2oldman
NM
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Move to General.
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StirCrazy
Kamloops, BC, Canada
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monkey44 wrote:The unfortunate part of most reservation systems -- even if you want an open site for one night while traveling, the reservation fee still applies. That means the campsite is more expensive overall and often leaves one or more empty that would otherwise generate revenue.
We've seen a lot of empty campsites - state and NPS - over the past few years even when the CG says full.
When we think about senior and veteran and disabled discounts, then paying the reservation fee for one night nearly clears the discount for those that earned or qualify for the discounts.
here if you don't arive by 11am the day after your reservation is for it is cancled and can be opened for that period for FCFS as you have to book a site a minimum of 2 days prior to your arival in the reservation system.
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monkey44
Cape Cod, MA and Central Fla
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StirCrazy wrote:monkey44 wrote:The unfortunate part of most reservation systems -- even if you want an open site for one night while traveling, the reservation fee still applies. That means the campsite is more expensive overall and often leaves one or more empty that would otherwise generate revenue.
We've seen a lot of empty campsites - state and NPS - over the past few years even when the CG says full.
When we think about senior and veteran and disabled discounts, then paying the reservation fee for one night nearly clears the discount for those that earned or qualify for the discounts.
here if you don't arive by 11am the day after your reservation is for it is cancled and can be opened for that period for FCFS as you have to book a site a minimum of 2 days prior to your arival in the reservation system.
Last year, we were at Cades Cove NP-CG in Great Smokys we booked a first come, no reservation CG Site mid-week for two days. Ranger told us beginning Monday - we still could get empty unreserved sites but also had to pay the reservation fee to book for one or two nights, and no Cash, only CC accepted. We haven't been back in that area since so don't know if that actually took effect. We were in Everglades NP several weeks later. In order to book for two days, we had to pay reservation fee - no cash, and use CC only to pay. Six sites in one camping lane were open when we arrived, we took one. Five were still open when we left two days later. All five were not reserved, and still first-come, and still empty and available for first come. ???
We have been camping all over USA for over fifty years. We have never made a reservation. Likely, pretty soon - maybe already - that will be unavailable as the parks try to accomodate the upturn in Camping with the added RV factor that's increasing month by month, and the reservation system appears unable to accomodate first-come for open sites.
* This post was
edited 02/20/23 11:28am by monkey44 *
Monkey44
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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Learn somethin new every day. Didn’t know you could reserve a no reservations, first come first serve campsite!
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mike/kellie
northern calif.
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Somewhat related, we were leaving the TCA rally in Quartzsite ( nice seeing 3tons and BFFord again!) to occupy a site in Joshua Tree reserved online (the good part) however the lone individual who runs the point of sales at Cottonwood Campground called in sick. Fortunately we have the lifetime senior pass for NPs and we coasted in. Others who needed to pay for an open spot or any merch within the visitors center was out of luck. Other employees were not trained or allowed access to the register. A lot of apologies were given put that day-
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bigfootford
Fair Oaks, California
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mike/kellie wrote:Somewhat related, we were leaving the TCA rally in Quartzsite ( nice seeing 3tons and BFFord again!) to occupy a site in Joshua Tree reserved online (the good part) however the lone individual who runs the point of sales at Cottonwood Campground called in sick. Fortunately we have the lifetime senior pass for NPs and we coasted in. Others who needed to pay for an open spot or any merch within the visitors center was out of luck. Other employees were not trained or allowed access to the register. A lot of apologies were given put that day-
Haw, thanks for finding us at the Q Rally. We had a great time.
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mkirsch
Rochester, NY
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...because the no-shows are all intentional, right? They reserved that site just to deny little old you the privilege of using it and didn't show up just to rub your face in it.
Maybe they had a breakdown on the way and couldn't make it. Maybe there was a family emergency and the last thing on their minds was to cancel the reservation.
Thought California was supposed to be the state of the bleeding heart. You're supposed to empathize with the no-show, not hold them responsible.
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StirCrazy
Kamloops, BC, Canada
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mkirsch wrote:...because the no-shows are all intentional, right? They reserved that site just to deny little old you the privilege of using it and didn't show up just to rub your face in it.
Maybe they had a breakdown on the way and couldn't make it. Maybe there was a family emergency and the last thing on their minds was to cancel the reservation.
Thought California was supposed to be the state of the bleeding heart. You're supposed to empathize with the no-show, not hold them responsible.
what happens up hre in our popular national parks and a lot of the provincial parks is people will book blocks of time in a site, then cancel the days they don't want at the last min. last year when I tried to get a site in banff for the 5th wheel I logged on 5 min before the opening of the reservation system and by the time I got my turn there was nothing between may and september availble.
the same thing happens with the BC provincial parks. except they have changed it so the most you can book ahead is 2 months so they are starting to do things to help the sistuations. personaly I have never seen parks so busy and I am putting this down to a pandemic caused issue. alot of "rv rental" companies poped up where they tow the rv out to the campground and you just show up.. so I suspect these companies were booking sites all over the provence in blocks for their business.
then if no one booked for that campground they would cancle it two days before to get back there fees aside from the cancelation fee and such.
the problem with this is you have to reserve a site by 8pm two days prior to the day you arive so it they cancle that day you cant reserve it.. thoes are the ones that you can camp in as the park staff will know its cancled and put you there as long as your gone before the next reservation.
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run100
Arizona
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We've been active campers for about 30-years. Never used to make reservations, but also never had trouble getting a campsite. Times have changed, so we now often reserve sites. Definitely has pros & cons.
It's frustrating to see idle resources when there are consumers ready, and willing, to pay for them. Empty campsites during busy times is such a waste. Imagine a generously stocked food buffet, and hungry people anxious to the buy the food, but it's being saved for those that never show up. The food goes wasted and dumped in the trash - - so sad. Empty campsites are the same in my view.
Yes, unexpected things happen and some well intentioned campers are unable to arrive as planned, but I believe they are the exception.
I think if a reserved site is a no-show, the site should be released the next morning and all fees forfeited (non-refundable). However, convenient systems need to be in place to allow campers to cancel their reservation when something comes up. That's a whole topic all by itself!
* This post was
edited 02/21/23 08:58am by run100 *
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Durb
NW
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run100 wrote:
Yes, unexpected things happen and some well intentioned campers are unable to arrive as planned, but I believe they are the exception.
Absolutely, the systems are being gamed for certain campers' convenience to the detriment of the rest; many here on this forum.
I cancelled last minute a reservation at a Washington State park to do some razor clamming. Seven inches of rain was forecasted to blow in over the weekend and our campsite was low-lying. I paid the meager penalty and wouldn't have minded if it was a couple of hundred dollars for a no show. As a matter of fact, I might have sat in the torrential rain for $200 and shown up!
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