Greg Gerber posted on September 05, 2008 21:34
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. -- In the heart of the park here on a recent warm day, the spaces at Fishing Bridge Recreational Vehicle Park were jammed full with RVs and camping equipment.
The RV site, situated in a quiet pine forest, was "full," according to a sign at the registration office. All 358 spaces were taken.
Despite high fuel prices and a sputtering economy that have hurt RV sales and caused many people to put the brakes on vacation plans, there have been plenty of the lumbering, gas-guzzling rigs looking for a spot to temporarily set down roots this year.
At the Fishing Bridge RV Park, Leyman Williams lounged alone in the sun on a folding chair outside his 39-foot motor home.
"If you want to stay out here and do this, you just suck it up and go," Williams said. "I learned to drive a little slower," William said, noting the RV gets better highway mileage at around 60 mph.
More than 1.1 million RVs visited National Park Service campgrounds through the first seven months of this year, according to preliminary NPS figures.
The numbers are down about 6 percent from the same period last year, but Park Service spokesman Jeffrey Olson said they are still strong numbers, noting that July and August are the busiest months for RV camping in national parks and many campers are out during the fall.
RV and campground trade associations say 2008 appears to be just as busy as previous years, though with some variations that could be attributable to fuel prices.
For the Williams, that means making their drives a little slower -- fuel efficiency decreases at higher speeds -- bypassing engine-straining mountains and staying longer at the places they visit. They also tow along their small sport utility vehicle, which gets close to 30 miles to the gallon, and use it to get around the area they are staying.
Williams said any mileage lost in towing the vehicle is exceeded by the savings from not having to drive the RV short distances to the grocery store or to see area attractions.
SOURCE: Yahoo Business News