- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
Comments (9)
Print
Save/Share
Online sellers are asking as much as $150 for campsite reservations that normally cost $20.
The Sacramento Bee reports that various Craigslist sites list dozens and dozens of campsite reservations for sale at the national park where getting a camping spot is famously difficult, Yosemite. The Bee explains:
The 900 Yosemite campsites available for advance reservation cost $20 a night when booked through the park's contractor, ReserveAmerica. But park officials and some consumers report being quoted prices of $100 to $150 a night from Craigslist vendors, who sometimes offer to change the name on the reservation.
What's more, campsites aren't the only thing for (re)sale at Yosemite. Permits for climbing Half Dome, which are issued by the park for free (plus a $1.50 handling charge), are also being sold for profits online.
How, and why, is this possible? The answers basically come down to supply and demand: There's not enough of the former to meet the latter in terms of campsites and climbing permits at Yosemite, especially not on the most popular summer weekends. The reservation system, in which select few campers (or profiteers) can scoop up reservations up to six months in advance over the phone (877/444-6777) or at recreation.gov, also seems to be part of the problem. Too often, hopeful campers fail to get reservations on their chosen dates, leaving them with few options other than altering their travel plans or paying a premium to online scalpers. Apparently, some scalpers have figured out ways to game the system and snag campsite reservations and cancellations before the average park-goer has a chance.
There are options other than dealing with scalpers, mind you. As we discussed in last summer's Trip Coach on the national parks, most parks, including Yosemite, have first-come, first served campsites, though lines for these spots can form at 6 a.m., three hours before the sales begin.
The parks department prohibits the reselling of any park reservation, and parks officials say that they are trying to stop sellers from flipping reservations for profits. But the Bee story doesn't sound particularly hopeful that campsite scalping at Yosemite is going to stop anytime soon. For now, the consensus advice is this:
Yosemite officials urge visitors to steer clear of resale schemers, and to check back often with ReserveAmerica for campsite cancellations—which can, and do, occur throughout the summer.
Park insiders also recommend to reserve online, not by phone.
MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL:
Trip Coach: National Parks
National Parks (Minus the Crowds)
30 Spectacular Images of Our Nation's Parks
User reviews and comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions.
I'm assuming this has only gotten progressively worse as the economy has continued to have problems. I don't know what anyone would really be able to do to curb the problem though.
Posted By Aleida on April 18, 2011, 7:05 PM
I do not understand? Why don't they only allow the person who makes the reservation to get the reservation? if you show up and it's not you, like on airlines, you don't get on!
Posted By Jodi on April 21, 2011, 5:29 PM
Make the reservations non-transferable. If you cannot make it the reservation goes to the next on the waiting list or goes back in the pool.
Have they noticed a trend of certain people make large quantities of reservations? Can they limit the number of reservations one person can make?
Seems there are steps they can take to try to curb the scalping.
Posted By Melissa on April 24, 2011, 11:21 AM
Why does this surprise anyone....anyone who has tried to get a reservation for Yosemite knows it is near impossible. Even when you log on to Reserve America, select a site and then go to check out knows the site is gone before you can complete a transaction......gaming the system has happened, will happen and the families who want to visit suffer.
Posted By JON KIRK MUKRI on April 26, 2011, 3:46 PM
This really sickens me. It does seem, as others have mentioned, that if they made reservations non-transferable then it would nip the problem right in the bud. Why can't they do that!?
Posted By Amy on May 31, 2011, 12:11 PM
Do what Comic Con effectively does down here in San Diego. The name you register with must be the person who shows up and with the same photo ID. This problem will only get worse so I hope the NPS is working on a fast solution! I am lucky enough to have successfully gotten a camp site and hiking permits for this August. It wasn't easy but I am glad I was able too.
Posted By Randy on May 31, 2011, 1:47 PM
Why is this a problem, you ask?
Two words: Federal Government
Posted By Martha, on May 31, 2011, 3:44 PM
Making the reservations non-transferable would ONLY work IF everyone knew they were non-transferable so I would know not to fall for the scam. If I, the buyer, didn't know and 'bought' it from some a$$wipe, then showed up to sign in and was turned away, the only person losing is me, the buyer.
The online reservation site, AND phone reservations, should give clear and specific notice that ONLY reservations made thru them will be honored, with matching I.D. required - and repeat that in different words, such as "Do Not BUY someone Else's reservation as matching I.D. is required at check-in. Only that reservation will be honored."
Posted By Bodicea on May 31, 2011, 10:13 PM
I agree with Jodi and Melissa. If the airlines can prevent resales, why can't the park service? Put a name on every ticket sold, just as the airlines do, and make each ticketholder show a valid ID when coming to claim the reservation. As Bodicea said, make it clear on the Web site, over the reservations phone line and in every possible way that only the person whose ID matches the ticket name will be allowed to use the reservation. It may slow down check-in, but it should stop scalpers from ripping off some vacationers and making the parks unaffordable for others.
Posted By campermom on June 1, 2011, 10:31 PM