Do I Need Reservations for 4-Corners Campgrounds in March?

[Kreb]

Howdy, folks. While I've taken several RV trips over the years, it's been a long while. This time, I'm renting an RV in Phoenix in early March, am going to zig-zag through the 4-corners region, maybe get a little skiing in, and make my way back to Northern California. My biggest question is where to spend nights? In the past, I've done some boondocking, but appreciate proper showers and such as well. I'd rather not schedule every stop on the way, in case I feel enamored of a certain locale and want to spend longer. So my question is if, given that it's off-season, will campgrounds be likely to take drop-ins? Or will I need reservations when hitting popular spots like Zion, Moab, Grand Canyon and such?

 

[Derby6]

My guess is you will be OK. Snowbirders start to pull out in mar and apr.
That being said I’d cal and ask so you are sure.

 

[Isaac-1]

I would certainly check for reservations around the major tourist attraction areas, as I suspect many of the campgrounds will still be closed for the winter season. I ran into this issue when visiting the Grand Canyon and parts of southern Utah in October of 2019, and found lots of places closed for the winter around October 15th. In fact we arrived at the Grand Canyon the night Desert View Campground in Grand Canyon National park closed for the winter.

 

[JudyJB]

Campgrounds inside the National Parks such as Zion will still be very busy from snowbirders and those who are retired, so I really disagree that that time of year is off-season, as I have traveled during that time in that area quite often.

Trailer VIllage in Grand Canyon is open all year, and Mather Campground considers March part of peak season, so I would get reservations in advance for those places. Watchman Campground in Zion is also open year round.

Of course, campground outside and at quite a distance from the national parts are less likely to be busy in March, but it depends on how close you want to stay.

 

[Derby6]

Campgrounds inside the National Parks such as Zion will still be very busy from snowbirders and those who are retired, so I really disagree that that time of year is off-season, as I have traveled during that time in that area quite often.

Your not wrong. However there has not been much of a winter in much of the west this year. East got hammered. And it’s already getting hot in NV and AZ. So many will go back to their homes early for this reason. Watched for past 3 years folks booked thru mar or apr start to pullout early for this reason.

 

[Adventurous Traveler]

Download an app to your phone, such as RVParky. It's free, and it will show Walmart, Cracker Barrel, and campgrounds in the area you enter. RVParks, Campspot, and Campendium are some other apps. RV Life Campground Reviews is a great resource check out campgrounds in your area of interest, with great reviews and information about particular CGs.

As others have chimed in already, going in March, many CGs may still be closed. The above resources should provide information on whether the park is open or closed for the season.

Watch your weather apps and alerts for potential storms coming your way.