Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Collect the 25-foot Class C RV and allow about 1–1.5 hours for the handover, grocery run, propane check, tire inspection, and securing loose items. Before leaving, confirm the generator and furnace work, locate the fresh-water and dump connections, and photograph any existing vehicle damage. Buy most food, drinking water, and basic supplies in Chula Vista, where prices and selection are better than in the desert. Budget approximately $12–20 per person for breakfast or lunch supplies.
The practical route is north on I-15 through the Inland Empire, past Baker, then north on CA-127 and west on CA-190 toward Furnace Creek. Allow roughly 6–7.5 hours of driving in the RV, including a fuel stop and slower speeds on desert roads. Check Caltrans and National Park Service alerts before departing, since winter storms, flooding, or temporary road closures can affect the approach.
Use Baker for fuel, restrooms, and a quick meal, budgeting roughly $15–25 per person for takeaway food. A 25-foot Class C should manage the main approach roads, but allow extra room at fuel stations and avoid tight back-in spaces where possible. Fill the tank whenever practical; fuel inside Death Valley is limited and expensive, and there are long stretches without services.
Do not add major sightseeing detours today. The RV handover, long transfer, and campground setup will use most of the daylight, while January temperatures can fall sharply after sunset. Keep warm clothing, blankets, and the RV furnace accessible, and carry more drinking water than you expect to need.
After arriving at Furnace Creek Campground, check in, level the RV, connect services if available, and confirm that the site is suitable for the vehicle's full length and slide-outs. Campground availability is the main booking dependency: reserve a site in advance where required, and verify current site-size restrictions before setting out. Allow about an hour for arrival and setup rather than trying to squeeze in a distant viewpoint.
If there is still daylight, take a brief walk around Furnace Creek or relax near camp for sunset, allowing about 45 minutes. Cook at the RV or use the limited nearby food options, budgeting approximately $15–30 per person for prepared food. Save Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point, and the longer scenic drives for the dedicated Death Valley day, when you can start rested and recheck road conditions.
Keep this as a light arrival afternoon after the drive from Chula Vista rather than attempting a full park loop. Once you reach Death Valley National Park, take the 25-foot Class C to Furnace Creek Visitor Center if it is still open. Check current road, weather, fuel, and campground notices, and confirm that your planned route toward Sequoia National Park is suitable for the RV; winter storms can change conditions quickly. There is no need for a rental car today—the attractions on this plan are reachable with the RV, though you should drive slowly and expect limited maneuvering space.
If you have at least two hours of daylight, continue south to Badwater Basin, roughly 30 minutes each way from Furnace Creek. The main parking area can accommodate larger vehicles, but use marked spaces, avoid blocking circulation, and do not attempt tight turnarounds on the roadside. Walk only along the salt-flat margin, carrying water and warm layers; there is little shade, phone coverage can be unreliable, and temperatures drop quickly after sunset. The park entrance fee is generally charged per private vehicle, unless you are using an America the Beautiful pass.
Return toward Zabriskie Point only if you still have daylight and energy. The approach and parking area are not especially comfortable for a 25-foot Class C, so use the designated spaces, do not wait in the access lane, and skip the stop if parking is congested. If the lot is full or sunset is approaching, continue directly to Furnace Creek Campground rather than trying to fit in another viewpoint.
Allow time to level the RV, secure loose items, and check the campground’s current water and generator rules. Campsite fees commonly fall around $15–$40 per night depending on the site and current fee structure; reservations or first-come availability vary, so verify availability before relying on a specific site. Prepare dinner in the RV or use an available nearby service while it is operating—do not count on late-night fuel, groceries, or restaurant service. Overnight temperatures can approach freezing, so follow the RV manufacturer’s guidance for fresh-water hoses and exposed plumbing.
The drive from Death Valley National Park is a full transfer day, so plan on arriving in the Three Rivers area in the afternoon or later rather than trying to reach the high sequoia groves. With a 25-foot Class C, use the accepted route via CA-190, US-395, CA-14 and CA-198, allowing roughly 6.5–8 hours plus fuel and rest stops. The final approach through the foothills is slower than the mileage suggests, and winter weather can change conditions quickly.
After checking in or parking safely, stop at Foothills Visitor Center if it is still open and confirm the current status of Generals Highway. A 25-foot RV should not be taken toward the high-elevation groves unless the National Park Service specifically confirms that the route is open and suitable; narrow sections, winter conditions and vehicle-length restrictions make the upper road inappropriate for this vehicle in many conditions. Do not plan on reaching Giant Forest Museum or General Sherman Tree today.
