We gave up on state parks because everyone reserves their weekends in January and may or may not cancel when they decide they don't want to go for the weekend. We use a lot of membership parks which means we usually target a place to spend for 2 weeks, make reservations about 2 weeks out, and use that as a center and explore the area for those two weeks. Then we move on. We never have trouble finding an overnight as we move - PPA and Allstays have become my favorite apps as we travel. Now there are a few places where finding spots are really difficult - like the Seattle metro area. Next to impossible without a long lead time. With COE parks, we like to book online at least a couple of days ahead. We also have learned that it is best to travel on Mondays or Tuesdays. Yes, it is different than it was a few years ago, especially from Memorial Day to Labor Day. After Labor Day we never worry about reservations except for membership parks which we have to do a 2-3 of days ahead.
Barb