1

I recommend that you use Woodall's RV Campground Directory of the USA to find their certified campgrounds. The directory tells you what amenities are available at each of their campgrounds, including Wi-Fi, satellite TV, hot showers, laundromat, access to city transportation (it is difficult to park a bus-like RV in downtown areas, such as in Las Vegas and San Francisco).

Edited by: trekker502

2

If you;re going to Zion National Park- you really should just go a couple hours further up the road to
Bryce Canyon National Park. Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument is next door to Bryce and is
amazing also. It has giant sandstone arches similar to Arches National Park.
Bryce is definitely doable in your timeframe.

3

Be aware that, if you take kenko's otherwise good advice in a "huge RV", you may encounter this complication

4

Good thing there are six of you to trade off driving while others sleep because going where you want to go in just 7 days means you will be driving most of the time.

5

Have you done the math on this? "Huge RVs" are very expensive to rent and drive - the mileage fees and gas will be killers. I'd be very surprised if this ends up being cheaper than renting a mini-van or larger SUV for the whole group, and using hotels. Unless your RV has a propane heater, you'll need to find campgrounds with full hookups. These will cost a significant fraction of a cheap hotel room. Your savings are evaporating fast. Has anyone in your group driven a vehicle like that before... and have you considered that you may encounter winter driving conditions in Utah and Arizona? A huge RV will be a major problem for you in that case.

You won't have any time for extra attractions on this itinerary. I strongly, strongly recommend you at least do the math and consider renting a mini-van or large SUV, possibly flying to Vegas and starting there (which for 6 people would cost more, but save you two whole days of tedious driving to and from SF).

6

I agree with Flag... The Motor home should be a No go... road conditions and probable freezing damage to the water & waste systems may well, abort the trip... Go by car, over nighting in nice warm and plentiful roadside lodging...carracar...(currently traveling in a winterized RV in the storm ridden N/E States)

7

You want 'suggestions' for much of California, and fair sized chunks of Utah and Arizona?
Could you be a little more vague? What do you and the 5 others like/want to do? C'mon, think about this a little, please.

As others have stated, giant RVs are an expensive pain in the ass. Renting one might(?) make sense if you get a killer off-season deal. As Flag says, "Do the numbers..." Otherwise I'd suggest getting a van and buying some $30 airbeds to stretch the typical 4 person motel suite.

As also mentioned, you will largely WASTE 2 of your 7 days driving between SF and Vegas. Why? The Central Valley and Mojave Desert can be rather pretty, but unless you have a destination in mind, they hardly deserve 2 days.

With a week out of Vegas, you could do the typical Vegas / Zion / Bryce / Paria / Page / GC / Vegas loop in good style. A trip to DV could be made to fit if you limit your casino time.

8

I agree with the others- You should rent a car/van for your group and just stay at motels. There are motels
just outside the National PArk gates at Zion and Bryce if the lodges inside are too expensive for you. Grand Canyon Lodge/Motel is moderately-priced and there should be vacancies. You will not save any money renting an RV over moteling it once you factor in gas and hookup fees to park the RV.

9

Even if he just parks the whale in the forest, w/o hookups of any sort, the gas, rental, and mileage fees will be brutal.

(I've never understood how parking an RV in a crowded lot with a hundred others is considered 'camping.')

10

RV's were the cost-conscious way to go back when gas was $2 per gallon. At $4 per gallon forgetaboutit!
And driving an RV around Vegas? Double forgetaboutit!!