Not a camper, but want to visit America's parks?

This may be the year. Because of the uncertain economy, travelers are booking all trips much closer to their travel time this year. That means that park lodging normally reserved nearly a year in advance still has rooms.

Last year, for instance, lodges at the Grand Canyon were fully booked for the month of July. But this year, rooms are availble for the week after July 4, as well as other dates, says Mona Mesereau, spokeswoman for Xanterra Resorts, which operates the lodges.

The same thing is true at Bryce Canyon Lodge in Bryce Canyon and Furnance Creek Lodge in Death Valley.

Unlike years past, she says, budget rooms are booking up first, while high-end lodges still have rooms.

-- JANE WOOLDRIDGE