just booked labor day (and got a site)

here they check everyone. they are strict with their 6 person limit. they also ask you if anyone calls or visit looking for you weather or not they have permission to tell them your location. I like that.

Jebby14 wrote:
^ standard practice in Ontario. don't think I've ever stayed at a campground (privet or government) that didn't want the names of everyone registered on the site. Curious why you wouldn't offer this?

I've never dealt with this in MI State parks. Half the time theres no one there to check me in lol. I could understand the practice. just never seen it done. usually they just keep track of cars per site.

^ standard practice in Ontario. don't think I've ever stayed at a campground (privet or government) that didn't want the names of everyone registered on the site. Curious why you wouldn't offer this?

ZINGERLITE wrote:

Jebby14 wrote:
there is a clear need for more campgrounds within the Ontario parks and parks Canada systems. they are at or near capacity all season long especially weekends. Lots of privet trailer parks have availability but that's not my thing and we usually only use them for a quick overnighter.

problem is where I live (southwestern Ontario) undeveloped natural land is not readily available. this is a problem that's only going to get worse.

I never think about private camp grounds. the MI DNR booking tool is too easy to use. Private camp grounds require me calling on the phone. its 2019. Time to upgrade! ha!

The vast majority of private parks have online booking IME, the only place that wasn't the case was along Lake Ontario in upstate NY, for some reason almost zero of the parks along the lake have online booking and none return calls during the off-season (at least not for a 1 night booking). I ended up paying the NY state parks for 2 nights even though I was going to a different NY park the next night. It turned out ok since my site was close enough to the water to hear the waves as I fell asleep and 2 nights at a NY park was about what a private party charges for 1 night. The only weird thing is that this park wanted the name of everyone in my party, and refused to check me in without it. They said it was a regulation but I've stayed at numerous NY parks before and since and never had to supply that info.

Jebby14 wrote:
also they tend to be a parking lot with no 'nature' I can do that in my driveway with less money and effort and no crowd

Agreed. Ive driven buy some of these rv parks and they look terrible. just parking lots with power poles.

also they tend to be a parking lot with no 'nature' I can do that in my driveway with less money and effort and no crowd

Jebby14 wrote:
there is a clear need for more campgrounds within the Ontario parks and parks Canada systems. they are at or near capacity all season long especially weekends. Lots of privet trailer parks have availability but that's not my thing and we usually only use them for a quick overnighter.

problem is where I live (southwestern Ontario) undeveloped natural land is not readily available. this is a problem that's only going to get worse.

I never think about private camp grounds. the MI DNR booking tool is too easy to use. Private camp grounds require me calling on the phone. its 2019. Time to upgrade! ha!

there is a clear need for more campgrounds within the Ontario parks and parks Canada systems. they are at or near capacity all season long especially weekends. Lots of privet trailer parks have availability but that's not my thing and we usually only use them for a quick overnighter.

problem is where I live (southwestern Ontario) undeveloped natural land is not readily available. this is a problem that's only going to get worse.

Does the demand for campgrounds on holiday weekends warrant creating more camp grounds or is it not worth the investment for 3 big holiday weekends a summer?

they are different. wheatley is open until the end of oct, pinery is year round. neither had enough for my group to book. some are going to Elora George but unfortunately I'm sitting this one out.