Revamped system for reserving DNR campsites fails

[Macgyver55]

From the Star Tribune:

"Minnesota officials have temporarily pulled the plug on a new online camping and lodging reservation system for state parks and recreation areas.

The revamped system had just gone live Thursday when technical problems forced the Department of Natural Resources to shut it down, along with the phone signup option. That means no reservations are being taken in any manner until further notice, said DNR Parks and Trails spokeswoman Pat Arndt.

At the very least, the reservation system will remain down through the weekend while the problems are fixed and the system can be reassessed, she said.

The system was tested, but Arndt said problems erupted when a large number of people tried to get into it at the same time Thursday morning.

"In some ways, it's a wonderful problem to have to be loved so much," Arndt said.

A notice reading "SYSTEM IS TEMPORARILY DOWN" went up on the HSOforum after it failed.

Arndt offered assurances to those worried they will be locked out of their choice spots. "There were only a small number of people who actually got through, so there aren't many people who have made reservations," she said.

The state takes 90,000 to 95,000 reservations each year for about 3,500 campsites, camper cabins, tepees, guesthouses and lodges at its 75 parks, Arndt said. Up to 30 percent of the campsites in the parks and recreation areas can only be rented on a first-come, first-served basis.

The online reservation system had been offline since Dec. 27 while the "state-of-the-art" system was installed. The upgrade is expected to be more robust with more user-friendly features.

The system won't be back online until it's been fully tested, Arndt said. "We want to make sure the system can handle a large volume so that we don't attempt this again and have the same issue."

[schweady]

"state-of-the-art"... more like "art-of-the-state"... bleh!

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

You can put a big "F" in front of "art" to come up with the real name.

[Powerstroke]

I received an email saying the new system has passed testing and should be ready soon. It said they may open up phone reservations in the beginning to try and help people out until they get the full system moving.

[OnAFly]

In my experience, when you made a big change to how something works, it rarely works the first time you try to go live with it. Hopefully it's back up and running soon.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

The wait continues:

Dear Minnesota state park customer,

We want to let you know the Minnesota state parks reservation system remains down at this time and that it will remain down through the weekend; no need to check your e-mail or the FAQ for updates. We know you’re anxious to make your summer plans, and we are anxious to help you. The vendor will continue to work through the weekend to assure that when the system is brought back online, it can handle the great demand Minnesotans have for their state parks and recreation areas.

Few reservations were made on March 1 due to the reservation system failure. Sites that were available after the system went down on March 1 are likely still available. We have not taken reservations for the summer since the system went down midday on March 1.

We’ll continue to update you with all substantial news related to making your reservations. We hope to report soon on when the system is up and running, but again we know for certain it will not be over the weekend.

Thank you for your patience and loyalty to Minnesota state parks.

[Macgyver55]

"Three weeks after crashing, the new online system for reserving state camping and lodging facilities will slowly crank back up starting Thursday (3/22). The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will resume taking reservations "for a limited set of arrival dates at a time."

http://www.startribune.com/local/143483546.html

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

"Three weeks after crashing, the new online system for reserving state camping and lodging facilities will slowly crank back up starting Thursday (3/22). The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will resume taking reservations "for a limited set of arrival dates at a time."

http://www.startribune.com/local/143483546.html

Saw that. That is very good news. BTW, this forum needs a "like" button.

[woodsmanmn]

It's supposed to come online at 10am tomorrow. Lets all signon and give this new system the stress test it deserves after 2 1/2 months of downtime.

[perch_destroyer]

Very good news! Got like 6 trips to reserve. Happy camping all.

[woodsmanmn]

Ok, so I'm serching for a site to arrive on march 27th, next tuesday. All my searches come back as no availability. Barbra Striesand.

[DooWap]

Ok, so I'm serching for a site to arrive on march 27th, next tuesday. All my searches come back as no availability. Barbra Striesand.

I'm having the same problem. I searched half of the state parks, even some of the really non popular ones and they are all coming up as no availability for next weekend. I used the call center and I'm guessing she was using the same system because she said everything was booked. It shouldn't be hard to get a backpacking campsite in March.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Weird.