Ok, I'm a little frustrated. We just bought a brand new 5th wheel and late model Duramax GMC to tow with. We're not totally new to the RV scene, but now have made a pretty big investment in our new hobby. We're ready to go. We live in northern CA and have discovered that there are very few places to go that aren't already booked up for the next 3 months...or more. All of the beach front or lake front sites are booked solid into the summer already. There are still other places to go, but a fairgrounds or some of the trashy inland private RV places aren't what we've been dreaming of. My DW has had 3 computers primed to click onto the reservation sites the moment they open up but they always seem to beat her to the reservations before she can make a reservation. I don't get it, other people seem to be getting the reservations....all of them it seems so there must be a way of doing this that we're not privy to. Maybe a special web site that does it automatically, or sending goodies to the webmaster of the reservation site, or SOMETHING! I want to be part of the privileged group that always seems to get ALL the weekend reservations at ALL the beach and lakefront RV sites. OK, someone knows the secret so who do I connect with to become one of the privileged RVers that gets all the prime reservations?

Most of the time it's luck that you are the 1st to get thru for a res. It's only going to get worse. Last I read, RV MFG's are set to break lasts years sales record this year. It also doesn't help to pick the most popular CG's either.We're in Oregon and don't even think about going to the coast between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. It pretty much boils down to the fact that there are so many more people RV'ing.

IBcarguy wrote:Ok, I'm a little frustrated. We just bought a brand new 5th wheel and late model Duramax GMC to tow with. We're not totally new to the RV scene, but now have made a pretty big investment in our new hobby. We're ready to go. We live in northern CA and have discovered that there are very few places to go that aren't already booked up for the next 3 months...or more. All of the beach front or lake front sites are booked solid into the summer already. There are still other places to go, but a fairgrounds or some of the trashy inland private RV places aren't what we've been dreaming of. My DW has had 3 computers primed to click onto the reservation sites the moment they open up but they always seem to beat her to the reservations before she can make a reservation. I don't get it, other people seem to be getting the reservations....all of them it seems so there must be a way of doing this that we're not privy to. Maybe a special web site that does it automatically, or sending goodies to the webmaster of the reservation site, or SOMETHING! I want to be part of the privileged group that always seems to get ALL the weekend reservations at ALL the beach and lakefront RV sites. OK, someone knows the secret so who do I connect with to become one of the privileged RVers that gets all the prime reservations?In the NE, which in general, has more people per sq. ft but perhaps less RVs, no problems making state park reservations, if I follow the different states' reservation windows. Made a 2-3 week reservation, every year for a coastal locale during high season for our preferred site for at least 8 straight years. I will admit that it was near impossible to book a beach site with electric service since it seemed as if the same people got in every year. Still, since the car traffic was higher there, I was fine staying further away.This year I booked week long stays in a different state and found pretty much what I wanted some months after the reservation window opened. Can't say if it was luck of the draw, a less popular spot, or what. Hope your luck changes finding a spot at your personal Nirvana.

Sounds like us when we first started 5 years ago. I have everything setup and know exactly what site I want and what dates. No time to browse or think. I've been lucky and get what I want. If it's a major holiday just gotta have a fast computer and clicky finger. A lot of people just reserve sites and end up cancelling. If I'm late to the party and really want a certain campground I just browse A lot at random times through the day and I've been lucky - scored some spots. I start booking in December / JanuaryForgot to mention we have a 19' toy hauler so I never worry about site length, just get whatever is open if our usual spots are booked. With bigger trailers you would have to know what sites you can book.

We gave up on summer camping in California, years ago.As former long time California residents, we went to camping in the spring and fall.After all, you can camp in California year round so why fight the summer crowds.Summer reservations, especially for state beaches, are booked up in a few minutes, months before. Even though we moved to Washington, we still camp in California. We just continue doing it in the spring and fall. This has been the case, for California summer camping, for many years.

Most Oregon state campgrounds will allow an RV in "tent" spots. Had worked well for us on several occasions. You just have to be happy having no services.

