Should I reserve a site?

I never, ever make reservations. I may not be able or want to keep them. When we've had trouble finding a site, some boondock opportunity always turns up. I rarely stay in pay sites in any event. National and state parks are different though so you're not going to be boondocking in one of those.

garmp1----RV Parky-----great site, thanks for the info. Frank

RV Parky in a free app for phone, tablet, whatever that list WalMarts, Cracker Barrels, Casinos and others as well as parks in any given area. It is a handy app, but still check in with the host for permission.
As far as kids being back in school don't count on it. A growing number of states are adopting the year round schedule. Shouldn't be a large enough number to drastically affect site availability, but is approaching it.

Probably a good idea to reserve at the national parks any day or state parks/national forests on weekends only. Camping in a national park is a great experience. Most commercial RV parks are dumps IMHO and we don't do the Walmart parking lot thing. Of course, if you need to wash clothes or need wifi or a campground shower, a commercial RV park like a KOA is the way to go. Good luck on your trip.

Jim

HI---All of your responses have been a great help and surly appreceated. This is a first time experience so a do need your expertice. Thanks all, Frank

if you have an iphone, rvparky is a free app which will help you land for the night.
GS Camping ( as in Good Sam) and KOA are useful apps too.

mid sept is still hot in PHX, so we are all up in the high country- esp weekends. try to do the GC mid-week.

be flexible

Vegas: Ballys has easy parking for RV's on the East side of the building enter off of East Bound Flamingo 1st driveway AFTER the light by the sports book and food court.
look at google maps satellite view, you'll see it

or there are a couple of RV parks South about 5 miles ( around silverton) ...under the flight path at maccarran- I have not stayed at any of them


Mike

September is still a popular time for lots of RVers to tour around Northern AZ and Southern UT, specifically because kids are back in school. So, as mentioned, if you have your heart set on staying at the campgrounds IN the Nat'l Parks, you might want to make reservations at those sites, then wing it in between. There are plenty of other places to camp in the area, including State Parks, National Forest campgrounds, etc.

vanmol wrote:
HI---Planning my first road trip during the middle of September 2016.
ON the agenda is Las Vegas, Zion, Grand Canyon, Bryce and Dixie National Forest. I believe that the 2nd and 3rd week of Septmenber would be at the end of season. Can I get away without reserving a campground site which would allow me to stop and rest at any time during the day. I will be renting a class B vehicle for this trip. Any other comments re: this trip would also me appreceated. Frank

I believe we learned long ago that we do not allow reserved campgrounds determine how we are going to spend our vacation. That is why we travel in a motorhome. We carry all the necessities. :)

Over 45 years ago, we sat down and planned our vacation travels and what we were going to see, how long we would stay, where we would stay, and the roads we would drive. We then made reservations at motels along our entire route. We found that we were constantly wrong. We allowed too much time or not enough time for all of our points of interest.

So....now we just drive and when we are tired or it is getting late, we look for that overnight spot. We have overnighted in Wal-Mart's, Home Depot's, Hospitals, Truck Stops, and rest stops to name a few. Campgrounds are also sought when appropriate.

It is a different matter if we are traveling few hundred miles to a destination where we will remain for a week or 2; then we reserve a campground.

Once the kids are back in school there usually isn't too much problem with finding sites but a couple of your destinations are still pretty popular even year round. If you are looking to be in a specific, popular, campground (like Camper Village at the Grand Canyon as an example) then you may want the reservation. If you just want to see the sites and don't mind camping a bit away from the parks then there should be several openings at that time.

I usually make a reservation at the real popular national parks if I want to camp in the park, but also leave room in between my stops for ease of driving and in case I want to check out a place I hadn't originally thought of, but fulltiming gives me that freedom. Your trip will probably have to be a little more structured if you want to stay right in the parks.

Hey Guys, Thanks much for the input. I will make a list of parks and Walmarts near my areas of interest and find a spot when needed. Frank