We found this on the Facebook group Florida RV Camping. It made us mad. Why do some people think they do not need to play by the rules?
Here’s the post from a member of the group:
“While at an RVers luncheon today, I asked the man seated next to me where he was going next. He said he and his wife would be at Johnathan Dickinson State Park for 6 weeks. I asked if they would be hosting. Nope.
“Then I asked how he finagled 6 weeks. “Creative registration ” was his answer. He reserves two weeks in his name, 2 weeks in his wife’s name, and I guess 2 weeks in the dog’s name. When I said that was just wrong, he justified it by saying they had paid for it, so they deserved it.
“Florida has the 2-week max rule, so it appears Reserve America isn’t enforcing it. And those of us who live here suffer the consequences.”
This makes those of us at RVtravel.com angry! Why do some people believe they are entitled to make their own rules, which in this case deny two or more other campers a campsite that should be available? Hopefully the rangers catch on in this case, but you wonder if they would legally have the power to do anything.
Most of these reservation systems require a license plate # so it is up to whoever patrols the campground to make the connection. I still think reservation systems, especially in taxpayer funded campgrounds, are a pox on true “campers”.
I agree… Checking the license plate upon registering would eliminate this.
Bill, Rob I’m with you both 100%. The reservations system has ruined camping for those of us who like to wander at will. Most of us were ruled by the clock or regimented a lifetime on the job and have zero desire to live like that in retirement.
I have to conclude overall, operators regardless of private or whomever couldn’t give a rats A about our pursuit, only that they fill the place to the brim each night.
The CEO and I have figured out our own ways around this and RVTravel wouldn’t be angry at us for it either. We head off where few others go, often with no internet, no artificial light, (just stars) no clowns, no 24/7 yappy dogs, kids or drunks.
Let me say it is getting harder to pull this off, BUT, we find it is still possible – not always but the majority of the time.
I’ve worked for several of the campground systems. After a day of cleaning the mess that people make in the bathrooms and campground the last thing I had time for was trying to kick people out and checking license plates. The company’s that hire only pay minimum wages for that were expected to clean 10 bathrooms and clean up to 75 campsites twice each day. We are an older couple driving 80 miles each day.
On a different Facebook page this week, there was a discussion of possible free Overnight RV Parking in Key West, FL, which has a ban on sleeping in vehicles, and also a ban on parking of any vehicle more than 20 ft long and 7 ft wide. One person replied that he would just go ahead and break that law because a $50 fine was cheaper than an RV Park space in Key West. Just another self-centered RVer who thinks the rules are for everybody but him. These are the people who motivate cities and towns to ban Overnight RV Parking entirely. These are the few who spoil things for everyone else.
Duh!, raise the fine to achieve the desired result – end of problem.
I think he would change his mind real quick if he got a larger fine in addition to a knock at the door around 3:00 AM to move along.
Do away with reservations!
I know some will balk at this…They want to ensure they have a space when they make that long drive to a premium spot. I get that.
But if there are no reservations allowed, less people will go there. Just have a back up plan in case when you get there, there is not a spot open. No reservations – Bulk buyers/re-sellers can’t get into your pocket.
The reservation system is flawed and will remain so for the foreseeable future.
Bulk buyers purchase blocks at a time just to re-sell at a higher price.
People will always find a way around the current system.
Of course, campgrounds LOVE the reservation system to ensure they get can get as many spots paid for in advance as possible. Invested right, the campground owners can use that to their advantage. They don’t care where the money comes from. They just want MORE MONEY!
I couldn’t disagree more, reservations are a great thing. People travel sometimes great distances to enjoy a state park. I’ve driven 12 hours towing a large 5er to spend what little vacation time I get each year in a specific state park. All they need to do is use the RV Tag Number, unless somebody is falsifying tag numbers that would pick up the fraud and then again the park service should match the tag with the reservation receipt on check out day. That’s what camp hosts should be doing and report over-stayers to the rangers.
As I stated, there will be those that disagree…
X2. I hate reservations CGs.
Indeed the camper can use his name, then his wife’s name, and I think his name again because the system believes he has left the park for fourteen days. Maybe a better “tracking” device would be by camper registration, but then that wouldn’t work for tenters. Vigilance of the rangers is important but I’m not sure they come out of that shack much.
Tenters arrived by a vehicle .. unless they walked in.
