TIPS TO TRY
Want to visit federal land this summer? Here are some tips to navigating Recreation.gov, the online reservation system.
◆ Create a website account well ahead of time:
When campsites, passes and permits are released, you must have an account to secure them. Don’t get caught scrambling to enter your information at the last minute.
◆ Plan ahead and research:
If you have your heart set on visiting a specific national park, start on the dedicated page for the park itself; you’ll usually find information about the required reservations. Rules may change, too, depending on weather, natural disasters and pandemic policies. Social media accounts can be a great source for trip planning and reservation tips — not only the parks’ Instagram accounts but also Facebook Groups for fans of the agencies and individual parks.
◆ Familiarize yourself with the lottery system:
Recreation.gov has a lottery system for some of the most popular attractions on federal land. While imperfect, the lottery is generally considered an improvement in terms of equitable access. Read up to learn how and when to enter, and coordinate with your travel companions to improve your chances.
◆ Consider visiting lesser-known parks and destinations:
Some sites, like Yellowstone and Great Smoky Mountains national parks, receive millions of visitors annually, and it can be hard to secure highly coveted campsites and passes no matter how skilled you are online. But there is no shortage of stunning alternatives, where reservations are easier to come by and often have more first-come, firstserved options.
◆ Don’t forget about the workarounds:
Just because you can’t secure a reservation doesn’t mean the trip can’t happen. Necota Staples of Staples InTents shared these suggestions: “There are often campsites that fall under the Bureau of Land Management that can be used at a first-come, firstserve basis or for a minimal fee. Other workarounds include private campgrounds, like KOA, which often have locations near national parks, or Hipcamps, which are privately owned properties that rent space for camping.” And should you have a van, trailer or RV, many Walmart parking lots welcome overnight guests.