FINES FOR NO SHOWS

Camping in the Eastern Sierra’s is one of the most popular summertime activities. With 279 different state campgrounds across California, there are over 10 in Mammoth and June combined. 

However, up until this year, while California campgrounds had a cancellation fee, but there was no fee for not showing up at the campsite. 

This resulted in campsites remaining booked online despite being physically vacant when campers decided to cancel plans.

The old cancellation system worked like this: during those years, cancellations could be made up to 24 hours in advance; if a cancellation occurred, a $10 fee would’ve been applied, and the rest of the money for the campsite would’ve been refunded. If people didn’t want to pay the fee, they could’ve just kept the campsite booking and not shown face. But, new rules have been implemented this camping season to prevent that from happening. 

One can still cancel their campsite reservation up to 24 hours before the reservation; the same $10 fee applies. 

However, if a camper does not cancel their reservation and then fails to appear at the campsite, that camper will be charged a $20 no-show fee and the first night’s recreation fee. 

Such a fee could total as high as $75, depending on the campground. 

Janelle Smith, the liaison for USDA Campgrounds in California, hopes these rules will eliminate the no-call no-shows that often leave campsites fully booked and half-empty. However, she said she doesn’t know if the new rules will actually fix the issue. 

There is also legislation that has been proposed to help fix this problem. 

The proposed legislation would eliminate the cancellation fee entirely. Any cancelation within seven days of the original reservation would be credited to the camper, and that campsite credit could be used anytime within the next five years. 

The legislation would also increase penalties for campers who don’t cancel and don’t show. 

Not only would such campers miss out on their refund and the credit, but if they don’t cancel and don’t show three times within the same calendar year, the amount of reservations the camper could make in the future would be limited. 

There is hope that this bill will not need to be passed if the no-show punishment for this year reduces the amount of no-shows that occur.