"Bad story about Capitol Reef N.P. from ACA - p.23"
Boy, we could probably strart a whole thread about similar instances we've had dealing with the bureaucrats that run campgrounds. I've had my share as I'm sure many of you have..
I had a very similar experience take place at a Forest Sevice Campground outside of Aspen, Colorado one August. I road into Aspen about 7:30 p.m one evening and knew of a FS campground about three miles out of town so I headed for it. When I got there about 8:00 p.m., the somewhat surely host took one look at my bike and gear and put on an attitude. When I asked about available camping sites, he said there were none available. I looked down the loop and saw an obviously empty one that had no reserved notice on it. He informed me that it was a group site, which it was, and that you had to have at least six people in your goup to use it. I asked if anyone had reserved it for that evening and he said no. I told him I would gladly pay for the the price of a regular site and that if anyone showed up later (I figured there probably wouldn't be a group coming in that late without resevations) that I would move. He flatly said no way. When I began to protest, he told me to leave and that he was tired of "my type of people around". That realy set me off and words were exchanged. But it seemd I didn't have much choice, so I headed out. On the way out a single guy in a pickup camper who had overheard the conversation, offered to share his site with me. Since he had his truck to sleep in it was obvious that he wouldn't be using the tent pad. I thanked him and began to set up my tent. The host Nazi came over and informed me that it was illegal for two unrelated people to use the same sight which was complete nonsense. Another heated arguement ensued between my newly found friend, myself and the host. He threatened to call the police, so to spare the other guy any trouble, I moved on. I stealth camped a little way down the road and spend a good enough night although the amenities of a campground would have been nice after a long day. That morning I stopped by the campground again and the group site I had originally wanted was empty and obviously never used. Again, the host came out to confront me and I made a point that his unreasonableness cost the FS money, inconveniced me and made him look like an ass. He again threatened to call the sheriff which I invited him to do and that I would would be stopping by the FS office in Aspen to have a chat and file a complaint. When I explained the situation to the ranger at the station in Aspen he apologized and was obviously rather upset with the host and promised to look into it. I had the feeling they had earlier problems with this particular host. I don't know what the end result was as I continued on my way but the whole thing left a me a bit upset.
Another similar incident occurred while on tour through California's central valley. I had had a 70 mile day in very hot temperatures and the map showed a Bureau of Reclamation campground on the San Joaquin River near where I had planned to end the day's ride. I rode the easy two miles down the road to a very nice campground on the river. It had grassy shaded sites, tables, showers, the whole shebang. The campground had fifty sites and not one was occupied. I fond the hosts and asked if it was even open and about the proceedure of registering. I was informed that it was open but I had to have reservations in two weeks in advance to stay there. I pointed out that the campground was absolutely empty and couldn't understand the problem. They were quite polite and sympahetic but said rules were rules and there wasn't much they could do. They even called to a higher level up who, in turn, actually called a still higher administrator to try and secure an exception but the anwer was a flat no. Again, the hosts were sympathetic, and somewhat embarrassed, but said there was nothing they could do. They pointed me to another campground 15 miles down the road where I wearily rode to and stayed. Just another expample of beaucratic nonsense and complete lack of common sense. Guess it happens to us all one time or another. Such is life on the bicycle path.
I've also had many instances where campground personnel have gone way out of thier way to accomdate me and help me out. Actually, far more of these type of good experiences than negaive ones. I guess it's just depends who is charge of the fort that night.
