Aspenglen campsite sizes (or any other Natl Park Campground)

[Shearwater]

I just booked a site in Apsenglen Campground in Rocky Mountain National Park. We tow a 5.0 with a F150 Supercab. I know this topic of campsite sizing has been discussed before, I just wanted to share the somewhat conflicting and confusing information on our specific campsite.

First off, here are the campsite specifics:

• Driveway length - 23'
• RV maximum length - 19'

And from our reservation confirmation:

• Parking is limited to two (2) vehicles per site. A vehicle is defined as one vehicle, one trailer, one RV, or one towed unit.
• Be Advised: Trailer length is the total maxium vehicle length allowable. (Trailer Length = Trailer + Hitch + Vehicle)
• Maximum Vehicle + Trailer Length = Vehicle + Trailer + Hitch = 30 ft at Aspenglen campground.

Goggle satelite view confirms that the parking space is two vehicles wide so the truck and the camper should fit side by side. Because the space is angled, one side is about 19' long, the other is 23' or so, hence the information about campsite specifics. The F150 is just shy of 20' long, the 5.0 is about 21', the combined length is maybe 36'? I assume the max vehicle restriction of 30' is more about motorhomes than something as articulating as a truck/5.0 combo. I will admit that I lied and said our trailer length was the maximum 19'. Thoughts on all of this?

 

[Shearwater]

I will add, the campsite says either a 19' RV or a 21' popup. Should I change my reservation to the 21' popup since the 5.0 kinda behaves like a popup in terms of overhang or should I just assume that the 21' guidance is confirmation that I will fit?

 

[Donna D.]

Too, if there's nothing directly behind the site, you may be able to gain some length by bumping the trailer tires against any curb stop. Sometimes that's not convenient, but necessary.

 

[Ron in BC]

Too, if there's nothing directly behind the site, you may be able to gain some length by bumping the trailer tires against any curb stop. Sometimes that's not convenient, but necessary.

I frequently am doing that and I gave up using campsite provided info a long time ago.

Often it's a matter of just making it work.

We've often fit in campsites that were nominally too short for us.

Ron

 

[WillyB]

I called the National Park Service to get clarification on this last week. They said the "vehicle length" is from the Front of the Tow Vehicle to the Rear of the Trailer. For me (F150 & 21C) is 40 feet.

 

[Brandon0gg]

I just booked a site in Apsenglen Campground in Rocky Mountain National Park. We tow a 5.0 with a F150 Supercab. I know this topic of campsite sizing has been discussed before, I just wanted to share the somewhat conflicting and confusing information on our specific campsite.

First off, here are the campsite specifics:

• Driveway length - 23'
• RV maximum length - 19'

And from our reservation confirmation:

• Parking is limited to two (2) vehicles per site. A vehicle is defined as one vehicle, one trailer, one RV, or one towed unit.
• Be Advised: Trailer length is the total maxium vehicle length allowable. (Trailer Length = Trailer + Hitch + Vehicle)
• Maximum Vehicle + Trailer Length = Vehicle + Trailer + Hitch = 30 ft at Aspenglen campground.

Goggle satelite view confirms that the parking space is two vehicles wide so the truck and the camper should fit side by side. Because the space is angled, one side is about 19' long, the other is 23' or so, hence the information about campsite specifics. The F150 is just shy of 20' long, the 5.0 is about 21', the combined length is maybe 36'? I assume the max vehicle restriction of 30' is more about motorhomes than something as articulating as a truck/5.0 combo. I will admit that I lied and said our trailer length was the maximum 19'. Thoughts on all of this?

Yeah, the campsite length rules can be super confusing, especially with how they mix and match different measurements. Based on what you’re saying, it sounds like your setup might fit, but it's definitely pushing it. The angled space might work in your favor, letting you squeeze things in creatively.

The 30’ max vehicle+trailer length seems to be more about maneuverability than an absolute hard rule, so as long as you can park within your designated spot without blocking the road or encroaching on another site, you should be fine. That said, since you technically “fudged” the trailer length on the res, I'd just be prepared for a ranger to check and potentially give you trouble. Worst case, you might have to unhitch and angle things a bit differently.

If you're unsure, you could call the ranger station and phrase it as a hypothetical: “Hey, if I have a truck/trailer combo slightly over 30’, would I still be good as long as it fits in the space?” - see what they say.

 

[occer]

If you call the ranger station, give them a different site number or different dates so they don't red flag your reservation. Maybe give both different dates and site number!

 

[alanmalk]

If you call the ranger station, give them a different site number or different dates so they don't red flag your reservation. Maybe give both different dates and site number!

"red flag"? Really?

Come on folks, a touch of reality might be needed here.

First, the volunteers that answer the phones probably have never seen the campground and can only tell you what R dot G has in the wesbite.

Second, the site measurements are estimates, guesstimates, or plain fanticy. No one really knows except the campground host. We try to talk the campground manager into updating the truly incorrect measurements and sometimes that does make its way up the food chain.

Third, no "red flag" worries. Show up with your rig. If it fits in any configuration without causing a traffic issue or doing damage to the resource (ie, no tires on plants) no one is going to raise an eyebrow. Even that extra vehicle that technicially is not permitted will be noticed, but tolerated, if common sense is evident.

Fourth, if it does in fact not fit, we have options. Musical campsites is one. Finding an unused reservation is another but perhaps requires a move in the middle of your reservation. And a couple of other options that we don't talk about. No one has ever been kicked out for having a fit problem.

Only once have I called LE for an oversize vehicle. It was a 32 foot bus in the Chisos Basin - where the big sign at the bottom of the mountains says "No vehicles over 22". And they were driving all over the vegetation, to boot. And had no reservations. It truly takes a lot to get in trouble!

 

[Mike G]

I don't think there is much standardization in how campsites are measured within NPS. I just get the feeling that employees at some time in the past in each campground did their own measuring, and how they each measured their campsites varied in the same way that individuals vary.

In Yosemite, one valley campsite was much longer than the description. In Sleeping Bear's D.H. Day campground, the measurement might have been a tad optimistic... unless I wanted to park the back end overtop some lush poison ivy. (I've never had the itch to camp there again.)