By Cheri Sicard
In the video below, Jason Epperson of RV Miles reveals a problem that RVers are facing when trying to make campground reservations at National Parks: reservation bots! Get ready to dive into the frustrating world of National Park campground reservations, plus other RV news.
Have you ever tried booking a campsite at Jenny Lake Campground in Grand Teton National Park? It can feel like an impossible task. Jason knows the feeling. He tried to snag a spot the very second they were released, only to find them gone in a blink.
It’s easy to assume bots are snatching up all the campsites. Jason says that while that might have been true in the past, Recreation.gov has gotten better at kicking out those pesky bots. So, what’s really going on?
The real culprit might be the 14-day booking window. Here’s how it works: When you book a campsite on Recreation.gov, you often have a 14-day window to work with. Let’s say you’re booking 90 days out. You can actually book that day and the two weeks after it.
Many people book the entire 14-day window, even if they don’t need all those days. They might plan to cancel the extra days later, but in the meantime, those campsites are off the market. When you try to book a popular campground like Jenny Lake, everything looks completely booked.
Tools and strategies for campground reservations
So, how do you increase your chances of securing a campsite? There are a few tricks to try.
#1 Recreation.gov notifications
Did you know Recreation.gov has a notification system? You can enter your desired dates and get alerted when a campsite opens up due to cancellation. Sounds great, right? The catch? You’re not the only one getting that notification. Jason mentioned getting a notification for a campsite at Arches National Park, and a whopping 433 other people were also getting the same alert. It’s a competitive game.
#2 CampScanner (Harvest Hosts)
If you’re a Harvest Hosts member, you can access CampScanner. This tool helps you find campsites not only in National Parks but also in state parks and other camping systems. It’s worth checking out if you’re looking to expand your options.
#3 Playing the game
If you’re serious about getting a campsite at a popular spot, you might have to play the 14-day window game. Try booking a full two weeks before the last day you want to camp. It’s not a guarantee, but it could increase your odds.
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Thank you for the video and summarizing thr inherent suggestions, Cheri! Sounds like a lot of work to impose myself into a crowded setting. 😉 If DW strongly wants into a national park campground, then I wil aver to endeavor to try. 🙂 Have a great weekend and safe travels!