California's Controversial Camping Reservation System Is Finally Getting A Major Revamp

A major downside to RV camping is securing a campsite, especially in popular parks, which can book out faster than a Taylor Swift concert. Some of the nation's most sought-after parks are in California, and the state's reservation system has been notoriously frustrating for many campers. According to The Dyrt, the top six campgrounds in California are booked for more than 90% of the year. As Redditor u/Blue_Penguin_19 wrote in a post on r/camping, "We're used to booking sites as soon as they open – usually 7am six months ahead – but at this point we do that and then all the sites are instantly taken." But California State Parks recently announced some upgrades that may make booking your favorite campsite less of a headache.

Instead of booking solely through Reserve California, campers can now see campground statuses and booking links through parks.ca.gov. Officials have said the site is showing nearly real‑time availability across campgrounds in a more integrated, user-friendly layout. That means you can view open sites directly and compare nearby options, all before you click through to bookings on Reserve California.

On top of that, the state is expanding its reservation lottery system. Campers can now enter free drawings to score coveted sites at Malibu Creek, Morro Bay, and McArthur‑Burney Falls State Parks, in addition to Mount Tamalpais. So whether you're planning a trip to California's most underrated state parks or looking to score a spot in the most popular campgrounds, the process should be a bit easier than before. On California State Park's Facebook post announcing the changes, Jane Lavendar wrote, "Is this real????? Finally!!!" On Instagram, @trinitygleck said, "Great news! Now all we need is for more parks to allow dogs in other areas besides campground. Thanks!"

While it's always a smart idea to book your campsite far in advance, these upgrades should make last-minute and spontaneous camping reservations a bit easier to find. The new availability view lets users scan for open campsites across a range of dates. "California's state parks are home to some of the world's best campgrounds, and we want to make it as easy as possible to find your perfect campsite," said State Parks Director Armando Quintero in a statement.

Also, with Malibu Creek, Morro Bay, and McArthur‑Burney Falls now on the lottery list, more visitors can enter for a shot at spots that used to disappear within seconds. The drawings take place seven months ahead (although campers can apply eight months in advance), giving winners 30 days to claim their spots. Plus, applicants who aren't chosen earn points for extra entries to increase their odds in future lotteries. Once you've won a lottery, the points reset back to zero.

That said, some details are still up in the air. The $8.25 reservation fee, which some are arguing wasn't clearly disclosed, is the basis for a pending class-action lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges that the owner of ReserveCalifornia.com, Tyler Technologies, engaged in something called "drip pricing," which is essentially advertising one price initially then tacking on a surprise fee at checkout. Aside from the lack of transparency, the people suing aren't happy that these fees don't actually go to California State Parks — Tyler Technologies pockets them instead. With California's Junk Fee ban already in place, these fees could see some adjustments in the future, but we'll have to wait and see how the lawsuit plays out.