We are starting to make reservations for our end of July first of August trip in New England.This year we are encountering many campgrounds responding that they are now only accepting 5 to 7 day (length varies for each location)minimum stays between July 1 to Labor day.The latest to inform us of this policy is Bayley's in Scarbourgh-Old Orchard Beach, Maine.The campgrounds with this policy almost always advise us to call a few days prior to arrival and they will see if they can fit us in.We have limited vacation time and generally move every 3 or 4 days allowing us to see and experience more. We do, however, always reserve in advance prior to arriving. Calling a few days ahead of arrival, in the hopes of maybe getting a site, just doesn't fit our travelling style.We have been able to find alternatives so it's not like we are stranded but my fear is that if we as a group accept this with no argument than this 5 to 7 day minimum may start to be the norm in popular areas.I know that these are business and are free to use the business model they feel works best but ---- how many three night stays at $80.00 per night would thay really want to turn away?Rant over!!

Many folks are beginning to stay close to home so RV parks are seeing an increase in business. People aren't flying and hoteling it...they hop in the RV and travel an hour or two from home instead.The RV parks near popular destinations and large cities are able to rewrite the rules and still get customers.Plus us older RV'ers are able to stay for many days instead of just for a weekend. We are either retired, semi-retired or have many vacation days to use up during the year. Employers have pretty much stopped letting you save up vacation time from year to year and some even restrict how much you can take at a time. A bunch of short vacations throughout the year vs. one long vacation is the new norm.

I have never reserved a site.Only once, in CA, was the CG full, they sent us up the road toa much better campground.If it reaches the point that I have to decide in advance where I amgoing to stay any particular day, I will stay home!

Supply and demand lets them do what they want.

I live and work on the road and of course, I have my home with me. Leading up to full timing, I used government campgrounds when moving often and commercial parks with some natural ambiance when I wanted to sit for a month. I do the same today and have no desire or need for reservations. That freedom is tempered with visiting the popular areas during their shoulder season. YMMV:)

RV parks out your way are $80 a night? That's what I would be ranting about!Miles

Reservations - 5 to 7 day minimum?? | Good Sam Community

willald
Explorer II
Jun 24, 2013
Yep, seen reservation restrictions like that a time or two. Mostly at big resort type parks located in high $$ tourist areas (beaches, etc).

Never been a problem for us, though, as usually if we're staying at parks like that, we're reserving a stay at least that long if not longer, anyway.

As to traveling without reservations: To each their own, but we would NOT do that. I'm not using up a bunch of $$ on fuel and vacation time without knowing I'm going to have a good site when I get to my destination.

Many of the places we camp, without a reservation, you'll either get turned away and have to find somewhere else to stay, or you'll get put in the less desirable sites that nobody else wants. No thanks. I'll leave those sites and that uncertainty for those that don't plan (and call) ahead.
mlts22
Explorer
Jun 24, 2013
It depends how I travel. If I know where I'm going, I'll reserve (and pay) in advance. That way, I'm assured of a spot where I am going. I spend plenty of time hunting for parking in the metro area; I don't care to deal with that uncertainty come vacation time.
peaches_cream
Explorer
Jun 24, 2013
This is exactly the reason our MH usually sits from June 1 thru Labor Day. Campgrounds way too crowded, too many kids, rates too high, and usually too hot. I can stay home (stick house) for 3 mo. and save for the next 9 mo. You summer campers fill those campgrounds up and give them plenty of money. Maybe they will feel sorry for us old farts.
PhilipB
Explorer
Jun 24, 2013
We've only seen 3 day min. around here for holiday weekends. This seems to be the same for private and public parks.
Crowe
Explorer
Jun 24, 2013
You're all forgetting we have a very short camping season up here. Many areas are off the beaten path so "drop-ins" can be few and far between. There is intense pressure to sell to developers so the cg owners do their best to find a profit model that suits their needs. I agree it's frustrating as we've run into it many times when we've wanted to just extend a weekend by a day or two or if we only want a quick get away, but it would be more frustrating if they go out of business.
Popsie
Explorer
Jun 25, 2013
Over the past 10 years or so, we've encountered 3 or more day minimum stays in New England several times (regardless of whether or not we reserve ahead). Compared to other parts of the country, New England is sort of packed together in a small area.

We like to stay in one area for a while and use our toad to do sightseeing, so it sort of works out for us.

We try to target RV parks that have multiple places of interest within a reasonable drive.
noe-place
Explorer
Jun 25, 2013
We're lucky to get away for a couple of weeks during the summer so I always pick a premium spot and the heck with the cost.
PAThwacker
Explorer
Jun 25, 2013
noe-place wrote:
We're lucky to get away for a couple of weeks during the summer so I always pick a premium spot and the heck with the cost.

:)
Dick_A
Explorer
Jun 25, 2013
Moved from General RV'ing forum.
MPond
Explorer
Jun 25, 2013
With 2 kids in school, we are forced to do the bulk of our RVing during the peak summer season. Between that and having a 38' RV, we make reservations for all of our summer trips.

We've spent a month on the road each of the last 4 summers, and 2-3 week trips before that. And we've been all over the West. In all that time, we've never been asked for a 5-7 day minimum stay. We tend to stay 3-4 days on average, so I'm hoping this doesn't become the new norm.

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Reservations - 5 to 7 day minimum??

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