Camping Adventures: Reservations or Not?

Reservations or Not?

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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Camping Adventures
Forum Discription: Post your camping adventures here for all to share
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15164
Printed Date: 03 May 2025 at 7:28am
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Topic: Reservations or Not?

Posted By: jato
Subject: Reservations or Not?
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2022 at 3:57am

Over the past few years it appears that interest in camping has exploded, even in the "off" or "shoulder" months. We do the bulk of our camping during that time yet find having to reserve spots a necessity, especially in national parks. Have you noticed the same? Any suggestions as to national parks you have recently visited in the off season where reservations are not needed? Also sometimes we enjoy going to a state park where electricity is available. Recommendations on state parks (midwest - west) you have visited where reservations are not needed? Thanks

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God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

Replies:

Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2022 at 6:19am

We're back from a 9100 mile run (NH to Baja, MX) and I find you are right about reservations. The Federals we stayed at this run, we would not have been able to without prior reserving. Last year had it's issues with some just being closed, but this year is one of either full or NP's no longer dealing with filling sites. The State CG's we stayed at were about 50% required to reserve first.

This said, every CG we went to had open sites! The strangest one was a BLM CG outside Prescot, AZ. That one was nearly empty, they stopped the 'self-register' and you had to online register for a site! Thankfully they had cell service there, but there was a Host and he wasn't allowed to register us!

Where it used to be, be early for a good site. Now it's be early for a site.. this includes BLM.

National Seashore Fort Pickens was truly full. Reserve

Sea Rim State TX was also. Reserve

Seminole Canyon State TX. Reserve 3/4 full

Big Bend NP. Reserve Chisos Basin was fully reserved, but not full

Big Bend Ranch TX. FF and plenty of space!

That's a good sampling of what we found..

There's still plenty of camping in Baja, MX! We had no reservations down there. Issue there is if they are still open... Many places are still trying to open, especially off the beaten path. Boondocking in Baja is still wide open!

Safe Travels!

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2017 Tacoma
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2004 F150 My Overlander

Posted By: EchoGale
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2022 at 4:10pm

I've been traveling since last May and been up and down the coast of California since December. I've had a lot of luck finding great places to camp looking at county websites. Los Angeles County, Ventura County, Santa Barbara County, and San Luis Obispo County all have really nice campgrounds at reasonable prices (I'm parked along the beach in Ventura right now). They often offer both hookup and non-hookup options and because they are less known, I've had great luck finding availability. The prime places (like oceanfront)have been even available on the weekends.

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Julie