Strangers, can you help a newcomer?
My wife and I recently purchased our first RV - a 2007 Itasca Sunova 33T (34') Class A motorhome. It's parked in our driveway as we start loading it up and learning how to use all of the systems and ...
Forum Discussion
Whether to make reservations or not at campgrounds depends a lot on where you are going and when. If it is the summer and you are going to a popular area or attraction you are going to find that campgrounds in and around there will be booked. If it is a weekend, they will especially be booked. Forget holiday weekends - these book at year in advance at many campgrounds. If you are heading for an area that is not so much in demand or will be a distance away from a popular area you can probably get by with just showing up - or starting to make calls when you get near to see who has sites open. But I think even in off areas, if it is a holiday weekend, likely it will be booked. Campgrounds, after the office closes, often post on the office door which sites are open for the night. This does not mean that in a day or two you will be able to remain on that site if it was reserved later in the week.
Like you, we don't want to arrive somewhere and find no place to stop - especially after driving a distance to get there. I like to plan my trips in advance and make reservations for the itinerary that we plan. This means at some campgrounds that you are committing a deposit that will not be refunded or will only partially refunded. There are campgrounds that will let you cancel that day or the day before without penalty - but these are few.
Many will tell you to just go and take your chances. Stop when you get tired and a Walmart or Cracker Barrel parking lot is fine for a night. Maybe some day we will get to that point too, but for now we don't want any surprises.
Like you, we don't want to arrive somewhere and find no place to stop - especially after driving a distance to get there. I like to plan my trips in advance and make reservations for the itinerary that we plan. This means at some campgrounds that you are committing a deposit that will not be refunded or will only partially refunded. There are campgrounds that will let you cancel that day or the day before without penalty - but these are few.
Many will tell you to just go and take your chances. Stop when you get tired and a Walmart or Cracker Barrel parking lot is fine for a night. Maybe some day we will get to that point too, but for now we don't want any surprises.
