After living full time for several years, we came off the road for personal reasons with a plan to return to full timing in 5 years max. Life happens while you are making plans so it has been 10 years not 5. We go out often for a few days or even weeks every year and have noticed that in almost every place we plan to stay, usually in State or COE camp grounds, we must reserve in order to get a space. Is it not possible to just go and normally not have a problem finding a spot to set down for a night or week like we used to do? It does not sound like a lot of fun having to plan each and every move. Comments on this would be much appreciated.

Weekends are tough due to locals wanting to go camping and that is when they have timeWe made reservations when we really wanted to be somewhere......Otherwise we showed up. Mondays were usually our travel days.Some locations required reservations in order to have any site.

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

We always reserve well in advance and enjoy the feeling of knowing we have a site. Planning is fun and once decision is made we simply enjoy the journey without the pressure of wondering about space, or having to leave early to get there early... We once did the go by the seat of our pants route, and now realize the planning well ahead works great for us.

We never make reservations but don't go on holidays very often.

Thanks for all the input. We always liked the feeling of not having to be at a specific place at a specific time. More of a feeling of freedom to change plans without hassle I guess. It really sounds as if things have not changed as much as I was thinking. Good. We always tried to not travel on weekends and holidays so the reminder about staying put at those times is much appreciated, and moving on Mondays makes a lot of sense. Again Thank You all for the input. Hope to see you all on the road.

Reservations Needed? | Good Sam Community

BarbaraOK
Explorer
Jun 16, 2015
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
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Jun 15, 2015
Weekends are tough due to locals wanting to go camping and that is when they have time

We made reservations when we really wanted to be somewhere......

Otherwise we showed up. Mondays were usually our travel days.

Some locations required reservations in order to have any site.

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