I think it is time to once again visit the issue of reservations at Escapees Parks.

With ever increasing fuel costs, the need for destination certainty is becoming more and more important.

We are members of the "fixed income" club like a large number of Escapees Members. So, if we spend $200-$300 ($.50/mile) in fuel, traveling to a specific destination, planning on an Escapees Park, it would be a comfort knowing that there will be a suitable space for us when we arrive. If they are full, I know that the Eacapees staff will do everything they can. But, what if they can't? Since Escapees' Poilcy is "no reservations", it puts you become at the mercy of the $35/night private parks and the $45/night KOA's. Or, you saddle up and drive on at $.50/ mile. Therefore, the membership benefit of reduced rate Escapees Parks is greatly diminished.

For this reason, we seldom use Escapees Parks. But, we would like to. We just can't afford to leave our camping costs as a variable in our budget.

Is there no way for Escapees to offer at least some modified reservation system?

I must respectfully but strongly disagree.

We've only been traveling and using Escapees parks for three years, but we've never run into any difficulty having a place to park. I believe the first-in/first-out rule is more than adequate. After all, it's rarely invoked - or at least that's my understanding.

I hate reservations.

I have never been turned away at a SKP park, or even had to spend a night in boondocking. It might happen if you show up during the parks annual festival days, but even then they will find a place to park you.

You can always call on your day of travel, let them know what time you will arrive and ask if they expect to have room. You won't get a guarantee, but should have a pretty good idea of your chances. Then make alternative plans if you think it will be necessary.

Larry & Joan,

Don't miss out on this wonderful advantage of Escapee membership. Oh my! Worth your membership alone.

You won't be left out in the cold. You will get a space. Do call to tell them your plans. If anything unusual is going on, they will tell you.

But, if they have to move someone off a space because a new arrival needs a space...they will. Just know that this rarely happens.

You should be confident about your arrival at a SKP park. I would consider it a given that I would get a space even if I had to dry camp overnight 1 night (at the worst).

Mona

I think the point that everyone is missing is, that RV'ing as we know it, is about to change forever. With these high fuel prices, the days of traveling 15,000 to 20,000 miles a year and bouncing from park to park on a weekly basis are just about gone.

Dirving slower and staying longer is rapidly becoming the norm. I think you are going to see many more full parks, especially this winter.

No one is advocating a mandatory reservation system. But an option of a reservation for those who prefer the security of knowing what is ahead is not unreasonable.

In our 12 years of Escapees membership we have only used an Escapees park twice for this exact reason.

Larry and Joan---

I agree with you. We have, in fact, been turned away at two SKP parks, one in Washington in 1996 and one in Arizona in 2004, for lack of space.

The personnel in Arizona were rude about it, bordering on downright hostile. I've been a member in good standing for many years, but that behavior was uncalled for even if I had been a brand new SKP. I think with a reservation we might have avoided the entire unpleasant situation.

Bev

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Bev,

I'm curious. Were these Escapees parks or co-ops? Could you give us the locations?

Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by Rif:
Bev,

I'm curious. Were these Escapees parks or co-ops? Could you give us the locations?

Thanks

Chimacum, WA; Yuma, AZ

Bev

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Both Evergreen-Coho in Chimacum and Kofa in Yuma are co-op parks and are not part of the Escapee owned parks.As such the parks are owned by the members/leaseholders. Each park makes it's own rules and the connection with Escapees is pretty loose.

Only the Rainbow parks are owned and operated by Escapees. It is always a good idea to make sure which the park is that you plan to visit and calling ahead is also not a bad idea.

I believe that Chimacum & Yuma are co-op parks and therefore governed by their individual board of directors. So lodge a complaint there.
Been f/t for over ten yrs, never except on holidays, major events ie festivals etc have we ever made reservations. Free your mind and stop worrying, we usually call a few hours before we plan to arive at a non skp park and ask if they have room, SKP parks, just show up before 4pm and we never have been turned away.

