Planning VERY FIRST big trip in Class A.. . advice needed

[papagramx4]

We are a retired couple and we are new to RVing... 2 months ago we got a 35 ft 2005 Class A Winnebago Voyage. We took two short 5 day trips within 100 miles of home, getting the feel of driving and living in "Queenie". (named by hubby).

We are planning a 3 - 4 week trip near the end of January. We live in southwestern PA, and will be heading near Charleston SC for about 4 days for a family visit. Then we want to head toward Florida panhandle for 7 - 10 days. I will be making reservations once we decide on where we want to stay. Once we leave FL, we plan on a meandering trip back toward home, stopping for a few nights at different places along the way.

NOW COMES THE CONFUSION... and I would appreciate advice from seasoned travelers.....HOW FAR AHEAD DO WE MAKE RESERVATIONS?

Do we plan a very structured trip route, making reservations ahead, OR to we take our chances on vacancies when we get to an area we find interesting?

WE HAVE A LOT TO LEARN...
PLEASE .. any advice will be appreciated!!!

[ppine]

Sometimes you need a reservation, like Yellowstone in July. Many times you don't. You have to figure out your own personality, and how much risk you are willing to take in the name of flexibility. For RV parks I usually call ahead a day or so. Sometimes we make reservations ahead of time. Mostly I like to travel at non-peak times and take our chances.

[legolas]

Reservations are a function of supply and demand....ie, if you want to stay in the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone etc during the height of the season you should consider reservations, likewise if you want to be in a warm climate for an extended period such as Fl or AZ you should consider reservations.....otherwise you can generally play it on the fly

[temccarthy1]

2gypsies wrote:

temccarthy1 wrote:
I am of a different philosophy-- Plan way out in advance and make the trip the best experience we can.

We full-timed and traveled constantly for 16 years. If we would have had to make reservations we would have never done it. We, too, stay at public parks - national, national forests, etc. We've never had a problem getting a site, Yellowstone, Glacier, Grand Canyon, etc. - even the whole summer in Alaska.

I'm curious... what would you do if on day 3 you had a breakdown or an illness? How would you catch up with your future reservations?

You may have done that back in the day.. but in the last 5 years that has changed.. You can't pull off State and National Parks without reservations unless in a remote area.. We are not going to remote areas.. we are traveling to major destinations.. and advance planning makes it successful. If we have a breakdown, we will make calls and change things around.. But in 35 years of camping, that has never happened... guess we are just lucky!

[2gypsies1]

temccarthy1 wrote:
I am of a different philosophy-- Plan way out in advance and make the trip the best experience we can.

We full-timed and traveled constantly for 16 years. If we would have had to make reservations we would have never done it. We, too, stay at public parks - national, national forests, etc. We've never had a problem getting a site, Yellowstone, Glacier, Grand Canyon, etc. - even the whole summer in Alaska.

I'm curious... what would you do if on day 3 you had a breakdown or an illness? How would you catch up with your future reservations?

[temccarthy1]

I am of a different philosophy-- Plan way out in advance and make the trip the best experience we can. We don't camp a lot, maybe 2-3 big trips a year, but we want State parks, Provincial parks in Canada, National Parks.. and for that you need to be 9-10 months out with reservations to get the best sites. Next Fall we are doing a 3000 mile, 30 day loop from NJ to Lake placid, NY, Quebec City, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Campabello Island, Acadia National Park in Maine and Cape Cod, Ma. For that kind of distance and expense I am willing to plan it completely now , choose the very best sites in the best campgrounds so it is a trip to remember. And unfortunately in this day and age, you need to be way way out on reservations or end up disappointed, frustrated and stressed out not being able to find spots to camp in a beautiful setting or near the place you intended to be. I enjoy planning exactly the distance we want to travel each time we pack up and head out and know what kind of CG and site we will have. The days of stopping at a decent place with no reservations are long over unless you are going at the total off season when it is cold or every attraction is shut down for the season.. no fun in that! To each his own!

