Naio wrote:
So, now that we know that the OP's method is virtually required, I am wondering why YS has first come campgrounds at all.
Essentially, the rangers have made a system that functions as an in-person reservation system: Show up at dawn to reserve a site starting tomorrow.
.... am I missing something?
Yes you are. This is NOT a new park-wide system. Evidently this one ranger suggested it to this one person. You will not see people doing this. People are at the campground with their RV ready to camp. They don't leave their RV back at another campground.
The OP's method is definitely not required. All the first-come campgrounds in Yellowstone are occupied by people that were the first ones there to get the available sites. The system does work. Granted, everyone hoping for a site will not get a site. That's the way it goes and if one is trying for a first-come site they expect this.
I certainly hope the park doesn't do away with the first-come sites because there are many, many campers that love traveling this way - without reservations. We did for 16 full-timing years and it works. We've gotten first-come sites with our 40' motorhome in Yellowstone.
If people don't like the procedure of getting first-come sites then they need to get reservations a year in advance. To us, that's a horrible way to travel. We are flexible in our traveling, not structured.
