Advanced trip planning? Yes or no?
We hit the road full-time last July with almost nothing of a plan. It worked because we stayed away from tourist spots. Also late summer/fall is sort the end of the high season for most campgrounds....
Forum Discussion
As others have noted, it depends on the season and location.
On our 3 wk trip to Acadia (Maine) from Minn., we could have gotten a spot anywhere we went, in May...until the Memorial Day weekend hit on the return leg, and had to have 3 nights reserved, even though we only needed a one night spot. Absolutely no alternative in the area we were in.
For our June/July trip from San Francisco to Portland, reservations were a must, except for the one night stops from Minn. to the coast, and back. But everywhere up the coast - gotta have them, and well ahead, unless you like burning hours each day calling ahead trying to find a spot, any spot.
For the early May trip to Gulf Shores AL and Louisiana, again had to have reservations months ahead for the destination. On the road, none really needed.
For Sept-Oct Colorado/Utah - needed reservations virtually every night, made months ahead. Saw many, many turned away at Buena Vista, Durango, Monument Valley, Zion, Bryce, Moab.
On our 3 wk trip to Acadia (Maine) from Minn., we could have gotten a spot anywhere we went, in May...until the Memorial Day weekend hit on the return leg, and had to have 3 nights reserved, even though we only needed a one night spot. Absolutely no alternative in the area we were in.
For our June/July trip from San Francisco to Portland, reservations were a must, except for the one night stops from Minn. to the coast, and back. But everywhere up the coast - gotta have them, and well ahead, unless you like burning hours each day calling ahead trying to find a spot, any spot.
For the early May trip to Gulf Shores AL and Louisiana, again had to have reservations months ahead for the destination. On the road, none really needed.
For Sept-Oct Colorado/Utah - needed reservations virtually every night, made months ahead. Saw many, many turned away at Buena Vista, Durango, Monument Valley, Zion, Bryce, Moab.
