Campground Reservations

You mentioned San Antonio. We would highly recommend the KOA on the east side of town. Ample pull-thrus for short stays and it is right on a city bus route that takes you to the historic/tourist areas in the center city - Alamo, River walk, Market etc. The bus fare is cheaper than parking downtown and no driving concerns. Campground gives you the info on the bus service.

I believe popular locations are the key point, here.

We are headed for the Black Hills in June with a few stops / overnights along the way. I waited to decide on where we would stay there in the Hills for our 4 days planned there in the immediate area 'till early-March, when I had time to look up recommendations and discuss/show it to DW. I figured no big deal being 14 /15 weeks out. Our first choice was already booked solid with only single / 2 day spots available. They where, however, nice enough to recommend a similar style CG a few miles up the road who had a great spot available.

The rest of this 12 / 13 day trip will be no-reservations -- first time for us, and I'll admit my cautious mature has me slightly anxious about it, but I have read / heard enough stories here and from friends doing the same thing, that I'm okay with it.

We never leave the driveway without reservations. Maybe it's just a security thing, especially with me. When planning a long trip, I use MapQuest, know that we want to do about 300 miles per day, so I start looking online for "campgrounds in ___ area". If you're going across I-40 from OKC to Amarillo there isn't a lot and the campground we stayed at in Amarillo was great, but not many others that were convenient. On a trip to San Antonio area, the pictures online of a small campground were very nice, but up close not so much. I just called after we passed it and told them we were way ahead of schedule and needed to cancel for that night since we were driving further. No problem as long as you call by about 6:00. Heading to the UP of MI, reservations all the way. I just don't like having to be ready to park it for the evening, fix some dinner and relax with something cool rather than trying to find something that is acceptable.

We even have reservations for our local campgrounds because we have sites we prefer over some others....never fails that it will be taken if we didn't reserve.

Sort of a moot point for us now as Rocky is going with his new dad on Monday and we'll be trailerless, probably permanently. Darn!, going to miss it terribly, but life changes come along and this will be better for our family.

Our experience:

If you're looking for a overnighter, reservations are usually not needed. Most campgrounds have one or two sites they "save" for those people. Along the coast in California and Oregon are exceptions, especially during the summer.

If you plan on staying longer than one night, you most likely will need reservations and most likely you'll not be successful finding anything along the coast of California on a Friday/Saturday night.

A lot depends on the size of your rig too. The larger your rig, the fewer spaces available to you.

We reserve 99% of the time......good luck...Dennis

I typically make reservations as soon as I know I'm going somewhere. Just like having it set in stone.

If I'm going to a Fed campground in the mountains, no reservations are even taken. State parks do, but usually aren't necessary.

On the coast? I decide before January because you're gonna need to make them around then

Reservations for holidays and popular destinations are a must everywhere.

Calling ahead when I know where I should be later that afternoon
is a good idea.

Thanks to everyone for your information.

I've found that making my driving days in the middle of the week - I can almost always get a great spot in the destination campground.

Since we love to camp at COE, state parks and similar campgrounds, we usually are staying for a week after we arrive. We always reserve a 7 to 14 day stop for the major summer holidays - Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day.

We've also found that the relatively few good campgrounds in warmer areas are hard to get into for Thanksgiving week and the week after Christmas Day.

When traveling across country - we have a plan mapped out - and will reserve one or three days in advance depending upon our feel for how busy the area is.

We try to get to the destination before 3 pm each driving day.

The real decision on reservations is the time available. When on a tight schedule to get somewhere by a certain data - reservations are good. When you have time to stop and explore, or to change your mind and go somewhere else - reservations are bad.

Depends on what you mean by West. As noted, CA coast will be tough without reservations in summer. Haven't done OR but read the same consistently. National Parks you need to book way in advance. I roll the dice in transit since I don't know how far I might get in a day. Get on the Good Sam or KOA app and start calling around later afternoon once I have an idea of where I want to stop. But those or overnights, not destinations. And, I prefer reservations for weekends unless I am really flexible on where I stop.

Ok, I appreciate the many reasons a lot of travelers do so or do not make reservations. Trouble with this is, while you will likely find a spot, will it be what or where you want or whats leftover.
In every camp i've visited when they are in 'season' this is normal, the early bird always gets the best. Drive ins get the leftovers.
By reserving well ahead you have opportunity to choose the best of sites that relate to your wishes.
In the central west, hours drive away from big cities weekdays are as busy as weekends. This is summer vacation country,not weekend busy, weekday empty.
Plan ahead where you can to assure your family their best experience.

It depends on how picky you are. If you want a large site with privacy with a good view, book as far in advance as you can. If you will take any spot anywhere as long as you have a place to park, you'll find something. But don't count on it being a 'great' location if it is on the weekend or a holiday.

We are currently on the Oregon Coast (it's early season) and are taking what we can get. On Monday through Wednesday, if the sites are first come first serve, it isn't a problem. But the best sites are either reserved or already taken, even on a Monday...

Also, the less hookups you need, the easier it is to get a site.