No Reservations?
We have camped for years without reservations in the summer but I wonder what kind of luck I would have trying that now. What's your experience? We can camp during the week.
Forum Discussion
Johno02 wrote:
Because of the reservation systems. It is almost impossible to get reservations for state parks for weekends anymore. Many are completely booked for every weekend within walking day after the reservation period opens. And then many sites sit open and unused because reservations are cancelled at the last minute. And campsites sit empty and unpaid for all week because only two days are booked and many travelers want a place to stay all week. It is no wonder that many state and COE campgrounds sit empty ty and losing money.
I've got no problem with campgrounds "keeping" the reservation fee if you cancel, or at least charge for one full night. Or, better yet, keep it as a "credit" for a future reservation. With most places keeping computerized records these days, it is not hard to keep track of that.
We did this last year... had to cancel a weekend at a New Jersey county campground due to a family emergency. They have a "No Refunds" policy (I think because it was last minute), BUT they will give you credit for a future stay. So this spring I called up to make a reservation at the same campground and the nice lady said I was already paid for, as I had that credit - which I had forgot about.
I hear so many stories of people "gaming the system" and playing with reservations that making a No or just partial refund policy would help to reduce that... and allow other people to use (and pay for!) those campsites.
