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Old 07-23-2016, 07:25 AM   #1
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Campsite Sizes

We are absolute newbies when it comes to trailer camping and won't get our 21 until next year. I have been using the Ultimate Public Campground Project app to locate and mark potential camping locations for our big trip. In the detail listing for any campground there is frequently a Max Length listed. For instance, one might show a max length of 24 feet. I know my 21 will fit there but what about the tow vehicle? Are these listed lengths generally accurate and do they take into account the tow vehicle? If they don't include the tow vehicle would there generally be enough room to unhitch and park alongside the trailer? Any help from you veterans would be greatly appreciated.
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Old 07-23-2016, 08:14 AM   #2
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Max length almost always refers to the maximum TRAILER length, not the maximum length of the space. If it's the actual length of the campsite, it will usually say so. A 21 will have no issues in a campsite listed as "max length 24 feet".

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Old 07-23-2016, 10:55 AM   #3
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As mentioned, the length is usually just the trailer, except in national parks where it's supposed to be the total including the tow vehicle.

I usually try and book campsites that are a good deal longer then my trailer, I'd rather not be jammed onto a site just because I have a small trailer. When searching on ReserveAmerica I use 25' but try and pick one longer. When reserving in National Parks I try for 35' or longer which is the whole length.

In practice folks manage to jam their much longer rigs onto smaller sites, but I try and go by the rules.
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Old 07-23-2016, 10:56 AM   #4
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In addition to what Robert said, there has always been room to park the tow vehicle. Some more generous than others. At the spots I have been anyways.
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Old 07-23-2016, 01:28 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by rbryan4 View Post
Max length almost always refers to the maximum TRAILER length, not the maximum length of the space. If it's the actual length of the campsite, it will usually say so. A 21 will have no issues in a campsite listed as "max length 24 feet".
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As mentioned, the length is usually just the trailer, except in national parks where it's supposed to be the total including the tow vehicle.
This makes sense.

Also, if the state length were the combination of tow vehicle and trailer, there would be essentially no one who could use a 24-foot space... with the shortest travel trailers at 13 feet that would only leave 11 feet for the tug, which is a foot less than needed for even a BMW Mini hatchback. Sensibly, at 24 feet is must be for just the trailer (or motorhome).
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Old 07-23-2016, 04:19 PM   #6
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If I can add my experience, I have to say there is no consistency between site sizes. Mose do have room for the tow vehicle, but some don't. Even within state parks in the same state, some include it, and some provide an actual measurement from the concrete wheel stop to the front of the driveway - you can get a bit more is some cases by backing the wheels against the concrete stop & hanging over in the back it there aren't any trees or bushes in the way.

I've had better luck asking the office if you can connect to the park rather than going by the sizes given on line, although that doesn't always work. What ever you do, don't trust the site maps!

Maybe I'm just annoyed because I'm traveling with friends, and tonight's "adjoining sites" (5 & 6) next to each other on the map, are more than 150' apart. Neither the office or map noted that there is a shuffle board court & horse shoe puts between the sites! I also whined about the Electric & Water actually my neighbor's, and 50' from my trailer, only 15 amps (described as 30 amps) and, by the way, it is raining...
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Old 07-23-2016, 06:01 PM   #7
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Sometimes a look using Google Maps - especially the satellite image view - can help assess a campground. It works fairly well for the "parking lot" style sites; unfortunately, desirable sites with a more natural environment are often hard to see for the trees, as with Jon's site at Stony Brook Recreation and Camping.
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Old 07-23-2016, 08:44 PM   #8
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I find campphotos quite helpful.
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Old 07-23-2016, 08:59 PM   #9
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I find campphotos quite helpful.
If you mean campsitephotos.com, it does help give you a good idea of what the sites look like.
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Old 07-23-2016, 09:49 PM   #10
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If you mean campsitephotos.com, it does help give you a good idea of what the sites look like.
Interesting... although only for the United States, and only for a very limited number of campgrounds, and some of those don't show the actual sites. Certainly if the desired campground is there, it's worth a look.
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Old 07-24-2016, 08:23 AM   #11
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Some of the National Park sites under the US Recreation.gov include photos of the sites, however even these can be deceiving. I reserved site 44 at Chisos Basin in Big Bend National Park. A beautiful site with a shaded picnic table. Unfortunately, the picnic table with the shade was in the site behind mine. It just "happened" to be in the photo & my unshaded table wasn't in the picture...

Still, a beautiful location!
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Old 07-24-2016, 10:08 AM   #12
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We weren't shaded there either Jon, but you're right- beautiful place.
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Old 07-24-2016, 10:10 AM   #13
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Some of the National Park sites under the US Recreation.gov include photos of the sites, however even these can be deceiving. I reserved site 44 at Chisos Basin in Big Bend National Park. A beautiful site with a shaded picnic table. Unfortunately, the picnic table with the shade was in the site behind mine. It just "happened" to be in the photo & my unshaded table wasn't in the picture...

Still, a beautiful location!
Too funny!
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Old 07-24-2016, 10:29 AM   #14
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BC Parks have photos of sites, at least for Wells Grey they did when I was booking a while back.
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Old 07-24-2016, 10:46 AM   #15
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The Michigan Sate Parks reservation site does a great job describing each site including multiple photos, site length, site width, distance to bathroom, etc.

https://www.midnrreservations.com
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Old 07-24-2016, 10:50 AM   #16
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No shade here, in fact, no picnic table either, but sewer connections at each site. A bargain at $29.00. Nobody's lounging at the barbie outside here but it was in the triple digits. Not exactly your scenic destination but I should mention it was next to the big highway to Buffalo Thunder Casino just down the road.
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Old 07-24-2016, 10:57 AM   #17
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No shade here, in fact, no picnic table either, but sewer connections at each site. A bargain at $29.00. Nobody's lounging at the barbie outside here but it was in the triple digits. Not exactly your scenic destination but I should mention it was next to the big highway to Buffalo Thunder Casino just down the road.
Hi: MyronL... I'm always suspect of a "Shady" site. Some of the big trees have dead branches!!! Alf
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Old 07-24-2016, 01:10 PM   #18
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The Reserve Alberta Parks website has about 6 photos and a panoramic shot for 95% of the reservable sites (which is getting to be the vast majority of them). It's a nice feature.
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