SWharton Posted October 29, 2018 Report Share Posted October 29, 2018 This will be our first summer of full time camping. I am concerned(not sure I should be) about getting campgrounds. I read that people have a hard time getting campgrounds in the summer but don't know if it is where they camp, type of cg they want etc. We have always camped mid-August to late May with no problems, never over the summer. We plan to spend time in Northern CA, WA, OR and ID this summer. Not sure which state or states yet. We mainly look for very basic cgs, no pools, 30a elec. is OK. Don''t mind boondocking for a bit. Like COE, NFS etc cgs. We like to base camp for a week or so and travel around an area. We don't like to make reservations, too restrictive. All ideas welcome............ Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobsallyh Posted October 29, 2018 Report Share Posted October 29, 2018 We too are full timers for 15 years. We spend summers in the Yellowstone area of Idaho and Montana. On the way north we are in Idaho. About mid-July we move to western Montana, Kalispell and surrounding areas. Then in Idaho again on the way south. We don't make reservations. We do some dry camping and when we see the word "Resort" on an RV park sign, we just drive on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch_12078 Posted October 29, 2018 Report Share Posted October 29, 2018 Usually the only reservations we make for the summer are for the 4th of July week and Labor Day week where we have specific state park and site preferences. Those reservations are made in the first couple of minutes the reservation windows open at Reserve America 10 months in advance. The rest of the summer we might make a reservation a week ahead if a park looks like it's getting pretty full. We mostly stay in the NY and VT areas during the summer, and we have a few private spots and remote boondocking spots that we use in between public parks. That gives us a lot of flexibility in scheduling. Dutch 2001 GBM Landau 34' Class A F-53 Chassis, Triton V10, TST TPMS 2011 Toyota RAV4 4WD/Remco pump ReadyBrute Elite tow bar/brake system Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted October 29, 2018 Report Share Posted October 29, 2018 We have also spent summers in those states without reservations. Since you enjoy the type of camping that we do you shouldn't have any problems. Public campgrounds, especially national forest, are awesome. We even survived the Washington/Oregon coasts without reservations. If you want resorts or full-service places with a pool that's where the reservations begin. Full-timed for 16 YearsTraveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted October 29, 2018 Report Share Posted October 29, 2018 We were fulltime for 12 years and have been seasonal/summer RVing for the past 7 years. We seldom make reservations but we do so for holidays or in high traffic tourist areas and also in New England where we found a lack of RV parks and campgrounds. Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWharton Posted October 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2018 OK. You all have confirmed what we thought, no need for reservations if flexible. We are usually in camp by 1 so that should be helpful also. Thanks for confirming this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twotoes Posted October 30, 2018 Report Share Posted October 30, 2018 For high demand areas like CA coast or places like Yellowstone you will need a reservation but for most other areas you will not. 2015 Itasca Ellipse 42QD 2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon Hard Rock Edition 2021 Harley Street Glide Special Fulltimer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWharton Posted October 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2018 Thanks but we wouldn't be going to those type of places in the summer. We avoid crowds if at all possible, lot else to see and enjoy in this country................ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted October 30, 2018 Report Share Posted October 30, 2018 4 hours ago, Twotoes said: For high demand areas like CA coast or places like Yellowstone you will need a reservation but for most other areas you will not. In and around Yellowstone there are campgrounds that don't even accept reservations. You have to get there early though but it's doable. Full-timed for 16 YearsTraveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToddF Posted October 30, 2018 Report Share Posted October 30, 2018 One way to do July-August is to become a CG Host, guaranteeing a campsite in a desired location and saving $ at the same time. That's how we managed to spend the month of August on Minnesota's North Shore for the last 2 summers. Places like MN North Shore are very popular July-Aug and difficult to get reservations in. We like the Jersey Shore after Labor Day, no crowds and no res needed. Another area where July-Aug would be tough to get reservations w/o planning and big $. We prefer the Midwest and East...more crowded July-Aug. S+B is our choice for the big weekends and month of July. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted October 30, 2018 Report Share Posted October 30, 2018 4 hours ago, ToddF said: One way to do July-August is to become a CG Host, guaranteeing a campsite in a desired location and saving $ at the same time. We frequently spend that time as RV volunteers at a national wildlife refuge where there are only a few sites and lots of privacy and solitude. Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWharton Posted October 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2018 We have been looking at volunteer.gov. Haven't found anything that interests us yet but we are also not sure we want to stay in one place for a couple months since we haven't been to that area of the country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat & Pete Posted October 30, 2018 Report Share Posted October 30, 2018 1 hour ago, SWharton said: We have been looking at volunteer.gov. Haven't found anything that interests us yet but we are also not sure we want to stay in one place for a couple months since we haven't been to that area of the country. Maybe the camp you're working would be ideal as a hub for exploring the surrounding area . Plus , you get the added benefit of the locals being more open about whats there . Even more beneficial : The friends you might make while 'investing' in an area . >< Goes around , comes around . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWharton Posted October 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2018 Right now we are leaning toward 1-2 weeks in an area to explore and then move on, but plans change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whj469 Posted October 30, 2018 Report Share Posted October 30, 2018 We spend our summers in the UP of MI. We own two lots in an RV development on Lake Huron in Cedarville. It is rural and the summer population is mostly seniors and there are many activities geared for us. Rock concerts by people our age, the largest antique wooden boat show, museums etc that we can walk to. Lots of good fishing and some good classes to learn crafts, games and other things. Walmart is only two years old and 32 miles away. Being from SE Texas, the worst summer weather in the US, we love the UP summer weather. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWharton Posted October 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2018 We lived in Houston for 7 years, miserable...........That sounds nice. I will tuck it away for the future, right now we are interested in the NW. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToddF Posted October 30, 2018 Report Share Posted October 30, 2018 I didn't mean you have to do 2 months as CG Host. MN will take folks for 2-4 weeks if they have openings, subject to the park ranger's discretion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted October 30, 2018 Report Share Posted October 30, 2018 If, in the future, you're interested in volunteering at a place you're particularly fond of and are staying there, you have a chance to go in person to ask if there are any volunteer openings or will be the next year. We got all our volunteer gigs by being there in person. I really think that helps rather than going through a web site. They like to talk to you in person. One wanted us on the spot but we already had plans. We asked if we could return for the Fall season instead and were welcomed. We also negotiated to do this for only 6-8 weeks; never more. Rocky Mtn. Nat'l Park wanted 3 m. so we proposed to split it with another couple. They agreed if we could line it up. We easily rounded up a friend to do this with us. It worked out great and we were even able to switch some days if either of us wanted to do something special. We got the jobs in person for Sleeping Bear Dunes Nat'l Rec Area in Michigan, Lost Dutchman State Park, Arizona, Heceta Head Lighthouse in Oregon, the Fish Hatchery in Klamath, OR... and others. We would only volunteer in a place we really would like to explore in depth. You have plenty of down time to do this. Also, volunteering shouldn't be about getting a free campsite. That's a nice perk but the reason you should volunteer should be because you want to help out the agency in some way. They really appreciate it and they desperately need help. Full-timed for 16 YearsTraveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWharton Posted October 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2018 That is our thoughts also, scope out an area, if we like it discuss with the staff to see about a short term volunteer position for this year or next year. We know we don;t want to travel constantly and have always volunteered when we had a S&B. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted October 30, 2018 Report Share Posted October 30, 2018 8 hours ago, Pat & Pete said: Maybe the camp you're working would be ideal as a hub for exploring the surrounding area Exactly what we have done. At every volunteer location, we visit everything for 100 to 150 miles in all directions. Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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