If there is adequate daylight and the road report is favorable, continue only a short distance toward Tunnel Rock. Parking and turning space are limited, so use the stop only if it can be approached and exited without blocking traffic; otherwise, stay near the visitor center and Three Rivers. Skip the outing entirely if rain, ice, snow or an early road closure is developing.
Return to Three Rivers for the night rather than attempting Hospital Rock or any higher Generals Highway stop in the RV. Budget about $15–30 per person for a casual dinner, or use the RV kitchen after shopping in the foothill community. Before bed, recheck the National Park Service road alert and forecast. If the upper highway remains closed or restricted, treat Three Rivers and the lower foothills as the practical extent of this visit and avoid forcing the 25-foot RV into unsuitable mountain roads.
Keep this as a compact Grant Grove day rather than attempting the deeper Kings Canyon roads, which are generally closed in winter and can be unsuitable for a 25-foot Class C RV. After arriving from Sequoia National Park, park the RV at your campground or other permitted site, then confirm current conditions with the National Park Service before moving it again. Generals Highway and CA-180 can have snow, ice, or temporary closures, so do not assume that a route shown on a mapping app is suitable for the RV.
Walk from Grant Grove Village toward the General Grant Tree, avoiding unnecessary RV repositioning. The trail is short, but packed snow and ice can slow the walk; waterproof shoes, warm layers, and traction cleats are useful. If conditions remain good and you have daylight, continue to the North Grove Trail, which keeps the outing close to the village and avoids committing the RV to narrower or more exposed roads.
Treat Hume Lake as optional, not as a required stop. Only drive there after checking that the road is open, free of active chain restrictions, and appropriate for a 25-foot vehicle; turning and parking space may be limited in winter. Otherwise, have an early meal near the gateway communities or use groceries, budgeting roughly $12–25 per person for a casual meal or $40–70 for groceries for two. Park entry is generally about $20–35 per vehicle, subject to current National Park Service fees, while campground availability and winter services should be verified before relying on an overnight stay. Return to the RV before dusk, when shaded roads can refreeze, and prepare for tomorrow’s long transfer toward Yosemite.
From Kings Canyon National Park, drive west on CA-180, then use CA-99 north through the Fresno area and CA-41 north to Yosemite National Park’s South Entrance. Allow approximately 5–6 hours in a 25-foot Class C RV in normal conditions, plus a fuel and food stop; leave around 7:00–8:00 a.m. to reach the Valley before late-afternoon congestion. This route avoids the closed winter high-country roads, but check NPS and Caltrans alerts before departure for snow, ice, chain controls and temporary closures.
A 25-foot RV is manageable on the CA-41 approach and in Yosemite Valley, but parking is limited. Have a campground or authorized RV site reserved before driving in, and confirm that the site accepts your vehicle length. Do not count on finding a convenient daytime RV space near every viewpoint. Fill the tank and stock up before entering the park, since fuel and groceries inside Yosemite National Park are limited and expensive; budget roughly $15–30 per person for a casual meal or $10–20 per person for picnic supplies.
After checking in and parking, walk from your site or use the free Yosemite Valley shuttle if it is operating. Winter service may be reduced or suspended, so walking is often the simplest option. Start with a gentle stretch along the Valley floor toward Lower Yosemite Fall. The waterfall can be seasonal in January, and snow or ice may make sections slippery, so wear traction-capable footwear and turn around if conditions deteriorate.
Finish at Yosemite Village for maps, food and the latest information on road and trail conditions. Keep the evening unhurried: daylight is short, and a long RV transfer plus winter driving is tiring. Carry tire chains that fit the RV even if the forecast is clear; chain controls can be introduced quickly. Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road are generally closed in January, so plan to remain in the Valley rather than attempting high-elevation shortcuts.
After the long drive from Yosemite National Park, plan only a short first visit to Pinnacles National Park. Use the East Entrance rather than trying to reach the West Entrance: the entrances are not connected through the park, and the east side is the practical choice for a 25-foot Class C RV. Allow time to refuel and stretch before the final approach, and confirm that your chosen campground or RV site accepts a vehicle of this length.
At the Pinnacles National Park East Visitor Center, check the National Park Service alerts for trail closures, flooding, rockfall, and cave access. Parking for larger RVs can be limited, so avoid blocking turnarounds and use only signed spaces; if the visitor-area lot is full, continue to your confirmed campground rather than searching for roadside parking. Carry water, warm layers, and a headlamp. The park entrance fee is generally around $15–$35 per vehicle, depending on the applicable pass and current fee schedule.
