We are leaving for Yellowstone the first Saturday of May. We have a reservation for that night and for Yellowstone Wednesday through Sunday. We haven't made any other reservations thinking that we shouldn't need them during the week this time of year. Are plan is night 2 to stay at Long branch State park in Missouri,3rd night at Ogallala Recreation area in Nebraska,3rd night Sleeping Bear RV Park in Lander before getting to Madison in Yellowstone.Any comments on any of those campgrounds and wether we need reservations for these campgrounds during weekdays in May? On the way home we want to stop at Harold Warp's Pioneer Village and stay at that campground.

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.

Reservations in May | Good Sam Community

BB_TX
Nomad
Apr 17, 2016
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.
RGar974417
Explorer
Apr 17, 2016
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.
MarkTwain
Explorer
Apr 17, 2016
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!!!!
naturist
Nomad
Apr 17, 2016
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.
BozemanTrail
Explorer
Apr 17, 2016
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

Forum Discussion

Reservations in May

About Campground 101

Related Content

Reservations

Indian Reservations

Reservations

Reservations at federal parks

campground reservations