I recently read a comment that RV parks with reservation systems are more like “motels” than camps. I tend to agree. Here in WA, our state parks are operating more like resort motels, with increased emphasis on advance reservations for overnight stays, with more funds spent to develop “camping cabins.” Reservations are being made as far out as nine months in advance to assure a spot! Eventually, increased demand may force a lottery system for high-demand, prime-season sites. With higher fees, already at a level approaching private RV parks. It’s no longer a camping emphasis. It’s more of a destination resort experience with “in the rough” nature features.
As for the Florida person gaming the system, isn’t that what our competitive system is all about? It’s as old as people: look for the loopholes and gain an edge.
This happens all the time in Florida, a lot of snowbirds use our state parks as their winter residence which is very wrong. They need a better system, instead of using the name as the main title in the reservation maybe use the tag number so they cannot do the alternating two week stints. As a resident it is hard to get into a state park because of this. Reservations America only seems to care about selling campsites, and not who is in it and how long they are staying.
Well shame on the park service to for not figuring out what is going on and enforce the park policy, that is their job. The reservation system is just a service the park service uses to collect money. Call the State Park Service and file complaints, its their job to enforce this.
Well, our experience with Florida State Parks is that Floridians, who can book in an extended window, book all the weekends….leaving snowbirds–and others–weekdays only to book. But often, if the weather forecast isn’t favorable, they cancel last minute. This is also an abuse of the system! Snowbirds wouldn’t be canceling, as they are commited to staying for their entire reservation. Perhaps there should be some spots allocated for locals and some for out of staters. This is what happens on Georgia’s Jekyll Island—they keep a certain number of spots for Georgian residents and do not put them into the regular pool of available spots. Snowbirds aren’t trying to irritate the locals. But snowbirds, as we all know, contribute greatly to Florida’s winter economy.
This is the same issue as the Walmart problem. No respect for the rules.
If reservations went by tracking your plate number those who abuse the system would be caught. You wouldn’t be able to continue to stay, the system would catch you.
Exactly the first thought that came to my mind, yes!
Some people are always looking for loopholes and cracks in rules. They think they are “winning” but all they are doing is forcing campgrounds to make rules much more restrictive.
The guy Chuck talked to must have been a lawyer.
I wonder if this guy wasn’t a troll trying to annoy other members of the facebook group? in 2018 we bought a condo in Florida because of the reservation hassle. we had been on the road for 16 years prior to that now we travel for 6 months. During our full time life we alternated between East and West Coast every other year. Getting up at 4 in California just to make Florida reservation to the second is brutal especially when you don’t get one the first try. However during our time in florida we only camped in State and county parks below Tampa and I only saw somebody pulling that stunt once and the Rangers shut it down. I did see a company at the Q Show offering computer services to guarantee a spot at state parks including Florida I reporters it to the State and havn’t seen anything more about it. While things could have changed based on my experiences I wonder if this guy wasn’t a troll trying to annoy other members of the facebook group?
Use Florida State Parks for the last seven years.Saw people there for more than 2weeks for many years until I and others began to notice and complain.Some rangers said this will stop in future. Rangers should note tag numbers upon entering and leaving and check against reservation info. Still see and recognize some couples doing this each year at a certain State Park with a smug attitude to boot !!I say ban them for a year might change things.
So now you’ve taught others how to finagle the system?
I come across this type of “entitlement mentality” all the time. It’s almost like they get up every morning and spend a good part of the day thinking about ways to cheat all of us. They don’t drive the speed limit, they jump ahead in any line, and many work in local, state or federal government jobs. I don’t believe they are lawyers, but they seem to know enough about the law to break it without consequence. These people are “you OR me” and not “you AND me” type people. They want free everything regardless of who will end up paying for … and care less because they have no conscience. It pisses me off too, and I don’t tolerate it … Call them on it, turn them in, report them, dial 911 when you see one of them dragging a “wagging” bumper-pull by you at 10-20 mph over the speed limit. Take action!
You nailed it, no conscience. They probably grew up with no consequences for their transgressions, and lack of morals of course.
I must take exception to your statement …”and many work in local, state and federal government jobs.” I have worked at the local and federal level (30 years) and 26 years in the Army. There will always be someone working to game the system, but almost all the people I worked with were hardworking dedicated employees who had a tough job to do, did it exceptionally well and often went above and beyond to solve a problem. Next time throw some other group of workers under the bus.
