3 night stay rule on holiday weekend?

[heyaim]

What's up with campgrounds only allowing 3 night stays on holiday weekends? This sucks! I will never end up with 3 days off in a row. These holiday weekends are the rare times I actually end up with 2 days off in a row. My next weekend off isn't until the end of June. I would love to go camping this weekend on Saturday and Sunday night! I will keep calling around...

Another gripe - The campground cost! I don't mind paying the prices. But what's up with the over night cost being for only 2 people, then it's an additional $2-5 per person per night. On average that bumps us up to $50 per night!

OK, time to put my happy face back on....

[GaryKD]

Hi heyaim,
KOAs (Keep On Adding) have been getting away with this for decades. In recent years the independent CGs are now jumping on the band wagon.

[Max Hubrich]

Tony-

I've been working in a small Maine coastal campground going on for 7 years now.
That has been the owners policy since I've been here- ie: 3 days minimum for Holiday weekends and that is for two adults and two children. One vehice with your RV- extra cost for additional velicles and kids/ or adults.

Some of the reasons for this policy-
The owner is dealing with a short season. School doesn't get out in Maine until mid-June. Kids go back to school in late August. Right now we have 3 campers (in a 44 site campground), this weekend coming up (Memorial Day), we are booked wall to wall- all tent sites are filled too- then the plug is pulled until school is out.
Mid june until the 3rd week in August looks good.
The season almost ends after labor day weekend.
The owner is dealing with a 3 month season, at best.
Extra people require the use of the campgrounds facilities, ie: toilets, water, sewer. Every gallon of water used here is accounted for to state inspectors watching our sewer treatment facility.
Another campground near us (The Little Ponderosa, ME) was closed by the owner when the state was going to mandate him to put in his own sewer treatment system- He said "no way"! I'll close the place first. He could never recoop his million dollar plus expense.

How can a business survive providing a great coastal lobster experience, the beautiful ocean, Kayaks, etc with such a short season? It also happens to Sporting events, large trade shows, and all major functions.

It's called "survival".

If you want this wonderful family experience of camping in a pristine, rustic campground in a picture post card setting, you gotta pay for it-

Oh, our ocean front sites are $50/day, plus 7% tax. Just consider your two day stay at $75/ day. Many customers booking our sites understand this policy and we receive hardly any complaints.

Good luck and I hope you can find what you want,

[doc]

It was explained to me once like this concerning a hotel in Pigeon Forge: The three day weekend will result in the entire hotel being full. Why should we rent one night or two and mess up the weekend, when it is a sure thing to rent all three nights? It makes sense to me financially speaking, but was aggravatiing after we had sat on that motorcycle all day to get there.

[RickO]

Yep, I think it's supply and demand... pure and simple. They do it because they can... and that's not a bad thing overall.

The nickle and dime charges do add up and are very annoying. The ocean front sites in Maine for $50 sound like a deal compared to the $85/night we paid in San Diego... which included a daily charge for each of our three dogs.

Rick

[heyaim]

I understand everything on the business end. On the personal end, it sucks! There's only 5 x's during spring/summer/fall that I have 2 days off in a row. Those are the only times we can go camping. 2 our of those are holiday weekends (Memorial or July 4). Oh well!

Just frustrating! I wanna go camping with my family!!!!

[RoyM]

I can certainly understand the rationale. If you only book for two nights he may have turn away another that wants three. Then he has to hope he can fill the site for the third night. As Max notes it is a short season and the owner has to pay bills year round. Make hay while the sun shines.

[heyaim]

Yes I understand it all! I just don't like it! I know all about the seasonal income...We are in the pool/spa business in Ohio. Which explains the crazy work schedule.

[Monacoach]

If Monday is the Holiday and you are working, stay until after dinner Sunday. Consider that the park rates are higher on long weekends with the added bonus of an extra night or late checkout on Sunday.

[mga60tw]

I have the answer for your problem Call in Sick )

[NLOVNIT]

Couple 3-night minimums for holiday weekends & having to reserve 6 months (or more) in advance for popular campgrounds & getting a site can be a challenge.

Hang in there, Amy & get out when you can.

Lori-

[JohnRR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mga60tw I have the answer for your problem Call in Sick )

As in sick of having a job

[heyaim]

Well, we decided to stop trying to find a campground who will let us stay. Instead we are going to do all our mulching, power wash our patio and sidewalk around the pool, finish planting flowers. Camping sounds like so much more fun!!

Those who are camping this weekend...think of me while you are sitting at the fire having your fav drink!

[cb5300]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NLOVNIT Couple 3-night minimums for holiday weekends & having to reserve 6 months (or more) in advance for popular campgrounds & getting a site can be a challenge. Hang in there, Amy & get out when you can. Lori-

And then there was.....WAL-MART!!!! No minimum stay, and plenty of shopping!!!