Forum Discussion

SDcampowneroper's avatar
May 09, 2016

camp reservations - or wing it? Weigh the choice.

Theres always discussion, dissent, preference to or not to reserve. Many past and recent threads point to individual preference to 'Wing It'. I fully understand that freedom to pull off the road whenever the fancy strikes for a night or longer, and it used to be that way, we could, years ago. Camps of all kinds had open sites, and they were many. The changing regulatory and land value climate has changed all that. I invite your comments on closures and new camps.
I am one that has been denied a short time arrival site because of reservations , or the camp was full even when off high season due to an area construction project or natural disaster.

The popularity and rising #s of RV sales, the anticipated use of them is out pacing construction of new parks and sites to accommodate that growth, while at the same time parks in high real estate value are selling out to condo developers. The land is simply worth more for other development than a camp.

New private Rv parks or expansion in public parks are not keeping pace with demand, primarily in destination parts of the nation due to the cost or availability of land, or regulations to develop it.
Tell us about the loss of camps you know of gone to developers, or the price increases to keep them, lack of replacements and increase if any in site numbers to grow with demand, or have fallen behind it.

24 Replies

  • I don't feel the shortage. Yes in tourist destinations or Holidays you will need reservations, But if you are just looking to getaway there is always a last minute spot available.
    Now if you're trying to go to your favorite place in a popular area you maybe out of luck.
    But if you just want a decent spot and are not afraid of State Parks and are willing to pay commercial prices you will be able to find a site.
    Too many times people limit their options with their own hang ups and are not willing to be adventurous and just go.
  • Years ago we were just passing thru Albuquerque and didn't know there was a balloon festival. Two campgrounds were full and we drove another 20 miles that day, no big deal, we were just passing thru.

    This spring we stopped at Gulf Shore state park for a week and it was spring break and the place was mobbed, we had to move once to stay a week, no big deal. I will still not make reservations.

    It happened twice in the last 6 or 7 years and it never happened the 20 some years so it may be a bigger problem then it use to be but not bad.
  • There were over 274,000 RVs shipped last year and a projection of over 281,000 for 2016. That is a lot of new RVs and a lot of new RVers. No doubt the increased demand will eventually lead to more difficulty in finding a site on short notice, especially in popular areas or popular travel routes.

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