camp reservations - or wing it? Weigh the choice.

[SDcampowneroper]

Theres always discussion, dissent, preference to or not to reserve. Many past and recent threads point to individual preference to 'Wing It'. I fully understand that freedom to pull off the road whenever the fancy strikes for a night or longer, and it used to be that way, we could, years ago. Camps of all kinds had open sites, and they were many. The changing regulatory and land value climate has changed all that. I invite your comments on closures and new camps.
I am one that has been denied a short time arrival site because of reservations , or the camp was full even when off high season due to an area construction project or natural disaster.

The popularity and rising #s of RV sales, the anticipated use of them is out pacing construction of new parks and sites to accommodate that growth, while at the same time parks in high real estate value are selling out to condo developers. The land is simply worth more for other development than a camp.

New private Rv parks or expansion in public parks are not keeping pace with demand, primarily in destination parts of the nation due to the cost or availability of land, or regulations to develop it.
Tell us about the loss of camps you know of gone to developers, or the price increases to keep them, lack of replacements and increase if any in site numbers to grow with demand, or have fallen behind it.

[trailertraveler]

We rarely make reservations when on the move although we do call ahead about noon to make sure there is room at our preferred stop for the night. We have encountered areas, where construction projects have all the commercial campgrounds full. In that case, we look to state parks or other public parks as they rarely allow long term stays.

For longer stays, we rarely make reservations more than a few days to a week in advance. In the past 10 years it seems that more and more National Forest campgrounds are ending their seasons on Labor Day and actually closing rather than just shutting off the water and locking the bathrooms where they used to allow camping after the facilities were shutdown. With the advent and constant improvement in computer technology, more and more parks are going to automated 24/7 reservation systems and it seems more public parks are moving to all sites being reservable with very few or no walkins. In the past two years we have encountered Corps of Engineers Parks where we could only get a walkin for 1-2 days (the length of the reservation window).

The great amount of information available on the internet has made finding campgrounds easier. While I appreciate the rating systems that several sites offer, it has had consequences for those that may like a certain park. In the past two years, several of our favorite parks in a number of states that have been consistently mentioned on forums like this one and highly rated on the review sites have been book solid for weeks at a time. In one case, a small park not far away that did not have a website and was not listed on any of the popular directory or review websites was virtually empty. In another case, a county park that only has electric and water and does not take reservations was also no where near full.

We have noted some campgrounds sold for development in popular tourist areas of Florida. We have also noticed that some membership parks like Encore and Escapees now allow nonmembers to stay. Some Encore parks even participate in the Passport America Discount Club program. It is my understanding that the membership only park in Dutch John, UT is now open to the public. Business models continue to evolve and change.

[Lauren]

Simple - depends upon whether you want to stay at a place with a known site (sometimes specific site is available) or spend you time looking around and maybe wind up jammed in or next to the dump station. We like to spend time AT locations and not looking for locations. Just my 2 cents or so.

[Crowe]

Thanks for the cg owner's perspective. Interestingly enough, this can be interpreted two ways: 1. Reservations should definitely be made or 2. Campground owners should be more willing to leave sites unreserved for those who like to "wing it" as they should get taken due to higher demand. On the down side, if demand suddenly decreases then there could be too many open spaces causing economic hardship on the campgrounds.

There were over 274,000 RVs shipped last year and a projection of over 281,000 for 2016. That is a lot of new RVs and a lot of new RVers.

That depends. Are these for people who are just starting the lifestyle or are they upgrades for existing RVers? What is the "net" number of people, i.e. how many are starting versus how many are leaving? I've no doubt the numbers are increasing but one must be careful without all the necessary factors weighed in.

[gbopp]

Terryallan wrote:
Depends on where you are going, and what is happening there.

x2. This is the important factor.

[sele]

I like reservations we know where we are going to stay what the site looks like whether thee is shade. But we also have a preference for full hookups. we like a nice long hot shower in our own trailer. I even will go so far as to pick the same site whenever we are back in that region.

I guess it is to each their own.

[GordonThree]

I'm against reservations, so I avoid tourist traps aka popular destinations and seasons.

Self employed I take vacation time when it fits my customers schedules or my tolerance of stupidity is exhausted, rather than mark it on a calendar 12mo ahead of time.

That's frustrating locally for weekend warrior camping, all but the most remote and rustic parks in Michigan are sold out for the summer before Valentine's day in February.

I'm going to try and break from my comfort zone this summer and maybe try urban boondocking, although I envision it being much harder with a towed camper versus motorhome, TC or van.

[Lantley]

I don't feel the shortage. Yes in tourist destinations or Holidays you will need reservations, But if you are just looking to getaway there is always a last minute spot available.
Now if you're trying to go to your favorite place in a popular area you maybe out of luck.
But if you just want a decent spot and are not afraid of State Parks and are willing to pay commercial prices you will be able to find a site.
Too many times people limit their options with their own hang ups and are not willing to be adventurous and just go.

[Terryallan]

Depends on where you are going, and what is happening there.

[K_Charles]

Years ago we were just passing thru Albuquerque and didn't know there was a balloon festival. Two campgrounds were full and we drove another 20 miles that day, no big deal, we were just passing thru.

This spring we stopped at Gulf Shore state park for a week and it was spring break and the place was mobbed, we had to move once to stay a week, no big deal. I will still not make reservations.

It happened twice in the last 6 or 7 years and it never happened the 20 some years so it may be a bigger problem then it use to be but not bad.

[BB_TX]

There were over 274,000 RVs shipped last year and a projection of over 281,000 for 2016. That is a lot of new RVs and a lot of new RVers. No doubt the increased demand will eventually lead to more difficulty in finding a site on short notice, especially in popular areas or popular travel routes.