People who game the system piss me off also. Confrontation is probably not the best answer contact law enforcement that has jurisdiction to deal with the offender.
Dennis, glad to hear you feel the the way many of us do. These type of people have existed for ever. I also feel the same way about people who believe they are a good Samaritan if they alow the line jumpers in ahead of them or give the ” fake ” panhandlers money at every intersection. They are “ENABLERS” and don’t even know it.
Here in the West we also see site poachers at fill service campgrounds that have no gate. They pull in after the office closes and pull out at dawn having dumped their tanks and charged their batteries. Some campgrounds are starting to put locks on the utility boxes as a result.
We’ve seen this also – sad…
Here’s another annoying thing I believe happens. Since the date a site opens for reservations includes the following 13 days people who want a particular few days, Memorial Day weekend for example, look back 14 days from the holiday and make their reservation on that day. Sometime later they cancel all of the days leading up to the holiday weekend. This means people who might have wanted some of those days that are before the holiday weekend can’t get them until the original reserver gets around to cancelling. RA has a policy of not allowing changes to a reservation more a number of days after it is made in order to prevent another form of reservation abuse but that contributes to the problem of delaying putting the unwanted dates back in the available pool.
Ed, this happens in NC constantly! The state is losing revenue and they do not even know it. They won’t make “no show’ sites available until a reservation holder cancels. Most do not so the site sets empty and the state collects their small cancellation fee instead of the full price.
This happens all the time now. Along with the original post
Best thing I ever did was buy a 43′ 5er as public sites are so rare I only use private CGs now.
I know of a woman from California that uses this same ploy to extend her stay in Oregon state parks ( 14 day stay limit) the same way. Two weeks in her adult son’s name and then 2 weeks in her name and she is in the site the whole time. Her RV is in the same space the whole time. Frustrating since our parks seemed to be used more by the Californians than state residents.
People do this with COE campgrounds in FL as well.
Stay-time limits should be tied to the camper’s vehicle license plate number.
I think it all boils down to the management/ rangers to enforce whatever rules are there. First off, Joe citizen gets 2 weeks. At the end of 2weeks he must vacate. Period. Then if Mary citizen has a reservation,she can come in,but, in a different spot. This can be tracked by license plates. No fooling around. I think the people don’t want to break camp nd reset. I remember last time in Gulf shores area when max stay was for like 2weeks.yah,right. Those people never moved. Me in charge they would and be banned from using my park again for at least 2seasons. There are plenty of people looking to use available sites that would play by the rules.
Another problem is RV rental companies gaming the system to book entire blocks of weeks at western state and provincial parks and then resell with their rentals. We’ve encountered this several times over the past 3 or 4 years, confirmed by the number of rentals we see rotating through the same campsite during our day stay. For this reason, we began booking our 2 week summer vacations 9 months to a year in advance to ensure we get a spot. If I ever get more than 2 weeks vacation or once we retire, booking 2 weeks in both our names might be something to consider. The other thing to consider is to sell our RV and rent for the 2 weeks. At least this way we’ll be assured of getting a campsite!
Not all that unusual. For years we have watched those who abuse the ##-day rule by simply moving to a different site, then after the ## days, moving back again. In WA state, our neighbor simply moved from the state park a few miles away and then back after the #days ran out. As long as you don’t mind the setting up again (and if you don’t have sewer, you probably need to dump by then anyway), you could live a lifetime in the same couple of parks.
What is frustrating to us now is the inability to get ANY site without reserving several months to a year ahead. Part of what we loved about RVing was the ability to “get up and go” — the unplanned getaways, or the unplanned detours. If you are not a boondocker or long-term planner, RVing may not be for you any more. And the “site hogs” that you described are part of that problem.
Don’t you have to input license plate numbers?
At least in TN and on reservation.gov, no license is required if you reserve online.
One creative method abusers use is to request a different site number for each reservation. (One campground host told me they finally uncovered a party that had used 5 different family names, and managed to stay 10 weeks!)
As best as I recall, for FL State Parks you do not put in tag #. They do record it when you check in, but if you already have another registration, that won’t stop it. And yes, as others mentioned, it is VERY HARD to get campsites at Fl State Parks, especially for weekends and especially Oct thru Apr.
