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I arrived after 6:00 PM and could not find where to check in, let alone find my camping spot. I had reservations at the Amelia Earhart Loop. Never thought I would ever say that a place needs Xantera or Delaware North type concessioneers to run a proper campground. Just don't expect Yellowstone or Yosemite type NPS management. "what is w?" It should not take a two minute conversation to find out about a basic camping task! There really is no other viable camping option anywhere even remotely close so you are stuck with this place. "are you camping here" (?no I came here for the water?). (pointing to the water container in my hand) "where do I fill this up with H2O?". "You can wash your hands in the bathroom over there". "washing my hands before handling food, rinsing dishes, ect.". "what do you need to use the water for?". "the place the water comes out" (am I playing charades or talking to a federal government employee?). Asked one staffer where the potable water spigot was and she looked at me like I had 12 heads. ask them anything even remotely camping related and they turn into a bunch of babbling buffoons. If you want unsolicited advice on the NYC transit system or where to get a slice of pizza they are a wealth of information. Hands down the most clueless NPS staff I have ever encountered. The "RV sites" are really just a parking spot on a sectioned off piece of one of the old landing strips so don't expect to do any of the usual "camping" activities like having a campfire. The tent sites have all the usual things you expect at a NPS campground (fire ring, BBQ, picnic table) but you can't park near your site so if you have more than a tent and a sleeping bag, you will be making multiple long trips to your vehicle.
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Make sure you have everything you need before arriving or you will be taking a ride into Brooklyn to get it. It isn't really a camp store, it is a souvenir shop selling useless NPS junk that happens to also have firewood and ice. "Camp store"/Registration is supposed to open at 0900 but NEVER did while I was there. "Camp store"/Registration closes at 1600 and there is no fee box or camp host to register with after hours like they have at other NPS facilities. I wish I could say that this is the weirdest place I have ever camped but it is certainly one of the more interesting.