposes, but the gum wall is now back to its sticky glory. Now you can even find gum illustrations and gum sculptures. While in Seattle you can make some other quirky stops: the Fremont Troll, the largest Hat ‘N’ Boots, and the Giant Shoe Museum. If you really, really wanted to see a gum wall, but aren’t going through Seattle, you’re in luck. There is a gum wall in San Luis Obispo, CA and a small one in Greenville, OH.
Meow Wolf House of Eternal Return
Photo Courtesy of Meow Wolf
Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return in Santa Fe is a must-see that’ll have your imagination running wild. How would you like to walk through a mysterious house where the properties of time and space have dissolved? Go ahead, step through a washing machine and into another dimension.
This award-winning permanent art installation is completely immersive and interactive. This is an experience unlike any other you’ve had and it’s great fun for both adults and kids. Playfully walk, crawl, and climb through the mysterious environment all while solving a mystery.
Those of you who are Game of Thrones fans might be interested to know the House of Eternal Return installation was launched with the support of George R.R. Martin. There is so much to play with and discover, you’ll probably want to go back. Word has spread so soon Meow Wolf will be opening locations in Las Vegas (2020) and Denver (2021), too!
As you continue your RV road trips this summer be sure to let us know what some of your favorite road trip stops have been! Leave a comment below!
Many times camping trips involve exploring new territory and discovering enticing attractions along the way. Passenger tour trains have that magnetic appeal for many RVers, providing a novel way to see hidden countryside not normally viewed from the road. Railroad passengers learn about local history, culture and the many colorful characters from the communities visited. Camping World wants to make sure you don’t miss the departing whistle, so we have created a series entitled RVing the Rails. You will find the most popular excursion trains to ride in each state, complete with any specialty trains they might offer.
Today we will explore the most popular trains in Missouri:
Branson Scenic Railway
Photo Credit: Doug Wertman (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Started as part of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, running from Kansas City to Little Rock, Arkansas, this railway was responsible for introducing tourism to the Ozarks in the early 1900s. Back then, the local spur was called the White River Railway, and with the advent of visitors to the area, Branson became known as a local getaway for Missourians.
Today, the city is nationally recognized for its family-friendly entertainment venues, and the Branson Scenic Railway provides tourists with a beautiful trip through Ozark mountain landscapes on historic rails.
Railway and Locomotive Types
The railroad is run on standard gauge tracks by a diesel engine pulling restored first class passenger coaches, lounge cars and a caboose.
Seating Options
All seating on the Branson Scenic Railway is open, but with several enclosed passenger cars and two dome cars, boarding is done in the order reservations were received. So reserve your tickets early for choice seating selections.
Passengers are encouraged to move throughout the train and inspect each of the restored vintage cars during the trip. You won’t miss a thing, though, as music and narration are piped through each car.
Riding Options
Leaving the Branson Depot, passengers have the option to take the train north or south:
Northern travelers will venture to Galena, Missouri, and the James River Valley.
Southern passengers travel into northern Arkansas to the Barren Trestle.
Both trips are narrated and point out the historic tunnels, trestles and extinct railroad towns, with information on how train travel helped to shape the Ozark Mountains in this area. Each tour is approximately 20 miles and is completed in two hours. Much of the journey is through forested mountainous topography, over trestles and through railroad tunnels.
Specialty Trains
Dinner Train – Enjoy a first class meal in a restored coach car, as you wind your way through the Ozark Mountains. Dinner trains run on Saturday evenings from April through October.
Polar Express – Take a trip to the North Pole to pick up Santa for the return ride. During that time all guests will enjoy cocoa and cookies, the story of the Polar Express, and talking with Santa about that special Christmas wish!
Length of Season
The Branson Scenic Railway runs from March through December, with daily departures twice a day during the week, and four times daily on weekends. Check their schedule for specialty trains and season departures.
St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railroad
Photo Credit: Missouri History Museum
With a name that is not remotely descriptive of its location, the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railway explores the area around Jackson, located near Cape Girardeau in the southeastern corner of Missouri. The initial tracks ran from Texarkana, Arkansas to St. Louis, bringing iron ore from Iron Mountain to the Gateway of the West.
