Texas State Park - malarky!

[TXiceman]

During Covid times, things are crazy all over.

But we have seen Texas state parks sites set empty overnight because thoughtless campers have booked site many months out and then do not cancel...they just no show and prevent others from using the site. But since the site is reserved, it cannot be double booked.

Ken

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by Btm

Unless they have changed anyone from out of state cannot get a site at New Mexico STATE parks.

Btm

Many states have that policy now. If they were to allow out of state RV's, that would invoke the 14-day quarantine period, if any.

[Tetonchief]

There are several factors that go into these decisions that people don't always consider. One is the impact on the local services, such as hospitals etc that can support the local folk and how much visitor capacity they can absorb. Then there are other services like grocery and drug stores etc.

[Vinster30]

Just got home from a Texas State Park that we go to 2 to 3 times a month. They had campers in about 70% of the spots. The most I have seen there in 9 years. They show only the 50 amp spots for online reservations. The 30 amp spots can be purchased only as walk up. The Park usage is up so much that I had to reserve spots through the end of November just to be sure we can get in. There have been 2 week ends in the past month that we could not get a site.

[Red Wolf]

Monahans Sandhills SP was at 50% occupancy last month. Reservations had every other campsite closed.

I’ve been booking COE parks since May, as the slots are generally further apart. Last month’s trip through Monahans and Kickapoo are the first SP’s we’ve booked since Feb.

[oatmeal]

Originally Posted by Tetonchief

There are several factors that go into these decisions that people don't always consider. One is the impact on the local services, such as hospitals etc that can support the local folk and how much visitor capacity they can absorb. Then there are other services like grocery and drug stores etc.

That's an excellent point. Like the OP, most people look only at how far the sites are from each other, without thinking about the follow-on impacts of people being in a given place, especially people who aren't usually in that place.

[Mr Ted]

Originally Posted by NevadaNick

Thought maybe you went on tour with Joe

LOL!

[CamJam1]

Crazy times indeed. I often wonder what I would do if I were the Governor of a state during these times. Someone would be mad at you no matter what, and the options are limited and largely ineffective if people ignore them. You certainly can't shut everything down forever.

I guess I'd be for opening everything up (but limiting large gatherings) while making masks mandatory in public places with heavy penalties for non-compliance. Schools present a special problem and I'm not sure what the right answer is.

[Edd505]

Your lucky you got in, in NM they would have turned you away, state residents only.

[WTB]

Ah, in Florida it is even worse. Family reserves the first 14 days in the name of the husband, then the next 14 days in the name of the wife, then the next 14 days in the name of a child, and on it goes. Confirmed this with one of the rangers. Of course anyone seldom shows. They just want it "reserved" in case they have a chance to go. In addition because of their "contract" with the agency making the reservations they are unable to "cancel" the site for no show until at least 10 days have passed. Insane.

[runamuck]

we have not had any trouble camping at parks in n. texas or oklahoma. they are often full tho and many folks are working remotely from the park. it is possible that the park the op wanted to stay at was really reserved as the host said. texas and okie parks can be reserved online and to get a spot, many people reserve way in advance and cancel later. we have not participated in the panic and have mostly been able to do as normal. If just passing thru the op should maybe just try a private rv park.

[ArtJoyce]

Originally Posted by TXiceman

During Covid times, things are crazy all over.

But we have seen Texas state parks sites set empty overnight because thoughtless campers have booked site many months out and then do not cancel...they just no show and prevent others from using the site. But since the site is reserved, it cannot be double booked.

Ken

DW and I call them covid campers. We have been seeing the same thing every where we camped this year. Sites with reservation cards for days sitting empty. Is it new campers that don't understand they can cancel their reservations and in most cases get much of their money back. Or is it the change in park procedures: I believe in our state if someone did not check in within one day, they would re-rent the site. But now there is no checkin. So does the park knowwhen to cancle a reservation?

[jbwilli1]

These parks should charge a $100+ (example) non refundable reservation fee, it might make it easier to get a spot. If you show then the fee applies to your stay.


We finally got in to a 120 space park that was fully reserved, each day the number of rigs didn't change. Went the office to get 2 more days without a problem.

[Fiesta48]

Texas COE parks are full. Not state regulated. We dont like our state park fees and lack of services. TX resident 32 years.