I have no problem if they actually used it. But to leave it vacant is a waste. But more importantly it denies others the chance to use the site.
Is it OK for Elon Musk, Warren Buffet or Jeff Bezos to book all the state parks in the country and leave them vacant because they can afford to!
It's also not sour grapes on my part because when I see all the vacant sites it's because I'm actually at the CG camping. Typically I have a site already.
However I recognize that there is a problem because the sites are showing as reserved on line. In some cases the site has a tag showing it as reserved but no one shows up the entire time.
Wasting an opportunity for others is a real problem and contributes to the shortage of camp sites we see all over the country.
I hope I'm ruffling some feathers because the inconsiderate behavior needs to be addressed.
Fines and penalties will resolve the issue because it will separate those who think they have money to waste by making reservations that don't plan to keep. From those that do have money to waste.
Yes there are some truly wealthy people that fines and penalties won't faze. But a $100.00 or more penalty will open up quite a few camp sites.
austinjenna wrote:If you not there the site would be open up period. The only thing to debate is should you be fined? Death is not an excuse otherwise there would be a lot of Grandmothers and Aunts dying Friday night at check in time!
The vacancy problem can be curtailed, we just need policy makers to be aware of the problem and then have to stomach and determination to implement STRICT rules to address the issue.
As you can see from this thread there are plenty of people willing to tie up sites and knowingly leave them vacant as long as the reservation meets their own personal criteria. Some reserve sites for "just in case" without a firm plan to use the site.
Those that intentionally create vacancies are not concerned with the financial cost and can afford to waste the money on the vacant site. They have no concern for others who would actually use the site.
It's the other campers that must put there foot down and demand policy makers fine the abusers and eliminate deliberate premeditated vacancies.
They paid for the site and its theirs to use. Its not up to you to decide on how they use it. Just sounds like sour grapes on your end because you didn't get a site for lack of planning better.
If you not there the site would be open up period. The only thing to debate is should you be fined? Death is not an excuse otherwise there would be a lot of Grandmothers and Aunts dying Friday night at check in time!
The vacancy problem can be curtailed, we just need policy makers to be aware of the problem and then have to stomach and determination to implement STRICT rules to address the issue.
As you can see from this thread there are plenty of people willing to tie up sites and knowingly leave them vacant as long as the reservation meets their own personal criteria. Some reserve sites for "just in case" without a firm plan to use the site.
Those that intentionally create vacancies are not concerned with the financial cost and can afford to waste the money on the vacant site. They have no concern for others who would actually use the site.
It's the other campers that must put there foot down and demand policy makers fine the abusers and eliminate deliberate premeditated vacancies.
As far as who determines a no show is not rocket science. You have 24 hours to show or call CG with explanation otherwise you are penalized.
My grandmother died or the dog hid the RV keys is not a valid excuse.
Either you call to say I broke down but I am now on my way or you face the penalty.
Yes some innocents will become collateral damage but the no shows will cease.
ken56 wrote:
Hey, I have an idea....lets go back to first come first served and you can stay on the site for as many days you care to up to the 2 week limit. Sound good? Keep things interesting.
Lantley wrote:austinjenna wrote:
One of the things that the Ohio state parks did in regards to people booking the entire week and then going in to modify their reservation just to get the weekend, was that they no longer allow any reservation changes. If you cancel the reservation it cancels the entire reservation. You cant go in to modify your reservation and cherry pick a few days out of it. After you cancel you need to wait until you can try to rebook it. In the meantime others can sign up for email alerts if a site becomes available in that campground. So the original person who made/cancelled the reservation stand a good chance that someone else already booked it.
At least here there are no more days of just packing up your camping gear and going to find a site that day. Everything in our state parks is by reservation. Even if you pull up and the CG is half empty you still need to go on the reservation system and reserve a site. They don't allow walk ins.
The days of not planning out your trips ahead of time for summer and making reservations thinking that you will just pull up and get a site are virtually non existent anymore, at least in summer at the popular campgrounds.
As far as what others suggested, that if they didn't show up on time the site should be re-opened. Who makes that determining factor as the 'why' they didn't show to see if a site should be reopened? What if someone was called into work, truck issue, trailer issue, kid broke arm..but they still intend on coming for the rest of the reservation..is it the 17yr old kid at the check in?
As far as who determines a no show is not rocket science. You have 24 hours to show or call CG with explanation otherwise you are penalized.
My grandmother died or the dog hid the RV keys is not a valid excuse.
Either you call to say I broke down but I am now on my way or you face the penalty.
Yes some innocents will become collateral damage but the no shows will cease.
