Camping Reservations

[EvandTerry]

This is sort of a lame question, but we're newbies. It's fun to just pack up and leave on impulse, but we don't want to end up without a campsite. Some of the places we've checked in Ca. and up the West Coast require months ahead reservations, and sometimes we can't plan that far ahead. I'm interested in what you experienced campers recommend re planning a trip, Have any of you had good luck stopping at a campgd and being able to snag a spot without a reservation, due to cancellations? Obviously, holidays and summer when kids are out of school would make reservations more important. Also, any must-visit places you recommend? We are sitting on the couch with maps, day dreaming where to go next...

[GerryS]

I think that is area specific. Here I the flatlands, I can find someplace. Even if it isn't a choice spot....

[pete42]

I try to spend a couple of months in Florida each year during the Jan-Feb-March time frame
I have been trying to reserve a spot in ********** state park for years with no sucess it is booked 11 months in advance
and the people must sit by their computers waiting for the ol' clock to tick over to the midnight hour to book.
I didn't mention the name of the park because I don't need others adding to the list.
while they do have drive up first come first serve spots they are usually filled very early as well.
I do have three weeks scheduled next year in Florida at three different state parks one's I have used in the past all are set for Feburary.
since I have three sets of friends who live in Florida I will take them up on their offers and spend a week or less with them also.

all I can tell you as you already know California does have campers who schedule months in advance.
I'm sure if you want to go to a different location other than the "hot" spots you will be able to enjoy your new found hobby.

pete

[doug hodder]

You should pick up the Foghorn Outdoors California Camping guide. It has over 1500 campgrounds for tents and RV's. While a lot of the sites are by reservation, there are quite a few that are first come first serve. It rates them all and lists the amenities/attractions for each. Doug

[DMcCam]

Doug's right, many CA campgrounds have a number of first-come-first serve spaces. If you search fcfs campgrounds in CA you'll get a bunch of listings to follow. From what I've experienced in the Sierra range, you'll want to get to your hopeful camping area early preferably before the weekend.

Cheers,

Dave

[CarlLaFong]

In CA, I have always found that Monday mornings are the best time to show up at the first come, first serve campgrounds. You can usually get a spot. I always set up as quickly as I can, then go scour the rest of the campground for firewood that other campers left behind.

[TJinPgh]

Can't speak to California but around here, I've done both the first come first serve and the reservation approach.

I camp a lot in Erie. Up until recently, I camped almost exclusively at Sarah's, which is a first come place. Since I haven't built my camper yet I've pretty much just tent camped. Sadly, the number of tent sites has been rapidly diminishing there. The last time I went I ended up making reservations someplace else.

Ultimately, at any place popular I've found that I'm probably not going to get a spot much later in the week than Wednesday or perhaps Thursday.

Try going on a Friday or Saturday and it's probably not going to happen unless they decide to start packing people in like sardines.

That said, unless it's a holiday weekend I usually don't need to reserve things much in advance. The state parks usually have something with less than 2 weeks advance booking.

Some counties maintain their own parks. A lot of times you can find a place there without reservations unless it's a really busy weekend (like a festival going on or something). They tend to be pretty sparse, though. So, if you're looking for something more than minimalist you're probably better off booking.

[Shadow Catcher]

I will second it is often site/location specific. We made only two reservations on our month long trip both in California and both in popular destinations Big Basin Redwoods and the effort to get one in Yosemite (all were full one minute after the process opened up) and we ended up in Diamond O a better alternative anyway. Only once did we have a real problem with not having a reservation and that was Lake Superior Shores where we did eventually find a spot.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

I'm in PA, and this usually isn't a problem, to just pick up and go. However, one of my favorite spots to camp, Assateague Island in Maryland, does get booked at least 6 months in advance. Its a gamble, but you can usually cancel your reservation without penalty, if you can cancel early enough.

[48Rob]

If you're brave (location dependent as mentioned) you can generally get a spot, first come-first serve, if you arrive late morning or early afternoon.
If you wait until mid/late afternoon, chances drop to near zero.

While just jumping in the car and leaving is fun, it is much less stressful to plan ahead and at least know what campgrounds are available, and what your chances are of getting a spot...unless you don't mind "camping" in parking lots, side streets, etc.

There are at least in the Midwest, a lot of county, and some city parks that allow camping.
They are usually small 5-20 spots, but nice and generally not crowded like the big parks are.
Forget about them on big holidays though, as the locals will have them full.

Rob

[mary and bob]

Hey pete42: We were recently able to book a site in ****???? Florida state park in February only because reservations couldn't be made because of construction projects. At 8 AM on the day they opened up for reservations we were online & the phone at the same time. The park was all reserved by 8:15!! We are doing several state parks in Florida in Feb. Down the east coast, then back up the west coast. Maybe we'll see you somewhere. Taking our 84 Uhaul camper on this trip, not the teardrop.

[CAJUN LADY]

Pete and Bob, I think I know which park y'all are talking about. If it's what I'm thinking of, I live about 40 miles from there. I can never get a campsite and the cost of camping there is high, in my opinion. But, it's great if you have a boat and love being on the water.

[mary and bob]

becca, how are top sail, henderson and st. george campgrounds. , we have booked at long key on the keys, everyhthing else was long ago booked, got in long key becuase you couldnt book untill july 18 and in a matter of 10 min it was all booked, we got the one of the last two sites, and we were on at 8:00 when it started, never been there so we'll see what its like.

[CAJUN LADY]

Bob, never been to the Keys and I've lived here 17 years. The campground I'm talking about is in Pinellas County and ALWAYS full! And traffic is horrendous! There are great campgrounds on the East Coast, close to the FL/GA border too. I camp a good bit in the Ocala National Forest.

[mary and bob]

We are booked at fort desoto for a few nights, looked like a good place