California National Parks September

[RudysWorld]

Looking to make a trip to the California National Parks in September:

Yosemite
Kings Canyon
Sequoia
Death Valley
Joshua Tree

Thinking maybe north to south, probably +/- 3 week trip from TN. DW will only do full hookups so we will be staying outside parks with day trips in. Still possible to get reservations this year?
Would like campground recommendations. Also, don't miss side trips.
Everyone has been great on my trip planning so far. Keep up the good work! Thanks in advance!

[bikendan]

September is still a very popular time for California National Parks.
But private campgrounds might have sites still.

[babock]

Better stay late in September for both Death Valley and Joshua Tree. Easily be in the 90s.

[RudysWorld]

Originally Posted by babock

Better stay late in September for both Death Valley and Joshua Tree. Easily be in the 90s.

Thanks. I was planning the end of September for them due to weather.

[mtnlvr]

With Yosemite; the weather can be fickle. I lived 30 minutes away and numerous years we got snow mid September. The west gate remains open but if there’s snow the east gate/ Tioga Pass will close. The scenery is gorgeous then, colors beginning to change, starting at the highest elevations working down to the valleys in October & November. Yosemite doesn’t get too many Fall colors though except in the Yosemite Valley. If you choose to deviate from only National Parks; the Mammoth Lakes/Bishop area and all along the Hwy 395 Scenic Corridor is fantastic with many campgrounds everywhere. Also on the west side of the Sierras; the “Gold Country” region with winerys, apple festival, etc. is fun.

[camaraderie]

Suggest: Yosemite Pines RV Park for Yosemite
Sequoia RV Ranch
For Sequoia & Kings Canyon.
KOA Visalia is also a nice park with lots of local ameneties if you don't mind a bit longer drive in and out to the parks.

[ncebeemer]

Sequoia and Kings Canyon beautiful areas. Narrowish road going into Kings Canyon, but the Cedar Grove campgrounds have RV as well as tent camping. Fishable stream runs near camps. You will have to check on reservations, but it is later in season and I would expect you can find something. Have Fun

[Beachbourbon]

Originally Posted by babock

Better stay late in September for both Death Valley and Joshua Tree. Easily be in the 90s.

This

[babock]

Originally Posted by ncebeemer

Sequoia and Kings Canyon beautiful areas. Narrowish road going into Kings Canyon, but the Cedar Grove campgrounds have RV as well as tent camping. Fishable stream runs near camps. You will have to check on reservations, but it is later in season and I would expect you can find something. Have Fun

Not many campsites, if any, in Cedar Grove that will fit his motorhome.

[mncreeves]

Death Valley NP is NOT to be missed. We stayed several weeks at Longstreet Inn Casino & RV Resort in Amargosa Valley w/ full hookups. It is only a 30 minute drive to Furnace Creek in DV. Research what to see in DVNP, the desert has a lot to offer. Many nearby sights; Amargosa Opera House, Ash Meadows, China Ranch Date Farm...

[KSH]

Full hookups, by General Sherman tree.

https://www.sequoiacampground.com/

[ncebeemer]

Originally Posted by babock

Not many campsites, if any, in Cedar Grove that will fit his motorhome.

You are correct, though there are some sites to 39 ft. I didn't know what his rig was. Short of Cedar Grove there are a lot of other camping area that could fit the bill. I grew up going to Cedar Grove, so it still calls to me.

[babock]

Originally Posted by ncebeemer

You are correct, though there are some sites to 39 ft. I didn't know what his rig was. Short of Cedar Grove there are a lot of other camping area that could fit the bill. I grew up going to Cedar Grove, so it still calls to me.

He is 36'. When I was there last June, I saw some shorter Class A and Cs but nothing that big.

[Mooney 78865]

Originally Posted by camaraderie

Suggest: Yosemite Pines RV Park for Yosemite
Sequoia RV Ranch
For Sequoia & Kings Canyon.
KOA Visalia is also a nice park with lots of local ameneties if you don't mind a bit longer drive in and out to the parks.

Agree with everything said. We're "local" living in Clovis Ca, so everything is day trips with the exception of DV, which is about 350 miles from home.
Yosemite will be a zoo until the kids go back to school, so plan to find a spot outside the park. Kings and Sequoia have a lot of RV campgrounds at or near either area. Three rivers area has a number of RV friendly campgrounds as well.
Death Valley in September? Oh yeah, hope the AC works! I was there the second week of January this year camping with some Buddies from around the country, and a couple from the other side of the "pond". Daytime highs were in the low 70"s. Don't worry though, it's a dry heat! The racetrack will be something to see as well as Titus Canyon. Both are doable with just about anything right up to and including a Prius. Ubehebe Crater is right at the start of the off road to the Racetrack, so a stop is mandatory. Unfortunately Scotty's Castle will be closed due to road washout a couple seasons ago. Furnace creek campground as well as the Inn at Furnace Creek were recently renovated and quite nice. If you can get a pull thru in the 70's they are really great. I crawled out of my tent every morning looking at them wishing I had the Georgetown!
Gas in Stovepipe Wells is MUCH cheaper than at Furnace Creek and also has limited full hookup, as well as no hookup on the general store side of the road.

[KSH]

What's in that hole??

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by KSH

What's in that hole??

That's one of the famous Death Valley moving rocks.
https://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvis...-racetrack.htm

[KSH]

Well that was amazing! Very very interesting.

[Mooney 78865]

Originally Posted by KSH

Well that was amazing! Very very interesting.

Death Valley is defiantly worth a stop and see. I've been there a half dozen times on a motorcycle, usually in January February. I've also been snowed on EVERY trip at one point or another. Weather is fickle! The renovations at the Inn at Furnace Creek are really nice. I was at the "general store" one evening this January, after having dinner in the steak house and the guy behind the counter was a guy my wife and I met at Mount Rushmore working the gift shop in September! Small world!
The picture is the parking area at Ubehebe Crater. Note the snow in the background...

[aircommuter]

You might checkout boondockers welcome.

[ppine]

Forget Death Valley and Joshua Tree in Sept. Way too hot.
Consider an October trip. The crowds are much more quiet and the weather is still good in CA.