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Old 07-14-2011, 10:40 AM   #1
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DW was wondering what y'all do inre reservations, while on the road, make 'em or poke and hope? We have almost everything locked in from now to Sept with only a few shorttimes not covered, and plan on winging it those times. After the RV Show and Dreams Rally in Hershey, we'll be heading back south for the winter, after that we'll be 'for real, Full Timers', (sorta are now, except for the next few days the 5er will be in the shop and we'll be at our 'home' w/ the kids), so, how do the full timers handle it? Thanks
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Old 07-14-2011, 12:45 PM   #2
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We do not make reservations unless the CG is the destination. Otherwise, I will have a list of CGs in the vicinity of where I want to stop that gives me the flexibility to drive an extra hour or stop an hour early. Although retired, we are early birds so we hit the road early and stop early, like 2-3PM, so there are always plenty of sites available at whatever CG we pick. It is a rare time, we are looking for a 2nd CG and that is most likely at public parks, can't recall ever having a problem at a private CG.
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Old 07-14-2011, 09:47 PM   #3
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I've actually driven more than 400 miles after the first call to find a campground ... and I didn't care if it was public or private. Now we always make reservations in advance. Just talked to a client yesterday that tried to go camping within 100 miles of where we live this past weekend. Couldn't find a campground with an opening.

I remember when we could pick up and go and find a campground at will, but not now. Maybe Dayle's strategy works in the Southwest but I wouldn't depend on it in Michigan or Wisconsin.
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Old 07-14-2011, 11:31 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by papa2
Â*Maybe Dayle's strategy works in the Southwest but I wouldn't depend on it in Michigan or Wisconsin.


I've camped in most of the lower 48 states and 3 Canadian provinces, not just the Southwest. That also includes nine public and private CGs in Michigan. But, as much as possible, I avoid the popular spots during summer vacation, the advantage of being retired.
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Old 07-14-2011, 11:48 PM   #5
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When ever we take off, we usually make reservations for our destination spot. Other wise we have been fortunate in being able to either find a campground spot when we want to call it good for the day, or, I'm not above staying in a wayside for the night.



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Old 07-15-2011, 01:58 AM   #6
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We travel without reservations because we prefer to not be so structured and remain flexible.
We, like Larry, try to stop by 3:00 in the afternoon and have not had any problems finding a site.
If you like resorts, which we do not, it may be a different situation.
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Old 07-15-2011, 06:01 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by papa2
Remember when we could pick up and go and find a campground at will, but not now. Maybe Dayle's strategy works in the Southwest but I wouldn't depend on it in Michigan or Wisconsin.

- Here in Ontario, most Provincial Parks (at least the good ones) sell out their summer prime times in early March.
-Private campgrounds that are close to tourist areas sell out early April/May.

- You can get midweek stuff on no reservations, but you'd better have a plan come Friday to Sunday.

- I'm heading to Lake George soon, and have had my reservations since March!
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Old 07-15-2011, 07:39 AM   #8
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We don't move without reservations. We have called mid route to try and get a site. Our hardest times is early spring on the way home from fl.
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Old 07-15-2011, 09:01 AM   #9
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we travel 3- 4 months a year and only make res for special occasions,and holidays,and weekends at resort locations.midweek we never have had trouble ,except yellowstone and grand teton's RV parks
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Old 07-15-2011, 11:20 AM   #10
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Quote:
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Quote:
Originally Posted by papa2
Maybe Dayle's strategy works in the Southwest but I wouldn't depend on it in Michigan or Wisconsin.




I've camped in most of the lower 48 states and 3 Canadian provinces, not just the Southwest. That also includes nine public and private CGs in Michigan. But, as much as possible, I avoid the popular spots during summer vacation, the advantage of being retired.


The day I traveled 400 miles before getting a camp site we started calling 12:30 p.m on a Friday. We looked into state forest and National Forest campgrounds on our way, called county parks, State Parks and private campgrounds. Can't afford resort campgrounds. All were booked until we were fortunate enough to find a flooded site in a private campground in Wisconsin @ 10:00 p.m.

I admit I have no interest in a Walmart parking lot. To me that is not camping. Same for Casino camp grounds. I'm on the road to camp with all that implies. Glad you have been so fortunate as to find camping spots without reservations. I have had repeated failures here in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin from Memorial Day to Labor Day. I'll continue to call ahead. To me simply not worth the failure, fatigue and extraordinary long days.
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Old 07-15-2011, 12:35 PM   #11
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We have all the stops planned and reserved before we leave on a trip. We have been taking trips during the summer and know places will be full. That is what we do. However, I have talked to many that have the discount catalogs out and making call as they get a few miles out of town. I guess they do OK. I would always fear that you might get a bad park shooting from the hip. One more down side is that if you want to stay longer in one spot you can without having to change everything around.



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