Ruth & Edward
Indiana
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Joined: 11/12/2004
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We’re contemplating a trip from Fort Wayne IN about Sept 26th, for three to four weeks. Our destination would be Acadia NP in Maine. We would visit a few places along the way out and back - in Pennsylvania, upstate New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire.
We tend to favor state park CG’s – with electric hook-up only. I have some questions:
1) Because we like to be as spontaneous as possible (not committed to being at a certain place at a certain time), we’d like to avoid making reservations. Is that too risky at this time of year?
2) If we were to make no reservations, how early in the day would we need to pull in to state park CG’s (in order to get a site)?
3) Any recommendations as to which CG’s to stop at (or to avoid)?
4) Starting this three to four week trip in late September, would we be a bit beyond the peak color (and crowds) period, or right in the middle of it?
5) Would we be smarter to start out a week later?
Thanks in advance for any and all responses.
PS: The truck and trailer in my signature have been replaced with an F350 and a Sunnybrook 30RKFS fifth wheel, but I've not yet figured out how to change my signature.
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kwilliam5
Maryland
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I would say you are fine for weekdays. But during this time of year, there are a lot of Foliage Seekers (myself included.....I'm leaving tonight for almost two weeks)...
Because of that...I would make reservations for weekends....leaving your weekdays to be spontaneous. My own trip...I made reservations for every night. This is mostly because I am camping around a lot of lakes, on the trip. I wanted to be on the water, for these.
Just my thought.
Good luck...and have fun!!
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joanne0012
Boston, MA
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Foliage season looks like it might peak a bit early this year; normally it's around Columbus Day. Many campgrounds close right after Columbus Day becuase demand drops off and also so they don't have to deal with winterizing and heating. Take a look at the states' web sites for their state parks to get an idea of their schedules and reservation policies. IIRC, NH only takes them if you're staying for 2 or more nights.
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sp8gold
Colorado Springs, CO
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A lot of parks in that region close mid-October.
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Crowe
Billerica, MA USA
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1. Make reservations for weekends.
2. Unsure as there aren't many state CGs in MA and we don't generally frequent them anywhere.
3. Two I'd recommend-Bar Harbor KOA just outside Bar Harbor, ME, and Danforth Bay in Freedom, NH. Both a bit pricey but worth it.
4. This link should help you decide timing http://www.thebostonchannel.com/ne-fall-colors/index.html
5. Any later and it will be difficult to find an open campground.
Life is too short to spend it all in one place!
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jamway
ranger tx
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We did that trip two years ago with no reservations and we had no problems.
We found that some State Parks did not have electric hook-ups so the generator was nice.
Happy Camping
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loggenrock
New Hampshire
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If you are not leaving Indiana until Sept 26, how long are you planning to take to reach up here (New england)? Peak foliage in northern and central NH and ME is right about then - will be past peak by the 2nd week in October... Acadia tends to run a bit later - peaks right at or just after Columbus Day... Not too many of the state parks in ME or NH have any hookups - the parks in northern NH stay open thru October for hunters, but often the water at them may be shut off...risk of freezing... If you make it to Acadia for Columbus Day, make sure you have reservations - they are usually full in the national Park (Blackwoods campground is open year-round, but after late October it is walk-in only). Both states have good websites that list their campgrounds. In NH, Dry River, Coleman, and Lake Francis SP are all open late into the fall - these are northern parks - no hookups ever. Hope that helps - we like to poke around in the fall - good moose watching! Will be at Acadia after Columbus Day! ST
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katydid55
NE TN
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We really enjoyed Bar Harbor CG...they don't even take reservations. We were there several years ago over Labor Day and managed to get a FHU site.
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ryegatevt
Vermont
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Up here in Northeastern VT the colors are changing rapidly. Lots of reds and oranges on the hillsides. Better hurry!
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kwilliam5
Maryland
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We are up here right now. Leaves are definitely changing NOW!! Not quite peak, in mid New Hampshire...but still some serious color coming in. As to campgrounds.....every one we have been at: Rogers Rock, NY; Lost River, N.H., and now Danforth Bay, N.H.......we've had mostly empty campgrounds. Tonight...I am staying in a prime site, along the lake....and we still have 4-5 empty sites around us.
Looks good for anyone wanting to make a last minute trip here!! Come on down/up/over!!! 
Regards,
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