Comments on: RV Campground Reservations http://blog.rv.net/2008/12/rv-campground-reservations/ RV Campground & Camping Information - RV, Motorhome, Camper, Travel Trailer & 5th Wheel Owners Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:54:04 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Ron Butler http://blog.rv.net/2008/12/rv-campground-reservations/comment-page-1/#comment-63433 Ron Butler Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:49:06 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=3058#comment-63433 We have been traveling fulltime for the past 3+ years and very seldom make reservations for all of the above reasons already stated. The only time we got squeezed was in April at the Grand Canyon. The better half asked if we should make reservations and my response was "what for, this is April and it has over 300 spots, why would it be full this time of year!!" Well, they got us in for one night. That was before I learned from Bob D about the national forests and we could have boondocked just outside the southern entrance! We do make reservations at membership parks, since you have too, but always leave enough time to arrive there. We can usually get within a short drive and still have time for spur of the moment side trips. We also stay in the northwest during the summer and let those that are on short vacation schedules have the spaces. I can understand those families needing the security of a spot open for them during the summer months. It's great being retired!! We have been traveling fulltime for the past 3+ years and very seldom make reservations for all of the above reasons already stated. The only time we got squeezed was in April at the Grand Canyon. The better half asked if we should make reservations and my response was “what for, this is April and it has over 300 spots, why would it be full this time of year!!” Well, they got us in for one night. That was before I learned from Bob D about the national forests and we could have boondocked just outside the southern entrance! We do make reservations at membership parks, since you have too, but always leave enough time to arrive there. We can usually get within a short drive and still have time for spur of the moment side trips. We also stay in the northwest during the summer and let those that are on short vacation schedules have the spaces. I can understand those families needing the security of a spot open for them during the summer months. It’s great being retired!!

]]> By: HarryWM http://blog.rv.net/2008/12/rv-campground-reservations/comment-page-1/#comment-63426 HarryWM Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:16:51 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=3058#comment-63426 We make advance reservations only when going to a high usage destination area such as Orlando or places having major events such as Balloon Festival or when we have fixed dates to be somewhere. Our days are planned so we almost always arrive by 3:30 so parks are not filling yet.. We might make a phone call early afternoon to check availability and maybe make reservation at that time. We too like the flexibility of not being tied to staying at a certain place in a certain park. In 10 years of fulltiming this philosophy has yet to fail us. We make advance reservations only when going to a high usage destination area such as Orlando or places having major events such as Balloon Festival or when we have fixed dates to be somewhere. Our days are planned so we almost always arrive by 3:30 so parks are not filling yet.. We might make a phone call early afternoon to check availability and maybe make reservation at that time. We too like the flexibility of not being tied to staying at a certain place in a certain park. In 10 years of fulltiming this philosophy has yet to fail us.

]]> By: Frank Scivally http://blog.rv.net/2008/12/rv-campground-reservations/comment-page-1/#comment-63395 Frank Scivally Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:17:45 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=3058#comment-63395 My wife Lisa and I own Sagebrush Mobile Home and RV Park in Willcox in Southeast, Arizona and we love to have people call in for reservations. This is a quite and clean little park, located at 200 W. Lewis St. just two miles off Interstate 10 and you can walk to the El Ranchero Restaurant from our park. We have decided to do our part during the economic slowdown and are running a winter special for $12.50 per night for full hookups. We have a Rec Room with showers, laundry, Wi-Fi, and cable TV at every site. Please pass this to all your members and friends. Contact numbers for reservations at Sagebrush are (866)-401-1861 or (520)- 204-1718, or you can send an email to gary@sagebrushrvpark.com to check on site availability with the on-site manager, Gary and Jeanene Larcom. My wife Lisa and I own Sagebrush Mobile Home and RV Park in Willcox in Southeast, Arizona and we love to have people call in for reservations. This is a quite and clean little park, located at 200 W. Lewis St. just two miles off Interstate 10 and you can walk to the El Ranchero Restaurant from our park.

We have decided to do our part during the economic slowdown and are running a winter special for $12.50 per night for full hookups. We have a Rec Room with showers, laundry, Wi-Fi, and cable TV at every site.

