Santa Fe National Forest CLOSED
We had reservations for Black Canyon NF campground in the SFNF just north of Santa Fe. Noticed on the SFNF website that the forest is closed. We called and were told that was correct: no camping un...
Forum Discussion
Here is an update. On the recreation.gov website under the campground in the Santa Fe National Forest this is the headline:
Attention: Due to Extreme Fire conditions, this facility is closed through July 7th, 2013.
The problem is still confusion. The rangers say it is closed indefinitely and the reservation service says it is closed through July 7. We elected to go with what the rangers told us and we will just move north and go elsewhere, no big deal to us. I wonder if come about next Monday, the 7th will become the 14th in their site notice.
We have to remember that these campgrounds have been privatized as to operation and management. The campground host is the guy that communicates with recreation.gov through his employer, apparently. So, rec.gov does not get their information from the rangers or the forest superintendent. I am sure the host's employer wants to hold as many reservations live as they can for one purpose: income.
In any case, it always has been and remains a piece meal system. We have all seen reservations holding the best sites at NF campgrounds and the user never shows up and is probably a thousand miles away. For those of us who have senior passes, it is half price and so if we blow twenty bucks because we change our minds, so what? Well, the so what is we keep someone else from knowing what is going on and further clog up this patched together system. You just take up a space because you are a no show and hadn't intended to show for days.
I guess I just pine for the days when you drove up, the place was always half empty and you got your spot and quiet, happy campers for neighbors.
Attention: Due to Extreme Fire conditions, this facility is closed through July 7th, 2013.
The problem is still confusion. The rangers say it is closed indefinitely and the reservation service says it is closed through July 7. We elected to go with what the rangers told us and we will just move north and go elsewhere, no big deal to us. I wonder if come about next Monday, the 7th will become the 14th in their site notice.
We have to remember that these campgrounds have been privatized as to operation and management. The campground host is the guy that communicates with recreation.gov through his employer, apparently. So, rec.gov does not get their information from the rangers or the forest superintendent. I am sure the host's employer wants to hold as many reservations live as they can for one purpose: income.
In any case, it always has been and remains a piece meal system. We have all seen reservations holding the best sites at NF campgrounds and the user never shows up and is probably a thousand miles away. For those of us who have senior passes, it is half price and so if we blow twenty bucks because we change our minds, so what? Well, the so what is we keep someone else from knowing what is going on and further clog up this patched together system. You just take up a space because you are a no show and hadn't intended to show for days.
I guess I just pine for the days when you drove up, the place was always half empty and you got your spot and quiet, happy campers for neighbors.
