No Reservations?

fitznj wrote:
What I have found odd, is even though ReserveAmerica shows no availability, less than half the sites are occupied. This has happened several times last year.

I have found that the Reserve America site, may or may not show that a park has non-reservable sites. I have noticed that the map of sites for some parks on the reservation system show large gaps between sites and/or site numbers that are missing. This is a good indication that there are first come first serve sites. I have also noticed differences in the reservation window from day of to three days prior to the date of arrival. A vacant site outside the reservation window may or may not be identified as available for walk-ins.

I'm finding it harder and harder to find empty sites to make reservations. We are still working, and have kids in school, so we have to go on the weekends. We also like the lake, beach, and mountain parks, so we are typically looking at popular places at popular times.

We didn't reserve for Memorial Day weekend since my son had ankle surgery a couple of weeks ago and we were not sure how mobile he would be. We now would like to go, but I haven't been able to find anything in GA.

We have more and more friends that are getting campers. I'm glad people are getting out and enjoying camping, but dang I wish some would stay home sometimes :)

folivier wrote:
Do state and national parks keep some sites not reservable?

At Rocky Mountain National Park, the Moraine Park CG formerly had one loop that was all non-reservable. That changed a few seasons back, is now all the loops are reservable. Last year when I was up there, the 2 sites east of me sat empty the entire weekend, and the sign at the entrance said the CG was full -- but it wasn't. It was simply completely reserved with no one actually there. And there were other vacant sites within other loops. It's a sad situation, because there may have been someone who actually would have liked those sites.

Alternatively, on the "quiet" side of Rocky is the Timber Creek CG which is not reservable -- it's all first come/first served. And it's a nice CG, with paved roads and level, open sites. And every time I've been past it, it has not been completely full.

No Reservations-
It is critical to call prior to making reservations to find out the exact "cancellations policy" of the RV park. If not acceptable, then don't make the reservations and move on.

MarkTwain wrote:

downtheroad wrote:
We have found that Mon-Thurs is easier...but it depends on where you are planning to camp.

Oregon - Washington coast state parks are pretty tough in the summer.

You need to add Calif. and Ariz. Old chinese proverb "man who travels without reservations has everything to lose and nothing to gain"

BUT - the Freedom we seek by RV'ing - Just plan a little, think a little you will be fine.

Do we make reservations - sure but only when we need to.

JMHO,

Johno02 wrote:
Because of the reservation systems. It is almost impossible to get reservations for state parks for weekends anymore. Many are completely booked for every weekend within walking day after the reservation period opens. And then many sites sit open and unused because reservations are cancelled at the last minute. And campsites sit empty and unpaid for all week because only two days are booked and many travelers want a place to stay all week. It is no wonder that many state and COE campgrounds sit empty ty and losing money.

I've got no problem with campgrounds "keeping" the reservation fee if you cancel, or at least charge for one full night. Or, better yet, keep it as a "credit" for a future reservation. With most places keeping computerized records these days, it is not hard to keep track of that.

We did this last year... had to cancel a weekend at a New Jersey county campground due to a family emergency. They have a "No Refunds" policy (I think because it was last minute), BUT they will give you credit for a future stay. So this spring I called up to make a reservation at the same campground and the nice lady said I was already paid for, as I had that credit - which I had forgot about.

I hear so many stories of people "gaming the system" and playing with reservations that making a No or just partial refund policy would help to reduce that... and allow other people to use (and pay for!) those campsites.

Adventure wrote:
We have camped for years without reservations in the summer but I wonder what kind of luck I would have trying that now. What's your experience? We can camp during the week.

Has something changed? Long time since you've camped? More people? Campgrounds closed around you? Things probably haven't changed in the last few years, especially for mid-week camping.

Anywhere on the west coast of MI, Ludington, Muskegon, South Haven it will be nearly impossible to get a reservation at a State park on a weekend unless you make it exactly 6 months in advance (the second the reservation system opens). Any other areas of MI it will be a lot easier to get reservations except for Holiday Weekends/Weeks. Not knowing where in MI you are located, my personal preferences are the UP. The UP is like the best of the best for me. If you were camping in the UP you could probably wing it, other places in MI it might not work out.

I've also camped in PA, NY, TN, OH, WI, and many other places and there are a lot of spectacular sites to see in this country, don't be afraid to go places. Having friends that camp and like to travel also makes trips that much more enjoyable.

I hardly ever make reservations in the NE (PA/MD/NJ/NY/DE) as we usually "wander" with no specific destination.

We have never had a problem getting a site from Mon->Thu but I have found that the week-ends are getting filled more than in the past. Now however, I will book 24 hours ahead for a State Park in the general area we think we will end up in.

What I have found odd, is even though ReserveAmerica shows no availability, less than half the sites are occupied. This has happened several times last year.

We usually stay home during the holiday week-ends.

We began making summer reservations for our Montana State Parks in early March. By then, many were full up, so we had to choose alternatives. I much prefer to make reservations in January.

I'm not much to wander and take a chance on a camping spot. I much prefer to have definitive plans. Some may call me detail-oriented, others may say I'm anal-retentive. Both are correct.