Lantley wrote:
Those familiar with VA state parks know that you can reserve a site online but in may VA state parks it is not a site specific reservation.
You actually get to choose your site once you arrive on a first come first serve basis.
In short VA state parks guarantees you a spot but not a specific numbered spot.
When I arrived there were several unoccupied sites that I wanted to take however they had name tags designating them as taken or occupied however there was no one actually occupying the site. THe sites were all tagged with the same name
Turns out one member of a large group had arrived and tagged 8 other sites as occupied even though those people had not arrived yet.
As it turns out 2 of those sites were still unoccupied the next morning.
It would seem if sites are distributed on first come first save basis than all parties need to be present to claim/occupy a site.
I ended up with a lesser site even though I arrived a full day earlier.
I have never had a problem with the VA system until now.
I do know VA state parks sometimes monitors RV.net site.
If you're listening, I think there is a flaw in your policy.
How can one reserve/hold a site for someone not present if site are 1st come 1st serve?
I can agree holding one site is OK but to holding 7 is a bit much.
Why did I have to settle for a lesser site, when I was present and ready vs. someone not there.
The 1st come 1st serve policy works as long as no one is allowed to game/cheat the system. Rant Over!
One of two simple solutions - get a friend to get there early to save you a site or get there earlier yourself - Groups do this all the time - IF Paid for and can be occupied or not, obviously the person who paid for the site tagged the site. He's there and whether or not he camped on the site seems to be irrelevant - He Paid, he has title, First Come First Served. If he had not paid and received title then Rant is more than Justified.
JMHO,
