Park rules?

[brittsnbirds]

My wife and I towed our 5th wheel down to Montauk for a weeks getaway.  Just happened to be week before Labor Day weekend.  No, we did not have reservations but never have had trouble the first part of the week getting a first come first serve spot.  That was almost a mistake!!  I was amazed that all the first come were gone.  There were a few overnight spots available so we took one.  I trolled around on my bike and found a first come that 2 fellows were going to leave the next day on.  Stopped and talked, they were happy to let me know when they were going to pull out the next day.  As I was trolling I found several first come spots that did not have a tag on the post but they had everything from a car parked, utility trailer, travel trailer and lawn chair etc. saving the spot.  I understand the lawn chair or cooler to save it while you go get your tag but no one was around.  In fact several sat uninhabited for the entire day.  I asked the CG Host about no one being around and the car and trailer were there early in the morning.  He confirmed my suspicion, someone either local or an existing camper was saving it.  I complained that they were there all day long, no one was around to pay for it hence wasting the spot for someone else that needed it.  He just shrugged his shoulders and said that's the way it is. 

 

I later confirmed what I thought about the locals.  A guy pulled up to the site next to me.  The campers were leaving that day so he pulled a little tiny dome tent out of the bed of his truck and put it on their site.  They agreed to put it in the drive when they left around noon.  Around 5 here comes the guy back with his TT and family.  Back in and set up.  Seemed to be really nice family had a nice conversation and I found out that he was from a neighboring town around 20 minutes away.  He came by a day before during lunch break and saw that the campers were leaving next day.  The next day he came by with his baby tent during lunch and dumped it out reserving the site.  Ok at this point MSDC I have to pull the bull$%^& card.  There needs to be time limit on this kind of crap.  If it's first come first serve then do it, not let all the locals hog the spots that other taxpayers can't get!!  No complaints if they were paying for the spot and putting a tag on it.  Yes they ultimately pay for that day, but lets get fair about it.  The MSDC talks about making their State Parks available to everyone, then do it! 

 

Here's my question does anyone out there have contact information for the person(s) that set the rules?  I would like to draft a letter voicing my concerns.

 

Rant off.

 

Pat

[snagged in outlet 3]

I hate to say it but I have tossed people's stuff off the site after watching it for a while and going up to the office to see if it's reserved.  Call me a criminal but I agree with you.

[jdmidwest]

Park Ranger is the contact.

Campground hosts are just getting a free spot for their efforts, which are normally pretty lame. They may even be the ones tossing stuff on the campsites.  I have never really understood the purpose of a host other than to grab leftover firewood when campers pull out. 

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

I had a host harass me and my family about payments once.  I wanted to pay with my card,  and the host didn't have a card reader.   I explained that I went to the cashier and they were closed.   The host didn't believe me.  I went on explaining that I pay my way, and was with my family, and we were not there to cause problems.   The host came by multiple times asking for proof that I paid.   The office was still closed.   Bad experience with a power hungry person. 

[upstream]

Just don't park on the grass what ever you do !

[Gavin]

Have put stuff on a site for an hour or so while we set our camp, but we pay and tag it right after we set up.  

Met a weird host down there a couple years ago. Drove by while we were setting up in his personal vehicle and asked for payment from my wife, then me. Told him I did not know if was or was not the host, was busy, and I'd drop my cash in the post afterwards (Figured possible scam). Turned out he was the host...but odd approach.

[jdmidwest]

7 hours ago, upstream said:

Just don't park on the grass what ever you do !

What grass? Most sites I have been on at Montauk were mud or sand. 

[10pointer]

On 10/12/2016 at 6:12 AM, jdmidwest said:

What grass? Most sites I have been on at Montauk were mud or sand. 

Oh they are definitely protective over the minimal grass in the campground.  Been chastised and threatened several times over it.  Best bet is make sure you are completely parked on pavement otherwise they might make a visit!

[jdmidwest]

6 hours ago, 10pointer said:

Oh they are definitely protective over the minimal grass in the campground.  Been chastised and threatened several times over it.  Best bet is make sure you are completely parked on pavement otherwise they might make a visit!

I don't know why, they seldom bother to mow.

[2016]

On ‎10‎/‎12‎/‎2016 at 0:14 AM, Gavin said:

Have put stuff on a site for an hour or so while we set our camp, but we pay and tag it right after we set up.  

Met a weird host down there a couple years ago. Drove by while we were setting up in his personal vehicle and asked for payment from my wife, then me. Told him I did not know if was or was not the host, was busy, and I'd drop my cash in the post afterwards (Figured possible scam). Turned out he was the host...but odd approach.

where is this post you speek of ? I am a local and I hate the reservation system, it was designed to help the city folk,