Newbie: How to travel without reservations?

[Texsinbad]

In the process of buying a GD (either Imagine XLS 17MKE or Transcend Xplore 200MK)--yes, we know that it is the worse time to buy, but don't want to wait 6 months to a year when it will probably be better.

Anyway, with campgrounds being full or fuller, how can we travel without making a schedule of when/where with reservations? We would like to pick a direction and stop when/where we want to for as long or as short as we want. Are those days gone too?

Any suggestions/comments welcome.

Thanks

 

[livinthelife]

In the process of buying a GD (either Imagine XLS 17MKE or Transcend Xplore 200MK)--yes, we know that it is the worse time to buy, but don't want to wait 6 months to a year when it will probably be better.

Anyway, with campgrounds being full or fuller, how can we travel without making a schedule of when/where with reservations? We would like to pick a direction and stop when/where we want to for as long or as short as we want. Are those days gone too?

Any suggestions/comments welcome.

Thanks

It just depends on where you're headed, and how popular an area that would be. I'm a planner, so we tend to have our reservations in place no later than 4 months out from any given date. We also plan long trips, so it's nice to know we have a place waiting for us each night.

I'd suggest you have at least 3 places on your radar, if you're going to chance driving up and getting a site. Be aware that not all places have that many RV campgrounds. You should be willing to risk having to do a dry camping night, if you can't find an actual campground. Join the Elks, some of their locations have camping sites, first come, first served.

The earlier in the day you can arrive (immediately after check out time) you'd have your best shot at getting a site.

And, of course, things are tighter in the southwest, with the snowbirds from up north.

 

[WhittleBurner]

Traveling these days with no reservations could be difficult. It had alread become difficult pre covid but now with the huge uptick in sales it is even more difficult. The best chances are risking state or national forest spots that don't take reservations, first come first serve basis. BUT you will have to be prepared for no power/water/sewer. We learned a few years ago if it is a popular destination spot you need reservations.

These days I would plan about 3 to 4 days out at the minimum

 

[sande005]

You probably can if you anticipate these potential roadblocks:

1. Overall popularity of the area, and its high season. Yellowstone in August? Never. Florida Keys in February? In your dreams! Southeast Minnesota in mid Sept? Very high probability.
2. "Desirability" of the campground. 1/2 day or less from a larger urban center? Odds go down. Pool/"resort" amenities? Odds go down. Plain gravel lot miles from anywhere - probably open.
3. Weekends/Holidays vs mid-week. Many places on holiday weekends will have a 3 night minimum.
4. Cost. State Parks or COE? Odds go down. KOA? Odds go up.
5. Competition vs demand. The only one in the next 100 miles of Interstate? Odds go down. 4 to choose from at the next exit? Odds go up.

Of course, there is a significant interplay between all 5 points.

I generally plan way ahead. But have done it very successfully the other way too. All depends on when, what you are looking for, and how important the stopping spot is to you. And your tolerance for "Geez, we're gonna have to drive another 80 miles or be 80 miles away...."

 

[mdanielson]

We recently downloaded the free app, "dyrt". It shows multiple types of campgrounds from pricey upscale to state parks to municipal and COE and NRD. What I like about it is that it uses an interactive map that shows everything (supposedly) close to you. Many have pictures and reviews uploaded by the users. Just an idea that may work well with what you're wanting. Have fun!

 

[AZMike]

We recently downloaded the free app, "dyrt". It shows multiple types of campgrounds from pricey upscale to state parks to municipal and COE and NRD. What I like about it is that it uses an interactive map that shows everything (supposedly) close to you. Many have pictures and reviews uploaded by the users. Just an idea that may work well with what you're wanting. Have fun!

Maybe I'm missing something, but I just downloaded the app and it's only "free" during the 7 day trial.

 

[mdanielson]

Maybe I'm missing something, but I just downloaded the app and it's only "free" during the 7 day trial.

There is a Pro Version that costs. I use the free version. I believe the only difference is being able to use the app offline. My free version does everything I need.

 

[Old Man]

Very good answers so far.

