Question for the planners?

While we will make reservations for a high draw destination like Zion, most of the time we just wing it and have never been turned away. Two things that contribute to our success is that we get on the road early and quit early, usually by 3 or 4 at the latest and the fact that we are a 24' C. We have never arrived anywhere after dark and have no desire to start and if a CG/Park has only one site left it is virtually certain we will fit.

:C

We travel a lot. More now that we are both retired. We only make reservations for places that we know we where want to be when. Even then, I often put an extra day in the plan "Just Because". I can't think of an excursion where there wasn't at least one - "OH, let's go see that!!" This last one there were as many "Sorry, we are closed. But, we will be open tomorrow." (When you open tomorrow, we will be 300 miles away.)

When you get to traveling, there will be many more attractions than you could possibly plan. You will also have days when the planned stop just can't happen. If you pick a piece of road that takes a lot more driving than you had expected, have a plan to end the day before your planned stop. That is what Walmart, Cabela's and rest areas are there for.

As I have been a navigator (seriously - the job description) most of my life. I plan everything. I also plan that the time table will be junk by the end of the third day (if not sooner).

Matt

I make reservations when needed. Just spent 7 nights in Watchman campground in Zion. Arranged months in advance. Then I went north in Utah without any reservations at all. Did try to arrive early. Also on the road, I'll research campgrounds for the night and make reservations about mid day for that night-if I'm in a popular area.

When I plan a trip and make reservations ahead of time, I stick to the schedule. I make my schedule reasonable so I have never had any of those situations you mention come up and throw my plans off. I've only been camping for 12 years so there is still time. If such a situation was to occur, I would simply call the campground and tell them I am going to be a day late, I'm cancelling or whatever. But It's not rocket science. I don't get lost in outer space if I miss my scheduled time of arrival, my plans aren't made for 17 different campgrounds in 17 days. They are more likely 4 campgrounds in 17 days.

we make final destination reservations. we do beach. gotta have those in place 11 months in advance :)

on the way, we wing it. might call to make a 1 night stop, maybe a stop at a rest stop for 4-5 hrs sleep, maybe a walmart if needed etc.

I never worry about getting to a daily jump of cgs. 1 night here, 1 night there. too annoying for me definitely.

I always make reservations, get there at about 3 pm to give me time to setup, etc. I have never been delayed long enough to interfere. I have called and shifted a reservation a day or so if something happens that I want to stay longer.
bumpy

I never make a reservation. I am in no hurry to get anywhere and like to look around. I have no problem spending the night at Way-Mart or Home Depot.

Quote: I realize that if you are still working that you probably have a more rigid schedule than those of us that are retired.

A picture is worth a thousand words & I think K Charles sig. pic answers the question.

We schedule an extra day every third day on getting somewhere stretches. When we are there we usually schedule an extra day or two at each destination to allow for changes or bad weather. Extra time built in here and there allows for some adjustments if needed with a minimal number of campgrounds to actually change dates without disrupting the rest of the schedule. We just returned from a 7,600 mile, 23 state, 5 month long, 34 campground trip with all reservations made in advance. Made a few add a day or two, subtract a day or two changes along the way, but didn't change the schedule really much at all. We don't do boondocking so want to be assured we have a spot and know where we are going each day.

I make reservations at our destination. While traveling we just wing it.

Some people feel more comfortable at a CG and will not overnight or boondock anywhere else.

I'll stay just about anywhere if I can't find a CG while traveling.
There are a lot of free places to stop overnight.