Arriving late.

[_tpc_]

So staying at a state park this weekend. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, we are leaving a couple hours later than originally planned, which puts us behind schedule, likely making our arrival after midnight.

Our original site for the weekend was booked for this first day, but since mostly a travel day we chose another site down from ours, so after the first night we will have to switch. Thankfully, this site is a much longer site, so my thought was to just pull straight in, leave hooked up, and go to bed. Get up in the morning and change sites after ours opens up.

The question is, is it ok to arrive this late? I couldn't find much information other than you have to let them know if more than 24 hours late, and if they aren't there to check you in, there is a form to fill out and put in a drop box.

I am also unsure about filling with water that late, though I suppose I can do it prior to moving to the other site the next day.

Has anyone else had experience arriving this late?

[Cloud_Dancer]

It's not about me. I solved those problems for me a long time ago. I was just answering the question in a way that would send a message. The message is: Don't be selfish about it. Don't bother people by arriving late (close to bedtime).

[pnichols]

It doesn't bother me if folks in a spot next to us pull in late ... if they're in a small motorhome, powered by gas instead of diesel, and don't have to level or make any hookups before turning off their lights and going to bed.

That's how we would arrive late in a CG so as to not disturb other campers. We try to arrive with full enough batteries, a full enough fresh water water, and empty enough black and grey tanks.

Jockying around to precisely position a towable, and/or leveling, and/or hooking up ... can be done in the morning after other campers are up.

[Bumpyroad]

northmeck0255 wrote:

There's ALWAYS a choice. Adjust your plans, adjust your travel pace, adjust your comfort level with Wallyworld or Cabela's. Don't impinge on others just because it would take a bit more planning on your part. My two cents.

yep, reminds me of a saying I used to use on my boss on occasion,
Poor planning on your part does not an emergency on my part make.
bumpy

[northmeck0255]

Posted: 08/08/15 12:42pm Link | Quote | Print | Notify Moderator
Just be as quiet as possible. If you wake me up I will probably curse you quietly for 3 seconds and then roll over and go back to sleep. I would expect the same from you.

Exactly.

Do it before 8 o'clock and I'm OK with it.

Maybe you should take a nap during the afternoon. 8:00 is ridiculously early.

overnight at a Wallyworld or similar.

Some of us just aren't comfortable doing that and there isn't always a place available to do so.

Along with REALLY annoying everyone else in the park, you're far more likely to hit a tree or parked vehicle while maneuvering in the dark.

I don't get annoyed. I give the "offender" the benefit of the doubt that it wasn't done on purpose.

Bottom line, I'd never do it.

"Some of us don't have a choice from time to time."

There's ALWAYS a choice. Adjust your plans, adjust your travel pace, adjust your comfort level with Wallyworld or Cabela's. Don't impinge on others just because it would take a bit more planning on your part. My two cents.

[Crowe]

Just be as quiet as possible. If you wake me up I will probably curse you quietly for 3 seconds and then roll over and go back to sleep. I would expect the same from you.

Exactly.

Do it before 8 o'clock and I'm OK with it.

Maybe you should take a nap during the afternoon. 8:00 is ridiculously early.

overnight at a Wallyworld or similar.

Some of us just aren't comfortable doing that and there isn't always a place available to do so.

Along with REALLY annoying everyone else in the park, you're far more likely to hit a tree or parked vehicle while maneuvering in the dark.

I don't get annoyed. I give the "offender" the benefit of the doubt that it wasn't done on purpose.

Bottom line, I'd never do it.

Some of us don't have a choice from time to time.

[northmeck0255]

{tpc} wrote:
So staying at a state park this weekend. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, we are leaving a couple hours later than originally planned, which puts us behind schedule, likely making our arrival after midnight.

Our original site for the weekend was booked for this first day, but since mostly a travel day we chose another site down from ours, so after the first night we will have to switch. Thankfully, this site is a much longer site, so my thought was to just pull straight in, leave hooked up, and go to bed. Get up in the morning and change sites after ours opens up.

The question is, is it ok to arrive this late? I couldn't find much information other than you have to let them know if more than 24 hours late, and if they aren't there to check you in, there is a form to fill out and put in a drop box.

I am also unsure about filling with water that late, though I suppose I can do it prior to moving to the other site the next day.

Has anyone else had experience arriving this late?

As a courtesy to others, when in similar circumstances we'll get close to the park and overnight at a Wallyworld or similar. Then, we go into the park the following morning. Arriving late at night is just a bad idea. Along with REALLY annoying everyone else in the park, you're far more likely to hit a tree or parked vehicle while maneuvering in the dark.

Bottom line, I'd never do it.

[pitch]

Just be as quiet as possible. If you wake me up I will probably curse you quietly for 3 seconds and then roll over and go back to sleep. I would expect the same from you.

[Cloud_Dancer]

It's NOT OK with me, if it happens where I'm staying,.....and I'm already asleep.
Do it before 8 o'clock and I'm OK with it.

[Ductape]

I would wake but not be bothered at all if you arrived nearby late and kept the noise and lights to a minimum. We've all at one time or another had challenging travel schedules.

[Bird_Freak]

2gypsies wrote:
I'd just pull into a WalMart or truck stop if arriving at midnight. Saves money and disturbing neighbors.

That's what we do. I will never go in that late and wake the neighbors. No matter how quite you try to be you will wake someone.

[allen8106]

mgirardo wrote:
Most state parks we've been to have a locking gate with either a combination lock or electronic access. The code is handed out at check in. You might be able to call ahead and get the code.-Michael

Strange, I've never been in a state park that had locking gates. Guess I just don't get around much!!

[djousma]

I've camped in many of the popular the Michigan SP's. Which one are you headed to? I may be able to tell you how challenging it will be at midnight.

[2012Coleman]

Watch out for the bear traps that Old-Biscuit is putting out. That'll learn ya 😛

[et2]

You never mentioned what your pulling. I live in Michigan and many of our state parks are full this time of year and tight to drive though. People park very close to the road sometimes making it hard to pass by them much less maneuver around. It could be very dark.

Why not drive up close to where your going and find a rest stop or parking lot that would be much easier to stay the night. You won't worry about fighting in the dark to squeeze in somewhere. You might be asking someone to move to allow you to get in, they could be sleeping. Or leave early in the morning to put you there when the site opens. Check in is probably after 1:00 anyways.

[tatest]

Call the park.

I know that I cannot arrive that late to any state park or COE campground I regularly use, but I don't know where you are going and what is the policy. When doing this at commercial RV parks, I've always made arrangements for late arrival, sometimes they give me the info to get through the gate and leave the checkin material where I can find it, other times they've stayed up to wait for me.