Anybody tried the new Recreation.gov website?

Phil M wrote:
If it ain't broke don't fix it.

In my experience the biggest problem here is the ".gov" at the end. The government procedure with any equipment or systems is "Keep Fixing It Until it is Broken. Will not say what I did prior to retiring however was quite a few different positions.

X-2, I don't understand why when something actually works good, someone sees a need to make it better, especially when it doesn't come out that way.
The little bit I've pawed around in the new site, it sucks.

If it ain't broke don't fix it.

In my experience the biggest problem here is the ".gov" at the end. The government procedure with any equipment or systems is "Keep Fixing It Until it is Broken. Will not say what I did prior to retiring however was quite a few different positions.

Looked up our two favorites CG's on Rec.gov. No CG maps. Are they still loading up the maps for each CG?
Site was fairly easy to use otherwise.

Do you mean recreation.gov?

Yes. Thanks. I fixed it.

wxtoad wrote:
On Oct 1, The very first time I was re-directed from the old URL to the new site, I was not impressed. But as the data manager for the one of the top-rated camping apps, I spend a LOT of time on recreation.gov and have come to find it much easier and quicker to find the information I'm seeking. The campsite maps are now usable in that they match actual positions, not some stylized-map as before.

Some minor gripes:

When looking at the reservation table, it steps forward or backward in 5-day increments instead of 14 days as on the old site.

Thankfully they used re-directs so that using the former URL usually gets you to the new page. Not always, though, and you have to stop and do a search for the URL.

They're still missing maps and fee data on a number of locations, but hopefully that will be added in the near feature.

All in all, I'd rate it better than the old site.

Sounds like you spend a lot of time using this website. I hope it doesn't take a lot of time for occasional users, like me, to learn. I did notice that the maps were derived from overhead shots and show the actual campsite positions.

I sometime will want to spend several days in a campground but there is no single site available. With the old web page, it was easy to see where and when I could select to move. So far, I don't see a quick and easy way to see what's available. Also, like to be able to see two weeks at a time and advance to the next two weeks, when looking for an opening to plan for. As a retiree, with flexibility, this is usually the way I plan and it was easier on the old website. I do like the campsite pictures.

Other than the better maps I would like to hear what particular features you like better.

On Oct 1, The very first time I was re-directed from the old URL to the new site, I was not impressed. But as the data manager for the one of the top-rated camping apps, I spend a LOT of time on recreation.gov and have come to find it much easier and quicker to find the information I'm seeking. The campsite maps are now usable in that they match actual positions, not some stylized-map as before.

Some minor gripes:

When looking at the reservation table, it steps forward or backward in 5-day increments instead of 14 days as on the old site.

Thankfully they used re-directs so that using the former URL usually gets you to the new page. Not always, though, and you have to stop and do a search for the URL.

They're still missing maps and fee data on a number of locations, but hopefully that will be added in the near feature.

All in all, I'd rate it better than the old site.

Ted H.

All I can see on that site is the logo on a white background. Nothing to click on. Do you mean recreation.gov?

Don't like it. Too difficult to navigate. the old one was better. I too, hate change. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

I think the new layout has fallen victim to Web Designers showing what they can do versus what the end users needs from the website.