Showing up late

Tvov wrote:

NYCgrrl wrote:
I'd give the park a call and find out if there is an overflow area and what their policy is for late check-ins.
Weekend check ins it's been my experience that no one generally cares about late check ins as they are too busy packing fun into 72 hours.

+1

Some campgrounds we've been to want very late arrivals to overnight in an "overflow" area so as to not bother other campers. Call and find out.

So this discussion has gone two ways.

Arriving late, I would look at parking in a lot, or welcome center, and move in after quiet hours end in the morning, hopefully the overflow is some what level.

Arriving after dark, we camp four seasons to the possibility of arriving after dark, but well within normal hours can easily happen. That is why I have these on the back of the 5er.

If that's Janes Island MD I would suggest not trying to get in your site that late. There is heavy tree canopy in most of the park (dark) and with that big a unit combined with the trees in the wrong places it could be a stressful event. A gasser with headlights off may not disturb but an older diesel may get you some feedback that late.
There is a large parking lot by the boat ramp where you could spend the night or leave the rig and walk the site so you know what you're up against.
BRING LOTS OF BUG SPRAY! Have a good time and get some crabs in Crisfield while you're there.

NYCgrrl wrote:
I'd give the park a call and find out if there is an overflow area and what their policy is for late check-ins.
Weekend check ins it's been my experience that no one generally cares about late check ins as they are too busy packing fun into 72 hours.

+1

Some campgrounds we've been to want very late arrivals to overnight in an "overflow" area so as to not bother other campers. Call and find out.

I would setup the bare minimum and finish up in the morning.

When arriving, try to back going to the left into the spot, before you back in walk the space shining your light side to side to visualize the area, then stand at the back end and shine the lamp along the sides and up, what you are looking are branches or any obstruction that can damage the unit.

Always back your trailer going left, you can see the whole rig on the mirror, going to the right the mirror is of no use.

When we pull in at night, I try to level as best as possible and only connect the electric, in the morning we unhook the toad and setlle in, unless it is a back in, then I unhook and check for obstructions back in hook electric and then the toad is parked, in the morning we finish arriving.

The wife uses a very small lamp that she signals with, up and down proced, side to side stop, no shouting trying for the least amount of noise, or we use small walky talkie's with ear plugs.

navegator

We were camping at a COE park one weekend and a family pulled in around 9:30.

This place didn't have street lights so all of us camping nearby lined their spot with lanterns and flashlights so they could get in.

I got in after dark last week, but it wasn't real late. Backed in, got reasonably level, hooked up electric, and called it a night. Leveled up, unhitched, and did the rest of my set up in the morning.

While arriving in at dark is doable. I really try to avoid arriving in the dark at a CG I am not familiar with. Too many pitfalls when it's pitch black.
I've arrived at night more than once, but it's not fun and should be avoided if possible.
I agree could be very hot and buggy this time of year

If we have reservations and arrive late (especially after quite hours), we plug in the electric and that's about it so we don't wake the neighbors. We can survive for a night without leveling and water connections.

People understand late arrivals and typically don't mind as long as you try to be courteous.

Doug

I'd give the park a call and find out if there is an overflow area and what their policy is for late check-ins.
Weekend check ins it's been my experience that no one generally cares about late check ins as they are too busy packing fun into 72 hours.