Retro51

I camped at the Birch Creek Unit at Lake Somerville on the July 3/4th weekend. I enjoyed it, but there were several aspects that annoyed or disturmbed me.

1. It was posted as under a Burn Ban. I saw several open fires at night. Not charcoal grilling fires, but campfires or bonfires.

2. There was a fireworks ban (duh!), but you still heard fireworks going off in the park.

3. One group partied all night, with loud music and laughter, and another group partied until early morning. What happened to the curfew that they are supposed to have?

4. It seems to be the "in" thing to allow kids and families to ride in boats being pulled behind cars and trucks when they leave the boat ramp area and return to their campsites. This is a very dangerous practice, and probably illegal. It would not be that hard to enforce, since you can see the people in the boats as they drive on the roadways in the park.

I realize that these are things that people are doing against the rules, but it would not be that hard for Rangers to see the campfires, hear the fireworks, or police the boats leaving the boat ramps for safer practices. And the all-night partying was inexcusable. Any Ranger coming within range would hear that there was way too much noise late at night for a family area.

zRanger

I agree with you on 1-3. Almost every time I go camping at a state park there is some group up partying late. Also, No matter where I go for New Years and the 4th, there are people up popping fireworks late into the night and usually where they shouldn't be. I always find spent rockets in my pool the next day. Last weekend we were on a trip and people were popping fireworks on the balcony of their hotel room!

However I disagree with you on #4. If people want to ride in a boat behind a truck, let them. They won't be hurting anyone but themselves. We really do not need more rules governing our personal behavior. Next thing you know they will outlaw alcohol and fried food because it can kill you as well. Fireworks are very dangerous, but thank goodness we are still allowed to decide to pop them if we choose (albeit we should have respect for others and not do it at 2am in the middle of a neighborhood).

camperone

I have to ask...did you complain? Either to the Rangers or the Park host? Thats what they are there for. They get paid to be there. If we don't start complaining things will never get better. More and more people are starting to comment on the loud parting in the state parks. If the rangers/ park host don't know they cant stop them. As soon as we check into a park I get the phone numbers. If I see something wrong, I report it.

The private parks just don't put up with it. You will be asked to leave. period.