Camp host right or wrong?

[PaisleyDale]

Only site open was disabled site (Oregon State Park). I am a disabled VET so the camp host said I could have the disabled site. I registered and placed registration slip on site post and we drove to town for dinner.

Upon returning our site was taken by another disabled VET and our registration slip was gone. I talked to the camp host and he said he did not know this other person had taken my spot, but he would not do anything about it.

I decided to just shake it off and went to Home Depot and spent the night, we were going to pick-up supplies there anyway.

I had forgot all about this till reading about people securing sites and not using them. It's not good for my blood pressure, I need to let it go again - sorry for the rant.

[Lynnmor]

Okie1 wrote:
"Really"

Lynnmor wrote:
The taking of the permit on the post was theft and I would have reported it as such.

Yes, really! That campsite has a dollar value. Is it OK for me to remove mail from your mailbox?

[Okie1]

"Really"

Lynnmor wrote:
The taking of the permit on the post was theft and I would have reported it as such.

[rhagfo]

donn0128 wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

donn0128 wrote:
Not saying that. And I know this is no consolation, but you could have taken the yellow one night only sign and flipped it to reserved. Or left a chair or something so people would know the site was occupied. Sadly the host seems to have not done his job either. He should have got ahold of the ranger on duty. But at the very least he should have put you in one of their overflow sites for the night and let the rangers sort it out in the morning. At least thats what I would have done.

OP stated it was the last site available,this is when communications between the Host and Rangers become critical.
I think there was a lost communication between the Host and Ranger running the booth. In the park I have worked in when we are near capacity there is strong radio communication between host and rangers as to what is available and what has been sold.
If the host was aware that the camper was going to town, they should have hung a reserved tonight tag on the site.

The host also has the option of contacting the ranger.

Sorry Russ. It very likely was NOT the last site. Every park we host at has at least two overflow sites. I know for a fact at LaPine there are 6 sites for just this sort of situation.

Hold 6 sites seems excessive, at Stub's we had 2 sites in West loop and one in East Loop, we did have a horse Loop that in a pinch could take a couple of overflow, but is frond upon by horse people (this I understand as a dad of two horse girls).
That said we have been Full, Full a couple nights last summer, zero empty sites at 10:00 pm.

That said Host are volunteers! So you will always get different levels of support unfortunately. Just as you levels of support from Rangers.
DW and I try to make the park a great experience for all. We find it to be enjoyable.

[DSDP_Don]

Two years ago, we made our annual trip to Yosemite at Thanksgiving. We had our site booked and arrived around 3:00pm with our daughters and their two trailers. Sure enough, someone is in our site with a rental motor home and they're gone. For anyone who knows Upper Pines Campground, there is really nowhere to park and wait for someone to return without driving over to Curry Village.

We checked around for the owner without any luck. I spoke to the campground host who told us to wait until they return. We had a coach full of equipment to set up for our week long stay and we were about 1.5 hours before dark and a quick drop in temperature. I told the host that was unacceptable. Someone's lack of consideration is not my problem. I asked the host to call a Ranger. A Ranger arrived within a few minutes and checked my paperwork. To my surprise, he called a tow truck. I figured they wouldn't have the courage to do so, but he did. Apparently, that was the third RV that day that they had towed out of a site. I felt bad, but it wasn't my problem.

About two hours later a lady and her daughter came walking into the campsite. They had a puzzled look. I asked if they were the ones in the site with the rented motor home. She said yes. I explained that check out was several hours ago and her coach was towed to Ysemite Village. She queitly walked off.

Again, I felt bad, but we've been camping for over forty years. We've never stayed past check out time as we feel it;s rude and inconsiderate since I'm paying for the site while someone else is enjoying.

IN this case, the OP placed his slip on the post and most likely someone removed it. The host didn't need to be involved, other than beng a witness, since the host new he was there first. He should have called a Ranger. It's nice he took the "high road", but I don't reward cheats or inconsiderate people.

[CA_Traveler]

PaisleyDale wrote:
Thanks all for your responses and great suggestions. Next time I will leave something that shows this site is taken.

Thanks again - Dale

Lesson learned.

But Dale what a first class guy you are with what you did.

Thank you very much for your service!

[CavemanCharlie]

The step ladder idea is a good one. Something, anything, setting there letting people know that you have already paid for the site.

It is possible that the people that backed in to the site did not even know it was occupied until after they were set up. Then they went to pay / post like I do and found your tag. They either threw it away right away thinking it was a old tag. Or, decided that since they were set up that it was too hard to move after that.

If you leave the site unoccupied you run the risk of something like this happening.

[wa8yxm]

In days of old when I did not have a car and had to take the motor home shopping, to church and the like, I'd leave something beyond the Registration form.. Usually a 2-step ladder with a "SITE OCCUPIED" sign.

But, that said, When I pay for a site the paper shows when I am set to arrive and when I'm scheduled to leave... I consider the site to be MINE till the time specified on the form... and I feel the O/P had that right too.

If for any reason I have to split early.. I remove the form and return it to the camp host.

[enblethen]

Slip? What slip? I didn't see any!
OP did not occupy the slite with his personnal items.

[jdb7566]

enblethen wrote:
You did not "occupy" the site by leaving items there such as previous post a chair.

Read his post, he left the registration slip in the site post, proof enough for me.

[jake2250]

Hows about next time,, use your technology and snap a cell phone pict of the post with your tag on it!
Then you have Solid Evidence to support yourself!

[hawkeye-08]

I have heard of unethical folks taking the registration tag off the post and put their own on... it would be fun to see the host have a conversation and a short time later see the ranger removing the offenders.

[garyhaupt]

Having been a Host..it would have been proper for the Host in place to have wandered over to the new occupants and had a chat. Sometimes bits of paper on a post will `disappear`and then mere mention of the fact that another had already registered is enough to produce a very amicable response. Most folks are only to willing to shift if a conversation is had. Of course, if they get all riled up..the Host walks away and calls in the cavalry.


Gary Haupt

[DiskDoctr]

I think I see the problem. Some are suggesting plastic chain to help.

But HOW are you going to DRAG any vehicle to the lake with a plastic chain??? 😛

LOL.

We had trouble with people parking on our access road during various hunting seasons (private property). Obviously can't find anyone and it's very unlikely to catch them as they exit the woods.

I did meet an unhappy hunter not too long ago, though. He was looking for the owner of the TRACTOR parked across the road.

I hear from him every hunting season now, BEFORE he comes by and parks in the spot we set aside for him. We share a cup o' joe.

Not everything has to be a knock-down-drag-out fight, but some things do require a little effort to "set it straight" 😉

[donn0128]

rhagfo wrote:

donn0128 wrote:
Not saying that. And I know this is no consolation, but you could have taken the yellow one night only sign and flipped it to reserved. Or left a chair or something so people would know the site was occupied. Sadly the host seems to have not done his job either. He should have got ahold of the ranger on duty. But at the very least he should have put you in one of their overflow sites for the night and let the rangers sort it out in the morning. At least thats what I would have done.

OP stated it was the last site available,this is when communications between the Host and Rangers become critical.
I think there was a lost communication between the Host and Ranger running the booth. In the park I have worked in when we are near capacity there is strong radio communication between host and rangers as to what is available and what has been sold.
If the host was aware that the camper was going to town, they should have hung a reserved tonight tag on the site.

The host also has the option of contacting the ranger.

Sorry Russ. It very likely was NOT the last site. Every park we host at has at least two overflow sites. I know for a fact at LaPine there are 6 sites for just this sort of situation.