Today, this small portion of track is a shortline railway, preserving the heritage of historic railroads in the Ozark Mountains.
Railway and Locomotive Types
The Iron Mountain train is pulled by a diesel engine on standard gauge tracks. Its rolling stock includes several passenger coaches and a red caboose, all restored and run by volunteers who want to keep railroading alive by highlighting historical equipment and travel.
Seating Options
Seating is not assigned on the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railroad, with open seats available in enclosed passenger cars. An optional ticket for a cab ride in the engine is also available for an additional cost.
Riding Options
The railway is five miles long, with most train rides about two hours in length. This allows for a stop at Cactus Gulch, where passengers can disembark and sit by the campfire to make s’mores, listen to music and play games. There are no side spurs or one-way tickets sold, but all trains are specialty trains, so check the schedule to see which train will be running on your day of departure.
Specialty Trains
Photo Credit: Feral Boy (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Murder Mystery Dinner Theater – Each month a murder mystery gets solved on an evening dinner train. Don’t miss the intrigue or the departure!
James Gang Train Robbery – Jesse and the boys hale from Missouri, so it’s only fitting that they rob the local train before hitting banks out of state. And believe it or not, this very railroad was robbed by the James-Younger Gang back in 1874!
Dinosaur Train – Learn about these leftovers from the Jurassic Era, and dig for fossils at a train stop that every child will love!
Cowboy Chuck Wagon Dinner Train – Mosey right up to the chuck wagon dinner train, with a stop for great vittles and some bluegrass music.
Chocolate Express – Chocoholics will think they have taken the train to heaven when they realize the chocolate is unlimited on this sweet journey!
Santa Express – Watch as Santa attempts to land on the moving train. If he is successful, everyone can celebrate with songs, games and Christmas magic on this popular ride.
Length of Season
The Iron Mountain runs every Saturday from mid April through December. Because the Santa Express is their most popular train, departures are increased and run Friday through Sunday from Thanksgiving weekend through December 22. Check out their full schedule here.
Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad
Photo Credit: KCRRM.org
Begun as the Burlington Northern that ran from Kansas City to Springfield, the current railway began to take shape when service was cut off at Clinton in the 1970s. The Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad began excursion tours in 1991 as a project of the Smoky Hill Railway and Historical Society.
The heritage railroad was a way to preserve rail travel and railroading history in the South Kansas City area.
Railway and Locomotive Types
A 1950s diesel locomotive pulls a passenger coach and an open excursion car from the 1920s along a standard gauge track. The rail yard also has several pieces of rolling stock to explore, including two steam locomotives and freight and club cars.
Seating Options
All seating is open, with no assigned seats in an enclosed passenger car that holds 60. The five mile excursion can also be enjoyed from an open air gondola car.
Photo Credit: KCRRM.org
The Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad does offer engine rides at an additional cost. These seats are limited to two customers per train. Tickets sell out frequently, so purchasing online in advance is usually a good idea.
Riding Options
The train runs a five-mile track through old town Belton and beyond. There are no side spurs or one-way tickets sold, but if there is need to add another train to the roster on a busy day, the railroad will gladly put new departures on the schedule to meet customer needs.
Specialty Trains
Ice Cream Train – Beat the summer heat with an ice cream social during your tour of the Missouri countryside. The open car is outfitted with picnic tables for a tasty train ride.
Halloween Train – Kids of all ages will enjoy a journey to the pumpkin patch, where games and goodies await, along with jack o’lanterns available for your own carving fun!
Santa Train – Join Santa on a trip along the tracks, as children discuss their Christmas wishes with him. Once back at the depot, passengers enjoy cocoa and cookies.
Length of Season
The railroad is open on weekends from May through October, with the Santa trains scheduled on two weekends in December. The ride takes approximately 45 minutes and passengers need to be ready to board 20 minutes before departure.
Join the thousands of RVers that have a love affair with trains and ride the rails on your next camping trip. Check out the other excursion trains available on a state-by-state basis in our series, RVing the Rails.