I see this often in Arizona State and County parks. Locals cannot get reservations because RVers from colder climes hunker down in sites for the season, also by “creative registration” that allows them to circumvent the stay limit. In an AZ FB RV/Camping group, I once suggested that the state and counties should reserve a percentage of spots for those with AZ driver’s licenses, since it’s our taxes that support the park and camping area. I didn’t realize there were so many “snowbirds” on that forum! They went crazy. One Canadian accused of making them feel “unwelcome”. I didn’t want to make anyone feel unwelcome, it’s just seems fair that Arizonians should get to enjoy Arizona parks. People who play the system make it worse.
Darlene, we agree 100%. We are new RV’s who have been trying to get a couple of weeks in a Forida park or a park in the Southwest for two years. We have not been able to find a spot for a short stay even in October, November, or March or April. Not the entire season, just a week or two. We are told everything is booked the entire season and to a great extent by Canadians. Yes we have tried a year in advance and the story is the same. Your idea of parks reserving some of their sites for in state residends and U.S. residents is a great idea. Now before you Canadians start whining about making you feel unwelcome, let me say this. Of all the countries in the world that we have traveled to on business or pleasure, Canada has clearly made us feel unwelcome there. Doesn’t matter if it was driving in or flying in, your border control agents are downright rude and condescending. Also in your French part of the country shop keepers, hotels and restaurants did the same, although not to the same extent as border control. Americans should be able to stay in American parks during the Winter season. There must be a way to to give everyone an opportunity to escape the Winter even it is brief.
Here in BC Canada we have the same problem but with “Summer Birds’. You know those from the southern states who want to escape their summer heat. We have met many visitors from the southern states who come up here for the summer, from May to September. One couple we met was even work camping, As for Quebec (‘Your French part of the country’) we found the people always friendly and helpful even if their English was not the best, it is better than my French. As one clerk in Rimouski PQ told us that if they wanted the greenback they had learn English. American’s and Canadian’s seem to have the same problems but in reverse seasons
Yes, I agree. We are Az residents & can’t even stay at our own state parks anymore. I hate the fact that even mid week during the winter season I am unwelcome in any campground due to the one year in advance reservations. It’s sad but a fact that this problem will only get worse.
Jerks will be jerks!
Will always have inconsiderate people who only care about themselves, so not surprised RV’ers have them in our midst. Rangers patrolling the State campgrounds need to be more aware to take note of RV license tag no..
There is a state park 2 hours away from our home that we like but we have not been there for 2 years because people from the city come out early in the week, set up their rigs and go back home till the weekend. No reservations taken. I suppose they have that “right” to do that, but it’s not fair to others that like the area and want to come and spend money.
I’d suggest checking with the Park Rangers to see if they enforce the “You Must Occupy Your Campsite’ rule. Most State Parks I’ve been to have such a rule, that campers must be present (occupy) there site. If people are leaving, the Rangers should be ticketing (or booting) them.
These are most likely the walk-up sites which are not reserve-able on line.
No they don’t have the right. Take pictures, log the events, then call channel whatever to investigate. Nothing gets a useless government officials dander up than seeing it on ” news at 11pm” I’m dead serious. You want change, embarrass the public officials. It ALWAYS WORKS.
As long as a RVer is paying their appropriate hook-up fees, you’re not paying for their heat. BUT, an RV park should be forced by code to have adequate voltage/amperage available to provide full power, 24/7, to every site where there is a hook-up box if his park were to be at full capacity.
A way to prevent this would be for the management to enforce a policy preventing the same RV to be parked in the same space for over the 2 week limit. If the RVer has a reservation confirmation for another 2 weeks, he has to move to a different site (preferrable to a not-so-choice site).
As a host at a Fla state park and seeing the 2 week limitation manipulated like the discussion states, ( husband then wife) it would usually require a move but sometimes it didn’t. Lots are snowbirds and they use the 11 month reservation window. When they reserve early then the state gets to use their money for those early months. So, it’s the money and it’s not going to change.
To fix the 2 week cheat in JD State Park, assign the limit to the vehicles registration number, not the name of the occupants.
Many people who camp have 2 vehicles, so this would not work. When at JD State Park last Winter there was a couple across from me who both of them were trying every morning to get a site for 11 months in advance. They also had 4-5 other people trying to do the same thing for them. After several days, someone was able to get them a site for 2 wk’s. I was trying at the same time, but felt I was at a great disadvantage with all this competition. Anyway, when I got back home a month later(April), I happened to look on Reserve America one night for any openings at JD State Park, and there was a 2 wk. opening for Feb.1-15, 2020. I could not believe it, but took it anyway, and cancelled my 2 wk. reservation at Fort Clinch SP for that same time period. It’s 300 miles North and much cooler in early Feb. Trying to get reservations in some of these FL State Parks are close to impossible.
