Our Guide to The National Parks of the USA
Exploring the National Parks is something that is on almost everyone's must-do list. The memories made while exploring America’s endless beauty are truly unparalleled. Like you, we have a goal of visiting all 59 national parks and the Bowlus is truly the only RV made for these types of adventures.
Dealers and manufacturers are often not completely truthful about the limitations of their products to their customers, and as a result, you could end up purchasing an RV that does not fit your mission of exploration. Our goal is to help you find the product that is best for you.
Our family-run business of designers, environmentalists and perfectionists seek to elevate the camping experience with our legendary design DNA and a zest for modern adventures. It was our own experiences exploring this amazing country that inspired us to design a product that made adventuring easy, fun and of course, beautiful. It is important to us that we continue to handcraft the Bowlus with fully sustainable practices and are proud to have created and pioneered zero emissions camping, which we see as the future to protect our public lands.
What You Need To Know Before Purchasing an RV or Sprinter Van Conversion:
- Boondocking: Most National Park Campgrounds do not have hookups. Adventuring with RVs that are not built for boondocking means you could end up damaging your battery or unable to work even small 12V appliances due to your battery’s limitations. The Bowlus is designed to be off-grid. Our large battery banks, sophisticated power management systems and ability to run necessary appliances like the microwave and all outlets while off-grid means you can stay in all the best spots since you don't require hooks to enjoy yourselves.
- Generator Use: Don’t assume you can rely on generator power. Only some National Parks offer generator hours and even when they do, they are very limited and are usually less than 4 hours per day with available hours most often in the middle of the day when you would rather be out exploring. You visit a National Park to experience it, not to hear the constant hum of your generator. The Bowlus' sophisticated power management system means you can go for over a week on each battery charge.
- Size Matters: Most National Park campgrounds cannot accommodate RV’s over 27’. With larger RV’s you’ll be stuck staying outside of the park and being far away from the fun. Even if sites can accommodate larger RV’s - they are not as abundant, meaning you will have a harder time making sure you get one. With a Bowlus, booking ahead is easy because there are more spots that you can fit into. It makes sense to have a trailer that allows you flexibility after all freedom of exploration is important to your travel mission.
- Getting into campsites: Even if the campground allows RVs over 27’, they will be very difficult to maneuver. Features like trees, canyons, and rocks can all make getting settled in your campsite difficult. For first come, first serve campsites, it’s important to have the flexibility or you could end up missing out with nowhere to stay. The Bowlus is the easier travel trailer to maneuver. High ground clearance, ability to be placed into position by hand and spectacular easy of towing means you can have your pick of any campsite.
- Getting into the park: The routes may not be suitable to RVs over 27’ or Sprinter van conversions, as tight corners, steep grades, bridges, etc. can provide issues. It is important to know the size of your RV including any rooftop A/C units etc. Parks can have small roads, one way and steep grades and tree over the roadway that can be challenging to get into for anything other than a Bowlus. Never be stuck or limit your exploration again.
- Weather Conditions: Many National Parks are located at elevation or located in desert terrain where temperatures can drop overnight. Most RV’s are not built for freezing conditions and damage will occur. The Bowlus is built for every season, including winter. There is no need for concern when temperatures drop about damage and you’ll be warm and cozy inside too.
We hope you enjoy our guide to our favorite National Parks of the USA. Most National Parks fill up quickly so it is recommended to reserve sites 6 months or more in advance so it is never too early to order your Bowlus.
Happy travels,
Geneva Long
Bowlus
Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorado
https://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm
- Reservation Campsite: Aspenglen Campground (no hookups, perfect for a Bowlus, reserve six months before)
- First Come First Serve Campsite: Timber Creek Campground (no hookups, perfect for a Bowlus)
- Things to Do: Drive Up Trail Ridge Road (North America’s highest paved through-road at over 12,000 ft) & Visit the Continental Divide
- Our Favorite Hike: Chasm Lake Hike & Mount Ida
Olympic National Park
Washington
https://www.nps.gov/olym/index.htm
- Reservation Campsite: Sol Duc Hot Springs Campground (electrical hookups, perfect for a Bowlus, hot springs pools).