Please pass this to all your members and friends. Contact numbers for reservations at Sagebrush are (866)-401-1861 or (520)- 204-1718, or you can send an email to gary@sagebrushrvpark.com to check on site availability with the on-site manager, Gary and Jeanene Larcom.

]]> By: Susan Blanchard http://blog.rv.net/2008/12/rv-campground-reservations/comment-page-1/#comment-63268 Susan Blanchard Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:45:34 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=3058#comment-63268 How can you possibly make reservations when you don't know where you are going? When we pull out of our driveway, whoever yells left or right the loudest wins, and that becomes the direction we travel. We have traveled this way for about twenty years, even with small children. We have never been disappointed because we could not find a place to stay, but have often found some beautiful spots, off the beaten path, which we might have missed had we needed to stay to a pre-planned schedule. The trick here is really about the ability to be flexible and enjoy the flow. How can you possibly make reservations when you don’t know where you are going? When we pull out of our driveway, whoever yells left or right the loudest wins, and that becomes the direction we travel. We have traveled this way for about twenty years, even with small children. We have never been disappointed because we could not find a place to stay, but have often found some beautiful spots, off the beaten path, which we might have missed had we needed to stay to a pre-planned schedule. The trick here is really about the ability to be flexible and enjoy the flow.

]]> By: John Shelton http://blog.rv.net/2008/12/rv-campground-reservations/comment-page-1/#comment-63209 John Shelton Tue, 30 Dec 2008 04:38:19 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=3058#comment-63209 I seem to be detecting a common thread among those here who prefer reservations. One thing that all mention is that the campgrounds are filled during peak tourist periods. Is not one of the benefits of the RV lifestyle that one can avoid the "tourist rush" that occurs at select locations during select time periods? To me, one of the major attractions of the RV lifestyle is the ability to run from the crowds and not have to make reservations months in advance so I can jump in with them and contribute to the crowding. Perhaps this is why I can only remember twice in more than 30 years that I have been turned away from a desired campground (or other suitable stopover location) because I had no reservations. I seem to be detecting a common thread among those here who prefer reservations. One thing that all mention is that the campgrounds are filled during peak tourist periods. Is not one of the benefits of the RV lifestyle that one can avoid the “tourist rush” that occurs at select locations during select time periods? To me, one of the major attractions of the RV lifestyle is the ability to run from the crowds and not have to make reservations months in advance so I can jump in with them and contribute to the crowding. Perhaps this is why I can only remember twice in more than 30 years that I have been turned away from a desired campground (or other suitable stopover location) because I had no reservations.

]]> By: Dan Rambow http://blog.rv.net/2008/12/rv-campground-reservations/comment-page-1/#comment-63202 Dan Rambow Tue, 30 Dec 2008 02:51:04 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=3058#comment-63202 We usually make reservations for the state parks when camping on weekends (and I do hate that reservation fee) but when traveling cross-country, we drive till we find something interesting or its getting late in the day and driving is getting a little tiring. I actually love driving my RV at night on the wide open western highways when we have to travel far, but I do not enjoy parking in the dark, so we usually find a place with about 1 hour of daylight left. We have always found a place, in that time frame, but after 1am, the rest areas work pretty well too. We usually make reservations for the state parks when camping on weekends (and I do hate that reservation fee) but when traveling cross-country, we drive till we find something interesting or its getting late in the day and driving is getting a little tiring. I actually love driving my RV at night on the wide open western highways when we have to travel far, but I do not enjoy parking in the dark, so we usually find a place with about 1 hour of daylight left. We have always found a place, in that time frame, but after 1am, the rest areas work pretty well too.