[ppine]

People have many different philosophies about reservations. I like to be flexible and maybe call ahead a day or a few hours in advance. But we mostly avoid the busy times and crowded places. Once in awhile we get disappointed because places are filled up.

Some people plan everythng in advance. I do not really want to stay in a place that needs a reservation 3 months in advance. Trial and error will help you figure out your style of travel.

[badsix]

We just started camping last summer. but here in Oregon at least during the summer months you need reservations a year in advance. we live on the coast and went inland for a few days and we were lucky to find a privet camp spot, the only one within a 100 miles. kinda sucks as we just like to go spontaneous or where and when we like to. we wanted spend the week end at one of our local state camp grounds last summer. so the wife calls about available sites and was told there were none. so we go for a drive and look the campground and there camp sites. there were 5-6 camp sites vacant I ask the ranger girl and she tells me that they are reserved. she also tells me that they probably won't get used, but I can't have one. she says sorry it happens a lot people reserve them 8 months ago and don't use them.
Jay D.

[TragedyTrousers]

If your going to Charleston I would make reservations if your staying at James Island County Park which I recommend. They seem to always be close to full

[temccarthy1]

Anywhere in Florida will be very difficult at this time to get reservations. Do it tomorrow! It will take you a while I am betting as many will be sold out with snowbirds at this point. From the Carolinas North, not so bad. Good luck!

[afidel]

I just checked rvtripwizard and 4 of 4 sites that had online booking forms had availability for a 32' trailer from 1/15 to 1/22 (randomly selected, but >30' just to make sure they didn't have only small spots). Doesn't look like it's the Keys over xmas break or anything as far as spots filling up.

[CharlesinGA]

If one of you is age 62 or more, be sure to get a America The Beautiful Senior Pass (they went up to $80 on August 28). This is a lifetime pass (You both should have one actually). Will get you in to National Parks, monuments and Seashores, for free and get 50% off of camping fees (except where campgrounds are operated by concessionaires).

Also look into state park annual passes, if age 62 the Friends of Georgia State Parks pass is $35 and you get a 20% discount off the usual $32 a night campground rate, and do not have to pay the parks entrance fee, and you get a free night of camping. Total win-win.

In the Florida panhandle you really need reservations. Basically everything is open again after the hurricanes except Ft Pickens at Pensacola, and it will be late December or January before the entrance road is rebuilt.

Charles

[papagramx4]

WOW! Everyone has been so generous with advice. Thank you all so very much! Can't wait to get on the road and meet fellow campers.
Thanks again!

[bigred1cav]

Topsail St Park is near impossible to reserve at this late date. Expensive also. Only 1 camp I am aware of gulf coast I believe it is more expensive than ts.

papagramx4 wrote:
We are a retired couple and we are new to RVing... 2 months ago we got a 35 ft 2005 Class A Winnebago Voyage. We took two short 5 day trips within 100 miles of home, getting the feel of driving and living in "Queenie". (named by hubby).

We are planning a 3 - 4 week trip near the end of January. We live in southwestern PA, and will be heading near Charleston SC for about 4 days for a family visit. Then we want to head toward Florida panhandle for 7 - 10 days. I will be making reservations once we decide on where we want to stay. Once we leave FL, we plan on a meandering trip back toward home, stopping for a few nights at different places along the way.

NOW COMES THE CONFUSION... and I would appreciate advice from seasoned travelers.....HOW FAR AHEAD DO WE MAKE RESERVATIONS?

Do we plan a very structured trip route, making reservations ahead, OR to we take our chances on vacancies when we get to an area we find interesting?

WE HAVE A LOT TO LEARN...
PLEASE .. any advice will be appreciated!!!

[DSDP_Don]

Keep in mind, if you really stuck for a single night here and there, you can overnight at Walmart in most states. Always check with the store when you arrive.