Jan

Is there a fee for driving thru the National Parks or just if you overnight there?
Is there places [reststops,not just in the parks anywhere in the US] to just park a van overnight and be able to wake up shower and hit the road again? Is that safe and is there a charge?
Thanks a bunch
Cheers,
Jan
BC to Manitoba to Grand Canyon to San Fran. to Oregon to home [Vancouver Island, BC]

Dave

Jan, There is an entrance fee for each national parks. The entrance fee for each park range from $10 to $ 20 for 5 days. If you plan to visit a couple of parks, you can get a national parks pass that give you unlimited entrance to all national parks for a year at $50.00.

you can goto www.nps.gov to check the entrance fee for each park.

Utahtea

The Grand Canyon National Park, Bryce National Park, and Zion National Park EACH have a $20 entrance fee good for 7 days. As mentioned before your best bet is to purchase the National Park Pass for $50 and it's good for one year in ALL National Parks, National Monuments and National Historic Sites.

Some states allow overnight parking in there rest areas and some don't. Find a copy of "Trailer Life Campground & RV Parks & Service Directory" in your local library and there's a page that list all the states and if they allow staying overnight in a vehicle. None have showers

Many truck stops like Flying J Travel Plaza's, Love's Travel Stops & Travel Centers of America will let you spend the night in their parking lots and have showers for a fee. Warning, some trucks run their engines all night. They also come and go all night. I beleive they all have web sites.

If you plan on spending the night in a national park make sure it's in a campground.

Utahtea

Clara

Wal Mart will also let you spend the night on their parking lots (unless local laws prohibit it.)

Jan

Most of the parks in Canada if you are just driving straight thru [no stopping] you do not have to pay. Does it work that way at all in the US.
Thanks a bunch for all the help. It really is a huge help on this big trip we are planning to the US. Oh dear everyday I am finding more to see tho. We are up to about a month now.
Cheers,
Jan

travellyn

Unfortunately, you have to pay, even for just driving through. That $50 pass is a great deal, though. It covers a lot more than just parks (monuments, etc.), and when we have a pass, we tend to stop in for a few minutes to see places we normally wouldn't want to pay for.

Some parks are really nice even to stop in the visitors' center for a few minutes and see one or two sights along the way. You'll get a map and a newspaper that has recommendations for things to do/see depending on how much time you have.

Be aware that speed limits in US national parks are quite low, usually 45mph or lower.