Community Forums

Duke48 · 03-25-2016, 08:41 AM

Our waiting is almost over: the new amenities are installed; the desired aesthetic changes have been made; minor repairs (sticking drawers) addressed; and de-winterizing is just a few days away.

So now we are planning to start in June, and make a wondering trip through OK, TX, NM, AZ and points north. We don't want to be tied to a schedule, but are concerned about the availability of camp sites if we go without having advance reservations. Obviously, near the high tourist areas, national parks and etc., we would expect camp sites will be in high demand, but should we expect difficulties outside of these high demand areas.

Your comments and suggestions are appreciated.
Duke

cruizerEd · 03-25-2016, 10:20 AM

We are doing a similar plan. My wife is doing most of it and she is working from wheelingit.us campground reviews and past routes as a guide to get started.

**TonyDi** · 03-25-2016, 12:47 PM

Duke it will help folks answer your questions by posting your RV details at the bottom of your posts like I have. You can do this by going to the top of the page to User CP. In the drop down box edit signature input your rig and pertinent info about it and you'll get more responses.
Assuming you have a smaller RV you should not have many problems finding a place to stay. If you are large 40-45' there are limited sites at most CGs so a reservation is recommended.
Good luck with your trip plans!!

brobox · 03-25-2016, 01:08 PM

We have been "wing it" travelers for the past 14 summers. Never know which way we are going to zig-zag between point A being FL to point B somewhere different each year.

Until last year we never had a problem outside of high tourist destinations, stopping where ever we wanted along the way. Last year with fuel prices at $2.00 a gallon, more Baby Boomers RV'ing now (record sales for the past 2 years) a good economy with disposable incomes up, etc. etc. We could no longer stop in the afternoon along our route without RV park after RV park being totally booked. We were shocked to see normal highway stops totally full by 3 PM. Strangest travel year we have ever seen. That was all the way from FL to CA. CO was probably the worst state finding a place to stay at the end of the day. That is now a destination state with the number of Sunbirds that fulltime now that go to CO during the hot summer months. Now I know what the Snowbird go though in my home state.

twogypsies · 03-25-2016, 03:27 PM

Reservations? It depends..... how fussy are you? We love national forest campgrounds or any public park. We rarely stay in a RV park and we don't drive interstates. We get off the beaten path. Therefore, we didn't have problems find places with our 40' motorhome.

The big 3-day holidays we'd stay away from anyplace with water - pools, rivers, lakes. That's where the weekenders will go. We always secured a spot on any given weekend by Thursday and we stayed through the weekend. You don't want to try to move on a weekend. Sunday afternoon and Monday are good days to move.

It appears you have a 32' which makes it even easier. There are many resources out there to be used in finding public parks. We especially liked Dow's web site for national forest campgrounds.

http://www.forestcamping.com/dow/list/nflist.htm

Even in Yellowstone and Grand Teton Nat'l Parks there are campgrounds in the parks themselves that don't even accept reservations. Those are the kinds of places we aimed for. We also arrived by mid-morning in popular areas and secured our site as folks were leaving. There's a big turnover daily. We'd stay nearby the previous night.

You mentioned heading to OK, TX, NM, AZ in June. The heat will be brutal unless you head for higher elevations in NM & AZ. You need to be at least 7,000 elevation which is certainly doable but that should be your destination.

Do you know more about what you want to see in those states? That would help to give you ideas. Good luck.

Duke48 · 03-25-2016, 08:10 PM

We have had minimal travels west of the Mississippi. Most of our adventures have been associated with water, traveling by boat. Anytime we mention our plans for a trip west to our friends the response is: you gota go to, be sure to see, need to experience the, and etc., we have decided to set our sails for a downwind run, and follow where ever that might lead. Our past experience has proven KISS and enjoy the journey.

Communicating with the folks associated with this forum is a real pleasure. The information provided is always positive and presented in manor us newbies can understand.

OLYLEN · 03-26-2016, 08:23 AM

I would not do without reservations on at least a big part of your route. Temps will be in the high 90's to low 100's so AC is a must. Unless on your route there are places at high altitude then here and there you would be ok or you might run the Gen if OK for most of the night, with the price of gas it's cheaper than a camp sight with power.

LEN

Gary RVRoamer · 03-26-2016, 08:42 AM

Except for the high traffic spots like the Arizona/Utah national parks, you should be fine unless you are a "supersize' rig where choices will be more limited to begin with.

Even then, you can probably make reservations 1-3 days in advance, as your plans firm up. Also, if you stop early in the day (say 4 pm), you can usually get a good site in most areas.

VAParrothead · 03-26-2016, 10:44 AM

I sometimes take the RV on business trips. For the dates of my meetings, I'll made advance reservations. For dates in between, I'll wing it. Not usually a problem.

Clay L · 03-26-2016, 02:21 PM

We used the 10/3 rule - leave by 10 and stop by 3 - and we usually called ahead for a reservation around noon or so. Rarely had a problem in 11 years of full timing.

SpaceNorman · 03-26-2016, 03:04 PM

I tend to view heading off in the coach as being somewhat akin to travelling in a 747 ... you don't take off in that bitch unless you've got a pretty darn good plan in terms of where you're going to land it! As a result, we usually make reservations. We'll "wing it" IF we're traveling "off season" .. and heading toward parks that we're familiar with. Unfamiliar territory, middle of the camping season ... reservations can help keep the weirdness to a minimum.

KT4Wextra · 03-26-2016, 03:39 PM

There is a lot to see west of the Mississippi. I particularly like Southern Utah with all the canyonland parks. If you are 62yo or older make sure you have an "America the Beautiful" senior pass. Cost is $10 for a lifetime and it gives you free entrance to most national parks and lots of other amenities like 50% discount at Corps or Engineer campgrounds. Of course northern Arizona with the north and south rims of the Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, Crater Lake and much more. Lots of beautiful sights in New Mexico and Texas (Big Bend National Park). A great adventure, you won't regret it.