WaterTrail Ventures Paddle Respite

My family and I booked this campsite for the Fourth of July and arrived with a confirmed reservation and confirmation number. When we arrived, my husband checked us in (even though it stated it was a self check after we booked) luckily he did because he was told that the campsite was not ready yet, but that they would get it prepared for us shortly. At that time, there was no mention that our reservation was invalid, that they did not use the booking platform, or that there was any issue with our stay.

We waited, set up our additional tents, and had already been on the property for about two hours when we were suddenly approached and accused of being there without a reservation. We provided our confirmation information and proof that we had every right to be there, but instead of honoring our reservation or trying to resolve the situation, we were told to leave immediately because another family was expected to arrive.

We were then told they “don’t use this app” and that we had been scammed. However, if there was truly an issue with our reservation, it should have been addressed when my husband checked in…not after we had already arrived, been allowed onto the property, and started setting up.

What was especially upsetting was that the treatment seemed to change after my husband (who is white) checked us in and then the host saw me and my family members, who are Black. The sudden change in attitude and the decision to remove us despite having a valid reservation left us feeling that our race may have influenced how we were treated.

The campsite was not ready when we arrived, yet instead of working with us after we had already been checked in, we were made to feel unwelcome and forced to leave. Regardless of the reason, no guest should be treated this way after arriving with a confirmed reservation. This experience was extremely disappointing and left our family feeling disrespected and unheard.