How to Book Recreation.gov Campgrounds
The federal government's official reservation platform for National Parks, National Forests, BLM lands, Army Corps of Engineers sites, and other federal recreation areas. Recreation.gov is the largest camping reservation system in the United States.
What Recreation.gov Covers
National Parks, National Forests, BLM lands, National Monuments, National Seashores, and Army Corps of Engineers sites across all 50 states.
How to Book on Recreation.gov
Create a free Recreation.gov account at recreation.gov
Search for your campground and select your dates
Choose your specific campsite from the availability map
Complete payment with a credit or debit card ($6 reservation fee applies)
Download the Recreation.gov app for mobile access to your reservation
Booking Details
Pro Tips for Recreation.gov
The 10 AM Eastern Window
New dates open exactly at 10:00 AM ET, 6 months out. If you want a July 4th weekend site at Yosemite, you need to be online at 10:00 AM ET on January 4th.
The Book-and-Trim Trick
Book a longer reservation than you need (e.g., 5 nights instead of 2), then modify it down to your actual dates. This works because modifications are easier than new bookings during peak demand.
The 18-Day Lockout Rule
Recreation.gov enforces a rolling 18-day stay limit per area. If you book 14 days, you cannot book another reservation in the same area for 18 days after checkout.
Cancellation Goldmine: 2 Weeks Out
The highest concentration of cancellations happens 10-14 days before check-in, when people finalize vacation plans. Set up Outdoorithm alerts for this window.
Shoulder Season Advantage
Campgrounds in September and early October often have last-minute availability even at popular parks. Weather is often better than peak summer too.
Popular Recreation.gov Campgrounds
Can't Find Availability on Recreation.gov?
Outdoorithm monitors 4,200+ Recreation.gov campgrounds every 2 minutes and sends you instant SMS, email, and push notifications when cancellations open up campsites.
Recreation.gov Booking FAQ
When do Recreation.gov reservations open?
Recreation.gov reservations open on a rolling basis, exactly 6 months in advance at 10:00 AM Eastern Time. For example, reservations for July 15th open on January 15th at 10:00 AM ET.
Can I modify my Recreation.gov reservation after booking?
Yes, you can modify dates, site selection, and group size online. Modifications are subject to availability. The book-and-trim strategy takes advantage of this: book extra nights during the initial rush, then shorten your reservation later.
What happens if I need to cancel?
You can cancel online for a full refund minus the $10 cancellation fee, as long as you cancel before your check-in date. No refund is given for no-shows.
How can I get a campsite at a sold-out Recreation.gov campground?
Set up free cancellation alerts on Outdoorithm. We check Recreation.gov every 2 minutes and send you an instant SMS or email when a site opens up. Most sold-out campgrounds see cancellations daily, especially 10-14 days before the check-in date.
Recreation.gov Alerts
Get notified instantly when campsites open up on Recreation.gov.