It appears that NC State parks have introduced Reservations to all their State Parks (that take camping) but it appears that instead of following tried and true models of other states where it appears to be working just fine, they implemented their own system and having experienced it first hand, I can truly say, it's a MESS!!!!!
Let's start out with some details of the new system...
Campsites under the reservation system are $3 more per night and typically, all campsites in a campground (or loop) are classified as reservable or non-reservable.
Now, if you happen to want to drive in and camp (without a reservation), then you a) are charged the reservation fee regardless and b) can only camp one-night at a time (renewing your site each day)...
This was supposed to take effect July 15th (and for all but 3 parks, this has), but 'technical' issues at the gatehouses for 3 of the parks has delayed this at least until July 27th... They DON'T even know if a site is reserved already or if a site has been double booked.... Sounds like more than a 'Technical problem' at the gatehouse.... but I digress...
As insult to injury, their website is TEDIOUS to use.... You can bring up a calendar view of the sites and see what is available over a 14 day range but if you find the site you want, you have to exit out of the calendar and then page through the sites until you find that site and then select the number of days, etc.....
Sorry for the rant, but it frustrates me that people can't deploy a workable system or gouge people who want to just drive up and camp...
I too am a little frustrated using this new reservation system. While I do not have any knowledge of the "drive up no reservation" policy, I feel they have implemented a monster. It is not as user friendly as, gasp, Reserve America.
You cannot view the sites that you want to reserve without a major changing of websites. This is very bad!
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blucrabbie wrote: I too am a little frustrated using this new reservation system. While I do not have any knowledge of the "drive up no reservation" policy, I feel they have implemented a monster. It is not as user friendly as, gasp, Reserve America.
You cannot view the sites that you want to reserve without a major changing of websites. This is very bad!
Taking a local example... Jordan Lake State Park - Crosswinds and Poplar Point are now completely Reservation Campgrounds... If you don't have a reservation, then you can only camp for a night at a time and you pay $23/night (electric/water) or $18/night (Non-Electric/Water). If you stay at Parkers Creek Campground, it's non-reservation and still $20/night Electric/Water and $15/night for non-hookup.
Here is the fine print from the Reservation System main page:
Quote: Reservations aren’t required for a campsite or picnic shelter if that facility is available. Without a reservation, campsites and reservations are on a first come, first served basis. (NOTE: An exception is Jordan Lake State Recreation Area.)
And from the Frequently Asked Questions:
Quote:
Can I still camp at a state park if I don't have a reservation?
Campsites are by reservation only. However, campers are welcome for on-site registration if a site is available (has not been reserved). At some parks, a number of campsites are set aside for on-site registration on a first come, first served basis.
Be aware that without advance reservations, you cannot be guaranteed a site for more than one night unless you're using a site specifically set aside for on-site registration.Each state park posts a list of sites available for on-site registration and updates the list at least once daily. The lists are posted on a campground information sign that also gives instructions on how to complete on-site registration. Specific registration procedures may vary from park to park.
I highlighted the section of interest. This means that sites that are part of the Online Reservation system are NOT part of the sites set aside for Onsite registration (also known as First-Come-First-Served).
Granted, this section will mostly apply to the campgrounds that are 100% devoted to Reservable sites like Poplar Point, Crosswinds and any in the large parks like Kerr Lake, Falls Lake, etc but still an inconvenience, especially since you have no idea what kind of site you would get or are set aside as FCFS sites.
So you're saying our state gov't, who can't balance a budget within 5 billion dollars, has screwed up something as simple as online reservations? Can you see the look of sheer surprise on my face!
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Due to work, I spend a lot of time camping all over the Carolinas. 169 days this year alone. Respectfully, I'll express my dismay with the NC SP system. NC offers a very limited number of parks with RV facilities, maybe 14 or 15, IIRC and are concentrated in specific areas. In contrast, SC has nearly twice as many which are spread all over the state. It's a lot easier to see all of SC from the SP system than it is in NC.
Obviously, Raleigh has missed the boat in offering RV facilities throughout a beautiful state with so much diversity. Now, it appears they are up the "proverbial" creek without a paddle with an unfriendly reservation policy for the limited RV sites that are available. Since I no longer live in NC, I can only vote with my dollars. That means city, county, and COE parks for me, with a few Passport America parks thrown into the mix. Too bad, because I really appreciate a good State Park system.
I guess I'll just keep on using the state/federal parks as day use only-and use private cgs to stay in. I know I'm missing some experiences not to be had in a private cg, but they are surely easier to deal with. If I was into scheduling ahead of time, and keeping to a schedule once underway, I could have stayed employed! Retirement for me is not about making "appointments" and then not being able to be impulsive-sounds just like when I was not a fulltimer, but had to answer to "the man"!
Man alive!!!!!I have just returned from the most stressFUL weekend camping trip ever at Kerr Lake!!!!
Okay I didn't have a reservation, what was I thinking, I've NEVER made reservations for camping!!!
Sites that were not marked as reserved were not in the system as available, and sites they said were available were reserved.
I really hate the new reservation system!!!! And we get to pay extra for this nonservice. Hey goberment, ya want to reduce cost?? One guy to take my info and money, and one guy to write on my mirror hanger, that's it two, two people!!!!!! You don't need six people there lined up smoking and doing NOTHING!!!
I liked having the freedom to select from what was available, not anymore!! Gotta love it!
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I have to agree the new system SUCKS!!!! All they had to do was look south to our neighbors in SC. Their on-line system is awesome.
There are two things (OK - three - the $3/night surcharge for this******gets my goat) that really set it apart as especially sucky.
1. As someone previously mentioned, you cannot jump straight to a particular site you want to reserve. You have to scroll through page by page. Poplar Point has like 400 sites. Do they know how long it will take to scroll to a site you want in say G Loop?
2. This is the part that really sucks. You have to make your reservation 48 hours in advance!! So if you want to go for the weekend, you are out of luck if you don't reserve a site by Wednesday. So much for last minute "hey it's going to a nice weekend, let's go camping". And the two biggest campgrounds at Jordan Lake don't take walk-ups. I have a feeling there are going to be a lot of unfilled sites at Jordan this year. Great way to help that revenue deficit folks!!
The plus is that due to the hassle, there seems to be fewer sites reserved so far so you can get your pick of the nice sites if you are willing to navigate the crappy website!!
At Poplar Point, the reduced the entrance to a single file lineup... So, if you are returning to the campground, you have to wait (up to 25 minutes in some cases) for the people in front to get their permits, etc.
Again, like posted above, provide some parking lanes for people checking in or getting vehicle passes to park and GET OUT of their vehicles to walk up to the office to get their permits. Having to wait (and waste fuel) in a line is a waste. It's time for people to call the Division and complain about this new policy. They actually have the second lane closed off with Cones.
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