Site-specific Reservations? - Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation

06-09-2004, 10:52 AM

Have any of you heard of some type of membership that allows you to reserve a specific campsite at the State Parks?

While camping at Lake Whitney and other state parks in the past, we've noticed clipboards with names on it, holding choice sites. This one was right next to us. I've always been told it's "first come, first serve", so I just assumed another member of their party must have arrived earlier and booked them into that site.

But when these campers came in they said they had a membership, cost $30, (month/year? don't know) that allowed them to do that. They didn't go into detail about it even though I tried to pick their brains!

If I hadn't seen so many of these "reserved sites" with clipboards, at other parks in the past, I would think maybe they were just friends with the Park Ranger, and trying to keep him out of trouble with a bogus membership story.

Has anyone heard of this membership? Any thoughts or observations about these "reserved sites" or those darn clipboards hanging at all the best campsites?

Shannon · 06-09-2004, 11:38 AM

There is no membership which allows people special access to reserve specific campsites prior to arriving at a park. All Texas State Park campsite reservations are made through the toll-free state reservation line in Austin or online, and are for a TYPE of campsite, not a specific campsite. For example, "1 campsite with water and electricity in Campground A". However, most Texas State Parks allow reserved guests arriving at the park to drive around the camping area they've reserved a site in to locate a specific campsite they would like to stay at (if it's available). That does not mean the campers were allowed to reserve a specific campsite prior to arriving.

The busier parks do post notes or "Reserved" signs on their campsites to help keep track of campground occupancy and help communicate to arriving reserved guests which sites are not available. I've seen this done at parks such as Inks Lake State Park and perhaps Garner State Park -- two of the busiest parks in Texas. However, I think if you asked the rangers you'd find there are no specific names tied to those campsite reservations -- the signs are just noting that yet another site in the campground has been reserved. The exception to this would be things like screened shelters or cabins, which might be reserved ahead of time to a specific person or party. If you do see names, it may be a case of reservation-holding campers who have already checked in but who are out enjoying the park rather than parked and set up yet at their site.

If anyone refers to a "special pass", they're more than likely referring to the annual Texas State Parks Pass (formerly called the Texas Conservation Passport or "TCP"). The pass exempts passholders from the day use entry fees to Texas State Parks for 1 year, but does not give them privileged access to reserve specific campsites prior to arrival. There are some other park passes, but they're similar in features and are offered to retirees and other specific groups. The Texas State Parks Pass is available to anyone who pays the annual registration fee ($60).

I hope this helps.

ploddinTod · 06-09-2004, 12:39 PM

Yeah, It does sound like a scam. That's why he was so vague in response to your questions. :mad:

06-09-2004, 07:19 PM

We always used the passport and Memorial wknd we bought the new park pass, up by $10 but still worth it. Saved a fortune, with 5 of us camping at Fort Parker 2 days, and Lake Whitney 5 days, starting last Memorial wknd. Yes just about the time severe lightning storms were coming thru! We also saved $40 in fees when we visited Dinasaur Valley and Meridian SP for picnics.

Well I knew it was probably too good to be true. You said Garner and Ink's, those were the very parks I was thinking of with clipboards everywhere, and maybe that's all it is. Still this had a name. Oh well.....
I haven't been here in a longtime, I'll have to look around somemore and see what's new, maybe share some pics and recent camping tales. Thanks

Turn Key · 06-09-2004, 08:42 PM

Some of the Texas SP's have a small post at the front end of each site. These will have "BullDog" type paper clips on them and are intended to hold your reciept that you recieve from "Mr. Ranger" when you register. They are not intended to "reserve" sites in any way. If this is being done, notify the ranger and if that doesn't settle th hash, e-mail TPWD.

The only way to "reserve" a site is to go there and claim it that day for the number of days wanted. You can reserve a type of site through the normal channels up to 13 months (I believe) in advance. It reserves a "type" of site, not a spicific (sp?) site. Wish we could do this, at least to some extent. Do see though that it would add substantial costs and would probably reap little, if any, pay back.

Happy Camping!