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Getting Started....
(Almost) Everything You Need to
Know About Campground Reservations
Camping without reservations is a gamble and it’s a good bet you’ll lose, especially at the most popular parks on weekends and in peak season.
Now that Reserve America (ReserveAmerica.com) is one, big convenient clearing house, life is much simpler for camping on federal, state and other public lands .
But that’s just part of the story. Many other companies and programs are vying for your reservation dollars.
Whether it’s public or private park, RV travelers need to know all the rules, pitfalls and fine print that apply to finding and keeping campsite reservations.
* You’ll probably pay a non-refundable res fee, so before hitting Enter, make sure the site meets all your requirements (length, width, what hook-ups are provided and where on the site they are located. Is it pull- through versus back-in? Paved slab, gravel or mud? How many people and/or pets are permitted per site, and much more.
* I also want to learn more about the roads that lead to the campground. Are roads paved, exceedingly narrow? Are there any bridges with weight limits or underpasses with height limits? GPS isn’t always the best guide here. Check the camp’s own site for information on approaches including the campground’s entrance/staging area.
* Some campgrounds operate only on a first come, first served basis. Others take reservations but they keep some sites in reserve for late comers. Some campgrounds have overflow areas where an RV can be parked. You’ll be legal and within the security of the campground, but with no hookups. It’s good to have a Plan B.
* How far in advance can you get reservations? (Usually six months to one year). Seasoned campers actually pounce on popular campgrounds at one minute past midnight on the exact day reservations open.
* Rates usually vary with the seasons. So do some of the rules. However dates for high, shoulder and off seasons vary greatly. There may be a two- or three-night minimum on weekends or holidays.
* Public lands often have a maximum stay of, say, two weeks. With floods of RV-ers looking for overnight parking, some communities are banning them completely, limiting length of stay or increasing length-of-stay. Private campgrounds, by contrast, may offer yearly, seasonal and monthly rates at a discount. If you have a campground membership, check its length-of-stay rules.
* Cancellation policies vary greatly. Know how long a grace period you have to cancel, and what penalties apply. You could lose your whole deposit or even pay the entire cost of the site. The initial reservation fee is usually non-refundable and rates are rising.
* If you’re planning for a group get together, different rates and rules may apply for say, a cluster of buddy sites or for reserving a pavilion or picnic shelter.
* One reservation may not be enough for the camp-out you want. If there is a special concert, meal or event, it may require separate reservations. Some services within the RV resort may also require reservations such as a fishing guide, canoe rental or ranger-guided program.
* A campground may have to close suddenly because of a forest fire, drought, rock slide, flood or other emergency. Once you’re committed to a place and dates, stay aware of local conditions in the area.
* Campgrounds covered by Reserve America and other networks are just the beginning. Do a search for Campground+RV+Name of City, Region or State to see the wealth of information that pops up.
CAMPGROUNDS; GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS
We gather hard news from local sources such as zoning meetings and real estate transactions to get an early look at where new campsites may be found. This news may be incomplete or premature. It's up to the reader to follow up. Campgrounds and RV parks are listed by state or province.
* Country music idol Whey Jennings will headline the 5th Annual North Springs Music Festival in Whitleyville, Tennessee on October 11-12. Whey is the grandson of country outlaw legend Waylon Jennings, whose family operates a free campground in Littlefield, Texas. The festival features dozens of country music acts, multiple food trucks and vendors and unlimited dry camping for $10 per site. If you have tickets for the kickoff concert on Thursday, you can set up camp on Thursday morning. Bring your own chairs for the stage shows and bring cash because the Internet doesn’t always work here. See www.northspringsmusicfestival.com/
* Once called Hide-a-Way Lakes and now re-born as Fox Bluff Cottages & RV, a popular camping destination has been transformed into a first class RV park and glampground with 650 sites. The Yorkville, Illinois park is on the Fox River, one hour from Chicago. The park retains nature’s treasures such as mature oak trees, leafy hiking trails and spring-fed waters, then adds luxuries such as a gated entry, a boat launch, a glam swimming pool with cabanas, a new playground and ball courts and the Fun House with billiards, big-screen television and ping pong. (630) 553-6323. The resort is a sister property of Pearl Lake Beach in South Beloit, Illinois.
