Reservations for Overnight Stops on Highway 101 to Oregon

[Recman25]

We'll be going to Paso Robles for 3 weeks, when we're done there we're thinking about going towards Oregon on the 101. I say we don't need reservations, campgrounds always have a couple sites exactly for this purpose. The wife doesn't agree. Who's right? And by the way she absolutely will not stay in parking lots, BLM, or anything like that!

 

[grashley]

There are some folks on you tube who claim they have always been able to find somewhere to stay. It may not be their first or second choice, but they find a campground in the general area. That is not my style.

If you want a specific area or side of town, you may prefer reservations.
If you are staying several days, you may prefer reservations.
If the stay includes a holiday weekend, you may prefer reservations.

The trip we have planned next month includes reservations for every night except one overnight on the drive home. Our style is a bit different. All of our reservations are COE campgrounds.

 

[LarsMac]

I'd say, "You could be right."

and, "Good Luck with that."

 

[8Muddypaws]

Depends on how far you’re going to drive the first night out.

We’ve driven that route several times and always make reservations but I’m fairly certain that once you get past Santa Rosa you won’t need reservations for one night stays.

Where are you staying in Paso? How many hours do you want to drive every day?

 

[Vanbrat]

The Oregan coast is super busy as soon as school is out. Sometimes you Might, repeat might, get lucky and find a camp spot in one of the many parks, but don't count on it. As for hotels or motels again don't count on it. If I was going to be traveling through there, I would get reservations. It is well worth the effort.

 

[UTTransplant]

So you want to travel the most populous state in the US along one of the most popular stretches of highway with a lot of infrastructure (including campgrounds) that was built in the 1950-1960s for smaller vehicles, and you want to wing it? I wouldn’t recommend it if you want to stay in campgrounds. Maybe it will work if you do it before the schools let out, but maybe it won’t. What’s the backup plan if your wife won’t stay in alternative locations? We are big “seat of our pants” travelers, and even I would make reservations along that route.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

I haven't traveled that route in years, so don't have any current advice, but I'd like to point out that reservations don't have to be made weeks in advance and limit your flexibility. Even busy campgrounds usually have a couple sites available for whatever reason, but they get snapped up quickly by early drive-ins. With cell phones, laptops, and navigation systems, it's easy to project where you will likely be the next day and to identify campgrounds in that area. Call ahead the night before and make a rez for the next nights stop. That greatly improves your odds of finding a place that suits your needs.

Another factor for no-reservations gamble is the time of day you expect to stop. If you generally stop by mid afternoon, your chances of getting a spot are much higher than at 6 pm or later. If you expect to be driving until later, reservations are strongly recommended in a bust corridor like the 101.

 

[CamperAL]

Hello,

It doesn't take much to decide where you want to stay for the night as you are driving each day. I usually select a campground and make a reservation the evening before we stay there. If you don't have one, get a Passport America card for 50% discounts on a wide variety of campgrounds.

As was said, if you get in early to your campground, you have better chance with no reservation but later in the afternoon you sooner or later will be stuck with trying to find another campground because the one you wanted to stay at is full up.

 

[LarsMac]

Now that I'm on my own, I'm with ya. I can sleep pretty much anywhere. And I like to travel at night.
I only make reservations at destination locations where I plan to be for a couple days.

When Margo was here, that didn't work well. She wanted to be settled in the evening, and know where we were going to be for the night, and didn't like winging it at a WalMart or a truck stop.

 

[Domo]

Hmmm... if you have reservations you will 100% have a place to stay.

If you do not have reservations you have a 100% chance of being reminded of "the night we did not stop driving and ended up in a parking lot."

And, if you do not have reservations and are lucky to find a place every night you will likely have a 100% chance during every day of driving, as well as during every future trip planning stage, of being reminded "how lucky you were on that other trip, but don't expect your luck to continue with this one."

Let her make the reservations - simple, works well for me.

 

[Kirk]

I say we don't need reservations, campgrounds always have a couple sites exactly for this purpose.

If you are on the road for Memorial Day weekend, it will be about the same odds as winning Powerball or Mega millions lotteries. Possible but improbable. The other nights are some better but you need to plan on stopping before 4 pm or so and then you may have to visit several RV parks to find a spot. If you call ahead when close and are early your odds improve.

 

[Recman25]

Well, seems to me, She's right......again. I'm going to keep trying. As they say, even a broken clock is right twice a day

 

[Arch Hoagland]

What time of the year are you going?

 

[Professor David]

Happy wife, happy life. In this case, she is "actually" correct. Why take a chance?

 

[RV_Lee122]

You dont need reservations but you'll need the boondocking apps. Relying on noisy truck stops isn't a fun way to travel.

 

[RayIN]

Wives like security, at least at my MH. I prefer winging it. DW wants to know she has FHU with 50A only. For us both to be happy and comfortable, I do it her way, even though I'm normally parked by 1530hrs. I only drive 250 miles/day now.
I agree with Gary, the OR coast road is not the place to dry camp anyway.
FWIW, my favorite RV park on 101 is Sea Perch RV resort, South of Yahats, OR. It is not cheap, but the ocean view is worth the price, with mountains behind you.

 

[Big_John]

Campendium is my friend... should be your friend as well.... Many times the wife and I travel with no plans, by the seat of our pants and this site has saved our bacon on many an occasion. Sure, you might have to boondock a night here or there, but it is always legal and usually available.

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