We brought back Lindsey Nubern from Nuventure Travels! She’s been on the podcast twice before, talking about RVing in New Zealand and part-time travel with a home base. This time, she’s on the podcast to talk about their latest new venture… preparing to travel with a baby! She is currently 7 months pregnant with her first child, but that hasn’t stopped her and her husband Adam from adventuring in their Casita trailer. They even recently went on a month-long tour of Colorado! They plan to get out on the road as soon as possible with their son, starting with some small camping trips and working their way up to international travel.
In this episode, Sam talks to Lindsey about preparing for the baby, future travel plans, and their new project for travelers called Nomad Collab.
Some highlights from this episode:
1:30 – Preparing for baby!
5:00 – What they want to teach him on the road
8:00 – Advice and resources from other travelers
13:00 – NomadCollab
23:00 – Traveling while pregnant
Nomad Collab
Nomad Collab is a membership site & community for couples living or seeking a location independent lifestyle. This has been a really cool project for Adam and Lindsey, who co-founded the community with Dan and Lindsay from Follow Your Detour and Dan and Tracy from The Money Smart Nomad. It’s a place for couples (and some solo travelers!) to network and grow a travel lifestyle. They have frequent Zoom meetings on various topics to help couples grow their online brands and businesses and also to help navigate the lifestyle on the road.
Yosemite is one of the earliest and most popular parks in the national park registry. And that’s for good reason. The grand views and spectacular natural features in Yosemite are second-to-none.
Ansel Adams spent his life trying to capture the essence of this beautiful landscape, and he did a pretty good job. However, you can’t really understand the full glory of Yosemite until you visit it yourself.
History of Yosemite National Park
The gem of California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range, Yosemite National Park has a storied history. For thousands of years, the Ahwahneechee people called the area home.
The name “Yosemite” comes from the Miwok, a neighboring tribe. They thought of the Ahwahneechee people as violent neighbors because of their fights over land. The word “Yosemite” is a variation on their word meaning “they are killers”.
On June 30, 1964, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant, a bill that set aside money to preserve the land that would later become the national park. Although Yellowstone was the first national park, the Yosemite Grant was signed a full eight years prior to Yellowstone’s formation.
In the years following the grant, sheep overgrazed the meadows and logging took down many of the ancient giant sequoia trees. In 1890, after persistent lobbying by explorer John Muir, Congress passed the act that made Yosemite National Park and protected the land from further destruction.
Tourism spiked after the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad and during the California Gold Rush. And since that time, Yosemite has consistently ranked at the top of the list of most popular parks. In 2018, the park saw over four million visitors.
Why Visit Yosemite In Your RV?
There’s so much to see and do at this huge park, that taking your RV is a must. Hike the trails all day and enjoy a beautiful campfire after sunset. You can see some of the major features of the park in one day. But it’s highly recommended to spend at least a weekend in Yosemite.
Places To Go
There is so much to do here, we could go on and on. We’ve gathered some of our favorite sites to see in Yosemite National Park.
Yosemite Valley
When you think of the quintessential landmarks in Yosemite, you’re probably thinking about Yosemite Valley. Tunnel View Outlook is the most popular photo-op in all of the park. In this breathtaking vista, you’ll get a photo of El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls, and Half Dome all in one frame.
Down in the valley is Yosemite Village where you’ll find all sorts of amenities. There are campsites, hotels, and plenty of shopping.
You’ll find dazzling meadows and boardwalks throughout the valley with some of the best hiking in the park. Plan to spend at least a whole day exploring Yosemite Valley.
Wawona & Mariposa Grove
The Wawona area wasn’t added to the park until 1932, but it’s one of the must-see destinations on an RV visit. Visit the beautiful Big Trees Lodge and the Pioneer Yosemite History Center to learn about the rich history of this former Native American encampment.
Mariposa Grove is an ancient grove of about 200 giant sequoia trees. Visit Grizzly Giant, the oldest tree in the grove, estimated to be over 2000 years old with a circumference of 92 feet at the base.
Wawona is surrounded by some of the most spectacular waterfalls in Yosemite. It’s located on Wawona road about 27 miles from Yosemite Valley.
