Recreation.gov

[Dr__Blake]

Hi - I was wondering if anyone else had this issue...

I would like to book a campsite in Washington State; I am using the new site. I want to book between August 9 - 14. It wont let me. I could book August 9-11; but its like it wont let me book dates that are not available yet (6 month window). I ended up calling the reservation hotline and got everything booked that way with no issue. The hotline told me I should be able to book 2 weeks out from beginning of my trip so long as the start date is in the 6 month window. They had no idea why I couldn't book online.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!!

[dave54]

I like one error it made in my favor.

The gov shutdown forced a cancellation and they promptly refunded the amount. But here is the kicker -- the way their billing is set up you pay the full amount then they discount half the price for the pass.
The refund was for the full undiscounted amount. I made money on the shutdown cancellation!

[suprz]

goducks10 wrote:

wildbyon wrote:
New site is terrible!

x2

X3

[Dr__Blake]

Today - it let me book a site from August 14-19...very strange. But at least it worked today!

[goducks10]

wildbyon wrote:
New site is terrible!

x2

[wildbyon]

New site is terrible!

[doxiemom11]

It keeps telling me that my browser needs to be updated, and that unless I do, I will be unable to reserve or make payment on the site. My browser is not old and is used to make all kinds of other payments, transfer funds etc. I refuse to change my browser so use their site. Everything else works just fine.

[Dr__Blake]

GizmosMom wrote:
I am also thinking that you cannot book sites more than 6 months in advance. Even though August 9 is your first date, August 14 is more than 6 months in advance.

.

I would agree with this except I called and was told I should be able to book; and booked the dates over the phone no problem...

[TheBar]

The Dewayne Hayes campground we stay at regularly not only has a better map than the old website, but also photos of each campsite. It may be just a matter of time before all campgrounds are updated.

[TheBar]

Copied from the "Rules and Reservation Policies" tab on recreation.gov:

Booking Window
For most locations, you can reserve six months in advance of your stay for individual sites and 12 months in advance for group sites. There are some exceptions, so it is best to check with each facility.

[Goldbrick]

I have used rec.gov for a number of years and loved its convenience for planning trips. I am disappointed to say the least with the new system now in place! I hope that at some point the previous software contractor wins back the contract with our illustrious government

[GizmosMom]

I am also thinking that you cannot book sites more than 6 months in advance. Even though August 9 is your first date, August 14 is more than 6 months in advance.

[bikendan]

camperdave wrote:


FWIW, as bad as recreation.gov is, it's WAAAAAY better than reservecalifornia.com (for California state parks).

AMEN TO THAT!
Can't stand the new site.

[naturist]

(a) might be that site does not take reservations more than 6 months in advance.
(b) built by the lowest bidder. What do you expect???

[Dutch_12078]

GordonThree wrote:
I HIGHLY doubt actual government employees coded the website. It was either farmed out to a contractor with the most generous lobbying package, or thrown together by some concessionaire.

No farming out needed... Recreation.gov is built/maintained by tech/consulting company Booz, Allen, Hamilton. They won the contract bid when the previous contract with Aspira, the ReservationAmerica folks, expired.