Planning a National Park Camping Trip
A step-by-step guide to booking campsites, securing permits, and timing your national park camping adventure.
National parks are the destination every camper dreams of, but they don't manage themselves. Without a solid plan, you'll arrive to find campsites booked solid and trailhead parking full. The difference between a great trip and a frustrating one comes down to how early you start planning.
Timeline: When to Book
4-6 months before
Book campsites for popular parks. Yosemite, Zion, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Glacier open reservations months in advance, and they fill within hours. Set a calendar reminder for the exact booking window. Popular months (June-September) book out in the first day.
3-4 months before
Research permit requirements if you're doing backcountry camping or specific hikes. Many parks limit backcountry permits through a lottery system. Apply now if deadlines are coming up. Also book any guide services or horseback rides if needed.
6-8 weeks before
Finalize your park and dates if you don't have reservations yet. Check cancellation listings daily for your first-choice dates. Some parks hold spots for walk-ins, but this is not a reliable strategy for peak season.
4 weeks before
Book lodging near the park if you need a fallback. Confirm trail conditions and weather patterns for your dates. Request any required permits you haven't gotten yet.
1-2 weeks before
Check park alerts, road closures, and fire restrictions. Confirm your campsite reservation. Arrange parking if needed (some parks require advance parking passes). Download offline maps.
The Reservation System
Most national parks use Recreation.gov for campground reservations. The system opens availability on different dates depending on the park. Yosemite opens 5 months ahead. Zion opens 6 months ahead. Joshua Tree opens 4 months ahead. Check each park's website for their specific window.
Booking opens at 7 AM Pacific on the opening date. Compete with thousands of other campers. Have your park and dates ready, and book immediately when the window opens. Don't wait. Popular campgrounds will have zero availability within 30 minutes.
If you can't secure your first choice, check cancellations obsessively. People cancel or change plans constantly. Set up alerts on Recreation.gov or use third-party services that notify you of cancellations.
Permits: What You Actually Need
Backcountry camping permits: Required at nearly every park. These control crowd density and environmental impact. Apply through the park's dedicated permit office. Some parks use a lottery system (Yosemite, Grand Canyon). Others use first-come, first-served (Rocky Mountain, Great Smoky Mountains). Lottery deadlines are typically 2-3 months before your trip.
Special use permits: Required for some specific hikes (Half Dome in Yosemite, permits in Zion canyoneering). Check the park's official website under "permits" or "recreation." Don't assume a hike is open without checking.
Parking passes: Teton and a few others require advance parking reservations during peak season. Book these at the same time as your campsite.
Annual park pass: At $80, it pays for itself in 2-3 park visits. Buy it before you go so you don't waste time at the gate.
Key Decisions to Make Early
Which campground within the park?
Closer to the main attractions vs. quieter locations. Closer sites book faster. Remote campgrounds (often first-served) may still have space. If you prioritize specific trails, choose based on trailhead access, not just prestige.
Peak season or shoulder season?
Summer is crowded and hot in most parks. Spring and fall offer better weather, fewer people, and easier camping. Fall has unpredictable conditions but stunning scenery. Winter shuts down most parks. If you're flexible, target April-May or September-October.
How many nights?
Most parks require a minimum of 2 nights for campground reservations, though some allow single nights. At least 3 nights is ideal. You'll spend a day arriving, a day exploring, and a day leaving. Less than 3 nights feels rushed.
Backcountry or campground?
Backcountry offers solitude but requires permits, fitness, and experience. Campground camping is accessible but crowded. A hybrid approach works well: camp at a drive-in site, day hike, then add one backcountry night if you're comfortable.
Logistics: Getting There and Managing Time
Plan your arrival time carefully. Most campgrounds don't allow check-in before 2-4 PM. If you arrive at 11 AM, you're sitting in the parking lot. Conversely, arriving after 8 PM limits your ability to set up camp in daylight. Aim for early afternoon check-in.
Account for entrance fees and time at the gate. Popular parks have traffic backups. Arrive early or late to avoid the peak arrival window (11 AM - 3 PM).
Download offline maps before you go. Cell service is unreliable in most parks. The AllTrails app and Maps.me work well offline. Download your specific park's official map from the NPS website.
Backup Plans
Weather happens. High country gets snow in June. Rivers flood in spring. Forest fires close trailheads. Check conditions frequently and have alternate hikes planned. The park's official website publishes alerts for closures and hazards.
If you can't get a campsite, have a motel within 30 miles identified before your trip. Camping with a backup room available means you're never stranded. Some parks like Joshua Tree are surrounded by budget motels.
If your permit doesn't come through in a lottery, book a nearby national forest instead. NFS land is often less regulated and has cheaper camping. It's not the same, but it's a valid fallback.