Tuolumne Meadows
The Tuolumne River meanders through this beautiful meadow, set in a basin and surrounded by granite domes. It’s less crowded than Yosemite Valley but has wide views of the Cathedral Range and plenty of good hiking trails.
Drive the Tioga Road, which runs through the Tuolumne area, offering a 47-mile drive full of scenic views and turnouts. Tenaya and Siesta Lakes are both located in this beautiful meadow and they offer great swimming and fishing spots. Or take a short hike to Soda Spring, a cold, carbonated water spring flowing out of the ground.
Glacier Point & Half Dome
At Glacier Point, you’ll find one of the best viewpoints in the park. It has sweeping views of Half Dome and many other granite formations from this view. Plus, you’ll get a great view of waterfalls like Yosemite Falls and Vernal Falls.
Half Dome is one of the most recognized features in Yosemite National Park. There are views of this huge, granite dome all around the park. You can even hike or climb to the top.
Visit Mirror Lake to see Half Dome up close. There’s a two-mile paved trail that takes you right to the base of the famous rock.
Things To Do
You won’t run short on activities in Yosemite. Here are a few of our favorite ways to pass time inside the park.
Hiking
Of course, hiking is at the top of the list. There are tons of beautiful hiking trails for all ages and hiking abilities.
There are 10 hiking trails in Yosemite Valley alone. Bridalveil Falls Trail is an easy, half-mile hike that takes you to the base of this whispy waterfall.
If you’re looking for a more moderate hiking experience, take the Yosemite Falls Trail on a two-mile, round-trip hike to Columbia Rock. Or continue on to the top of the Falls. It’s a more strenuous hike, but worth it if you want to see the best views of the falls.
Water Activities
Swimming is allowed almost everywhere in the park, with a few exceptions. Enter the rivers and lakes through sandy beaches to preserve rocky shoreline. And beware of swift currents and cold water.
Rent a raft and take a rafting trip down the Merced River. Or take a kayak onto Tenaya Lake to enjoy some beautiful scenery. Fishing is allowed in all lakes and reservoirs year-round. And stream fishing runs from the end of April through the middle of November. You’ll need a California fishing license if you’re over the age of 16.
Climbing
Yosemite is one of the most popular rock-climbing destinations in the world. The solid, vertical face of El Capitan is a favorite of many thrill-seekers. But there are all different types of climbs to be done in Yosemite.
Many of the walls along Yosemite Valley are available for multi-day climbs. Or you can climb the cracks in the walls of the Merced River Valley. And many climbers love to tackle the granite domes surrounding Tuolumne Meadows.
When To Visit Yosemite
You can visit Yosemite any time of year. If you’re RVing, it’s best to go in the late spring through early fall. You’ll find that all of the park areas are open from June through September. This is the busiest time, too, so be prepared to share the roads and parking lots.
Many of the rivers and waterfalls are fueled by runoff from snowmelt. So these tend to slow down or dry out during the late summer months. Throughout June and July, visitors can see thousands of wildflowers blooming in the valleys and meadows.
Where RVers Can Stay
Yosemite has 13 campgrounds and you can reserve sites in seven of these up to five months in advance. Most of these campgrounds have RV sites available for rigs of various sizes. Amenities vary from site to site.
The park offers free wilderness permits for backpacking and camping in the wilderness. Apply for your permit in advance if you plan to camp in the wilderness. These trails are popular destinations for hikers.
Getting To and Around Yosemite
Image by noblige from Getty
If you aren’t staying in the park, it’s advised to park your RV outside the park and take public transportation in. Once you’re in the park, there are free shuttle buses that can take you around to many attractions.
Most of the roads inside the park are safe to drive on with your RV. But some of them do have restrictions against very large rigs. Check these restrictions before you enter the park so you don’t enter these areas unknowingly.
There’s limited parking inside the park. And even more so for large RVs. Arrive early to ensure you get a parking spot.
Check out the NPS website for detailed driving directions to Yosemite from major surrounding cities. And to find out all the latest weather and road closure updates, click here.
Have you been to Yosemite? What did you think? Leave a comment below!
