Indian Valley

Arrived at campsite 4:30 PM, and site was occupied.. No recourse! Waited 1 hr., and no one showed up. Apparently, was supposed to call.. no cell service, and where to find a phone? No camp host, no ranger! Resume hosts, or have a way to resolve issues.

Had an excellent time.

Had an excellent time.

Allowing your reserved spot to be stolen by others if you do not arrive on time can lead to confrontations. The regulations on the rules board at the campsite do not spell out the procedure for stealing someone’s reservation should they arrive late. This type of ambiguity can lead to different interpretations of the rules. For example, a group had not occupied my reserved spot they had just left gear there to save it for their friend, who arrived after we did. Without camp hosts and cell service for law enforcement these type of confrontations could get out of hand. I would request the forestry dept reconsider their policy and consider reserved spots to be reserved; or go to drive up only reservations. Or even have unoccupied spots be available up until the reserving party arrives.

The current situation allows a site to be purchased twice. Once buy the original party reserving, and by a group trying to claim a spot from a late arriving party. Without refunds or even a way for online reservation to be canceled within 72 hours, it leaves both parties feeling a right to the site in question - as both have paid.

I think the campsites should only accept online reservations, or only accept onsite reservations. And if it did accept both, the steps and rules for taking a reserved spot should be clearly laid out on the rules board AT THE LOCATION (not simply in the fine print online)

Allowing your reserved spot to be stolen by others if you do not arrive on time can lead to confrontations. The regulations on the rules board at the campsite do not spell out the procedure for stealing someone’s reservation should they arrive late. This type of ambiguity can lead to different interpretations of the rules. For example, a group had not occupied my reserved spot they had just left gear there to save it for their friend, who arrived after we did. Without camp hosts and cell service for law enforcement these type of confrontations could get out of hand. I would request the forestry dept reconsider their policy and consider reserved spots to be reserved; or go to drive up only reservations. Or even have unoccupied spots be available up until the reserving party arrives.

The current situation allows a site to be purchased twice. Once buy the original party reserving, and by a group trying to claim a spot from a late arriving party. Without refunds or even a way for online reservation to be canceled within 72 hours, it leaves both parties feeling a right to the site in question - as both have paid.

I think the campsites should only accept online reservations, or only accept onsite reservations. And if it did accept both, the steps and rules for taking a reserved spot should be clearly laid out on the rules board AT THE LOCATION (not simply in the fine print online)

The best campground on the best river for car camping in the Sierra! Always a joy to stay here on our annual family camping get together!

The best campground on the best river for car camping in the Sierra! Always a joy to stay here on our annual family camping get together!

The sound of the river was very peaceful at night. Campsite 12 is in full sun from about 9 am to 8pm (end of June) so bring a shade set up. Campground was clean and quiet. Our Cornhole beanbags and our checkers pieces were stolen by furry creatures in the night so beware of spontaneous Critter Game Nights.

The sound of the river was very peaceful at night. Campsite 12 is in full sun from about 9 am to 8pm (end of June) so bring a shade set up. Campground was clean and quiet. Our Cornhole beanbags and our checkers pieces were stolen by furry creatures in the night so beware of spontaneous Critter Game Nights.

Great campsite, River was great as well