* It began 65 years ago as a bet over who makes the best bear stew. Now the McCleary Bear Festival in McCleary, Washington is preparing another serving of its famous Bear Stew, minus the bear meat. Located in scenic Grays Harbor, this small town offers loads of food, a softball tournament, a parade, live music, children’s activities, a car show, vendors and a soapbox derby. Bring the whole family July 12-14. RV camping is at the KM Resorts-Travel Inn RV Resort with 200 RV sites, (360) 482-3877 or the Grays Harbor Fairgrounds, (www.) ghcfairgrounds.com/ See the schedule of festival events at http://mcclearybeartfestival.org/
* A large new Visitor Center at Mohican State Park, Loudonville, Ohio, will be a must-see for campers when it opens in Fall, 2025. The new center will be built along the Clear Fork of the Mohican River, a designated State Scenic River. History and nature displays will include gathering spaces, porches and rain gardens. It will be accessible from the campground as well as from the park entrance.
The park’s campground has 51 sites with full hook-ups and 33 river-side sites with no electric. The campground has a seasonal swimming pool, showers and flush toilets, a playground, ball courts and a Nature Center with programs in season. Gem mining is available through the camp store. Fees at hook-up sites are reduced from mid-November to March 31 when water is turned off except at the dump station. Reservations can be made six months ahead at (866) 644-6727. Be here on August 11 for the hour-long Campfire Breakfast Demonstration at Cline Cabin in the Class A campground.
* The future looks bright but distant for a Legends Resort and Casino to come to Little Rock Arkansas. Cherokee Nation Entertainment submitted its application and proposal on June 5. The latest round of competitions for the gaming license calls for a $300 million gaming resort that will have a glitzy hotel, restaurants and full-service spa plus an RV park, water park, dog park and an outdoor music venue. Stay tuned.
* The up-and-coming Ramble Camp family of campgrounds focuses on car and van campers. It offers open-air camp/glamp sites with built-in grill, tent pad, shade structure, Internet access and a picnic table. Some sites will have a wash basin and electric outlets. Shared baths have flush toilets and hot showers. The company plans to add more of their campgrounds just outside national parks. Each campground will have its own amenities and organized activities. Ramble parks are now open in Mosca and Buena Vista, Colorado. Planned for 2025 and 2026 are campgrounds in Pine and Montrose, Colorado and in Spicewood and Cleveland, Texas. Booking is through Campsot.com/
* In April, the Albuquerque, New Mexico Journal announced new fees for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers camping at the Riana Campground, Abiquiú, and some campgrounds at Cochiti. Primitive sites will be $10; RV sites with no hook-ups, $15; electric and water hook-up sites, $20.
* Big things are happening at Eagle State Park, Eagle, Idaho, resulting in a scrambled schedule of closings of trails, roads and sometimes the park entrance. When the dust clears the park will be minus its old water slide and will have 50 new RV sites with full hookups. Check ahead. (208) 939-0696.
* New on I-15 in Mesquite, Nevada, is Mesquite Trails RV Resort. It’s open and is well into Phase Two of its construction. Already in place are pickleball courts, a swimming pool, hot tub, playground, laundry and dog park with dog wash station. In the works is a large event center with two warming kitchens and seating for up to 200 guests. The year-round resort has 193 RV sites with full hook-ups. Wi-Fi is free throughout the park; high speed Wi-Fi is offered for extended stays. (702) 344-0497. MesquiteTrailsRVResort.com/
* According to the Roanoke Rapids Daily Herald, major changes are coming to Medoc Mountain State Park, Hollister, North Carolina. For now, campsites are closed for renovations. Day use facilities, trails, primitive camping areas, the visitor center and equestrian campsites remain open. When work at the campground is finished, estimated to be in about 10 months, RV sites will have water, sewer and electric hookups. Bath houses and rustic cabins are being renovated. Four six-sleeper cabins will be added. (252) 586-6588.
* The summer season opened with a whoosh at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Kozy Rest Camp-Resort in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The new water playground holds gallons of splashy fun including a storm bucket, water basketball hoops, slides and blasters. One luxurious pool has cabanas with mini fridge. New are the camp store, pavilion, sports courts, playgrounds, eateries, mini golf and a gem mining sluice.
*Opened in May just west of Bemidji, the new Bergamo Campground in Solway, Minnesota has 49 extra large campsites with metered electricity plus water and sewer. Golf carts are available for rent. Still to come are sports areas, a laundry, bathhouse, pond and more campsites. The pet friendly campground in the heart of Minnesota’s lake country and is surrounded by miles of hiking and horseback trails. (218) 467-3529
* McBride Lake Campground opened this season in Porcupine Provincial Forest, Saskatchewan. The remote park has some sites with electric. Access is via a gravel road and cell service is limited. Available here are bait, ice, a fish cleaning station and a boat launch as well as spectacular aurora borealis shows. Dustin Kracji , one of the new owners, is known for his astro-photography and he welcomes like-minded guests. Most campsites are seasonal but six are reserved for short-term visitors. Phone(s) are (306) 470-7773 and (306) 865-9144, email mcbridelakecampground@gmail.com/
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