We booked two nights at the Anicinabe Park in July 2019.
We made the booking online and afterwards I emailed them to confirm that we would be coming in late- between 11 and midnight. I was informed that this was no issue, and they would leave the gate open for us.
We arrived at 11, and had to drive around back and forth in the park to try and find our spot. In hindsight, I do not know why we were not emailed a map of the park, considering I informed them we'd be coming in after the office closed, but oh well. Unfortunately, the whole camp site looks like a parking lot (no privacy between sites or natural green space to divide campers) I should have done more research into it before booking. After finding the spot, we parked and got ready for bed, except, the bathrooms are locked, and again, no one passed along the information to us through email that there were codes to the washrooms.
When I contacted management about this oversight, they responded the next morning and would not accept any blame. Rather, they were doing us a favor for letting us come in past 10 pm.
Her response:
"Hi Tatijana
Checkin is before 10pm. We didn't lock the gate so that you could come in late.
The key code is ---.
It is on the paperwork that you would fill out on checkin.
I am sorry you feel that the service is unsatisfactory."
End of email response.
Um.. yes? That any pertinent information given at check-in during normal operating hours was not provided via email for late check in customers. I do find that unsatisfactory. It's the bathroom! I paid $40 to park there without use of facilities for the first night, id be better of staying for free on the side of the road or a parking lot, since that's basically the style of camp sites you get at this park in the first place. If you cant accommodate late check in customers, then don't accept bookings that state an arrival time after 22:00. I was so unimpressed with the response from management to their oversight in doing their due diligence. I would definitely not camp here again.
Also, does it not seem like a barrier to public safety to LOCK the gate into the campground anyways? What if there was a medical emergency? I do not understand this policy at all. How can you lock people in from 22:00-6:00?