Reservations in May

Early May in YNP the roads aren't all open. Have you checked to make that your plans work when the roads will be open?

If you are talking about staying in Lander WY, be aware that according to the YNP link below that the South Entrance will open May 13th, so you'll have to drive all the way around to West Yellowstone to get in:

https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/parkroads.htm

Yellowstone is so popular, I'd make reservations no matter when you plan to be there. Other campgrounds on the way to and back should not need reservations in May, but absolutely need them for Memorial Day weekend, which is when campgrounds traditionally go nuts with the holiday crowds.

Reservations???
Reservations are just plans to deviate from. They can be changed or cancelled as your trip dictates. Getting to a designation to find your RV campground is full is frustrating at best!!!!

if you re-read my post,we already have reservations for Yellowstone at Madison Campground.We have researched the weather and know it can snow but have all wheel drive and chains. We've been told by others that at that time of year,if you get snow one day,the next day the roads will be plowed.We weren't aware that the south entrance won't open until 2 days after our arrival.I guess we will change our route.My question about reservation were about the other campgrounds I mentioned along the route for that time of year.

Advantage of reservations, you know you have a place for the night.
Disadvantage of reservations, you have to be at a certain place come night or lose your reservation fee even if there are delays along the way.
Advantage of no reservation, flexible in how far you drive and what time you decide to stop.
Disadvantage of no reservation, may have a problem finding a site or at least a place you would feel comfortable staying.

As a minimum, while driving and when I have a feeling of generally where I expect to stop for the night i look up RV parks in the area and call ahead to reserve a site. The earlier the better as others will also be looking for places toward the end of the day.

Many use parking lots, truck stops, and rest areas for flexibility. But not for me.

BB_TX wrote:
Advantage of reservations, you know you have a place for the night.
Disadvantage of reservations, you have to be at a certain place come night or lose your reservation fee even if there are delays along the way.
Advantage of no reservation, flexible in how far you drive and what time you decide to stop.
Disadvantage of no reservation, may have a problem finding a site or at least a place you would feel comfortable staying.

As a minimum, while driving and when I have a feeling of generally where I expect to stop for the night i look up RV parks in the area and call ahead to reserve a site. The earlier the better as others will also be looking for places toward the end of the day.

Many use parking lots, truck stops, and rest areas for flexibility. But not for me.

Cancellation fees vary from RV park to RV park, just make sure to ask what their policy is when you make the reservations. The earlier you cancel or change your reservations will min. the cancel fee possibility.

Since you know exactly where you want to stay on which nights, why NOT make reservations?

Reservations tie you down to a specific campground/RV Park on a specific night. If you have already tied yourself down (as you indicate), then not making a reservation doesn't benefit you in any way.

RGar974417 wrote:
We have researched the weather and know it can snow but have all wheel drive and chains. We've been told by others that at that time of year,if you get snow one day,the next day the roads will be plowed.We weren't aware that the south entrance won't open until 2 days after our arrival.I guess we will change our route.

Be aware of the construction from Mammoth to Norris. While it is drivable, it is unpaved, so it could get sloppy with spring snowfall.

https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm

Also, the park service has a tendency to close roads when it snows, compared to roads outside of the park (as in they will close Craig Pass and make you go the other direction).

We have made six 8-9 week long trips west since 2005 all starting in May and returning in early July. We never make advance reservations when traveling cross country, although we will call a day or two ahead on a holiday weekend. Never had a problem getting a site for the night.

I'm a planner by nature and almost always get reservations, That said, you probably won't need them if 1) you are not planning to camp in a state park on a weekend and 2) if you will be getting to the CG before 5:30 PM. (I'm not addressing Yellowstone in this paragraph, as you already have reservations there - a good thing.)

As for Yellowstone, I believe you have another thread about routes to use, and you have gotten advice to go in via east entrance, as you're coming from the east. Just FYI, from the east entrance to Madison it should take you about 1 1/2 to 2 hours, if you don't stop for more than one or two short photo ops. There may be some construction on the road between east entrance and Fishing Bridge, just because there usually is some work needed after winter in that section of the park (one of the highest & snowiest) - if so, that will add a bit to your time.

Enjoy! It's a great time of year to visit. And unless we get some big late-season snows, the roads should be clear through most of the park. A few sections are scheduled to open - weather permitting - during the time you'll be there.