"Walk Up Only" in State Parks

Thanks for the clarifications! I had only heard of the term 'walk in' for tent sites prior to yesterday. I assumed 'walk up' was the same, but when i clicked on the site details it showed a 24ft RV site, hence my confusion.

I also like to know there will be a spot before I pull in. Will keep trying different campgrounds/state parks along our route. :)

RWDIII wrote:

TexasShadow wrote:
X2 to narcodog's comment.
a walk up site is, I think, also called a walk in site and means a camp site for hikers.

X3
Walk in in the States means tent camping or day use only
First come first served means just that
Or they may just say no reservations taken

some state parks will have all three

I think Narcodog's comment was to point out the difference between the two terms.

"Walk up" means first come/served, while "walk IN" means you have to walk to the site. Parking, if available, is usually some distance from the site itself.

TexasShadow wrote:
X2 to narcodog's comment.
a walk up site is, I think, also called a walk in site and means a camp site for hikers.

X3
Walk in in the States means tent camping or day use only
First come first served means just that
Or they may just say no reservations taken

some state parks will have all three

X2 to narcodog's comment.
a walk up site is, I think, also called a walk in site and means a camp site for hikers.

ksg5000 wrote:
In Oregon you don't have to make reservations until school lets out (holidays excepted). Once schools out then reservations for weekend stays is a good idea but if you show up early then you might get in but may have to move your sight from day to day. Usually there are private RV spots nearby so if the State Park is full it's no big deal.

I ran into an interesting policy in Oregon- some Parks with Day Use areas will allow overnight parking there when the CG is full. I even saw tents pitched the one time I actually took advantage of this policy at a SP near Newport. You have to clear out or at least have any outside stuff picked up by the time the area opens the next day, but it only cost ten bucks.

And what a lifesaver to find anywhere to park at all in high summer on a weekend!

I hardely ever pull the trailer anywhere without a reservation. Just me, I like to know I have a space when I get there. I don't find the thought of moving on to the next campground in hopes a finding a place to stay very appealing. Especially given most state parks we stay at are somewhat off the beaten path. Each to his own.

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Depends on which state, location in state, time of year and day of week.......

Popular states/places, summer/major holidays, Fri-Sun.........forget about it.

And reservations for those places are made 8-11 months ahead.

As for overflow........that is why there are public campgrounds (commercial/business)

X2

narcodog wrote:
Walk up site are tent sites that you carry your gear to.

At Blackwell Forest Preserve near Naperville IL - walk in means - walk in so you have to carry it on your back.

In my experience, when I've seen "Walk-up Only" indicated on a site online, it has meant that this is part of a group of sites set aside to be able to accommodate those who walk-up saying "Do you have any sites available?" In other words, can't reserve them. If you're looking at a popular spot, you're going to need to make sure you are at the front of the line when the office opens on the day you're looking for a site, or you're probably going to miss out.

Many parks set aside some sites that can't be reserved online for this purpose.

In Oregon you don't have to make reservations until school lets out (holidays excepted). Once schools out then reservations for weekend stays is a good idea but if you show up early then you might get in but may have to move your sight from day to day. Usually there are private RV spots nearby so if the State Park is full it's no big deal.