How Often Have You Left a Campsite Unused

[TaftCoach]

I've been noticing an uptick in threads on various camping forums complaining about reserved campsites that don't get used. I can only think of three times in thirty years we didn't occupy our campsite when we had paid for it. One was leaving early, another we forfeited a non refundable deposit weeks ahead of the arrival date, and another was personal choice in not staying there. (we came, we looked, we left).

If it's true that dealerships are selling a lot of units to first time RV owners I'm wondering if there are a lot of new owners who are less organized that veterans or who are still learning the ropes.

[TxLoser]

I broke my own rule when we had a change in plans last week forgetting to cancel a site I had booked for one night. Didn’t realize it till around 10 that night. First time since commencing this hobby. Also, I have never been in a “completely booked” state park and actually seen every site occupied. Drives me nuts.... and yet I was one who contributed on this trip.

It’s been discussed prior but one root problem is the money side of it. No penalty for a no show and in my case, no money back for a cancellation. I bet my memory would have been better had there been a refund in the picture or a fine for no show. Amazing how $$ helps the memory. Money or no money, I should have cancelled so someone else could enjoy the site.

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by TaftCoach

I've been noticing an uptick in threads on various camping forums complaining about reserved campsites that don't get used. I can only think of three times in thirty years we didn't occupy our campsite when we had paid for it. One was leaving early, another we forfeited a non refundable deposit weeks ahead of the arrival date, and another was personal choice in not staying there. (we came, we looked, we left).

If it's true that dealerships are selling a lot of units to first time RV owners I'm wondering if there are a lot of new owners who are less organized that veterans or who are still learning the ropes.

How do the folks on other forums know the campsites are reserved and then not used? Are they seeing empty sites and no reservations available when trying to book. Around here a lot of the private campgrounds are only booking every other site to maintain social distancing so they could have a situation with no availability but half the site remain empty.

As far as new owners, that would go without saying especially for first time RV owners. Campgrounds do not operate the same with reservations and deposits like hotels.

[GuanoJuano]

Only time I've not stayed at a site I reserved was at the end of a trip that had rained a lot and it was 100% chance the whole next day. So we figured why spend another miserable day just sitting inside the camper. Started our trek home a day early.

[pconroy]

For those that go to Full Campgrounds and see empty spots, there could be some of US out there. With my son, we inevitably pull into spots very, very late.


We're quiet as can be.


But yeah, if you go to bed and there's a spot open, it could be us and you'll see us in the morning.

[us71na]

I know for a fact that some state parks have sites that are walk in only and cannot be reserved in advance. Many times I have camped when the reservation site said there was only one site available that I reserved, only to see empty sites for one or more days when I arrived and stayed at the campground. I even asked a ranger about it once and that is what I was told.

[Bookemdanno]

I've only done it one time. We left 1 day early because it was raining and supposed to rain all the next day as well. Plus...I was not a "happy camper," as the kitchen sink drain somehow detached from the gray tank. We were supposed to stay the night at a campground at the halfway point on the way back. I was so angry that we drove straight thru and arrived home at 2 am. We did call the the campground twice...as we asked if we could come in a day early and then again when we canceled. They had no problem with either. BTW, this was Ameristar campground in Vicksburg, MS.

[muckinfuss]

Just last week we left three days early from an Ohio State park campground where we had a two week reservation. Went to the guard house the day before we left, told them our plans, they cancelled the remainder. Cost $8 and the remainder was refunded back to the card originally used. I assume that all Reserve America reservations have the same flexibility of $8 to change.

[2edgesword]

We routinely leave a day early at our county campground to avoid having to get up early the last day of a reservation, break camp and be out by 11:00 am. We preferring leaving late afternoon the day before the last day of the reservation. It also saves me from using a vacation for the few hours spent that last day breaking camp in the morning.

[jrclen]

We made our reservations at our favorite county park for every other week during the summer months back in January to assure getting the site we wanted. If there is a reason we need to skip the trip one week or a day or two, we will. No refund. No problem. It hasn't happened yet but who knows?

[Adios Pantelones]

All of our agencies campgrounds are FCFS. we have always had a rule that campsites cannot be left unoccupied for more than 24 hours. Never had to enforce it until the last few years. 1st folks started coming early Friday and they would pay and set up a lawn chair and tent and show up later that night with the RV. That wasn't such a big deal until people started figuring it out and would show up Thursday, then it became Wednesday. Now if they are unoccupied for 24 hours we nicely pack up their stuff and leave it with the host so they can come and get it.