I'd recommend adding the free Campground Reviews website to your list of places to look and find very good campground information
https://www.campgroundreviews.com/

Also consider joining the Harvest Hosts program. It's a modest annual fee where you'll have access to a growing number of sponsors who will let you stay a night free of charge on their property, usually dry camping. Wineries, farms, breweries and orchards are included in the places you can stay.

An adventure awaits. Enjoy and travel safe.

 

[Malco1]

In the process of buying a GD (either Imagine XLS 17MKE or Transcend Xplore 200MK)--yes, we know that it is the worse time to buy, but don't want to wait 6 months to a year when it will probably be better.

Anyway, with campgrounds being full or fuller, how can we travel without making a schedule of when/where with reservations? We would like to pick a direction and stop when/where we want to for as long or as short as we want. Are those days gone too?

Any suggestions/comments welcome.

Thanks

I am not full time, so I make a reservation at my destination. When traveling for one or two days I stop at Walmart's or truck stops.

 

[Steve & Sheryl]

I'm a meticulous planner and I almost never make reservations until the day of. I hate to schedule days and times. But what I do do is preplan.
Before the trip I lay out waypoints about every hundred miles, then I find three potential sites near each waypoint. I try for one free (Walmart, rest stop, BLM, etc.) one park (national, state, or BLM) and one private (RV park). We keep a printed trip sheet with the waypoints and the names and phone numbers (if available) of the sites. Dailey drives are 1, 2, 3, and occasionally 4 waypoints, depending on what's happening at the time. If we intend to stay at a park or RV Park, we call after lunch for a reservation. There have been times I've been hoping for a nice long hot shower and we ended up in a Walmart lot, but I've never not had a place to stop.

I've started calling the Walmarts as part of the pre-planning, just to confirm they allow RVs. More and more don't.

I use freecampsites.net, recreation.gov, and Allstays.com. I also find state park websites.

Imagine XLS 17MKE and Transcend Xplore 200MK are good choices for freestyle traveling. Shorter is easier and you want to be able to use the trailer with out extending the slide. Its considered bad etiquette at Walmarts and rest stops.

Last bit. It is harder to get spots in State/National parks on weekends. We try to be on the road (free) Friday and Saturday nights and in parks Sunday through Friday morning. Less people in the parks too.

 

[bhop56]

I'm a meticulous planner and I almost never make reservations until the day of. I hate to schedule days and times. But what I do do is preplan.
Before the trip I lay out waypoints about every hundred miles, then I find three potential sites near each waypoint. I try for one free (Walmart, rest stop, BLM, etc.) one park (national, state, or BLM) and one private (RV park). We keep a printed trip sheet with the waypoints and the names and phone numbers (if available) of the sites. Dailey drives are 1, 2, 3, and occasionally 4 waypoints, depending on what's happening at the time. If we intend to stay at a park or RV Park, we call after lunch for a reservation. There have been times I've been hoping for a nice long hot shower and we ended up in a Walmart lot, but I've never not had a place to stop.

I've started calling the Walmarts as part of the pre-planning, just to confirm they allow RVs. More and more don't.

I use freecampsites.net, recreation.gov, and Allstays.com. I also find state park websites.

Imagine XLS 17MKE and Transcend Xplore 200MK are good choices for freestyle traveling. Shorter is easier and you want to be able to use the trailer with out extending the slide. Its considered bad etiquette at Walmarts and rest stops.

Last bit. It is harder to get spots in State/National parks on weekends. We try to be on the road (free) Friday and Saturday nights and in parks Sunday through Friday morning. Less people in the parks too.

Wow, super information. I'm a planner also. Non planning is OK IF you are truly prepared to sleep in some "not so nice" spots and situations some nights or not sleep at all. Benny

 

[Texsinbad]

Many thanks for all of the comments/suggestions.

I am retired. Meaning that I don't HAVE to be anywhere at any time.

For now, I will try to "wing it" and hope for the best.

 

[PerryDog]

I have camped all around Northern California, summer 2020 was challenging to find spots to camp. Even some of the less popular spots were hard to get into. With COViD many campgrounds required that you register prior to arrival, either by calling or online, some wanted at least a day in advance. Looking for camping spots in 2021 I am seeing less of that but it may change as we get closer to summer. Have fun camping!

