To Reserve or Not To Reserve

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   We are starting on our adventure of visiting all the national parks in the continental U. S. and I was wondering if it's a good idea to make reservations at campgrounds along the way before we leave or if there are enough of them that we should be able to find a place, assuming we are not too particular. In our pre-rpod days of travel we liked to have the flexibility of taking side trips if we saw something that was of interest to us and I'd rather not give up that flexibility if I don't have to. 

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mamcaloon Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 27 Jan 2017 Location: North Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 9	Topic: To Reserve or Not To Reserve Posted: 09 Mar 2017 at 4:51pm
	We are starting on our adventure of visiting all the national parks in the continental U. S. and I was wondering if it's a good idea to make reservations at campgrounds along the way before we leave or if there are enough of them that we should be able to find a place, assuming we are not too particular. In our pre-rpod days of travel we liked to have the flexibility of taking side trips if we saw something that was of interest to us and I'd rather not give up that flexibility if I don't have to.
	M&M 2016 183G 2015 Toyota Sienna XLE

Tars Tarkas Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 14 Jan 2013 Location: Near Nashville Online Status: Online Posts: 1446	Posted: 09 Mar 2017 at 9:01pm
	Reservations are usually pretty important at the National Parks, at least if you're going to be there from May to October. I like the freedom to drive longer or not as long as I thought I might and I don't mind spending the night between destinations at a Walmart or a truck stop. Plus, if you're talking about one trip to see all of the parks, if you get behind by one day it might be hard to catch up. I know there are ways to deal with that, but for me, I don't care for traveling reservations. If you want to stay in Yellowstone or the Smokies in July or August though you better have reservations. TT
	2010 176 FJ Cruiser

ronahue Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 02 Jun 2015 Location: Massachusetts Online Status: Offline Posts: 316	Posted: 10 Mar 2017 at 5:46am
	On long trips we usually start calling campgrounds in the afternoon when we have a good idea how much longer we want to drive. We use the Allstays app on an iPad to find campgrounds. For the national parks especially Yellowstone, Glacier, Rocky Mountain or Yosemite we make reservations 6 months in advance.
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mamcaloon Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 27 Jan 2017 Location: North Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 9	Posted: 10 Mar 2017 at 9:42am
	Thank you for the very helpful responses. That's what I was hoping to hear!
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fwunder Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04 Oct 2013 Location: New Jersey Online Status: Offline Posts: 1676	Posted: 10 Mar 2017 at 12:42pm
	ronahue and TT are spot on in our experience. When we crossed country, we made reservations at popular national parks six months in advance or as soon as the would take them. We currently have reservations for Schoodic Woods (Acadia) for first week in September. National Parks fill up fast. We did find that weeknight reservations at state or county parks were rarely needed. Of course, this advice changes with seasons. One tip (if you don't mind losing $10.00) is to go ahead and book as soon as the park allows - just to get a spot. Recreation.gov charges a $10.00 cancellation fee if done within 48 hours of reservation. We don't like doing that, but have had to a few times when our plans changed. fred
	2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!

TheBum Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 26 Feb 2016 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 1407	Posted: 10 Mar 2017 at 12:58pm
	State park reservations are also pretty important. We have a trip planned for the end of August to Chatfield State Park in Colorado and all of the <= 30-foot spots facing the lake are already reserved.

fwunder Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04 Oct 2013 Location: New Jersey Online Status: Offline Posts: 1676	Posted: 10 Mar 2017 at 7:36pm
	Yeah, it really just depends when and where you are I guess. Best to make 'em if you can. Also, you might want to print or download campground maps before you leave. Pulled into Santee State Park, SC after dark a couple of weeks ago (a Monday) with no reservations and no campground map. It wasn't crowded, but took a while with me walking in front of TV with flash lite to find a suitable site. Got lucky!
	2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!

Martinmyer Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 28 Apr 2017 Online Status: Offline Posts: 9	Posted: 02 May 2017 at 5:05am
	I think it would be better to reserve first to avoid unnecessary inconvenience, unless you're not really sure with the campgrounds.