Paying for two sites

Only time I have done it (2 or 3 times) was when a group of friends and family (total of 4 families each with kids) were meeting for a weekend and the way the campground was laid out, 5 sites were clustered together and we all chipped in extra for the fifth site figuring we could spread out campers better and have a bigger " common area". Plus, it could have potentially been an akward situation if 4 of 5 sites everyone is together and then there's just you right next to them. I've been that guy and it was no fun

Working within all the parameters the OP defined, I see no problem with what he's doing.

As far as depriving someone else from a camping opportunity, life sometimes gets in the way and you have to cancel a trip (too late to free up the reservation). We had one of those last year and on Monday we found out a friend happened upon our empty site and used it (without noting who it was reserved for). So that one had a happy ending.

In daily life, I kinda did the comparable thing. Moved away from a home on a 4,500 sq ft lot where houses were spaced just 10-feet from each other to a 10,000 sq ft lot where each home has to be a minimum of 10-feet from the property line. And relevant to this thread, my single-level house blocks the view my neighbor had for over 20 years. If he had the cash, he could have bought my lot when it went up for sale and preserve his view and privacy.

It wouldn't bother me much if someone grabbed 2 spots. If the person grabbing two spots is doing it cause the spots are that close together then I wouldn't stay there anyway. Why would anyone want to stay so close to another camper? I've stayed in RV parks where the camper next to me is 12-15' away. I hated it. So if I walk around my trailer and so does the other guy we're about 6' away from each other. Is that really fun? Not for me.

To the OP, go for it.

I don't know. I'm on the fence about this one. On one hand, if I am trying to get into a CG and its full, I might be bummed out about it. On the other hand, I know some CG's that you have to book like the first day reservations are open just to try to get a spot...so if I wait till the last minute, thats my bad.

On the flip side, who am I to tell you how to spend your money? If you want to waste it on a empty spot, thats your choice. If the CG rules allow them to rent it out again if unoccupied, than you deal with that.

I'm sure this happens more often than not, and how could I even tell if it was rented to be empty or not? If I see a group using a empty spot, I don't go sticking my nose in their business. What if their friends backed out last minute? What if one group decided not to go because of weather and the other did not, but they know each other?

CG's that I have been to typically don't allow you to cancel close to arrival date either, right?

In the end, I'll never know if it affects me, because its never going to affect me. I'm not going to go ask why you have been using a seemingly rented empty space...its none of my business, nor will I inquire at the HQ. And if all the spots are rented before I can get one, then I won't be there to find out, right?

Our first trip this year, we booked well in advance. Got there, got our pass, off to the site...and someone was in it! Looked around, noticed some other open sites we actually like better, so went back to HQ and even though we wanted to switch, they actually wanted to kick the guy out. The reality is, they screwed up, not him, not us, and we were fine with moving. Why all the hassle? Why start your vacation with such negative vibes?

Now had the place been full and we couldn't get our spot, the story might have been different, at least for him.

Everything said, we usually camp in CG's with lots of space. We like the space, thats why we almost never go to KOA's or "RV Parks" because a lot of them you can reach out and touch you and your neighbors trailers at the same time. So the thought of needing a empty spot has never crossed my mind.

I wonder if some people read an entire post before posting a response....just sayin

If privacy is that big a deal, Stay Home!!.

Crowe wrote:
No, it's rude. You are potentially preventing someone else from camping. It doesn't matter if the cg likes it or not. If you want privacy, then find another campground or boondock. Goes along the same lines as the folks who reserve every weekend at some campgrounds and then just show up when they can. It's very self-centered and disrespectful of others. What I would consider, however, if you get there and the cg isn't very crowded then possibly purchase the adjoining site at that time.

I don't understand the mindset of doing an activity that by definition brings you into potentially crowded conditions, then demanding no one be near you. Buy a cabin in the woods.

Exactly, the campground by the lake here is booked solid every weekend till it closes. I know that most are booked and at the last minute they cancel to get their money back. This res. thing has gotten out of hand. It needs to go back to first come first serve, then everybody is on level ground.

garyhaupt wrote:
VT Skier. You can't be surprised by peoples response, surely? You posted this knowing full well there was going to be some negative remarks.

I would hazard to guess that you also park across as many parking spots as you can, in a shopping mall, so as to ensure no one parks too close, too.

Selfish behavior.



Gary Haupt

Yes I park away from people because the extra walk is always good for a person

Also here in VT you are hard pressed to find a shopping mall.....That's the beauty of it..now that darn mini mart only has 4 spots I try and use at least three.

Not sure why you would ask but under the specific conditions you stated, it appears that no prospective campers would be inconvenienced as this park has plenty of available spaces according to the OP. I don't see an issue as long as it is OK with park in question.

Whether some will admit it or not, I'm certain the idea has crossed their minds a time or two. We all have been in circumstances where our next door camping neighbors had a style of camping that is clearly inconsiderate to others camping around them and of course they were oblivious to the fact.

We were at a nearly empty state park mid-week and we note a tent trailer circling the campground several times perusing the enormous availability of sites. Lo and behold they camped right next to us although there was at least 50+ vacant sites just in our section.

Go figure as these sites are pretty tight which is why we were there during the week, on weekends park is full and everybody is packed in like sardines. By site design our campfire ring was close to their rig, and after the first night they wisely chose to move several sites over as we had a small pile of firewood we purchased from park host.

If it is primarily on the weekends you plan to do this, you can probably reserve it and after Friday night cancel the remainder of that reservation and get yourself a refund as well as be reasonably sure the site will remain vacant. That way you could reserve and keep vacant sites on both sides of you and only end up paying the cost of one extra vacant site. Just a suggestion.