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troubledwaters
Explorer III
Mar 07, 2017
Forget the beach front sites and go for something on the other end of the campground, then book as soon as the booking window opens. Secondly, don't be afraid to try those "trashy inland private RV places". Lots of times, those end up being a lot better accommodations while the ***** with unruly kids, drunk, loud partiers, etc. are at the beach.
cpaulsen
Explorer
Mar 07, 2017
RedJeep wrote:
Most Oregon state campgrounds will allow an RV in "tent" spots. Had worked well for us on several occasions. You just have to be happy having no services.

Only if they fit.
NanciL
Explorer II
Mar 07, 2017
Does your wife have the "official US time" screen on with her other screens?
Does she have the site all picked out so all she has to do is click on it ?

Has she already signed in?

If you know all the secret little tid bits; then it is just luck from there

Jack L
RedJeep
Explorer
Mar 07, 2017
Most Oregon state campgrounds will allow an RV in "tent" spots. Had worked well for us on several occasions. You just have to be happy having no services.
bikendan
Explorer
Mar 07, 2017
We gave up on summer camping in California, years ago.
As former long time California residents, we went to camping in the spring and fall.
After all, you can camp in California year round so why fight the summer crowds.

Summer reservations, especially for state beaches, are booked up in a few minutes, months before.

Even though we moved to Washington, we still camp in California. We just continue doing it in the spring and fall.

This has been the case, for California summer camping, for many years.
eDUBz
Explorer
Mar 07, 2017
Sounds like us when we first started 5 years ago. I have everything setup and know exactly what site I want and what dates. No time to browse or think. I've been lucky and get what I want. If it's a major holiday just gotta have a fast computer and clicky finger. A lot of people just reserve sites and end up cancelling. If I'm late to the party and really want a certain campground I just browse A lot at random times through the day and I've been lucky - scored some spots. I start booking in December / January

Forgot to mention we have a 19' toy hauler so I never worry about site length, just get whatever is open if our usual spots are booked. With bigger trailers you would have to know what sites you can book.
NYCgrrl
Explorer
Mar 07, 2017
IBcarguy wrote:
Ok, I'm a little frustrated. We just bought a brand new 5th wheel and late model Duramax GMC to tow with. We're not totally new to the RV scene, but now have made a pretty big investment in our new hobby. We're ready to go. We live in northern CA and have discovered that there are very few places to go that aren't already booked up for the next 3 months...or more. All of the beach front or lake front sites are booked solid into the summer already. There are still other places to go, but a fairgrounds or some of the trashy inland private RV places aren't what we've been dreaming of. My DW has had 3 computers primed to click onto the reservation sites the moment they open up but they always seem to beat her to the reservations before she can make a reservation. I don't get it, other people seem to be getting the reservations....all of them it seems so there must be a way of doing this that we're not privy to. Maybe a special web site that does it automatically, or sending goodies to the webmaster of the reservation site, or SOMETHING! I want to be part of the privileged group that always seems to get ALL the weekend reservations at ALL the beach and lakefront RV sites. OK, someone knows the secret so who do I connect with to become one of the privileged RVers that gets all the prime reservations?

In the NE, which in general, has more people per sq. ft but perhaps less RVs, no problems making state park reservations, if I follow the different states' reservation windows. Made a 2-3 week reservation, every year for a coastal locale during high season for our preferred site for at least 8 straight years. I will admit that it was near impossible to book a beach site with electric service since it seemed as if the same people got in every year. Still, since the car traffic was higher there, I was fine staying further away.

This year I booked week long stays in a different state and found pretty much what I wanted some months after the reservation window opened. Can't say if it was luck of the draw, a less popular spot, or what.

Hope your luck changes finding a spot at your personal Nirvana.
goducks10
Explorer
Mar 07, 2017
Most of the time it's luck that you are the 1st to get thru for a res. It's only going to get worse. Last I read, RV MFG's are set to break lasts years sales record this year. It also doesn't help to pick the most popular CG's either.
We're in Oregon and don't even think about going to the coast between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends.
It pretty much boils down to the fact that there are so many more people RV'ing.

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