Don’t understand the brou ha ha about this…..I paid my money, I get to stay. Who cares?
Make your reservation early to avoid this if it bothers you. That’s what we do.
You don’t want to understand because you are part of the problem.
Exactly!
Here’s one of the problems. You would care if Floridians came an HOGGED your RV Parks in the Summer. Which I help plan to do in the future!
You, sir, are selfish and inconsiderate to say the least! You and your kind ARE a problem. You belong to the “It’s all about me.” group.
The problem is you’re greedy and take more than your share. Pretty simple to understand, and you know this already, I’m sure.
At some point what goes around, comes around and you will experience what others experience.
Reserve America has made RVing a nightmare, especially state parks. State appointed park executives with no outdoor experience, see outsourcing this responsibility as a way to cut costs. They do not care or even understand how their residents view the systems. Every Park Ranger we have discussed this with has agreed with us. They say when they conrolled this it was much more fair.
It is infuriating when you see this type of abuse and those in our society who could care less about anyone other than themselves. Abuse of the hospitality at Wal Marts is another “it’s only about me” lifestyle. Dumping black water in the parking lot storm water systems; leaving your trash are just examples of why WalMart will stop overnight parking in the very near future…..you people make me sick and I only wish I could you you pulling this type of crap….
Darlene, we agree 100%. We are new RV’s who have been trying to get a couple of weeks in a Forida park or a park in the Southwest for two years. We have not been able to find a spot for a short stay even in October, November, or March or April. Not the entire season, just a week or two. We are told everything is booked the entire season and to a great extent by Canadians. Yes we have tried a year in advance and the story is the same. Your idea of parks reserving some of their sites for in state residends and U.S. residents is a great idea. Now before you Canadians start whining about making you feel unwelcome, let me say this. Of all the countries in the world that we have traveled to on business or pleasure, Canada has clearly made us feel unwelcome there. Doesn’t matter if it was driving in or flying in, your border control agents are downright rude and condescending. Also in your French part of the country shop keepers, hotels and restaurants did the same, although not to the same extent as border control. Americans should be able to stay in American parks during the Winter season. There must be a way to to give everyone an opportunity to escape the Winter even it is brief.
I cross into Canada via Washington state and have always found the Canadian border agents very friendly and welcoming, it’s the US agents that are rude and make me feel like a criminal when I return home. Maybe the attitude is coastal West vs East?
We have crossed the Canada/US border from Detroit area, Niagra Falls, Kingston ON, and northern Mane. The customs/border agents on both sides have always been as pleasant as I would expect. They are doing their jobs asking questions and inspecting, enforcing the laws. I wouldn’t like to spend my working days dealing with the general public in that capacity.
It’s the same as the heater ads telling us to use electricity the somebody else has to pay for.
Then they complain the campground prices are so High!
I’d like to address the issue of “no show” campers. In Indiana the Reserve America system doesn’t seem to allow for people who cancel reservations. The spaces don’t show up for use and therefore sit empty while people show up at the park and want a site. They are told the campground is full when it isn’t. This is not fair. The site is already paid for, so even if/when they get in they are also paying AGAIN for the same site. If you cancel and someone else comes, they should get the site and you should get a refund. Seriously, sometimes site reservations have been made many months in advance and things happen. But worse is the empty sites sitting there while a “campground full” sign is out in front.
Reserve America won’t allow their system to be live. They make a killing on those service fees. The worst part is that the physical site is located in Toronto, Canada. Try and get anything done in a socialist based country, gold luck withnthat
I would do a little research before spewing at the mouth (or fingertip).
Reserve America headquarters is located in Dallas, TX
Cindy, this is also a problem here in North Carolina and probably any state that uses RA. Our incompetent Governor appoints other incompetent political friends to run the Agencies. The head of State Parks here I suspect has never been in one and knows very little about the outdoors or how much more revenue they could generate if they forced RA to fix this empty no show problem During the peak Summer months, we always see many sites that we tried to reserve but were taken, sitting empty the entire 14 days that we are staying in a less desirable site . RA has not been good for campers or the Rangers in charge of these various campgrounds who admit their old manual telephone system was much better.
