Check in/Check out times

[mustangcats]

I stayed in a campground and since it wasn't that far from home, I didn't plan to leave the next morning until after noon. I didn't see any mention in the rules about a check out time and there was no one to ask. What is the latest most campgrounds want you out? Also, is daybreak the earliest you can check in? I know that hotels/motels want you out by late morning and check in is usually mid afternoon...but I didn't know what types of guidelines campgrounds tend to use.

[doug hodder]

I don't know the specifics of where you are camped or where you typically camp, but Recreation.gov (which runs the forest service stuff)....check in time is 2PM...check out is 1PM. I'm in Ca., your area may vary whether it's Forest Service, private, BLM, Federal, State....etc....Doug

[Shadow Catcher]

Our experience is that unless some one else is coming in and wants the space no one will give you much hassle. Best policy, ask.

[pete42]

Most I have stayed in checkout time was 1 pm
checkin either 2 or 3 pm
seems like you don't get a full day the first day and we mostly leave early on the last day
one thing I did notice they like to have the Site Tag dropped off so they know to clean your vacated site.

pete

[stumphugger]

Most I have stayed in checkout time was 1 pm
check out either 2 or 3 pm
seems like you don't get a full day the first day and we mostly leave early on the last day
one thing I did notice they like to have the Site Tag dropped off so they know to clean your vacated site.

pete

They clean sites? Last Warshington State park I camped in, I cleaned up the dog poop, and picked up litter, before I set up.
That was before the big budget cuts of the past year.

[S. Heisley]

They clean sites? Last Warshington State park I camped in, I cleaned up the dog poop, and picked up litter, before I set up.
That was before the big budget cuts of the past year.

If there is a camp host or ranger on site, picking up trash, etc is usually what they do. If nobody is watching the camp, it sometimes doesn't get done.

I've been in some places where check-out is as early as 11AM; some, noon; and never later than 1PM. Check-in is usually and hour or two after check out time as that gives the hosts or rangers a chance to inspect the site and clean it, if they think it needs it.

[lancew]

most places in Illinois is 3 pm. but if its a sunday thru thursday. no one really bothers you about getting out. never heard of a place cleaning after you vacate your site. wow if they did that here, that would be a full time job. i always pik up after myself and clean the site up before i even set up on rare rare occasions.

[Richard A.]

I stayed in a campground and since it wasn't that far from home, I didn't plan to leave the next morning until after noon. I didn't see any mention in the rules about a check out time and there was no one to ask. What is the latest most campgrounds want you out? Also, is daybreak the earliest you can check in? I know that hotels/motels want you out by late morning and check in is usually mid afternoon...but I didn't know what types of guidelines campgrounds tend to use.

Well if EVERYBODY checked out in the afternoon, and if EVERYBODY checked in at daybreak ... don't you think there might be a slight problem with too many people sharing the same campsite?

Those rules are there so that the next people camping will find an empty campsite.

Now if no one has reserved the campsite (and no one arrives without a reservation and the management does not assign them to your site) then most places will not hassel you if you leave a bit late. By the same token I've checked in hours before the "official" time .. (but not at daybreak) .. when there was a good chance the site was empty from the day before.

[pete42]

Here in Ohio as in other states people camp for free in our state parks as "campground host" they have signs so people know where to go for help.
they clean vacated sites as well as welcome those who seem to need it like first timers or new campers.
most are very helpful, in florida I have seen what to me was husband and wife team swoop into a site rake the grounds
pick up any leftover trash from the fire pit pick-up the trash bag and be gone in minuits.
I ask them how do you know what sites need cleaning their reply was "we get the site tickets from the ranger station"
so it is very important to turn in your site ticket when leaving something I now always do.

pete