State park reservation system well-received in North Carolina
A recently-implemented reservation system in North Carolina is making reserving campsites at the state's 38 state parks and recreation areas simpler and stress-free for many.
The state started the new internet and call center-based reservation system in July. It allows campers to make reservations at any of the state's campsites 11 months in advance for stays ranging from one night to two weeks.
Under the old system, people had to pay in person or by mail to reserve sites, causing a January rush to secure space.
"In the past, visitors wanting to reserve a week's camping for the summer often lined up in their cars on January 1 to get their choice of a campsite at these state recreation areas. It was stressful for the visitors and our staff," said Mike Lambert, state parks chief of operations. "They now have the luxury of studying their options on our website or by talking to specialists in our call center any day."
More than 1,300 reservations have already been made for 2010. Although some sites are reserved for walk-in registration, advanced booking is recommended since availability is on a first-come, first-served basis.