- First Come First Serve Campsite: Mora Campground (no hookups, perfect for a Bowlus)
- Things to Do: Kalaloch beach, Hoh Rain Forest
- Our Favorite Hike: Ozette Triangle Loop Trail
Acadia National Park
- Reservation Campsite: Blackwoods Campground or Seawall Campground (no hookups, perfect for a Bowlus, reserve six months before)
- First Come First Serve Campsite: There are none. Reserve in advance.
- Things to Do: Drive Park Loop Road & Stop At Sand Beach, Thunder Hole & Otter Cliff
- Our Favorite Hike: Beehive Trail
Zion National Park
- Reservation Campsite: Watchman Campground (30A electrical, no other hookups, perfect for a Bowlus 6 months in advance) or South Campground (no hookups, very limited generator use allowed, perfect for a Bowlus, 14 days before arrival)
- First Come First Serve Campsite: There are none. Reserve in advance.
- Things to Do: Drive Zion Canyon Scenic Drive (closed to private vehicles while the shuttle is running) & Bike the Pa’rus Trail
- Our Favorite Hike: Angels Landing & The Narrows
Yosemite National Park
California
https://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm
- Reservation Campsite: Upper Pines (no hookups, perfect for a Bowlus, reserve 5 months in advance) or Lower Pines (no hookups, perfect for a Bowlus, reserve 5 months in advance).
- First Come First Serve Campsite: Tuolumne Meadows (no hookups, perfect for a Bowlus)
- Things to Do: Explore Yosemite Valley & Glacier Point Lookout
- Our Favorite Hike: Half Dome
Denali National Park
- Reservation Campsite: Riley Creek Campground (no hookups, perfect for a Bowlus, open year-round) Savage River Campground (no hookups, perfect for a Bowlus, open summer) (book online as early as Dec 1 of the year prior to visit)
- First Come First Serve Campsite: There are none. Reserve in advance.
- Things to Do: Visit The Denali Sled Dog Kennels & take the Bus Tour - it’s really the only way to get into the back section of the park (The Tundra Wilderness Tour is great)
- Our Favorite Hike: Savage River Loop Trail
Badlands National Park
South Dakota
https://www.nps.gov/badl/index.htm
- Reservation Campsite: Cedar Pass Campground (some electric hookups)
- First Come First Serve Campsite: Sage Creek Campground (no hookups, generators not permitted, perfect for a Bowlus)
- Things to Do: Badlands Loop State Scenic Byway. Consider stopping by nearby Mount Rushmore or Black Hills National Forest
- Our Favorite Hike: Notch Trail
Glacier National Park
- Reservation Campsite: St. Mary Campground (no hookups, perfect for a Bowlus) Fish Creek Campground (no hookups, perfect for a Bowlus)
- First Come First Serve Campsite: Many Glacier (no hookups, many sites generator free, perfect for a Bowlus)
- Things to Do: Going-to-the-Sun Road (leave your Bowlus behind), White Water Rafting
- Our Favorite Hike: Ptarmigan Tunnel
Grand Teton National Park
- Reservation Campsite: There are no reservation sites inside the park that accommodate any RVs.
- First Come First Serve Campsite: Gros Ventre Campground (some sites with hookups, perfect for a Bowlus)
- Things to Do: Teton Park Road & Jenny Lake
- Our Favorite Hike: Inspiration Point
North Cascades National Park
Washington
https://www.nps.gov/noca/index.htm
- Reservation Campsite: Newhalem Creek Campground (no hookups, perfect for a Bowlus, reserve 6 months in advance)
- First Come First Serve Campsite: Goodell Creek Campground (no hookups, perfect for a Bowlus, some sites reserve in advance).
- Things to Do: Desolation Peak Trail - where Jack Kerouac described “ "I went out in my alpine yard and there it was ... hundreds of miles of pure snow-covered rocks and virgin lakes and high timber ... Below, instead of the world, I saw a sea of marshmallow clouds."
- Our Favorite Hike: Cascade Pass Trail
Shenandoah National Park
Virginia
https://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm
- Reservation Campsite: Big Meadow and Loft Mountain (no hookups, perfect for a Bowlus, reservation need during peak season open 6 months in advance, first come other seasons)
- Things to Do: Catch the Sunset at Hawksbill Mountain
- Our Favorite Hike: Doyles River-Jones Run Loop (and many other waterfall hikes)
Information is subject to change. Please confirm with the NPS for any changes or closures before scheduling your trip.