New Englsnd Camping - Reservations necessary?

[nyeinbuda]

Will be traveling to New England states mid-June through early July. First time camping trip to that region. Want flexibility to move about without being tied to a location. How difficult is it to find campsites- state parks, national parks, private parks - without a reservation? I've typically camped in Texas, Colorado, and national parks of the western states. Minus a reservation, availability in those locations is typically limited to private parks. Is this the same in New England states during the summer?

[4runnerguy]

Early July = week of the 4th of July. Typically one of the busiest weeks wherever you travel in the U.S.

[Crabbypatty]

We have camped in New England, a lot. Its a smaller area than out west, easily reachable by many. We plan out trips and make reservations. You will be surprised that a fair number of parks might already be reaching capacity as people make there plans. Take out a map figure where your going to be as base camp and make a reservation.

[Flintstones]

You should be all right "mid June" but forget about early July in popular rv parks without reservations. If you want a "spur of the moment" "go as you please" New England rv vacation, keep it early early June!

[Veebyes]

Peak season & near a major city is tough without reservations. Chances are better at the private CGs & for dry camping in the SPs, however if winging it, best to get somewhere by Thursday & stay put till Sunday.

[Gjac]

It really depends on how you camp. If you need FHU sites yes you should have reservations. If you like to dry camp in NFS CG's or SP's get there before Friday. Some are still first come first served, some have reservations and FCFS sites. For the reservation sites I just check Reserve America to see what the availability is, then check in as a walk in. A lot of SP's keep several sites for travelers available. Weekends are usually booked up so plan on staying from Friday to Sunday before going to the next site. New Hampshire has the most NFS GC's that are easier to get into with no reservation during the week.

[Crowe]

Absolutely would recommend it. You are touring this area at peak season. If you don't already have a reservation for the week that encompasses the fourth of July it may be too late. School is out by the 3rd week of June and many families head out immediately after. If you don't want surprises I would book now. Also be prepared for strict cancellation policies at some places. 14-30 days cancellation notice is not uncommon. I'd look for those with the most liberal policies so you can change your mind last minute.

[catkins]

We were advised to get reservations for summer travel in the east(from Seattle). We find that campgrounds most everywhere are mostly full during the summer months. The explosive sales of RVs is putting pressure on the number of parks available. I now get reservations on our snowbird trips fall and dpting and never was required years ago. My motto, better safe than sorry...........

[DrewE]

My experience with Vermont state parks has been that it isn't impossible to find a site somewhere on most any given weekend, but not necessarily a site (at least one that I'd fit in) in any given park, especially on holiday weekends. Making a reservation a few days in advance eases the mind about having a place to be without putting too much of a cramp on spontaneity.

Thinking about it, I don't believe I've actually taken my RV to campgrounds as such in any of the other New England states. I've camped in New Hampshire at a Christian summer camp/conference center that I volunteer at from time to time, but that's not quite the same situation as a normal public campground. (They have about a dozen RV sites, primarily for volunteers or program participants, besides the usual bunkhouses and other camp accouterments.)

[1492]

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[Devocamper]

Anything near the coast lines of the new England states will be booked as will any campgrounds near the larger cities or attractions, you may find some overnight sites at a KOA off the highways but you should plan to make reservations for any places you really want to see while in New England. As an example the two large CT state campgrounds that have beaches on Long Island Sound are booked 11 months in advance and one of New England's premier campgrounds , Normandy Farms in Foxboro Mass just outside Boston takes reservation 18 months in advance for the prime season months and special event weekends, you also may find that during the week things may open up but the weekends will be booked and you may need to keep moving around in order to stay. good luck and have a safe trip

[Big_Katuna]

You don’t say what size RV you have. The bigger it is, the harder to find a site and harder yet to find a good site.

Maine prints Vacationland on their license plates for a reason.

The state is packed with families from the NE all summer, esp July and August.

[wanderingaimles]

Any areas you have a real desire to visit, get reservations. Remote areas in northern Maine, you could just wing it last time I was up there. But from Agusta south it was tough. Have heard NH and Vermont are the same.
If an area is within 4 or 5 hours of Boston or Providence the weekend warriors will be there in droves.

[nyeinbuda]

Thank you

[drsteve]

nyeinbuda wrote:
Will be traveling to New England states mid-June through early July. First time camping trip to that region. Want flexibility to move about without being tied to a location. How difficult is it to find campsites- state parks, national parks, private parks - without a reservation? I've typically camped in Texas, Colorado, and national parks of the western states. Minus a reservation, availability in those locations is typically limited to private parks. Is this the same in New England states during the summer?

I think it's the same everywhere. The days of rolling in on Friday afternoon and getting a site are mostly gone.