41 replies to this topic

[MarkBC]

I carry a couple of "traffic cones" -- 12-inch tall and safety orange.  It gives an "official" look to the claim.

[BobM]

I just spread the campsite with Bulldog ants (Myrmecia pyriformis). When I return, I have them trained to go back in their kennel

Edited by BobM, 03 September 2017 - 03:01 PM.

[PackRat]

We arrived at our campground, paid for our site and then went around the lake to the boat ramp to get the aluminum into the water to come back over to where are camp was. By the time we got back some guy had pulled his RV in and started unloading his gear...I politely showed him my reciept and informed him he would have to move out.

 

That didn't set well with him so we went back to the Ranger campsite and I explained that I had paid for my site, went to the boat ramp and then returned to find the guy in "our" site. The Ranger asked for my receipt and then asked the other guy for his...

 

To which he explained he intended on setting up and then paying for "his" site.

 

Well, I think you know what the Ranger told him....yep....SOP is to find your site (if it does not have a reservation or occupied tag on the number post), leave Mama there while you go pay for it, after paying you can return to "your" site and set up....not the other way around.

 

He was really bummed out at both of us but did move out....it was a great site just 100 feet to the lake down an embankment to a small beach where you could tie up your boat with the other campers.

[klahanie]

^ Which, I guess is a situation this thread is about trying to avoid.

 

We like to pick our own site even when there is an attendant who wants to place us and there have been times when we could have picked someone else's spot, not knowing the site was being been paid for at the same time. Or could have  driven back to pay and another guy settled in before he registered. Just been lucky, and of course I would always go to try register before "setting up".

 

I find the whole camp ground thing rife with potential problems. It's quite the game to be pick a spot and not regret it ... and I've stopped saying "at least the neighbours are quiet" until after we've departed !

Edited by klahanie, 03 September 2017 - 03:31 AM.

[Tuff Guy 62]

I've found this to be very effective.

 

 

No problem with any gear missing to date 

[iowahiker]

We use one or more of:

 

- Just the paper payment tag.

-  A blue tarp, 7x7.

-  A "campsite occupied" sign purchased from Amazon.

-  A kids 4x4 tent, staked down with metal stakes which go in and out easily.  

 

What we use depends on how busy the campground is, how long we will stay, and how good/firm the gate/registration is. 

 

So far (knock on wood), the "campsite occupied" sign and the tent have worked 100%.

Edited by iowahiker, 17 September 2017 - 12:12 AM.

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

When entering a campground that has an "iron ranger" we get an envelope first then find a site fill out the info leave the tag hang the "occupied sign"then go and deposit the fee.

Hasn't been a problem so far.

 

Ted ,a few years ago had a problem while camping at Kings Canyon. He chose a site,placed out personal items on the table hung the tag then went to pay, then returning to his site found all their camping gear placed to one side of the site and a "family" moved in to his spot.

They felt it was theirs since "no one " was around. It wasn't a nice ending the family felt it was their site even though Ted had a

paid tag. The ranger had to get involved.

 

The last thing I want out camping is any confrontation. Life's too short for that.

Frank

[trikebubble]

I leave my Wife.......come to think of it (hold on for a second)....yes, she is still there......time to head back to Oregon.

[JaSAn]

I carry an old backpacking tent that has outlived its usefulness, packed it takes up very little room.  Put it up if I have to leave the campsite for any reason.  If someone steals it I am not out anything useful.

 

I always walk back to the pay station; I like to walk and the pup needs to burn some energy after riding a while.

 

jim

[clikrf8]

I bring signs that say the site is occupied, plus I take phone photos of the receipt for the site in case a ranger needs to be involved. Never had anything ripped off (yet).

We do the same thing: photograph receipt attached to campsite post. I always put it in a small baggy to protect against rain. We also use a very small orange cone to place at our campsite. We put it the bathroom when not in use.

I can’t imagine why people steal things like chairs and levelers? If we stole something, I have no clue where to put it. We have just enough room for essentials and the what in case items.

The reason we prefer boondocking is because there is no one to take your spot you paid for. If you leave and return to find it occupied you just move in. I have had camp hosts insist we leave something and I tell them sorry, we have nothing that we can part with.