If you arrive with at least two hours of daylight, follow the Bear Gulch Trail toward the reservoir and cave area. The route involves uneven ground and steps, and the caves may be closed because of storms, flooding, or bat protection. Treat the cave section as optional and turn around before dusk if conditions are poor; January daylight disappears quickly. If the trail is wet or you arrive late, take a shorter walk near the visitor area and save the main hike for tomorrow morning.
Base the RV near Soledad or another Salinas Valley community, using a campground that confirms 25-foot vehicle access, electrical hookups if needed, and any winter operating restrictions. Services inside the park are very limited, so pick up groceries or an easy RV dinner in town; allow roughly $35–$60 for supplies for two people or $15–$30 per person for a casual meal. Avoid driving the Class C back and forth unnecessarily after dark, particularly on the narrow approach roads.
Keep the next morning flexible for a fuller east-side visit. The West Entrance is unsuitable for this vehicle because of its narrow, winding access road and limited large-vehicle parking, so do not attempt to cross the park by RV; reaching the west side requires driving around via public roads.
Leave Pinnacles National Park around 6:00 a.m. and allow roughly 8–10 hours door to door in a 25-foot Class C RV, including fuel, meal and rest stops. Follow CA-146 to US-101, then I-580 east, I-5 north and CA-36 east toward the southwest entrance of Lassen Volcanic National Park. This is a demanding transfer day, so use truck-friendly fuel stations where possible and avoid relying on small-town fuel stops for a large RV.
Plan approximately $75–$115 for fuel, plus about $15–$25 per person for a practical lunch. Check Caltrans, the National Park Service and the weather forecast before departure, especially for I-5 near the Sacramento Valley and the final section of CA-36. A 25-foot RV is manageable on the approach, but allow extra time for grades, narrow shoulders and winter weather; carry chains that fit the RV even if conditions currently appear dry.
Go first to Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center if you arrive while it is open. Confirm current access, snow conditions and any chain-control requirements before attempting a walk or continuing beyond the developed southwest area. In January, the main park highway is normally closed to through traffic, so do not plan to cross the park toward Manzanita Lake or the northeast entrance.
If conditions and daylight permit, take a brief walk around the visitor-center area and nearby snow-covered forest. Keep it deliberately short after the long drive, and use traction footwear, warm layers and water; winter conditions can change quickly. Park only where the NPS permits RVs and do not leave the vehicle obstructing plowed areas or access lanes. Park entry is typically about $10–$35 per private vehicle unless covered by an America the Beautiful pass, but verify the current fee and seasonal operating arrangements.
Use Mineral as the overnight base, but confirm in advance that a campground or RV site is open for winter, accepts a 25-foot Class C, and has the hookups or dump access you need. Services are limited, so arrive with food, drinking water and sufficient fuel. An RV dinner keeps the evening simple; a basic meal in the gateway area, where available, is roughly $15–$30 per person.
Do not force a late arrival into a longer park visit. If weather, darkness or the visitor-center schedule makes the stop impractical, go directly to the confirmed RV site and treat Lassen Volcanic National Park as a morning visit only if the NPS reports safe access. The return to Chula Vista is too long for a comfortable single push in winter; check the route south before leaving and be prepared to add an overnight stop if storms, fatigue or road conditions make that necessary.
This is primarily a return-driving day. Leave Lassen Volcanic National Park around 5:30–6:00 a.m., but check the NPS alert page and Caltrans before starting: in January, the park road may be closed by snow, and access from either CA-36 or CA-44 can involve winter conditions and chain controls. If the direct approach to I-5 is closed or unsafe for the RV, do not attempt it; plan an extra night in the nearest suitable town and wait for a safe route.
Once clear of the park roads, use the most practical open connection to I-5 south, then continue through the Central Valley toward I-15 and Chula Vista. Allow roughly 9–11 hours of driving before breaks, and more if weather, traffic, or an RV-related delay develops. A 25-foot Class C should be comfortable on the interstate, but allow extra stopping distance and avoid relying on small mountain-road fuel stations.
Plan a fuel stop after reaching the interstate and another in the Central Valley or near the Inland Empire; keep the tank comfortably above half-full because a large RV consumes fuel quickly. A supermarket, travel-center, or ordinary highway service area is more practical than detouring for sightseeing. Budget approximately $15–30 per adult for a quick meal, or use the RV kitchen if the refrigerator is stocked.
Traffic around Los Angeles and San Bernardino can add one to three hours, so arrival in Chula Vista may be after dark despite the early start. If returning the RV, allow at least 45–60 minutes for refueling, tank dumping or required cleaning, inspection, and paperwork, and confirm the drop-off site accepts a 25-foot Class C and has after-hours instructions. If keeping the RV, park for the night, check the tires and fluid levels, and leave unpacking or local plans for the following day.
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