New reservation policies for CA State Parks

[balzaccom]

I've written before about how the reservation systems for our parks seem to struggle with the way people use them. We frequently camp in campgrounds that are "full" according to the reservation system--with every campsite taken. And yet we find as much as 30% of the campsites are not occupied.

There has to be a better way, and California State Parks has taken the first step, with a series of new policies. One them is clear: if you make a reservation and don't show up, you forfeit all of the reservation fees paid. AND--three no-shows in any given year and you are banned from making reservations for a year.

Who knows it if will have an effect. But we can always hope.

Here's a link to the page on reservecalifornia.: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1029

 

[hossainanan]

I've written before about how the reservation systems for our parks seem to struggle with the way people use them. We frequently camp in campgrounds that are "full" according to the reservation system--with every campsite taken. And yet we find as much as 30% of the campsites are not occupied.

There has to be a better way, and California State Parks has taken the first step, with a series of new policies. One them is clear: if you make a reservation and don't show up, you forfeit all of the reservation fees paid. AND--three no-shows in any given year and you are banned from making reservations for a year.

Who knows it if will have an effect. But we can always hope.

Here's a link to the page on reservecalifornia.: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1029

I’ve seen the same thing happen. Campgrounds show as full, yet plenty of sites sit empty overnight. A real consequence for no-shows is necessary. If people know there’s a penalty beyond just losing a small fee, they may think twice before holding spots “just in case.”

 

[canadug]

A problem with many of the reservation systems is that you get no refund (or very little) if you need to cancel. Therefore there is very little incentive to cancel your reservation.