campground reservations

wisdan wrote:
Planning a trip from Wisconsin to Arizona in September. Wondering how early I should be making campground reservations. Thanks in advance,

NOW,

JMHO,

Today!

I have found lack of choices for a April to June trip to NM and Colorado and an August trip from Minnesota to Seattle


Having said that Arizona is so dang hot they will be giving sites away - the average daily temps in September range from 99 to 92 at the end of the month according to the weather channel

https://weather.com/weather/monthly/l/729d869b5da7e1b89835d0de7940cda8b0b2e0dafda4ef6f742b558409755f66

Sure you want to go there in September !!!

Overnight stops in non touristy areas, call a day or two in advance. Tourist destinations, now if you want to stay at particular parks.

This year is going to be like last year....no way close to NORMAL, so reservations will probably be needed for any tourist area or anything close to the interstate system. I you KNOW where you are going to be, go ahead and reserve.

rr2254545 wrote:
Having said that Arizona is so dang hot they will be giving sites away - the average daily temps in September range from 99 to 92 at the end of the month according to the weather channe

You must only have traveled through the desert parts of AZ in the southern part. Most of northern AZ is high mountains, forested. Lots of snow there currently. Summer temps are typically highs in the 70's. Really nice during the summer. You are correct, the desert campgrounds are empty in summer until October but the campgrounds in the northern forests are often filled.

Merrykalia wrote:
This year is going to be like last year....no way close to NORMAL, so reservations will probably be needed for any tourist area or anything close to the interstate system. I you KNOW where you are going to be, go ahead and reserve.

Agree. When you're definitely knowing where and when you want to go, book as soon as possible.

What part of Arizona? AZ has vast weather swings based on location. Phoenix could be 115 while Flagstaff is only 75. You could have a nightly temperature in Tucson of 95 while Williams is 45. A fifty plus degree difference based on location is to be expected and is why "where" in AZ is an important discussion item.

If you for certain know your destination I would book them sooner than later.
A few stops on the way I would probably just wing it.

Memorial Day & July 4th weekends, now if you can. All other weekends, the sooner the better if in touristy areas. Sunday to Thursday, wing it.

Keep in mind that the FHU sites go first. W/E sites next. Simple power sites. Dry sites least demand.