This is so true! Plus a guy we know will rent a campsite at a popular full-hookup campground for a holiday weekend and if he can’t end up using the site, he puts the site on Craig’s list for rent! So he does not lose his one night reservation fee! This is totally wrong! Indiana DNR should stop this rerenting of a campsite. Totally Disgusting!
I agree. We camped at Grand Canyon National park and at least 20% of the sites were vacant when the lot stated full. Vendor said sites are paid for by No-shows but they can’t release them. If you don’t cancel and don’t show you should be charged double.
Happened several times to us. Frustrating.
I was a campground host in the Black Hills for a few summers and the policy was if the camper is a no show on first day of reservation the second day they opened the site up to first come first use.
people who abide by the rules are frowned on now! This is not correct! THAT is one reason people can not get a reservation, because of the people who cheat!
IF they move to a new slot in the park I think that would be ok. If not, I hope one of the rangers sees thru the charade and boots them out.
Most campgrounds now have one or more hosts. They always check me when we use senior citizen discounts. Why can’t check items like this? Over two weeks, leave!
This should be a simple solution to bots stealing reservations -the camper must have the same name as the reservation.
I’ve found some government campgrounds, in California, have a “secret” or “walk in” policy which is a certain number of sites not reservable, but only available first come first served basis. One gets there during the weekdays and can stay over the weekend and up to 14 days. One county campground on the beach had that and they allowed me to move from my reserved site to one of those sites which were much better than some of the reservable ones. I asked about this policy at another very popular So Cal State beach campground and the gatekeeper grudgingly admitted to the existence of these sites. This was during the lower demand non summer or non holiday periods, who knows what happens during the summer when the campgrounds get reserved in minutes after the reservation period opens.
Unfortunately, all these problems are due to TOO MANY PEOPLE. Campgrounds at our National parks were set up during the 30’s, and are overwhelmed, as are the parks, with the current population.
This is total BS. We live in Florida full time and pay state taxes that supports our State Parks. Maybe the state should make sure to do a better job enforcing their regulations. This is one of the reasons why Florida residence can’t get into our own parks.
to stop this practice why don’t they use the license plate 2 weeks only and cant come back for 2 weeks
Cause you can swap license plates. Do reg number and chassis number then coupled with drivers license number.
I totally agree with you. I do not belong to Reserve America. When I first got my RV I tried to reserve a spot at Folsom Lake (State Park) because a family member reserved a picnic site for a reunion. The website said all full, no sites available. So we attended the reunion and sure enough the sign at the Ranger office hung outside said all full. So I drove around the campground and counted 11 empty sites, this was after 5pm. The ranger station was closed so sites could not be given out. I did the exact same thing at the Tomales Bay State Park. Same situation. Empty spots, ranger station closed early. It is surely going to get uglier as more seniors become vagabonds.
Luckily for you, if you don’t mind planning a bit in advance, you, as a state resident, can book online earlier than anyone else. That should help—-but sadly, not for those spontaneous trips.
Reserve America is based in Dallas Texas! That is their headquarters. Yes there are offices in Canada and various others areas.
Dude, the data and reservation call center is located in Toronto, Canada. Nice try, fake news alert
There are three parts to Reserve America 1-Texas, 2-Canada and understand the 3rd is an umbrella. Reserve Europe.
At the Dec campgrounds in New York the tent campers reserve the large rv spots so they will have plenty of room but they take up the only large spots that are available. If you don’t have a 35 foot rv than you should not be able to reserve one of those spots. It’s not only cheating it’s just plain selfish!
We see that happen at our fave local state park. Some guy with a Prius and a tent takes up the biggest, longest pull through in the park. We’re not talking about the busy season when you take what you can find. This is when the park isn’t even half full and there are lots of spaces that would be quality for someone tenting. Nothing against tenting – we started that way DECADES ago. But . . .
Because some of prefer to camp the way it was meant, why are we less deserving than you, glamper?
Its called being considerate to your fellow human campers. Just because you choose to tent camp and I choose to use a camper does not give you the right to take the only spot I might fit in.
As a tent camper, I select the site that fits my desires (space, view, water, elect, near restroom) so why should I select another site just in case an RV wants it? I plan well in advance so I can get the nice spot and the reservation site does not indicate “rv only” site so that tells me that tents are allowed. Tent campers are not second class campers and have rights to the pretty spots too.
