Don't know what to tell you folks who don't have this issue in your state but it is a fact in Arkansas and has been for at least three years. It affects thousands of campers going to Greers Ferry lake in Arkansas.
If you don't have the issue in your area then good for you but it is a MAJOR problem here. We live only 8 miles from the lake and usually camp there at least six or more times per summer with the grandkids. Since we moor the jet skis or boat in front of the campsite it is critical for us to get one of the waterfront sites. We OFTEN make spur of the moment decisions to go camping and it is really a big deal that the reservations system is so screwed up in this area.
This past weekend we decided to go (even though it turned out to cold to swim we still fished and rode around on our cruiser). We went online and saw that the campsite was not reserved. We drove down without the camper to confirm which spot we wanted. We got the camper and came back but the gate keeper would only let us pay for 3 nights because he was worried about the online reservations. Turned out we had to leave on Sunday because someone did in fact reserve the spot for that night. The gate keeper was as frustrated as we were that he couldn't accept our money right at the gate for beyond the 3 days. It should be noted that there is no internet in the park so you can't go online and reserve the 4th night. Granted we could have driven back to our house and got online to reserve the 4th night but my point is we should not have to go thru that hassle and what about all the folks who travel in from much further away?
Additionally it should be noted that we have not experienced this kind of issue with reservations at any other park we have visited ever! I know some of you will tell horror stories but we all know they are the exceptions not the rule. Campgrounds are generally very good with reservations and know exactly what they have booked. The idea that you would need 4 days to line out reservations is absolutely nuts in this day and age of computers and the internet!!!
I have written our two senators about this issue. Does anyone here have a CONSTRUCTIVE suggestion as to what else to do?
