Forum Discussion

Chuck___'s avatar
Chuck___
Explorer
Oct 20, 2017

Are researations needed most of there time anymore?

We live in Salem, Oregon and just completed purchasing a new dually and a used DRV. Last couple of weeks we have been trying to put 1,000 miles on the truck for the break in period. So; drove to Sisters, Bend, other places in the state and now staying at Silver Falls campground about 20 miles east of Salem. Got here Wednesday night late and want to stay through Sunday. Found out this morning that the campground is mostly booked up through this weekend and got one of the last three open sites in group B which holds 40 RV's. There are other sites but they don't have services.

We are surprised that a lot of RV camp's/and State camp grounds are full up this time of the year. I am talking it is the third week in October, raining hard, mid 50's and the camp grounds that are open are still full up.

We know some campground in Oregon, you have to book a year in advice to get a spot, like Wallowa Lake in north-eastern Oregon.

Hope this is not getting to be the case around the country. Summer time is hard enough getting a nice campground site during mid week.
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Oct 20, 2017
    We do three months out West without reservations...OK sometimes the day before. Our favorite are Public CGs that do not take reservations BUT do not show up Friday hoping to find a site.
  • jbeliera's avatar
    jbeliera
    Explorer
    Oct 20, 2017
    It all depends on whether you just want to wing it or be assured a spot for the days you want. I find that as we plan our trips I line up the route to my destination or the number of places we want to stay Even as you travel getting to a destination you still should make calls. I look at where we want to go the nights in spots to get there and then call the RV campgrounds to to check out my chances of a smooth trip and having a place to stretch out. Even Walmarts are getting to be iffy these days. I know some people don't want to go through all that trouble they want to strike out and take their chances well these days that is just what you are doing. You may not get a site in the places you want to stay. A little planning and a few calls even if it is just for info is always good to know ahead of time in order to have a smooth non climatic experience.
  • tjfogelberg's avatar
    tjfogelberg
    Explorer
    Oct 20, 2017
    we camp mostly in the Midwest (Minnesota) and on the East coast. We find that Spring and Fall are the best times to be out on the road. Campgrounds are seldom full except maybe on weekends in some popular locations. We're out
    East now, the weather is amazing, and we can get in anywhere we wish. We stay home (or camp host) in July and August.
  • goducks10's avatar
    goducks10
    Explorer
    Oct 20, 2017
    I'm from Oregon and yeah it's amazing how many are still booked up. Some of that though has to do with the State parks themselves. Many will close certain loops because they don't fill up and it's less maintenance to do.
    Two weeks ago we stayed at Bend Sisters Garden RV park. It was all but full. Last weekend we stayed at Armitage Park in Eugene and it was full.
    You can get into some of the coast St parks. South Beach is usually a good option. Beverly Beach tends to stay full longer.
    I think it's a combination of brisk RV sales and warmer weather lasting longer into the season.
  • one_strange_tex's avatar
    one_strange_tex
    Explorer
    Oct 20, 2017
    agesilaus wrote:

    For popular park systems, Florida State Parks and from what you say Oregon parks, you better have them and maybe will need them far ahead. For less popular parks systems this may not be true, we can usually get a spot in Georgia State Parks for example and it seems like Texas parks may be the same.


    For popular state parks in Texas, such as Garner State Park and Davis Mountains State Park, you should probably plan and reserve ahead on weekends and the tourist seasons including spring break, in my experience. This advice probably also applies to parks near the population centers on weekends, except in the dead of winter. I certainly wouldn't try just showing up on a Friday. Also, with some exceptions, you cannot reserve a specific spot. The reservation only guarantees you a spot, unless the policy has changed.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Oct 20, 2017
    “There are other sites but they don't have services.”

    Why can’t you camp without “services?” Limiting your camping to sites with hook ups wastes so much of your beautiful state’s camping opportunities...and my state’s too. Think BLM and USFS.
  • agesilaus's avatar
    agesilaus
    Explorer III
    Oct 20, 2017
    OK it depends,
    1) For major holidays: 4th of July and such, you better have reservations everywhere.
    2) For major National Parks, Yosemite and such, you better get them and as far head as you can. Yosemite is actually a bad example it is so popular they have a lottery system. Yellowstone is better example, better make reservations there the winter before you want to go.
    3) For commercial parks you can often do without. When we travel we don't make reservations and just call a hour or two ahead to get a spot. This rarely fails.
    4) For popular park systems, Florida State Parks and from what you say Oregon parks, you better have them and maybe will need them far ahead. For less popular parks systems this may not be true, we can usually get a spot in Georgia State Parks for example and it seems like Texas parks may be the same.

    So it comes down to timing and location. You can usually find a commercial park but if you want a specific NP or SP better plan ahead.

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