Maybe because you always think your better than because you folks claim to be more with nature and you’re not. I had a tender state that being more like Ule Gibbons was closer to nature my reply was as long as you eat the right n_ts.
I don’t really think the electric heat (heat pump or space heater), is the same thing. If the cost of the site includes electric (as it usually does on all but very long term stays), it is fine. It’s no different than in summer running your A/C. They don’t expect you to use some alternate cooling in summer, why should you be expected to use propane and not electric to heat in cooler months. Besides, even with heat or A/C, most RV’s use a fraction of the electric that a sticks & bricks home uses.
Camp Rangers should spot the abuse and force them out.
This is funny, the ones at our state park are more worried about getting their hair knot tight on top of their head and what time they get off than enforcing any rules. The place has gone downhill ever since they were hired on some kind of quota.
I’m not yet an RVer but have been anxious about making that purchase. We have a travel trailer that suits our lifestyle all picked out.
After reading all of the comments about the difficulty of getting reservations at some of the preferred locations, the comments are about to convince me that maybe I don’t really want to make that purchase. The difficulties and abuse of the system written about here remind me of when we were timeshare owners; one could never get a reservation simply because of overselling the properties. (Luckily we were able to legally get out from under that timeshare). We couldn’t get a reservation BUT we could go to their website and find a rental unit available.
Depending on which end of the country you’re in, Tommy, this problem see-saws. It also has to do with the time of the year as well. Don’t be discouraged, and hopefully you could park your RV at your house. That makes a difference in how often you would use it.
If your plans are to stay in high traffic areas than you have to plan your trips months in advance, but if you want to boondock or stay at low traffic areas you usually have plenty of options in the west but the further east you go you will have less options for spontaneous planned trips. If you want to stay somewhere long term plan months if not a year in advance and reserve and make sure you get it in writing.
Might I Suggest
that you rent one for a month and try it out, its a small expense if it turns out that you are not enjoying yourself
Love to know how you got out of the timeshare.
We regularly book back to back reservations when we want to stay longer than two weeks at some state, federal or provincial parks. Simple to do, no gaming the system required.
Be informed, read the terms & conditions, book online and make it work for your situation.
Simply put, failing to plan is planning to fail!
Simply put, Planning defraud is well planning to steal.
Reserve America IP address is 66.193.24.198 which is Dallas Texas. So unless Texas has been annexed by Canada…….
Maybe should be annexed by the US.
I live in Palm Beach and Jonathan Dickenson is our short getaway goto spot. Only December thru April, exactly when we want to do a two or three night camping trip, it is impossible to get a site. It saddens me that greediness and breaking the rules for selfish gain is so commonplace. I wish they would use the license plate of the RV to enforce the law.
To the person that talked about “RVer takes pride in cheating campground reservation system”. The people are paying the campground so that is not cheating. They are cheating the RVers that can not use the space because they are hogging the space.
If the same person is reserving under multiple name how is that not cheating
Really Dottie they are thiefs. Rather they paid the are not following the rules and since people can’t follow follow those rules Then the rules should become laws with heavy fines and those fines be used to make upgrade to the park and pay rangers, host more in wage.
At one of the National Parks that i camphost at they have taken measures to stop People from spending the entire season in the campground. They have a first come first served system so no reservations but 14 day limit. At which point you have to leave the park for 14 days then may only return for an addition 14 days in a calendar year. It takes a little effort to enforce. Especially when it was first introduced. But after a few people were escorted from the park word got around( there must be a Facebook page for those who try to beat the system) and it works pretty well now. I know some people who come for a three or four day mini vacation have taken in total more than the allotted yearly time. But those who do three or four days never were the problem. It was those who wanted to do three or four months.
This could be corrected by registering each space to the license of the RV, not by name. Hopefully these crooks will meet their fate somewhere down the line.
Half the time you can’t get a phone number on their regi.
Then no registration. No valid info or half reg info then no reservation. Someone has to take the bull by the horns and brand them and where it hurts. Suspended reservations over next several years. All personal info and vehicle info is collected upon registration for reservations. Applicant will receive notification up in approval and that info again will be verified upon check in. No match no entry.
I live in Florida and am a Disabled Vet yet I can never get a reservation in any of the Florida state parks if I want to get away. This current reservation system does not work for the residents of Florida.