[SouthCo]

Have never booked a site and left early. Many times have extended our stay....

[jrclen]

Originally Posted by Adios Pantelones

All of our agencies campgrounds are FCFS. we have always had a rule that campsites cannot be left unoccupied for more than 24 hours. Never had to enforce it until the last few years. 1st folks started coming early Friday and they would pay and set up a lawn chair and tent and show up later that night with the RV. That wasn't such a big deal until people started figuring it out and would show up Thursday, then it became Wednesday. Now if they are unoccupied for 24 hours we nicely pack up their stuff and leave it with the host so they can come and get it.

I have no idea what FCFS means. These are sites which are fully paid for? No disrespect meant but I'd avoid those campgrounds. If I rent the site and pay for it in full, who cares if I use it or not? What if a break down or other emergency prevents the person from getting there within your arbitrary time frame?

[Adios Pantelones]

Originally Posted by jrclen

I have no idea what FCFS means. These are sites which are fully paid for? No disrespect meant but I'd avoid those campgrounds. If I rent the site and pay for it in full, who cares if I use it or not? What if a break down or other emergency prevents the person from getting there within your arbitrary time frame?

First come first serve. Internet connectivity prevents the use of a reservation system. It would be awesome if we had that but since it is FCFS. the sites become unusable to people that want to camp during the week day because someone showed up 3-4 days early and put a lawn chair out. I would totally get it if we were in the business to make money but it's more of providing a service to the public. Our full hookup sites are on $18/day and if you have a golden age pass it's $9. Far from a money maker.

[Jagiven]

In Yellowstone we left 2 days early. DW, could not bear seeing how stupid people were, and she was confident we were going to see someone get mulled or killed. So we left, on our 3rd day.

[Trapper2020]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

In Yellowstone we left 2 days early. DW, could not bear seeing how stupid people were, and she was confident we were going to see someone get mulled or killed. So we left, on our 3rd day.

Never left a campground without refund in over 40 years of camping. I’m cheap.
Since the change in the refund policy at Yellowstone we see quit a few empty sites every day. In the past you could get your money back if you canceled within 24 hours of use. Current policy leaves many people without sites. It’s a shame.

Enjoy the journey

[jrclen]

Originally Posted by Adios Pantelones

First come first serve. Internet connectivity prevents the use of a reservation system. It would be awesome if we had that but since it is FCFS. the sites become unusable to people that want to camp during the week day because someone showed up 3-4 days early and put a lawn chair out. I would totally get it if we were in the business to make money but it's more of providing a service to the public. Our full hookup sites are on $18/day and if you have a golden age pass it's $9. Far from a money maker.

Okay I understand. In that case I understand and agree with the policy. I was thinking of reserved sites. Thanks for clearing that up.

[jhaan]

This goes WAY back and before our RV. But we had a long tent camping trip planned with little kids, and most of the trip got nixed when we couldn't handle them on the road as well as we'd hoped.

Literally THREE YEARS later I was looking at my recreation.gov (or whatever it was at the time) account and found a few nights at Grand Canyon that I had paid for, never canceled, and had completely forgot about!!

At that time the money would have been REALLY nice to have back, too...and I'm sure someone would have liked our site at GCNP in the middle of summer.

[Flyrotor]

The only time I have left a PAID site unoccupied was one trip in Yellowstone, late September 2008 in a popup with two young boys, we had planned for 3 nights camping at Lewis Lake campground (first come first serve). I paid for three nights when I checked in, the ranger at Grant's Village had mentioned there had been recent sightings of grizzly bear activity.

At about 2 am on the second night we were visited by a bear that had stood up and left a paw print on the door of the trailer, of course with an associated bang sound that woke me and my wife out of a dead sleep. It must have just been curious rather than hungry, because it left without further incidence.

We got up the next morning, we could see the large dust print on the screen of the outside of the door. We went about our daily activities that day, and when we returned to camp around 5 pm, made dinner (cooked meat). All of a sudden we looked at each other and said, we should go home. We packed up camp, left by 7 or 8 pm and drove home.

That was our last trip anywhere in the popup, that incident was enough to make us look for a full hard sided trailer. When the spring RV shows opened up we purchased a new trailer, I still camp in or near Yellowstone whenever possible, I just feel more comfortable.

[jhaan]

Allegedly pop ups are safe from bears. I see you didn't want to test that in case you proved it wrong. Smart move...I don't know how they could be any safer than a test especially when ALL YOUR FOOD is inside...behind tent material.