Community Forums

Jim K57 · 01-21-2019, 07:45 AM

I added this post to the Camping Locations forum. I don't know how to delete this.

We are recently retired and taking our first major trip west in our 40' Monaco. We plan to leave Florida April 1 and head west thru TX to AZ and be near Las Vegas by May 5 so the wife can fly home for a week. After her return we will then head to Cedar City, Moab and then to Yellowstone. We would like to be leaving Yellowstone in mid-June the latest.

We would like to be flexible if possible. A few questions:

- Should we focus on making reservations?
- RV park recommendations for Albuquerque, Flagstaff, Cedar City, Moab and Yellowstone?
Any planning recommendations for rookies not wanting to be fixed to a schedule?

Thanks,
Jim Kull

TonyMac · 01-21-2019, 07:57 AM

I usually only make reservations for the longer stays. Spending the night between destinations means WallyDocking (camping in a WalMart or similar parking lot). Look at all your stops using Google Maps, including proposed fuel stops, but you can do this on the morning of. Be flexible. Check your hitch before every takeoff, start the motor, do a walkaround with the lights and flashers on.

Sue46 · 01-21-2019, 08:11 AM

We usually start calling ahead after lunch to confirm there is space and make a reservation if needed. We like to pull in between 2 and 3.

On holiday weekends, if you are near a popular area I would make a reservation, if you are away from everything there is no need.

How one feels about reservations is very personal, we rarely make a reservation, prefer to blow with the wind.

Limegreencj5 · 01-21-2019, 10:33 AM

Anytime close to the summer, make reservations for Yellowstone. We found Buffalo Crossing in West Yellowstone to be a beautiful park. The two KOA’s are much more crowded and not as clean. They also have anyone from tents to minivans. For Flagstaff, we like going into Williams (about 8 miles) and staying at Grand Canyon Railway RV Park (you may even want to take the train to the Grand Canyon). Both of these parks have lots of room for all sizes of rigs and are very clean. We would rather pay a little more for added amenities. Sorry, not boondockers, so can’t give you any info on that. Good Sam has a great trip planner with all the parks for wherever you are going.

**Janet H** · 01-21-2019, 01:06 PM

I second the recommendation for reservations anywhere near Yellowstone. Don;t count on being able to just pull up and park. ... busy, busy place.

mricet1005 · 01-21-2019, 01:16 PM

Albuquerque: American RV Resort
Moab: Portal - resort side very nice. Regular side ok. Alternatively Dead Horse Point State Park CG is very nice and will definitely require reservations. Moab was very busy when I was there last September and Portal was full my entire stay so reservations may be needed.