 

[zinman]

In the process of buying a GD (either Imagine XLS 17MKE or Transcend Xplore 200MK)--yes, we know that it is the worse time to buy, but don't want to wait 6 months to a year when it will probably be better.

Anyway, with campgrounds being full or fuller, how can we travel without making a schedule of when/where with reservations? We would like to pick a direction and stop when/where we want to for as long or as short as we want. Are those days gone too?

Any suggestions/comments welcome.

Thanks

I have read all the suggestions/recommendations and agree with all. The one thing I will add is this. RVing will be increasing congested for all of us due to the number of new RVers coming onboard. That coupled with fact their aren't that many new rv parks or campgrounds being developed. It won't matter if your preplanning every nights/weeks stay or just winging it, RV sites will be in higher demand than they ever have before especially during peak vacation time frames. Someone mentioned planning 4 months in advance which is OK is your flexible on location. Were heading to Glacier National Park in July for a week. We obtained a site at West Glacier RV. The KOA there was already full and our reservations were made 8 months in advance. Safe travels and stay safe!!

 

[briand]

In the process of buying a GD (either Imagine XLS 17MKE or Transcend Xplore 200MK)--yes, we know that it is the worse time to buy, but don't want to wait 6 months to a year when it will probably be better.

Anyway, with campgrounds being full or fuller, how can we travel without making a schedule of when/where with reservations? We would like to pick a direction and stop when/where we want to for as long or as short as we want. Are those days gone too?

Any suggestions/comments welcome.

Thanks

The key is to not stay at campgrounds.

 

[ocbizman1]

Have recently tried to get into federal parks, National Parks/Forests, COE. Some of those have been impossible for us to get into until March or April of next year. I just gave up.

Recently found a KOA in Central Calif that was only about 5% occupied. Just drove in without a reservation there. We are currently at Perris Lake State Campground and while they were 80% over the weekend, they are 1% during the week right now. But the dry camping loops have been almost deserted for the last week.

In planning my winter I found that rv parks that we went to 15-20 years ago are either gone completely, or have been converted to timeshares or mobile home communities. It's annoying when I click on a park in the RVLife trip planner only to find that the place is gone or isn't an rv park any more. I have a Thousand Trails membership and can tell you that while the ones that I've been to or have looked up to make a reservation have always had space for retail customers, surprisingly have nothing available for 'members.'

But I could not say that I would have wanted the stress of going someplace without a reservation. I'm planned out for the next 4 weeks and am starting my planning for the next 4. There was a time 20 years ago when I could drive into the Grand Canyon on a Sunday and find a spot without a reservation. But those days are over.

 

[jjbbrewer]

About all of my travel is west of the Rocky Mountains. If I'm willing to dry camp or just have electricity, I haven't had much trouble finding spots for overnighting.

I know I'll get flamed, but I'll stay in Wal-Marts, rest areas, or semi-uncrowded truck stops if it needed. Also, I'm very familiar with BLM and USFS dispersed camping regulations. It's usually easy to find spots there.

Finally, any spot I find that's worthwhile I'll try to do a writeup on https://campgrounds.rvlife.com/

 

[AZMike]

About all of my travel is west of the Rocky Mountains. If I'm willing to dry camp or just have electricity, I haven't had much trouble finding spots for overnighting.

I know I'll get flamed, but I'll stay in Wal-Marts, rest areas, or semi-uncrowded truck stops if it needed. Also, I'm very familiar with BLM and USFS dispersed camping regulations. It's usually easy to find spots there.

Finally, any spot I find that's worthwhile I'll try to do a writeup on https://campgrounds.rvlife.com/

I don't see why you would get flamed. With the crazy cost of campgrounds these days, I also look for the most cost effective way to camp.

 

[jjbbrewer]

I don't see why you would get flamed.

Some people think you shouldn't be parking overnight at truck stops.
IMNSHO, if I buy a tank of diesel and some DEF, maybe get something to eat, I don't see why I shouldn't be allowed to park in the lot - especially if I'm on a work trip with my RV.

 

[AZMike]

Some people think you shouldn't be parking overnight at truck stops.

I also agree with that, as truckers by law have to rest after so many active hours, but many truck stops have RV specific spaces.