Forum Discussion

Rubberduck4's avatar
Rubberduck4
Explorer
Feb 03, 2014

April / May trip. Campsite availability?

Hi

We are family of 4 from the UK planning our first RV trip across the USA...from New York to San Fransico. The trip will be 19 nights in total and 4000 miles. First night in the RV is 14th April 2014.
My question relates to availability of good RV sites at this time of year. Is it likely that there will be availability by just rocking up or will we have to book all in advance. On a trip like this it would be better for us to be flexible but similarly we don't want to travel many miles and find all sites fully booked up.

Any advice greatly appreciated...really lookjing forward to thei trip across your country

Cheers

Simon
  • BB_TX's avatar
    BB_TX
    Nomad
    Feb 03, 2014
    I agree with above. If you plan to visit popular places like the national parks and if you want to stay inside the parks then consider reservations. But most of the parks also have accomodations just outside the parks within easy driving distance.
    In other areas you should have no problem without reservations. But calling ahead of arrival will take any worry out of it. Use an RV guide book such as Woodalls or web site such as rvparkreviews.com to find RV parks and their phone numbers.
  • Two_Hands's avatar
    Two_Hands
    Explorer
    Feb 03, 2014
    If you are going to visit the more famous places like the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite I would think you should make reservations at those campgrounds. Flexibility is great, but missing out on a camp site inside a national park because it is full is not great. Welcome to the forum and have a great trip.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Feb 03, 2014
    Welcome. Is this trip locked in? If you are somewhat flexible, I would suggest that you might alter this plan. Driving cross country is not really a good way to see the country. Pick a region, NE,PNW,SW,SE etc and visit that region. You will see far more and experience far more than through the wind screen of a MH on a 19 day whirlwind speed trip across America.
  • tegu69's avatar
    tegu69
    Explorer
    Feb 03, 2014
    I wouldn't make reservations either. I would leave early in the day and stop early. Its much more easy to find a campsite at 2 or 3 than at 5 or 6 PM. You also have to figure in some weather concerns as well as detours.
  • downtheroad's avatar
    downtheroad
    Explorer
    Feb 03, 2014
    April, May should be wide open with no reservations necessary...you can be much more flexible this way...July, August not so much.

    But, be aware that local school districts have "Spring Breaks" around Easter and this often makes campsite availability tougher.

    Have a great trip and enjoy our country.

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