How to "save" your campsite ?

[jooltx]

My apologies if this is answered elsewhere - I couldn't find it.<br><br>I'm converting a van and will be staying sometimes in state parks or the like. My question is, when you have a van, and need to go into town, how do you "save" your site so it will not be taken when you get back? I hesitate to leave lawn chairs or anything at the site... but how will someone know you are only gone for short while and will be back?<br><br>amateur question, I know, but hey, I have to start somewhere, right?&nbsp; <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[Xterra Guy]

<p>My idea would to be, use one of these to make a "reserved" sign and place it in the parking space.<br>Most people will move on by. But there is no guarantee someone won't just pull in and take it over.<br><br><br><img class="bbc_img" src="http://fss.ecolab.com/wcsstore/productimages/large/51104-01-11.jpg" rel="lightbox"></p>

 

[bk2valve]

One way I have used is to carry survey tape and string a piece across the entrance to the site if there is a way. Another way I recently saw was that folks made a nice little sign sayin something to the effect of "This site is occupied by so and so..." and mounted it in a heavy wire stand that stuck in the ground...you could also add a small piece of plywood to stick the wire into so you could use it in a paved site...<br>Bri

 

[jooltx]

Thanks Xterra and Bri! All of these suggestions sound great; also no worries of leaving something that might get 'borrowed'.&nbsp; <br><br>Usually people are quite courteous and I'm sure my site will still be available using any of these handy systems.&nbsp; Love it!<br><br>Jool

 

[Suanne]

... will be staying sometimes in state parks or the like ... how do you "save" your site so it will not be taken when you get back?

<br><br>Since it looks like you will be staying in places that you will be paying for a site, usually you post a receipt to a post that will indicate your site is occupied.&nbsp; In addition, I usually put out an umbrella&nbsp;chair and/or a collapsible water jug full of water on the picnic table and/or a large dog bowl and chain.&nbsp; My umbella chair is thrift-store cheap so I don't care if it gets taken, as is the collapsible water jug.&nbsp; Both take up very little room in my car.<br><br>I've overnighted at many such camp sites and it has worked well for me all but one time, last September at Crater Lake NP.&nbsp; I had my&nbsp;receipt posted, as well as a bright red umbrella chair by the campfire.&nbsp; But, when I returned at dusk a young couple was pitching their tent and starting to fix dinner.&nbsp; Awkward!<br><br>As a woman traveling solo, approaching strangers, I made sure to leave my headlights on so that they couldn't see inside the car and know that I was traveling alone.<br><br>Despite their lame excuses, I think they just were trying to find a place to land in this full, yet&nbsp;isolated campground.&nbsp; I made a deal with them to reimburse me for the full cost of the camp site and allow me to sleep there in my car (which I was going to do anyway).<br><br>As it turned out, I shared their campfire, conversation, and&nbsp;some&nbsp;good food (he was a chef).&nbsp; <br><br>I've never had any of my stuff stolen when used to show that&nbsp;my site was occupied.<br><br>Suanne

 

[jooltx]

Suanne,<br>Thanks for your post. This is a good example and I'm glad things worked out even better than expected! <br><br>Yet another good idea!

 

[Seraphim]

Most state parks also have rangers/depuites on call, with the number posted at the camp office.&nbsp; Advise the squatters you will be calling the ranger station, and they'll generally pack up and leave.&nbsp; If they get disorderly, call the local police - they're on duty 24/7.&nbsp; You have a dated receipt for the site.<br><br>But we use a sign that merely says 'Site Occupied', and I often leave an old tarp over the pcinic table. Never had a problem.

 

[jooltx]

Thank you!&nbsp; See, I didn't even think about the site being registered at the office; wooo-eeeee I have a lot to learn.&nbsp;

 

[bk2valve]

Suanne...I had the exact same thing happen at the Texas Springs campground in Death Valley...young couple with a tent up and cooking....it was obviously tagged with my receipt. I did not react as calmly and effectively as you and I regret it....I got too mad, too fast and I really try not to let that happen...Being human, it does happen once in a while...and it did then...I forget I am an old guy and any young guy could tip me over quite fast...hahaha<br><br>I love your approach and result. I think that is why one of our LE chiefs in the USFWS @ Kenai Nat'l. Wildlife Refuge always hired women for LE and public contact jobs...they are much less confrontational. Now they have guys equipped like combat soldiers and have many more issues and confrontations....too bad. <br>Bri

 

[Suanne]

I love your approach ...

<br><br>Bri ... full disclosure <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> ... <br><br>When I first got out of the car and approached "the trespassers" I was mad and I know it showed.&nbsp; They immediately said that they'd pack up and go.&nbsp; I went back and sat in my car for 30 seconds and decided to get back out and offer the compromise of both of us staying and them paying for the site.<br><br>I suspect that had they been confrontational, I would have sought out a ranger or campground host ... and, if not to be found, I would have left.<br><br>I believe that this compromise was as much a result of their capitulation, as any&nbsp;negotiation skills I may have employed.&nbsp; It probably took a good hour from the initial contact for me to feel relaxed again.<br><br>Just wanted you to know that my reaction was probably more similar to yours, than not.<br><br>Suanne

 

[bk2valve]

<p>You are a gem Suanne....</p><p><br>Hugs,<br>Bri</p>

 

[mockturtle]

I've seen a few altercations involving 'saved' campsites.&nbsp; If you're in a dispersed camping are, you could try leaving a large sign that says 'DANGER: TOXIC WASTE'.&nbsp; Or maybe 'BEWARE OF POISONOUS SNAKES'. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

 

[jooltx]

HAHAAA!!!!&nbsp;&nbsp; Or "crazed clown in area"&nbsp; (shudder.... I'll take snakes any day over clowns.... )

 

[Xterra Guy]

<p>Posted: <br><br>"This campsite occupied. This clown will be back in 1 hour. I suggest you not setup here!"<br><br><img class="bbc_img" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Cb4mdL5MI2A/TNxAiJexRWI/AAAAAAAAHqA/X_9xUEWMerc/s1600/it-clown.jpg" rel="lightbox"></p>

 

[jooltx]

<p><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 128); font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: large;">AAAAAAAACCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!! This would most certainly keep me out of a campsite! Or an entire region!&nbsp;&nbsp; EEEEE!<br><br><img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif"></span></p>