FAQ for Park Rangers and Officials

Thank you for your interest in correcting your park information in iOverlander. It is important to us that parks and reserves are accurately listed in our database. With your help we can improve our database and give the correct information to travelers.

We need your help to flag illegal and incorrect information. Once reported we either delete the place entirely (removing it from the map and all listings) or we mark the place closed and leave a warning to other travelers. Below are some guidelines and frequently asked questions on how you can help report this information.

Can I sign up with iOverlander?

We encourage you to create an account (it's free and quick), and add, remove and comment on any incorrect places. To create an account, visit the register page and enter your name and email address. Your email remains visible ONLY to the site administration, not to other users. The field for “Blog Name” is what users will see on the site, so we recommend that you use something that will clearly identify you as the owner or authority of that place (i.e. Banff Park Ranger, etc) The blog URL can either be your website or you can leave it blank. You can also download the iOverlander Android or iPhone app, and setup and account via the prompts on the app.

How do I change the details of a place?

On the website, once you are logged in, navigate to your park on the map and open the place that needs to be corrected or removed. Open the place and click the “I’ve been here check me in” button. (In order to make edits, you must first leave a check-in comment.) After you leave a check-in, the next screen will prompt you to make corrections to the place. You can edit the description, amenities, or location. You can also mark the place as “closed”. If you mark a place closed, please explain why in the description or in your comment. For example, put a note at the very top of the description that explains why. Something like: “As per authorities, NO CAMPING is allowed at this location.”

You are also able to make the same edits by downloading our app from the App or Play Store online. You must login but, you are able to check-in and make corrections the same as on the website. We encourage using the website because changes appear sooner.

Please note that your changes will appear within 24 hours on the website, but make take 2-3 weeks to appear on all mobile devices.

There is a camping spot on your app that is illegal, how can I remove it?

iOverlander does not support illegal activities of any kind, but we especially hate those that damage the environment at the expense of parks and reserves that aim to protect it.

You have two options:

  1. You can follow the steps above to change the details to mark the place closed. However, this does NOT remove the place from the map, it only puts a warning that it is no longer available. If you are likely to get repeat visitors, keep the closed place as a warning.
  2. If you want us to permanently delete the place, you should instead REPORT A PROBLEM. You can do this by navigating to the place on the website, then clicking the “report a problem” button. From the report a problem menu, please select “something else” and leave a note explaining that you are the park authority and the place needs to be deleted. A moderator will resolve the issue as soon as possible.

You are also welcome to send us an email, and we can remove the place for you. But please include specific information about the place (A link to your place on our website is most helpful!)

If you continue to have problems with travelers wild camping illegally in your park, we recommend placing a “Warning” point on the app or website at the main entrance of your park. This is a great way to inform all travelers that camping at non-established sites is not permitted.

How do I add places to iOverlander?

If you want to add new places to iOverlander, we recommend using the app, because it allows you to accurately obtain GPS coordinates from your phones GPS device.

You’ll need to download the app from the App or Play Store. Register for an account (see information above). Then when you are at the location of the point you want to add, click “Check-in” in the main menu, then “Add New Place”. Follow the screens to add the place to our database.

Please make sure that your place meets our General Criteria and Category Specific Criteria

Also, please remember that all new places are moderated and it make take several weeks for them to appear online and on mobile devices.

My place is closing for the season, what do I do?

Using the App

Download and log into the iOverlander app on your mobile device. Click on Check-in. Add a short comment of 40 characters or more, explaining when and why the place is closed. After leaving the check-in comment, you will have the opportunity to change the place description. Again, add a note to the top of the description that will inform travelers that you are only closed for the season and when you will be open again. Do NOT mark the place closed, unless the closure is permanent! When you are done click on save changes.

Using the Website

Go to ioverlander.com, register / log-in, then go to your place, and click the “I’ve been here check me in” button. You’ll have to write a short comment of 40 characters or more, explaining when and why the place is closed. After leaving the check-in comment, you will have the opportunity to change the place description. We recommend that you add an additional note to the top of the description that will inform travelers that you are only closed for the season and when you will be open again. Do NOT mark the place closed, unless the closure is permanent! When you are done click on save changes.

When you are open again you can follow the same instructions and remove the note in the description that you were closed.

If you want us to permanently delete your place, please just hit the “Report a Problem” button and a moderator will read your comments and delete entirely.

I want to add photos, what do I do?

Using the App

Download and log into the iOverlander app on your mobile device. Click on Check-in. Add a short comment of 40 characters or more, and then you will also have the option to upload any images. When you are done click on save changes.

Using the Website

Go to ioverlander.com, register, then go to your place, and click the “I’ve been here check me in” button. Add a short comment of 40 characters or more and then click Check In. On the next screen you will have the option to upload any images.

I want to delete photos, what do I do?

If you added the photos:

The only way to delete photos is to delete the check-in that contains the photos. You must do this on our website, it is not possible on the app. Go to ioverlander.com and login. Then go to My Account (in the top menu), and select My Check-Ins. You will see a list of your check-ins. Click the link to the right of the check-in you wish to delete "Delete Check-in" You can then add the check-in again if you want, with or without photos.

Someone else added the photos:

If someone else added incorrect or inappropriate photos of a place, please hit the REPORT A PROBLEM button to let a moderator know what the problem is. You can also send us an email to delete the photos for you, but email responses are sometimes delayed. Please be specific with your place name, and which photos you need to be deleted.

Travelers are leaving their trash everywhere. How can I stop this?

It is part of iOverlander’s mission to always respect the local culture, people and environment. We welcome suggestions on how we can effectively encourage travelers to clean up after themselves. Some parks have started posting signs explaining why areas are being closed in hopes that it encourages responsible camping. Here is an example https://www.instagram.com/p/BnXAJ0xHhOe

Guidelines

Park Rangers and Officials are welcome to create an account and add or edit places in their parks but ONLY if they make clear in their description and check-ins that they are posting as the owner or ranger. We recommend that you use the park name as your blog name, so it is clear to travelers who is making the updates.

Places we allow:

If adding a new place, please read our General Criteria and Category Specific Criteria to make sure that your place will be accepted.

We DO NOT ACCEPT:

Places that promote Illegal activities of any kind (camping in prohibited locations, paying bribes of any kind, using password protected wifi without paying for services, route to avoid paying mandatory entrance fees, etc)

Photo rules:

Please make sure your photos are relevant to your place, and do NOT add excessive amounts. We recommend adding 5 photos of the facilities, surrounding scenery, goods/services. As well as photos that show restrictions, especially height/weight or difficult entries.

Keep in mind that most overlanders don’t have a fast or free internet connection, so they shouldn’t have to waste money and time downloading irrelevant images.

Admin/Moderator notes:

Our moderators will on occasion add a note to the top of the description to let travels know that the place or description has been added by the owner or manager. Please do not remove them when updating your place description.

Replying to users’ comments and check-ins:

We encourage owners to reply to user comments especially if they have posted incorrect information. Please follow these guidelines when leaving a check-in as a reply:

  • Do briefly address the issue you are concerned about.
  • Be brief, a long reply might hide other check-ins because of screen size.
  • Do not leave a check-in to “Thank” every traveler for their reply. It is unnecessary. Only add a check-in if you have something to change or correct.
  • Do NOT pretend to be a traveler or overlander.
  • Do NOT be callous or rude to travelers in the check-ins
  • Do NOT "sign" your check-in. The name/website of the submitter is automatically added to every check-in

About iOverlander

iOverlander is a free website and app created to help overlanders on the road find their next destination. Please help us improve our data by updating and adding places you have been.

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