Oppressive state park experience

[PhantomPhixer]

After church on Sunday we headed out to Andy Guest State Park, which is on the Shenandoah River just south of Front Royal. It was a fine example of govt overreach in action, and it was really irritating.

First up, getting into the park was a challenge...maybe 10 cars ahead of us in line to pay their entrance fee, and it took at least 10 minutes. Does it really take that long to pay $5 and get a park map? Why is there only one person at the gate?

I found out why...so many people had visited on Sunday that there weren't parking spaces for everyone, so we would only be allowed to go to one overlook area, which she had to explain on the map. My irritation began to build.

Secondly the park employees who weren't at the gate seemed to be all directing traffic. Everywhere we tried to go we were stopped, and had to re-explain what we were doing. They directed us to the overlook area. Problem...we came to see the river and have a nice picnic...where's the river?

So we picnic'd at the overlook. We then decided to take a 'drive through' of the park, which wouldn't involve stopping anywhere. The traffic overlords were OK with that, so we proceed down to the river. Yes it was busy, but there were still plenty of places to park. Even plenty of grass to park on, heaven forbid. Hundreds of people enjoying the river, but not us. At this point I was too irritated to enjoy it anyway.

On the way back to the park entrance, we passed dozens of people who had been forced to park elsewhere, walking with all of their coolers & paraphernalia the 1/4 mile or so to the river area. Some looked elderly. No common sense at all. Johnny Park Ranger could have suggested that they be allowed to drop off their gear, and then park afterward, but no. We kindly told him of all of the extra parking spaces we had seen, to which he replied "we keep hearing different things on the radio." Doubt if I will ever set foot in there again, it was that frustrating.

I will say that the park was absolutely spotless. Manicured, even. Everything painted or groomed just so; all the walking trails properly cleared and graded; signage of some sort everywhere; proper recycling receptacles (but not trash cans), bathrooms. And the Official Vehicles of course, there were plenty of those to keep an eye on things. Talk about state tax dollars at work!

[SHMIV]

Yeah, I've been to places that had dozens of recycling bins, but no trash cans.

I just assume that they recycle EVERYTHING, and act accordingly.

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[ShotgunBlast]

Sounds like a park experience on a busy holiday weekend with nice weather?

[Swampman]

AGSP is a popular destination on holidays. Been there a couple of times (not on holidays), and about all I have to say is it's a nice park. Very well kept. Not interested in going back.