]]> By: Bruce http://blog.rv.net/2008/12/rv-campground-reservations/comment-page-1/#comment-63199 Bruce Tue, 30 Dec 2008 02:26:45 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=3058#comment-63199 Normally, I would prefer to make a reservation but I get really discusted with many of their cancellation policies. The parks that won't give a refund upon cancellation really tick me off, and unless I know for a fact that I will be there I will just take my chances. I currently have a reservation for a resort for February and if I cancel at least 24 hours prior to arrival, there is no charge. Now that is RV friendly! Normally, I would prefer to make a reservation but I get really discusted with many of their cancellation policies. The parks that won’t give a refund upon cancellation really tick me off, and unless I know for a fact that I will be there I will just take my chances. I currently have a reservation for a resort for February and if I cancel at least 24 hours prior to arrival, there is no charge. Now that is RV friendly!

]]> By: Tony Cornett http://blog.rv.net/2008/12/rv-campground-reservations/comment-page-1/#comment-63195 Tony Cornett Tue, 30 Dec 2008 01:49:45 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=3058#comment-63195 In my 6 years a a host on the central coast of Calif. while I agree mostly with Bob and Nick, but I also have to agree on the reservations especially in high end targeted areas. It is very touristy. I can't even count or remember the number of times people showed up and were flabbergasted, mad, irate and etc that we had no sites and nothing available along the coast within 100 miles or more and tuned away! In our area people can make reservations 7 months in advance and believe you me they sit at their computers at 12:10 a.m. 7 months in advance to make their reservations for the central coast. I guess your destination has a lot to do with it, but if you plan a trip to the central coast of Calif. during summer you had better have reservations! Tony http://firedude.thefiredude.com In my 6 years a a host on the central coast of Calif. while I agree mostly with Bob and Nick, but I also have to agree on the reservations especially in high end targeted areas. It is very touristy. I can’t even count or remember the number of times people showed up and were flabbergasted, mad, irate and etc that we had no sites and nothing available along the coast within 100 miles or more and tuned away! In our area people can make reservations 7 months in advance and believe you me they sit at their computers at 12:10 a.m. 7 months in advance to make their reservations for the central coast. I guess your destination has a lot to do with it, but if you plan a trip to the central coast of Calif. during summer you had better have reservations!

Tony
http://firedude.thefiredude.com

]]> By: Drew Mueller http://blog.rv.net/2008/12/rv-campground-reservations/comment-page-1/#comment-63192 Drew Mueller Tue, 30 Dec 2008 01:37:46 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=3058#comment-63192 We also like to make reservations...but so far, we are only taking planned trips. We now own a lot in Lake Havasu City, and we generally make reservations at the parks enroute there from our house in the San Francisco Bay Area. (We know the good ones we've used before, and I don't like unpredictable bad surprises at the end of the day). I really do look forward to just driving until something peaks my interest...and then just opening the bedroll, finding the chuck wagon...and gettin' some shut eye! We also like to make reservations…but so far, we are only taking planned trips. We now own a lot in Lake Havasu City, and we generally make reservations at the parks enroute there from our house in the San Francisco Bay Area. (We know the good ones we’ve used before, and I don’t like unpredictable bad surprises at the end of the day).

I really do look forward to just driving until something peaks my interest…and then just opening the bedroll, finding the chuck wagon…and gettin’ some shut eye!

]]> By: John Christman http://blog.rv.net/2008/12/rv-campground-reservations/comment-page-1/#comment-63188 John Christman Tue, 30 Dec 2008 01:18:58 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=3058#comment-63188 I make reservations ONLY when staying at a membership campground (as that's about the only way you can get in). I've found that if you arrive at your destination by no later than 3 pm on any given day of travel, staying in an RV Campground one will almost never be turned away except maybe a long holiday weekend or really high use park. I used to make reservations all the time, till on two occasions the parks kept my one nights deposit in full even when I called to cancel two WEEKS before my scheduled arrival date. Now I NEVER make reservations. I might call when I'm 30 minutes away but that's it. I make reservations ONLY when staying at a membership campground (as that’s about the only way you can get in). I’ve found that if you arrive at your destination by no later than 3 pm on any given day of travel, staying in an RV Campground one will almost never be turned away except maybe a long holiday weekend or really high use park.

I used to make reservations all the time, till on two occasions the parks kept my one nights deposit in full even when I called to cancel two WEEKS before my scheduled arrival date. Now I NEVER make reservations. I might call when I’m 30 minutes away but that’s it.

]]>