mtlakejim
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Re: Camping reservations with Corp of Engineers parks
Please note that we do in fact often carry our 5th wheel down a couple days in advance of actual camping just to get a spot. We can do that because we live close and I work an unusual schedule where I get days off in the middle of the week. We have even considered getting a tent to place on a site to reserve it so my wife can go to the campground to secure a site(You have to put something on the site if you show up in person). Still the idea that you have to do this is ridiculous.1.2KViews0likes0CommentsRe: Camping reservations with Corp of Engineers parks
Sounds like we are not the only people to have issues with the COE. The campgrounds are usually fairly nice (although you would think that a group with ENGINNERS in it's name would have full hookups at every site---the campground we use the most only has electric). Generally speaking we have had very good relations with the gate keepers. They seem just as frustrated with the reservation rules as we are. As to calling or going online to make reservations my argument is that we should not have to go thru that hassle if we show up in person! I have NEVER seen that kind of issue before anywhere and we camp a lot in the South. By the same token you should be able to go online and make reservations for the same day. We often decide at the spur of the moment to go camping (the lake is only 8 miles away). There is NO excuse for the reservation system to be so screwed up that it would not allow reservations any closer than 4 days out period! This IS the number one issue with COE campgrounds in Arkansas. I have heard from dozens of other campers that would agree! What I am asking my fellow Good Sams to assist with is setting up a protest that will get the COE buracracys attention since they obviously don't listen to their gate keepers! If anyone knows how to send this on to the Good Sams issue resolution team it would also be appreciated.1.2KViews0likes0CommentsRe: Camping reservations with Corp of Engineers parks
Don't know what to tell you folks who don't have this issue in your state but it is a fact in Arkansas and has been for at least three years. It affects thousands of campers going to Greers Ferry lake in Arkansas. If you don't have the issue in your area then good for you but it is a MAJOR problem here. We live only 8 miles from the lake and usually camp there at least six or more times per summer with the grandkids. Since we moor the jet skis or boat in front of the campsite it is critical for us to get one of the waterfront sites. We OFTEN make spur of the moment decisions to go camping and it is really a big deal that the reservations system is so screwed up in this area. This past weekend we decided to go (even though it turned out to cold to swim we still fished and rode around on our cruiser). We went online and saw that the campsite was not reserved. We drove down without the camper to confirm which spot we wanted. We got the camper and came back but the gate keeper would only let us pay for 3 nights because he was worried about the online reservations. Turned out we had to leave on Sunday because someone did in fact reserve the spot for that night. The gate keeper was as frustrated as we were that he couldn't accept our money right at the gate for beyond the 3 days. It should be noted that there is no internet in the park so you can't go online and reserve the 4th night. Granted we could have driven back to our house and got online to reserve the 4th night but my point is we should not have to go thru that hassle and what about all the folks who travel in from much further away? Additionally it should be noted that we have not experienced this kind of issue with reservations at any other park we have visited ever! I know some of you will tell horror stories but we all know they are the exceptions not the rule. Campgrounds are generally very good with reservations and know exactly what they have booked. The idea that you would need 4 days to line out reservations is absolutely nuts in this day and age of computers and the internet!!! I have written our two senators about this issue. Does anyone here have a CONSTRUCTIVE suggestion as to what else to do?439Views0likes0CommentsRe: Camping reservations with Corp of Engineers parks
The "first come or Walkup" sites are way back in the woods! We had to leave after 3 days just this week and have had other people have to move when we had online reservations that the local gate keeper did not know about. All the local personnel at State and private parks in Arkansas know exactly where they stand with reservations at any given time. Granted there are occasionally issues but they are the exception not the rule. We have also visited sites across much of the south and found that they all have similar. The ONLY places we have run into this issue is Corp of Engineer parks!442Views0likes0CommentsCamping reservations with Corp of Engineers parks
The wife and I often camp at Corp of Engineers parks. The parks are generally clean and have good people at the local level. However their reservation system leaves a lot to be desired. First off there is a 4 day waiting period if you try to reserve online! If you go online on Monday the earliest you can reserve a site is Thursday! Secondly if you show up in person the gate keepers can only guarantee your site for 4 days! If someone else goes online and reserves the site your already on then you HAVE to move!!!! We have stayed at a lot of state and private campgrounds and Corp of Engineers seems to be the ONLY campsites with this issue to our knowledge. Has anyone else experienced this issue and is there someway as a group we can pressure the Corp to change their policy and improve their booking system?6.8KViews0likes31Comments
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