This is a re-write of an article written in 2015. it was titled “Can you “wing it” on Columbus day weekend?”… The rules used to be that on Monday-Thursday you could wing it. Friday thru Sunday, get reservations. From 1999 till 2019 these rules applied.

In previous years I would leave in the morning, arriving in Northern New England at the break of day, and start photographing the fall colors. Around 4-5 PM, I would then start looking for a place to stay and I NEVER had a problem.

During these years I was by myself and could pick any motel and as long as it was clean I was good. (wifi and cable were a bonus) But if I had Lisa with me I had to be more selective so she could be comfortable.

Sometimes we would plan ahead and have reservations and sometimes we would wing it. Most times due to my work schedule, we would be on the road during the week when vacant rooms are more plentiful so we didn’t have difficulties getting a room.

Once I was by myself near Stowe and I started looking for a room and I just went driving looking for someplace to sleep. I had almost given up when I opened my hotel combined app (affiliate link in blue below) and I found… Well, that was an article in itself, click here.

Now let’s fast forward to 2021 and the new “Pandemic Cabin Fever” that everyone is feeling. Lisa is making our reservations as I re-write this article and what she is seeing is many places are booked each week in Sept-Oct… (She finished before I finished the article). We made reservations every week from Sept 26th to Oct 26th. But it wasn’t easy…

Lisa was looking at Air B&B, Hotels, motels and many that she would have LIKED to stay in are booked from the end of September through the end of October. (hint start looking)

Visit my thrifty Lodging page with Hotels combined [affiliate link] where you can start making your reservations

This is not to say you can’t wing it but should you?

I’ve been answering this question every year since I started writing about fall foliage and each year it comes up… 🙂 People want to know, should we “absolutely” make reservations?

During Columbus Day weekend (CDW).. reservations are always advisable in all years! More than a million people flood into New England for the colorful show and rooms will be at a premium. This year, the places that Lisa picked were based on what we feel the average visitor is willing to spend. Lisa’s target was between $90-$150 (she is very frugal). Lisa started looking at the end of April and bookmarked 20 places on Air B&B. As of 21 May, only 7 remained…

Places that we dream of trying like the Woodstock Inn in Woodstock Vermont on CDW are running $729 per night on hotels.com (and there are *ONLY* 2 rooms left as I write this). (Just to note they are booked up for the previous weekend (1-4 Oct) and there is one room from 4-6 Oct for $464 per night). If this is outside your price range, I also see a $53 per night in Killington VT over the Columbus day weekend (ski motel). But either way If Columbus Day weekend is your goal, you need to get looking for those rooms today!

Could you or should you try to wing it

Remember a lot of this depends on whether you are comfortable sleeping in your car as backup lodging. There are going to be cancelations and a room may suddenly become available but there is no way to know if that will happen each night. If it doesn’t, can you deal with your backup plan?

Just so you know Lisa was looking at Sunday-Tuesdays and this is usually (in past years) a good time to just look online and pick a room. As Lisa and I get older though, we joke about sleeping in the back of our Rav4 but we don’t really mean it.

Lisa says you may be able to find a place to stay but it may not be what you are expecting. You may have to lower your expectations in hopes of getting a room. During the week there is usually more availability compared to the weekends which fill up first…

If you are traveling alone could you be comfortable bringing a sleeping bag and sleeping in the car. This option is for those who are able to endure an austere living arrangement.

How about Glamping?

I took a quick look for Columbus Day weekend at the Quechee Pine Valley KOA and they have *ONE* cabin left at $95/night. (bare bones) They also have a few full cabins with amenities like some combination of a fridge, toilet, tub, or shower ($124-$164/night). So as of 23 May, these may also be options for you as well.

*Last minute addition*

Lisa also wanted to remind people about some alternatives we found out about.

Maine Forest Yurts

Milan State Park has Yurts

Also, many of the campgrounds close after Columbus Day weekend so check your dates with them.

What about the other weekends?

It all depends on when and where. The week before Columbus Day is pretty busy as well but I looked at the 3rd weekend in October near Amherst Massachusetts. I still see lots of availability but this is 23 May and you have to weigh all the factors I discussed above and decide if you want to try winging it then.

I think that if you are coming later in Oct (after Columbus Day) then you will have a good chance of “Winging it”. BUT! please do not arrive 22 Oct and you start looking for a room and then blame me for saying you “MAY” or “Could” try to wing it and then you can’t find anyplace. If you want a guarantee, get a reservation now!

There are lots of variables in here that I just don’t know. But hopefully, this will answer a question or two for you. If not? well, you can leave a comment for me or head over to the Facebook fall foliage group and ask the question there. Maybe others will have some ideas

Thank you for stopping in my foliage friends

Jeff Foliage Folger

Autumn is a state of mind more than a time of year – Jeff Foliage

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