While making a Minnesota state park reservation this morning, I noticed the following message on the reservation web site.
"New in 2008! Beginning June 2, 2008 – ALL camping and lodging reservations can be made up to one year in advance."
The old reservation window was 90 days.
I personally don't like the change for the following reasons:
1) You will have to plan a year in advance especially for major holidays.
This can be difficult with work schedules.
My brother's employer only allow it's employees to put in for vacations no later then 90 days in advance.
2) The state will have your money for up to a year. I doubt the state will pay you interest.
3) If you do make reservations for next year, you will be paying for this year, PLUS next year, all during this year.
4) You could have a hard time finding a site. Example: If you are planning to go camping during the 2009 Memorial holiday, you better make a reservation on June 2, 2008.
I called the reservation service and asked if the state will still require you to pay for the reservations in full. I was told that they have not heard of it changing.
I called the DNR and the person that knew was out of the office. The person I talked to said that they would get back to me.
Some questions for other Minnesota state park users:
What do you think of the new 1 year reservation window?
Do you think it will have an impact on your future camping outings?
Would you contact the DNR if you don't like it?
* This post was
edited 03/21/08 05:02pm by AgateHunter *
The no shows don't use services but they do keep others from using the sites, which ticks off those who can't find room in the CG. And I'm sure the rangers hear about it!
I didn't like it when Wisconsin went to the 11-mo-advance reservation window, but we got used to it. Check on the refund policy for cancellations; Wisconsin doesn't keep more than 1 night's fee unless you cancel (relatively) last-minute, and I would expect MN to do the same. Hope that's the case!
For the reasons you listed, I dought many people will actually register that early. Unless you are registering for holiday weekends, you don't need to waste the money registering. We just call the individual park number the day we are heading out, to see if the have open sites for that day, or two. This works or 95% of the time.
Mark
Mark & Jan "Old age & treachery win over youth & enthusiasm"
2003 Fleetwood Jamboree 29
Wisconsin is like this also, but only 11 months. If you want an electric site for a summer weekend in one of the more popular parks, you have to do it exactly 11 months out or you don't get in.
I like the 90 day reservations. NE has the 1 year and it is impossible to get into the fun CG's on the weekend. So then you have to risk heading out in the middle of the week and hoping for a non-reservable site. I just booked father's day weekend at a MN State Park and didn't notice the change. I hope they don't do it and I wish NE would go back to 90-days.
Happy camping
Carlstone
2005 Suburban 1500 2WD, 5.3L, 4.10
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If someone is a no-show, is the reserved day charged to their credit card?
And, if someone doesn't show one a certain day, is it a first-come-first served the next day? Seeing as how they were a no-show on their arrival date.
Quote: If someone is a no-show, is the reserved day charged to their credit card?
And, if someone doesn't show one a certain day, is it a first-come-first served the next day? Seeing as how they were a no-show on their arrival date.
Not sure how MN will run it, but in WI, you pay for the entire stay at the time you reserve it. They will refund (to your credit card if that's how you paid it) all but one night's fee, plus a cancellation fee of about $10, IF you cancel more than about 4 days ahead of your stay. If you cancel after that, or are a no-show, the charge sticks (you've already paid it, of course, if you reserved 11 months ahead). For several years, that site would remain empty the entire time of the original reservation, which never seemed right to me. WI has changed their policy slightly, so that the reservation holder has until a certain time the 2nd day of their reservation to show up & they'll hold the site for them; after that it becomes available. Not sure if it's available first-come or for a new res, though.
Cancellation: 14 or more days prior to arrival
If the reservation is canceled 14 or more days prior to the arrival date, a $10 cancellation fee is charged. The camping payment (minus the cancellation fee and the non-refundable reservation fee) will be refunded.
Cancellation: Less than 14 days prior to arrival
If the reservation is canceled less than 14 days prior to arrival, the first night’s camping fee is forfeited and a $10 cancellation fee is charged. The customer is refunded the remaining amount of the deposit less the $8.50 reservation fee.
When my wife and I planned our trips for the year in mid-January we were unable to make reservations in Minnesota (our home state) or Iowa because at that time both did not permit reservations more than 90 days in advance. Our busy lives require advance planning and confirmed reservations. Now maybe my home state can get some of my camping money in 2009.
I complained via email to both state DNRs. Iowa did not even give me the courtesy of a reply while Minnesota replied promptly and informed me of the pending change.
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