It’s mid-winter, you’re already feeling the camping bug bite. You can’t wait to stock your diesel pusher or load up your new toy hauler and hit the road! You start looking online for fantastic destinations you might visit in the upcoming camping season. The possibility of future adventures and lifelong memories is in the air, so you don’t want to squander it by making a rookie mistake. RVT has gathered a list of eleven top campsite booking gaffes that you want to avoid as you prepare for your next RV camping adventure.
- Not Making Reservations Early Enough
Start your campsite search early to avoid disappointment. Most campgrounds and national parks start booking months in advance. See how far ahead you can book and mark the reservation date on your calendar. If booking online with a popular national park, consider getting up early on the day reservations open and logging in before registration begins.
- Forgetting to Check for Cancellations
If the site or campground you were hoping for is full, keep an eye out for potential cancellations. Not everyone knows their vacation dates several months in advance, so plans can change. Be persistent and watch for last-minute openings.
- Trying to Book at the Most Popular Sites
Getting a campsite at the most popular National Parks or in a favored RV Park could be challenging. Consider trying a new park or campground instead, or look for something that’s a little off the beaten track. It may just become a hidden-gem favorite!
- Vacationing During the Most Popular Season
If the vacation spot you’ve chosen is highly desirable, going in peak season could create challenges. The northern states and Canada tend to be busier in the summer, while the southern states can be busy year round as they’re ideal for snowbirds who migrate to warmer weather in the winter.
- Not Planning Your Trip in Advance
When planning your next roadtrip, consider which attractions you want to see and know which route you want to take. If it’s a long drive to get to your destination, knowing your route in advance will help you plan out the length of your stay at each stop along the way, and help you make reservations at campgrounds near the sites you want to visit. Sites like Good Sam or Campendium can help you locate campgrounds near your vacation spot.
- Only Using Online Booking Systems
Online booking might be the only option for places like national parks, but calling is still often the best way to reserve at an RV Park. Booking systems could be behind and the person at the front desk knows exactly what’s available and when. Make sure you keep notes about who you talked to and when, the price, etc. Ask for a confirmation number over the phone or have them send a confirmation email.
- Not Having All the Information About Your RV Handy
Campgrounds typically need to know the length of your RV, the number of slides and which side(s) they’re on, the class of RV (A, C, fifth wheel, travel trailer etc), what type of tow vehicle you have (if applicable), how many amps you need (50, 30 etc.), and whether you want a back-in or pull-thru site. If you have this information ready, it will ease your reservation and make sure you’re in the right kind of spot for your RV.
- Not asking additional questions
Knowing cancellation policies or whether they accept pets is helpful. You don’t want Rover to be unwelcome, or lose money because you didn’t know they had a 14-day cancellation policy. Can you choose your own site? Do they have a swimming pool? If the answer isn’t readily noticeable, ask!
- Forgetting to Check for Festivals or Special Events
Research the area you’re traveling to. Do they have any festivals or special events at the time you’re planning to vacation there? If so, sites may be fully booked far in advance, leaving you without a place to camp.
- Not Checking Campground Reviews
Many things sound good on paper, or can look ideal in a photograph, but what did real campers think when they got there? Was the site well managed? Clean? Were the facilities adequate? Peer reviews can be vital when choosing a place to stay. Sites like RV Life Campground Reviews can help you find a reputable place in your vacation area.
- Being Inflexible
Sometimes things don’t go the way we want them to. Whether it’s dealing with detours, heavy traffic, miserable weather, or finding room at the place we want to stay, a bit of patience can go a long way. Be willing to consider other options, like adjusting the date and time of your stay, or booking in a shoulder season or on weekdays when it’s less busy.
Now that you know what to avoid, you can book your sites with confidence. If you’re looking for an RV for your next adventure, check out RVT.com for available new or used RVs near you.