What is going on all of a sudden????Planned a trip to the Hill Country of Texas for about three weeks in April. We are not ones for reservations and pretty much play it by ear. Plan an itinerary of the general areas with campground options and the approximate dates and go from there.We will be leaving the mid-west to Texas shortly, and after researching campgrounds of our choice find that most all are FULL on the weekend, especially Easter weekend. Who'd a thunk! Even our local parks are full. Where'd all these people come from?When did RVing become that popular?Sorrow is the days gone past when we would just pack up and hit the road in a general direction and always find a nice campground. Guess I'm/we're just getting old and crotchety.Thanks for letting me rant

Maybe some are displaced by the severe floods a state or two North?I feel your pain, I am not one to plan ahead, and suffer for it. I'm glad so many others live a clockwork life where they can plan things down to the day 6+ months ahead.

I think you may also be crossing over school vacations. I'm glad so many others live a clockwork life where they can plan things down to the day 6+ months ahead.Those of us who do plan ahead don't necessarily live a "clockwork" life. Many of us are locked into vacation time well in advance due to competition for time off at our jobs. Juggling back-up coverage, projects, etc., causes many of us to have to pick a week well in advance. Campgrounds are booked so there's no worry about finding a place. Not all of us have the luxury of "hey, let's just go!".

Pulled my hair out trying to get a reservation at Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario for a preferred AUG time, had seconds on their reservation system to book any W/E sites.. just couldn't get in. ended getting in on a lucky cancellation later in the weekCamden Hills State Park in ME was another tough one for this summer.Mike

Recent? Dad liked to wing-it back in the 60s and 70s and sometimes we got lucky and sometimes we kept rolling. Often waited in lines for the cancellations. Nothing new really.

Also a time when many snowbirds head north, so need sites along their way. Most will make sure they have reservations for any holiday weekend too. We don't have reservations and seldom make them, but then we also look for the small out of the way campgrounds that are away from the interstate and that tourists don't go to.

Cammpground Rant | Good Sam Community

Veebyes
Explorer II
Apr 07, 2019
You are not alone. The same weekend happens to be the start of our 4 month trip. We also do not like to book months in advance however this year we were shocked to find the SP that is our beginning goto & never full CG almost full as of a few weeks ago. It is full over the weekend now, at least for the loop with power. No doubt there is plenty of space in the dry loop.

Luckily we have known events to attend most weekends so reservations can be made but Sunday to Thursday for the most part we will wing it as usual.
toedtoes
Explorer III
Apr 07, 2019
I think it's also a matter of the year's weather. Winter was harsh in most areas, so folks couldn't do much off season camping. So, they are all rushing to get out as soon as poosible with the nicer weather. In other year's, the winter was milder so folks could jump on a warm weekend camping trip and didn't get as much cabin fever.
imgoin4it
Explorer
Apr 07, 2019
We found same thing there several years ago. Only space we could find was small park in Johnson city. Don’t think it’s unusual to fine things pretty well populated in the area
profdant139
Explorer II
Apr 07, 2019
Several RV park operators have told us that business is way up, over the last several years. They attribute it to several factors: (1) a bulge of more baby boomers retiring, (2) retirees are in better health these days than they used to be and are thus more active, and (3) folks are less willing to travel overseas due to the hassles of air travel and security concerns.

Put it all together and maybe that is why campgrounds are more crowded?
LanceRKeys
Explorer
Apr 07, 2019
I went to a small RV lot here, the guy said he sells about 100 units a year! I can only imagine how many the big ones sell. Camping on a whim is just about a thing of the past, unless you are in a tent, I think that gives you more options.
doxiemom11
Explorer II
Apr 07, 2019
Also a time when many snowbirds head north, so need sites along their way. Most will make sure they have reservations for any holiday weekend too. We don't have reservations and seldom make them, but then we also look for the small out of the way campgrounds that are away from the interstate and that tourists don't go to.
time2roll
Nomad
Apr 07, 2019
Recent? Dad liked to wing-it back in the 60s and 70s and sometimes we got lucky and sometimes we kept rolling. Often waited in lines for the cancellations. Nothing new really.
mdcamping
Explorer
Apr 07, 2019
Pulled my hair out trying to get a reservation at Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario for a preferred AUG time, had seconds on their reservation system to book any W/E sites.. just couldn't get in. ended getting in on a lucky cancellation later in the week

Camden Hills State Park in ME was another tough one for this summer.

Mike
Crowe
Explorer
Apr 07, 2019
I think you may also be crossing over school vacations.

I'm glad so many others live a clockwork life where they can plan things down to the day 6+ months ahead.

Those of us who do plan ahead don't necessarily live a "clockwork" life. Many of us are locked into vacation time well in advance due to competition for time off at our jobs. Juggling back-up coverage, projects, etc., causes many of us to have to pick a week well in advance. Campgrounds are booked so there's no worry about finding a place. Not all of us have the luxury of "hey, let's just go!".
GordonThree
Explorer
Apr 07, 2019
Maybe some are displaced by the severe floods a state or two North?

I feel your pain, I am not one to plan ahead, and suffer for it. I'm glad so many others live a clockwork life where they can plan things down to the day 6+ months ahead.

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