2022 worse for reservations

[Woodworker]

I learned a few yrs ago to make all my reservations for the year in Jan. Last yr I made them on the 1st or 2nd an got the dates I wanted. This yr I waited, not by choice until the 4th. I didn't get the dates I wanted nor could I get one particular campground on the north end of West Lake on a Wed or Thursday through Sunday. I ended up reserving for a Sunday through Wed. Thinking going back to work for a Thursday and Friday was stupid so I reserved Wed through Sunday at our favorite campground on the other end of West Lake.
Part of the problem this year was that the Corp of Engineers blocked off July through Dec. so everybody was packed into Jan. through June. Knowing there is ready an issue with a lot of campers all they did was make the problem worse.
Not sure what their thinking was behind that decision but I'm sure I wasn't the only one that found that very inconvenient.

[kirkelli]

Everyone is climbing aboard the RSVP bandwagon and it is driving the cost up at every single RV sites. Three years ago we were always able to pick up the phone on the fly and get an RSVP at our favorite RV places. Now they are all booked and most are booked a year out. We started resorting to Bon-Docking last year and actually enjoying it a lot more. The key is get your rig set up with solar and lithiums, a good small inverter generator and your set. Bon-docking sites are also free and away from the city Idio*s.. We frequent many in the Serrias and Northern Calif. There are even some locations where we get a guy that comes through with his Sewer pump truck and pumps black and grey tanks for $20 bucks a pop. We only use the inverter generator when we need the AC, the Solar and Lithiums easily keep up with daily power needs. You should try it. No headaches or heartaches. Just Peace and Quit

[KCSA75]

Originally Posted by Woodworker

...
Part of the problem this year was that the Corp of Engineers blocked off July through Dec. so everybody was packed into Jan. through June. Knowing there is ready an issue with a lot of campers all they did was make the problem worse.
Not sure what their thinking was behind that decision but I'm sure I wasn't the only one that found that very inconvenient.

It's been my experience that COE campgrounds have only allowed reservations six months (180 days) in advance for a while now.

Regardless, even in our part of the world it's getting harder to book sites. The booking window opens at 10 a.m. EST. I've been trying for a few days now to get a reservation at Table Rock Lake in southern Missouri with no success.

[kirkelli]

Originally Posted by KCSA75

It's been my experience that COE campgrounds have only allowed reservations six months (180 days) in advance for a while now.

Some don't even accept RSVP, but the locations that do, per my little app, show 180 days as you say.. If you read their fine print and i know by experience, RSVP sites are not guaranteed, only a spot. People in Calif are rude as heck. they'll go in and take up any spot they want regardless if it has a RSVP card posted on the site, knowing the camp host will not enforce it. Camp host will just tell you to find and empty unused spot. It's getting pretty crazy out there

[Woodworker]

Originally Posted by KCSA75

It's been my experience that COE campgrounds have only allowed reservations six months (180 days) in advance for a while now.

Regardless, even in our part of the world it's getting harder to book sites. The booking window opens at 10 a.m. EST. I've been trying for a few days now to get a reservation at Table Rock Lake in southern Missouri with no success.

In 5 or 6 yrs I've never had a problem booking a site in July. Not until this yr

[TaftCoach]

10 am January 1st I was pounding the keyboard getting my July 1st week booked. I am mostly finished for seven weeks this summer. Initially I missed the days of just going and finding things on the fly, now I plan more and can relax with reservations made. The only downside is we tend to play it safe and stay at places we know. Not many new this year.

[OnTheGo]

Originally Posted by kirkelli

Everyone is climbing aboard the RSVP bandwagon and it is driving the cost up at every single RV sites. Three years ago we were always able to pick up the phone on the fly and get an RSVP at our favorite RV places. Now they are all booked and most are booked a year out. We started resorting to Bon-Docking last year and actually enjoying it a lot more. The key is get your rig set up with solar and lithiums, a good small inverter generator and your set. Bon-docking sites are also free and away from the city Idio*s.. We frequent many in the Serrias and Northern Calif. There are even some locations where we get a guy that comes through with his Sewer pump truck and pumps black and grey tanks for $20 bucks a pop. We only use the inverter generator when we need the AC, the Solar and Lithiums easily keep up with daily power needs. You should try it. No headaches or heartaches. Just Peace and Quit

I think that's the way we're all headed (because we have to) and you're ahead of the curve.

[RPR]

Supply and demand. Pay to play. It’s not going to get any better or less expensive. We are adapting to the new world of RVing. Not going to let it keep us from enjoying are heathy retirement years traveling when we want.

[OnTheGo]

Originally Posted by RPR

Supply and demand. Pay to play. It’s not going to get any better or less expensive. We are adapting to the new world of RVing. Not going to let it keep us from enjoying are heathy retirement years traveling when we want.

That's the attitude we have to have to enjoy RVing. We can't tell others they can't RV because it's already crowded. If it gets to the point it's not worth it, more spaces will have to be available or folks will quit buying RVs.

I hope us seasoned RV veterans don't end up fighting for the last space at Walmart.

[kirkelli]

Well,, looks like lots of changes coming for Park RSVP.. A lot of parks will start requiring RSVP to even enter.. Attached video has a lot of good info

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYzn5I9Ra4s

[Yooper906]

Originally Posted by RPR

Supply and demand. Pay to play. It’s not going to get any better or less expensive. We are adapting to the new world of RVing. Not going to let it keep us from enjoying are heathy retirement years traveling when we want.

Well said. Good attitude, willing to adapt is everything towards having a great time rv'ing.
Good post!

[DamonBecky]

Yes, just have to keep our chins up! We have always been able to get a site at Lake Catherine SP (Arkansas State Parkes) a year out, we make it the day we check in. Last summer tried to do that, but system was down at office. Tried online the next day, and could not get our 14 days we love to get because of the "group" policy they had... a group was allowed to reserve several spots at 11 months. Ugh. First we knew about it...but they said that policy was going to be discontinued for 2022. We did get a 10-day site, not lakeside but close, so thankful for that.
All to say this: we just have to go--if we really love going--with the flow, as they say.
Hope to get somewhere if we can't get exactly where we'd like to get. I just consider it "new frontiers."

[RPR]

I would diligently check their web site for any cancellations.

[fnlvr234]

I always camp in CA, never ever had this happen to me.

[Yooper906]

For Michigan State Parks, you can't reserve a site if it's over 6 months til your arrival date.
In other words, you can't reserve a site longer than 6 months away.

[Scott91370]

Yeah, this not be able to just hook up and go is pretty annoying. We don't plan our trips like a lot of people and are more last minute types. Because of these two things I've been thinking of selling and rent a trailer when I need (want) it.