We've been camping for over fifty years. Never make reservations and have always found a site when we need it. We usually spend only a few days in each, visit the sights and move on ... state to state across the USA. We camp in the shoulder seasons, not summer, and for several months each trip depending on weather. We live in Florida at the moment, and our trips usually cross country, sometimes south, sometimes north.We are in a truck camper, and tow nothing.As a general statement, would those of you camping now or in the next couple months think we can continue this type camping, with no reservations and still find spots here and there as we have been in the past? We generally use NPS, State Parks, COE, but are not immune to use private for a night or two, but not resort type CGs, we are just two, all kids are adults and no longer accompany us.We know the virus has impacted camping, but are just looking for general "Fullness" of campgrounds, and the potential for one or two nights patched in as we travel.

We camped in southwest Colorado last year. We were surprised at how many RV's were on the road and in the parks. We made reservations in advance but it was at an RV Park. Normally we enjoy camping at National Forest Service campgrounds but those all close by September 30. They do have first-come-first-serve sites, however.This year we are camping in Gunnison and we made our reservations in January at another RV park.I think it depends on when you go. Before we retired we would try to find a first come site on a Sunday afternoon. That worked really well for us.This year many families bought or rented RV's for family vacations. Then again, many people like us I suppose, will travel in the fall. So not sure what the situations will be like.

Because you are in a truck camper, you are more apt to find what you are looking for. It's those of us that have larger TT's, 5th wheels and motorhomes that get squeezed out first. Some places, we just aren't allowed because of our length. Then, there's the fact that we always want hook-ups. Some might even cry for cable TV, internet, washers and dyers, and a bathhouse. Camping today is not what it was 50 years ago, that's for sure.

We just back to FL after a late May to last Friday camping loop all the way out to Idaho and back. When we stay at a private cg we do, make a reservation a few hours out from a cg. Just to keep us from showing up at a full cg. And for that 7000 mile cg to cg trip, stopping at about 37 places, we were turned down once and that was at a cg 30 miles from West Yellowstone. And in that case our second choice was open. We had no problems at any other places. We do make advanced, meaning several day, reservations at COE cg or SP. And the other exception is when we plan a mail stop, staying at some cg to get mail and packages. That we reserve a week or so ahead and check to see if packages are OK.We also saw no sign of the supposedly over filled cg that many people are claiming.We did not try to stay at any NP this time. RVTW was very useful this trip in finding CG and other places.

monkey44 wrote:We've been camping for over fifty years. Never make reservations and have always found a site when we need it. We usually spend only a few days in each, visit the sights and move on ... state to state across the USA. We camp in the shoulder seasons, not summer, and for several months each trip depending on weather. We live in Florida at the moment, and our trips usually cross country, sometimes south, sometimes north.We are in a truck camper, and tow nothing.As a general statement, would those of you camping now or in the next couple months think we can continue this type camping, with no reservations and still find spots here and there as we have been in the past? We generally use NPS, State Parks, COE, but are not immune to use private for a night or two, but not resort type CGs, we are just two, all kids are adults and no longer accompany us.We know the virus has impacted camping, but are just looking for general "Fullness" of campgrounds, and the potential for one or two nights patched in as we travel.The big issue to your question is where and when do you want to RV camp. Different states, areas have their high and low seasons based on weather and the number of RVers. i.e anywhere along the west coast in the summer time is highly populated and without reservations you will have problems finding RV parks. This idea is the same for every state. Personally,IMHO, making reservations ahead does not lock you into a set schedule, you can always call and change or cancel your reservations. Just be sure to check the cancellation policies for each RV park. You have everything to gain and nothing to loose by making reservations ahead and you avoid the possible frustrations and worry about finding an RV site every day.

You have everything to gain and nothing to loose by making reservations ahead and you avoid the possible frustrations and worry about finding an RV site every day.I don't agree with that, calling to change or cancel reservations is a PITA for all concerned. Unless it is a NP, SP or other high use area we didn't find reservations to be required or desirable. We had zero problems getting spots in COE parks unless it was the weekend when the locals swarm the parks. We even made a reservation online at our last COE park sitting in front of the check in booth window. Having a reliable hotspot makes all this much easier.We went thru FL, AL, GA, TN, AR, OK, NM, CO, UT, ID, WY, MT, ND, SD, NE, KS, and MS. And camped in every one except UT. Obviously certain states are verboten and to be avoided: NM, the left coast, all of New England and the Mid Atlantic states. We cut thru the corner of NM before the governor clamped down again.

Camping with no reservations | Good Sam Community

43 Replies

agesilaus
Explorer III
Aug 25, 2020
We just back to FL after a late May to last Friday camping loop all the way out to Idaho and back. When we stay at a private cg we do, make a reservation a few hours out from a cg. Just to keep us from showing up at a full cg. And for that 7000 mile cg to cg trip, stopping at about 37 places, we were turned down once and that was at a cg 30 miles from West Yellowstone. And in that case our second choice was open. We had no problems at any other places. We do make advanced, meaning several day, reservations at COE cg or SP. And the other exception is when we plan a mail stop, staying at some cg to get mail and packages. That we reserve a week or so ahead and check to see if packages are OK.

We also saw no sign of the supposedly over filled cg that many people are claiming.

We did not try to stay at any NP this time. RVTW was very useful this trip in finding CG and other places.
jdc1
Explorer II
Aug 25, 2020
Because you are in a truck camper, you are more apt to find what you are looking for. It's those of us that have larger TT's, 5th wheels and motorhomes that get squeezed out first. Some places, we just aren't allowed because of our length. Then, there's the fact that we always want hook-ups. Some might even cry for cable TV, internet, washers and dyers, and a bathhouse. Camping today is not what it was 50 years ago, that's for sure.
GizmosMom
Explorer
Aug 25, 2020
We camped in southwest Colorado last year. We were surprised at how many RV's were on the road and in the parks. We made reservations in advance but it was at an RV Park. Normally we enjoy camping at National Forest Service campgrounds but those all close by September 30. They do have first-come-first-serve sites, however.

This year we are camping in Gunnison and we made our reservations in January at another RV park.

I think it depends on when you go. Before we retired we would try to find a first come site on a Sunday afternoon. That worked really well for us.

This year many families bought or rented RV's for family vacations. Then again, many people like us I suppose, will travel in the fall. So not sure what the situations will be like.

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Camping with no reservations

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