After a year when so many travel plans had to be put on a back burner, there’s a steady stream of campers who are happily getting back out on the road to visit their favorite campgrounds. This trend, plus the fact that RV ownership is at an all-time high, is leading to an increased demand for campsites. That’s why it will pay to plan ahead this year, not only by booking your next camping trip ASAP, but by reserving your campsites for the next several trips after that. It’s the best way to ensure you’ll have the great camping experiences you’re counting on.

Here are a few tips for camping this season:

• Don’t just try to “wing it.” While there’s a lot to be said for the freedom of just hitting the road and deciding where to stay along the way, given the current high demand for campsites, that plan may only lead to disappointment. There are even reports of overcrowding at state and national parks, so the last thing you want to do is arrive unannounced and add to the confusion. If this happens to you, there are often private RV parks in the vicinity that may have vacancies. But it is better to find this out in advance and have a plan in place, rather than find out as you roll in late and tired.
   
• Try to use campgrounds that allow you to book through an app or an online reservation system. This will make it easier to check availability and rates for multiple dates so you can take care of all of your booking needs at one time. GoCampingAmerica.com is a great place to start, with thousands of campgrounds with online bookings available to for you to research and book.
   
• Consider mid-week dates if those are an option for you. Naturally, demand for campsites is higher on weekends when many people are off of work, so if you can travel mid-week, you’ll have more options available to you. You may even find lower rates on these off-peak days. The fact that so many campgrounds offer excellent wi-fi service may make mid-week stays even easier for you if you work remotely or the kids are able to attend school on the road.
   
• Think about going off the beaten path. If you normally camp near a large metro area, consider switching things up and heading toward a more rural area where it may be less crowded. You just might discover your new favorite campground.
   
• Be flexible in terms of accommodations. If you don’t own an RV or haven’t been able to find one to rent, don’t worry. You’ll find that many private campgrounds offer a variety of accommodations, including cabins (both rustic and luxury), yurts, tipis and glamping tents. Some even have covered wagons for rent! You can also rent an RV!

The bottom line is the more you plan ahead, the better your trips will be. The process of planning ahead should include making sure your rig is in good operating order and planning the route you’ll take. You wouldn’t want to meet the fate of one recent RVer who made a bad turn and got stranded for a week on a winding mountain road, waiting to be towed, only to find out there was an alternate road that would have accommodated his rig and make it much easier to get to his campground.

So where will your next few camping trips take you? Just go to GoCampingAmerica.com and start planning! By the way, you’ll be happy to know that the future of camping looks bright. The 2020 Industry Trends and Insights Report, released in December by the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC), anticipates that more than 53,000 new campsites are being constructed this year, so you’ll soon have even more great places to choo