Topic

New Policies for reservations at CA State Parks

Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
Paul Wagner BPL Member
PostedDec 20, 2025 at 5:16 pm

I’ve written before about how the reservation systems for our parks seem to struggle with the way people use them. We frequently camp in campgrounds that are “full” according to the reservation system–with every campsite taken. And yet we find as much as 30% of the campsites are not occupied.

There has to be a better way, and California State Parks has taken the first step, with a series of new policies. One them is clear: if you make a reservation and don’t show up, you forfeit all of the reservation fees paid. AND–three no-shows in any given year and you are banned from making reservations for a year.

Who knows it if will have an effect. But we can always hope.

Here’s a link to the page on reservecalifornia.: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1029

Jerry Adams BPL Member
PostedDec 20, 2025 at 7:06 pm

If you don’t show up the first night, can they then rent out the site the rest of the nights in your reservation?

That helps.  I think Oregon does that.  Forest service campgrounds don’t – the site will be vacant for entire reservation period

Paul Wagner BPL Member
PostedDec 20, 2025 at 9:55 pm

Let’s hope that this makes things better, and can then serve as a prototype for National Parks and National Forests.

Terran BPL Member
PostedDec 21, 2025 at 9:23 am

Having lived there until 2015, other than boonedocking, or walk in,  1975 (Fallen Leaf ?) was probably the last time I’ve camped at a state park in California. Trips were always spur of the moment and I couldn’t deal with reservations. Other folks have learned to book several dates. I don’t think they can fix it.

Mike In Socal BPL Member
PostedDec 22, 2025 at 9:10 pm

This change hopefully opens up more availability for those who can’t always make reservations far in advance.

Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
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