Glen it’s not only Florida it’s nation wide. Until there specific info in registering as in RV registration and is verified nothing changes. And like it or not that number is entered into a system and the RV in itself is registered and two week against not a name that way Mr the Mrs and Spot cannot register 2+2+2 weeks in reservations. Simple and to the point and that registration will be checked against chassis number. And if Mr the Mrs and Spot have been found to registered 2+2+2 their entire reservation is cancelled and the data reflects such violation and any and all reservations are deleted from system and no registration can be made by the for 2 years. Maybe that will slow down the thiefs of the system.
As a campground host in one of the most popular state park Arizona, I have seen this plenty of times, mainly Canadian guests.
We are eyes and ears for the park so we report it to they rangers and they take care of the problem.
It’s not fair or correct to,follow the rules and let others have a chance to stay in the parks.
It’s the same “me” generation that has ruined Wal Mart overnight parking; state parks and the newest is the Harvest Host program….soon to be ruined by these people who think they are “entitled”
I frequently spend the summer operating a Forest Service campsite in British Columbia. I do have people come in and book for 2 weeks, set up, and only show up on weekends. It is frustrating, but legal. We do have a policy that they have to occupy the site, but We cannot remove their stuff, not to mention a trailer. I did remove a tent once and was accused of damaging their possessions. No way would I hook up to a trailer.
Part I: It seems this RA company at best is an issue. Why have not the RV organizations band and attacked the politicians that have allow your state lands and federal lands to operate so poorly. It seems as well as reading that RV rental companies are an issue the the problem as what about companies like say camper world and others. Clean out the mess, and stop contracting. Feds run it with fed employees as the same with states. RV organizations sit together and help put rules and regulations together. State residents get a percentage of sites and others sites open up to non-residents on state control parks.
Part II: Federal parks are a different creature as we all own part of the park with federal tax dollars. So the system should be of equitable usage. A two week period use at a park and if you booked another park say in another State park as you continue your travels that is permissible use of federal park campsites never having more than two weeks at anyone park. Then strictly all rules and laws with stiff monetary fines and rangers given the power to enforce. In the meantime confront legislators, governors, Congress persons and senators as well as media and for
I learned of this about seven years ago at Topsail in Destin, Fl. Their was a group of about 5 or six RVs who were recumbent bikers. They were very clavier and proud about what they were doing.
Florida has migrated to a new reservation system. Hopefully it is better a catching the offenders than RA was.
This is a prime example of the modern day families not teaching the golden rule to their children. We all like to blame the millennials including me, but when you think about it if children raise themselves with the help of TV they turn out like this person. Me only generations!
P.S. this is progress in the name of computerism. I’m not against computers they are a great tool, but… as with everything else we encounter if there is a way for abuse it will be found and capitalized by some. I’m so old I remember when the computer industry was just starting and their big advertising gig was how computers were going to eliminate all the paperwork, only thing they forgot to research was when computers die you better have your info backed up by paper.
There are PLENTY of Baby Boomers playing the reservation scam game, it’s not just as you put it, “modern day families”.
As to reserving a campsite for 6 weeks, it’s a loop hole. Two weeks in his name, then two weeks under his wife’s name, then back to his name for two weeks.Unless the gate shack persons or a Ranger make note of their stay, they’ll get away with it. Federal and state regulations state that what their doing is prohibited.
The Wife & I agree: if you somehow “ace” the system, you just made life more difficult for those of us who choose to follow the rules. Does anyone agree with this assessment on a personal level?
Wow! Talk about using the attitude, it’s all about me and the hell with everyone else. I wish there was a way to flag these people. Another similar is someone who makes two or three campground reservations, chooses one and never cancel the others.
i would’vev condidered turning him into the mgmt at that state park.
Sounds like a Politician.
Human Beings are a terrible creature. I much prefer animals.
A Florida State Park Ranger told me that they know people are manipulating the system but they do not know how to prevent it. A few years back I was trying to book a reservation at Bahia Honda State Park. The reservations opened up at 8AM and there were 20+ open for my time frame at 7.55AM. I punched the reserve button at exactly 8AM on my computer and could not get a spot. I also had the phone ready and dialed Reserve America at the same time and still had no luck.
The same thing happened to 4 of us this morning. Four different groups, different geographic locations, 9 spots available at 6:59, all taken at 700. All 4 of us tried and nada. Something’s up, some group of people are cheating the system somehow. If anyone knows what’s up I would appreciate a heads up.
Loose Lips Sink Ships … never discuss your advantage… never.