Visiting camgrounds

3oaks wrote:

GizmosMom wrote:
We have asked for permission to drive through and look at many public campgrounds (State Parks, COE, NFS, etc.) We have never been asked for a fee and have always been made to feel welcome.

We have. We wanted to see the campground before committing ourselves to camp for a couple a days while passing through the area. We weren't allowed past the entrance without paying the entrance fee first. Needless to say, we made a "U" turn and never been back. That was at Indiana Dunes State Park.

Do they really think we were trying to sneak in and set up our camp without paying? :S

You have GOT to be kidding me.

This had NOTHING to do about you setting up camp for free. It has everything to do with paying the required entrance fee to access the park.

This is the 3rd busiest park in the entire Indiana park system. Just 30 miles from Chicago and they get THOUSANDS of people every day. Almost all of them are day-use users who go to the beach for the day. There is only one entry in and out of the park. Did you really think they would let you in and then think they could follow you to see if you were just going to look at the campsite or if you'd spend all day at the beach for free? They get 1.25 million visitors each year. Do you think they haven't heard a few stories like yours a time or two?

Honestly, some folks here have absolutely NO concept about running a park. Rules are rules. If they make an exception for you, how do they deny the next person's sob story.

I don't know who the slap on the head imoji is intended for...perhaps it will wake you up to reality.