I personally hate the reservaion systems which are becoming more common at NPS and state parks.

I am leaving escapade Sunday to begin a 3 wk road trip into Montana and Glacier National Park. NO RESERVATIONS. I am not worried.
Read the book titled "The Secret" It moght help you stop worrying about where you are going to be, just be. We had a great speaker at Escapade who talk about "living in the moment"
Awesome

quote:

In our 12 years of Escapees membership we have only used an Escapees park twice for this exact reason.

IMO, you are tyying to solve a problem that does not exist - at least to a significance that requires any modifications to procedures.

We have been fulltime for 8 years. We use SKP parks whenever we can - primarily the Rainbow parks. Even at peak times in the winter down south we have only HAD to boondock one time - for one night - at the Summerdale Park. Next day we got a site. We have stayed hundreds of days in these parks - in and out in prime season with no issues whatsoever. I simply do not see it as an issue.

I'd be interested in hearing from the Parks people on the Rainbow Parks first-in first-out forced out statistics if they are willing to share. That would tell you if there was a problem that needed reservations to address.

quote:

Originally posted by larryqp:
I believe that Chimacum & Yuma are co-op parks and therefore governed by their individual board of directors. So lodge a complaint there.
Been f/t for over ten yrs, never except on holidays, major events ie festivals etc have we ever made reservations. Free your mind and stop worrying, we usually call a few hours before we plan to arive at a non skp park and ask if they have room, SKP parks, just show up before 4pm and we never have been turned away.

I personally hate the reservaion systems which are becoming more common at NPS and state parks.

I am leaving escapade Sunday to begin a 3 wk road trip into Montana and Glacier National Park. NO RESERVATIONS. I am not worried.
Read the book titled "The Secret" It moght help you stop worrying about where you are going to be, just be. We had a great speaker at Escapade who talk about "living in the moment"
Awesome

larryqp---At 68 years of age (and 15 years as a fulltime RVer) I am quite comfortable in my own skin. As it happens, I DO live in the moment and DON'T worry about where I am "going to be". I was simply responding to the original post. I don't believe that my opinion about a reservation system indicates an urgent need for a self-help book.

Thanks so much for your well-thought-out advice and concern for my mental well being. I'll file it under unasked-for pop psychology.

Bev

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I find it very odd that all of these so called "self governed" co-op parks have exactly the same rules. Very interesting. In my 63 years on this planet I have found it hard to find any two people who agree on anything, let alone the governing bodies of 11 RV Parks.

Furthermore, I find it rather troubling that since some people prefer to live their life "on the fly" that those of us who don't, are somehow wrong and should change the way we prefer to travel.

And, my friends, we have never been faced with $4.25 gas and $5.00 diesel before. If you read any of the financial predictions, our fuel costs have only begun to rise. Traveling down the road to the next park, is no longer only a $15.00 trip.

But, then I guess most people prefer to just ignore future problems. After all, planning for the future is not important. Change is somehow threatening. What was it that was previously said.....just "Let it be".

Furthermore......Before this discussion gets out of control, let's go back and read the original post.

In it, I asked that we discuss the potential of an "additional" benefit. Nowhere did I say that we should require reservations. I only asked to offer it as an "option".

I would be more than willing to pay for an additional benefit. But, don't just dismiss the premise because it is not something you would use.

That is not a discussion......that is just flat out rejection.

quote:

Originally posted by Hollardawg:
Furthermore......Before this discussion gets out of control, let's go back and read the original post.

In it, I asked that we discuss the potential of an "additional" benefit. Nowhere did I say that we should require reservations. I only asked to offer it as an "option".

I would be more than willing to pay for an additional benefit. But, don't just dismiss the premise because it is not something you would use.

That is not a discussion......that is just flat out rejection.

Larry---I apologize. It wasn't my intention to hijack your thread. My bad.

Bev

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