Community Forums

rtcadman · 06-22-2017, 08:53 AM

We are planning to head to the SW US in the Fall from central NY. We are the type that usually doesn't plan too far ahead, but I am wondering if this is the right approach heading out West at that time of year. What's the general consensus regarding needing to make reservations weeks/months ahead of our trip??

Cousin Ed · 06-22-2017, 08:59 AM

If we are going to a "Destination" campground we make reservations well ahead of time. If we are just travelling we will call a day or two ahead, sometimes the same morning. I would hate to drive all day and wind-up without a place to stay. You will see others don't ever make reservations. It's just your comfort zone.

TOM356C · 06-22-2017, 08:59 AM

Reserve now. The snowbirds will start around Oct 1 or sooner. Rv parks fill fast at desired locations. Tom 07 Pacifica in Newport Beach,Ca

A32Deuce · 06-22-2017, 09:00 AM

We do res. for the places we are going to stay. On the way, I like to wing it. Allow extra time to drive there and maybe sight see along the way. That way you are not rushed to stop over night if on a tight schedule. Traffic, weather, etc.

CoCoDave · 06-22-2017, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtcadman

We are planning to head to the SW US in the Fall from central NY. We are the type that usually doesn't plan too far ahead, but I am wondering if this is the right approach heading out West at that time of year. What's the general consensus regarding needing to make reservations weeks/months ahead of our trip??

"It all depends..." We've noticed that RV'ing has really picked up this year. We tried to get our favorite spot in a local-to-us campground by making a reservation in March for 3 consecutive days in June. We got in but not our favorite spot.

For overnight stays near the highway we have found that if you call in the morning you can usually get a spot for that evening.

For any campgrounds near any "attractions" it would be wise to call now and check to see how busy they will be during the times you think you might want to visit.

For the most part DW looks at her PC or smart phone as we go down the highway in the morning and calls prospective campgrounds for reservations that evening. It has worked well so far.

FWIW

Blondiega1 · 06-22-2017, 09:37 AM

We are planners by nature.
We always plan ahead. And like someone else mentioned, it's getting harder and harder to get a site if you don't plan ahead.

A32Deuce · 06-22-2017, 09:47 AM

We already made our reservations at three different locations for our Dec to Feb trip.

oatmeal · 06-22-2017, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtcadman

We are planning to head to the SW US in the Fall from central NY. We are the type that usually doesn't plan too far ahead, but I am wondering if this is the right approach heading out West at that time of year. What's the general consensus regarding needing to make reservations weeks/months ahead of our trip??

For one, it'll be in the Southwest, which is the most RV-friendly area in the country. Wide open spaces and lots of campgrounds and RV parks. It will be vastly different from "up east" when it comes to site availability.

For another, it'll be in the Fall, when there are fewer travelers but RV parks don't close down for the season. The places that might have been full in the summer generally won't be in the Fall.

If you're already comfortable traveling without reservations, the Southwest in the Fall is not the place to start worrying about it.

The only exceptions would be Arizona and southern California.

In Arizona, the snowbirds will fill up a lot of RV parks starting in mid/late-December. The locals fill up state parks, especially on the weekends. In Phoenix, for example, the state parks have a reservation system so it's almost impossible to get a spot on a weekend, but Gilbert Ray in Tucson doesn't take reservations so if you're able to arrive on a weekday, you'll probably be able to get a spot.

California doesn't have as many snowbirds, but there are only so many campgrounds for the millions of people there, and it's nice weather year-round. So that one is tough.

But especially if you're not competing with summer vacationers, the Southwest is generally pretty easy.

Tony Lee · 06-22-2017, 12:12 PM

Set yourself up to be able to survive by boondocking for a night or two and forget about the reservations, especially any time away from major summer holidays or long weekends. Get the app Allstays to help find places to overnight - it has all the usual walmarts and casinos as well as campgrounds and RV parks - and enjoy the freedom to not be always worrying about losing your booking fee by being late..

billsincali · 06-22-2017, 12:51 PM

Lots of BLM land that you can park and campout

Bring some saranac out😎

stanleyz · 06-22-2017, 12:54 PM

They say there are 2000 people a day retiring. I believe it and half are getting some sort of RV, the other half are moving to Florida. In the 15 years we've been travelling we have never made reservations except for national Parks. But this year I will. last month we stopped in tupelo Mississippi, Tupelo for crying out loud. We have stayed there at least once a year but mostly twice a year without a reservation. last month on a MONDAY we got there by 4 PM and were shut out. It is unbelievable how many RVs are on the road. Just saying....

Ron_H · 06-22-2017, 01:15 PM

Whether or not reservation are needed is a complex question dependent upon many factors including where, when, duration, special events or occasions, your rig and needs, risk comfort level and more. An answer that is right for me may not be at all suitable for you.

My DW and I like traveling in the shoulder seasons (spring and fall) as we can stop virtually anywhere and spots are available, even for our big rig. We generally stay for periods ranging from 1 night to 2 weeks. We are also flexible in our wants and needs. If a full service site is not available then a water/electrical will do. If 50 amp electrical is not available then 30 amp will work fine as long as its not very hot in that area. I also don't really care if a site is pull-thru or back-in. If, in an odd occurrence we are unable to locate a suitable RV site, Walmart or some other dry camp location will work for us.

In the fall in that area (SW USA) we would not bother with a reservation more than a day or two out and then probably only if we wanted at specific campsite for a longer period of time. Friends of ours are very different in that regard as they need to have a location booked well ahead regardless of time or location. If they don't have a site booked they fret about it terribly - each to his own.

We have been RVing almost full time for the past three years and we've always found someplace to stay - we've never been stranded along the side of the road without overnight options.

BarryG20 · 06-22-2017, 02:56 PM

We spend a lot of time in southern Utah in the fall. In the southwest in certain locations it is going to be prime season in the fall depending on when fall is for you. Moab for example Sept and Oct are very busy months at least on the weekends and while you may very well be able to find a spot you may not. Boondocking is certainly an option and probably doable but I would be looking for those spots before you get out there so you know where they are(more to find out if there are restrictions in that area for boondocking). Some areas restrict camping to campgrounds only even on BLM land so it depends on the specific area. In general I think you would be ok but it does depend on the specifics

D Lindy · 06-22-2017, 04:14 PM

Leaving western NY Aug 22nd final destination Bartow Fl. As of now we have reservation at 2 Military campgrounds, and just waiting for the 90 period to open up to make the other reservations. For example our final destination opened reservations for those that had NOT stayed there before on 15 Mar. I called that day and they only had about 5-6 sites not reserved on that date.