Sam's Point 👍 Sam's Point park staff 👎

The group arrived in the pouring rain to an empty lot at the Sam’s Point Visitor’s Center. But since the group did NOT have reservations, they were turned away.

Apparently, reservations have been required at Sam’s Point since at least 2022. But they have not been that enforced until this 2023. So despite guiding hikes there for years - where parking had always been first come, first served - Trip Host Anna was taken by surprise by this new, poorly-advertised rule.

And on a day like today, it seemed the park attendants were being extra mean, greeting Anna with, “Every spot is booked today. Sorry.”

Putting aside the additional burden this puts on hikers who were either not aware or unable to secure reservations when they wanted to go, Anna was not going to take no for an answer.

Fortunately, she knew other access points for trail and proceeded to guide her guests on a blockbuster hike, making a joke of these new “rules”.

Yeah, Anna! But wait. It’s still nasty and soggy out there. And not everyone was prepared. So, how to do you turn a day that started out like this unforgettable for your guests?

For starters, you MacGuyver a multi-layer outer shell for someone from a garbage bag, a poncho and an old ace bandage for guests who were underdressed to keep ‘em warm and toasty. Then you show them all the secret parts of the hike - the “side missions” - that others may not be aware of.

And timing. Because after the group reached the top, the winds blew the clouds away, revealing the epic views Sam’s Point is known for… at least, for the lucky few able and willing to get parking reservations.

After their hike, everyone’s hungry and tired. So, for convenience, Anna hiked to her “secret parking spot”. When she returned to pick up her guests at the Visitor’s Center, they again refused to allow her inside. She was forced to park on the side of the road and walk to the visitors center at around 3pm (cell reception is very poor).

The parking lot was still empty. The park closed at 5pm.

Inside the nature center, another park attendant was less welcoming, rolling her eyes at hikers who wanted to know more about the trails and directing them to self-serve maps.

Look, we get it. This is a popular area. It has to be protected from the people who want to use it because otherwise, they’ll ruin it for the people who want to protect it.

But to turn hikers away on a cold, rainy day with no other visitors to protect “reservations”, to actively make hikers without reservations feel not welcome, only reminds the rest of us that park staff aren’t there to support and help guests. They’re there to protect the park from us.

And that’s exactly why Outerthere exists. Hosts featured on Outerthere go out of their way to make all guests feel welcome, even when those who control access to the outdoors don’t want to make you feel welcome.

Book your next hike on Outerthere.com and never worry about whether or not you’ll be welcome outdoor spaces again.