Recreation.gov Tips: Booking Windows and Getting the Site You Want

Popular campgrounds in national parks and forests can book up within minutes of opening. If you've ever logged on to find everything gone, here's how to give yourself a better shot.

01Know the booking window

Recreation.gov handles reservations for many federal campgrounds: national parks, national forests, Army Corps of Engineers lakes and more. Many campsites open on a rolling window, often six months ahead, at a set time of day. But it varies: some open sooner, some later, and some parks release sites in blocks. Check the specific campground's page for its exact booking window and time zone.

02Get ready before the window opens

1. Make an account and log in early. Have your payment info saved.
2. Pick several sites you'd be happy with, not just one. Note their numbers.
3. Know your dates, and have backup dates.
4. Use the time zone the campground lists; release times are often in Eastern or the park's local time.
5. Be online a few minutes early and refresh at the release time.

03When it's all booked

• Check for cancellations. People cancel all the time, especially close to the date. Check daily.
• Try weekdays. Sunday through Thursday nights are much easier than weekends.
• First-come, first-served sites still exist in some campgrounds. Arrive early, mid-week.
• Look one tier out: national forest campgrounds near a popular park, state parks (booked through each state's system), county parks and private campgrounds.
• Dispersed camping on some public lands is free and needs no reservation. Know the rules. We'll cover it in its own guide.

04Fall is the sweet spot

After Labor Day, crowds drop, sites open up, and many campgrounds are at their most beautiful. Some close for the season in mid-fall, so check dates.

05Be a good neighbor

Cancel early if your plans change so someone else gets the site, and follow the campground's rules on quiet hours, fires and food storage.

Once you've booked, get your sleep system ready: staying warm when nights drop below 40.

Source (1)

Recreation.gov.

Photo: A campsite in Igloo Creek Campground (fc47e8e8-7108-4163-a11f-bb75f9a8e02b).JPG) by NPS Photo / Emily Mesner, Public domain.

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