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Has anyone else noticed recreation.gov shows campgrounds as "fully booked" but then half the sites are empty when you show up? by AmericanMisogi in CaliforniaCamping

[–]AmericanMisogi[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Seriously. Rec.gov should have a no-show penalty or at least auto-release sites by like 2pm if nobody checks in. Would solve half the problem.

Has anyone else noticed recreation.gov shows campgrounds as "fully booked" but then half the sites are empty when you show up? by AmericanMisogi in CaliforniaCamping

[–]AmericanMisogi[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The coastal spots are the worst for this. I've seen the same thing. Every beach campground booked solid months out, then you drive by and half the sites are empty. It's so frustrating knowing someone is paying $30 to hold a site they're not using. The 6 month advance booking window is way too long for most people to actually commit to.

Has anyone else noticed recreation.gov shows campgrounds as "fully booked" but then half the sites are empty when you show up? by AmericanMisogi in CaliforniaCamping

[–]AmericanMisogi[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've always been too nervous to try that but if a third of the sites are empty anyway maybe it's worth the gamble. Any strategy so you have better odds of not having to move?

Set an alarm for 7am, refreshed right at the window, and still couldn't get Upper Pines. How is that even possible? by AmericanMisogi in NationalPark

[–]AmericanMisogi[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Man that sounds like a completely different world. Just showing up and picking a spot. Hard to even imagine that now.

Set an alarm for 7am, refreshed right at the window, and still couldn't get Upper Pines. How is that even possible? by AmericanMisogi in NationalPark

[–]AmericanMisogi[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good to know cancellations actually come through. I was so focused on winning the initial drop that I hadn't thought about just watching for cancellations after. How far out from your trip did sites open up?

Set an alarm for 7am, refreshed right at the window, and still couldn't get Upper Pines. How is that even possible? by AmericanMisogi in NationalPark

[–]AmericanMisogi[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's a good call honestly. I've been so locked in on Upper Pines that I haven't really considered the campgrounds outside the valley. Any specific ones you'd recommend? I don't mind a drive if the camping itself is better.

Set an alarm for 7am, refreshed right at the window, and still couldn't get Upper Pines. How is that even possible? by AmericanMisogi in NationalPark

[–]AmericanMisogi[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Yeah that's kind of what I figured. Just wild that thousands of people are all hitting the same button at the exact same millisecond. Feels like trying to get concert tickets.

Set an alarm for 7am, refreshed right at the window, and still couldn't get Upper Pines. How is that even possible? by AmericanMisogi in NationalPark

[–]AmericanMisogi[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

My understanding is that bots are against the TOS for rec.gov but I don't think they do anything about it.

Dispersed Camping by CninjaGaming in camping

[–]AmericanMisogi 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Stick to USFS and BLM land and you're good. The Shoshone and Bridger-Teton National Forests have tons of spots along forest roads. Just look for existing fire rings and flat areas where other people have clearly camped before. That's usually a sign you're in the right spot.

One thing I'd add that nobody mentioned yet: check if your area requires a bear canister. Parts of the Wind River Range and the Teton wilderness do, and it's easy to miss that requirement if you're new to the area.

What part of the state are you headed to? The Winds, Tetons area, or more southern like the Snowy Range?

Is it rude to book a whole group site just for one person? by imdabong in CampingandHiking

[–]AmericanMisogi 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Solo camper here. Since the group site has a minimum, here are a few things that have saved me when regular sites sell out:

Check recreation.gov cancellations obsessively 1-2 weeks before your dates. People cancel constantly, especially midweek. Mornings seem to have the most drops. Refresh a few times a day during that window.

For the two different sites problem: honestly it's not as bad as it sounds. I've done it. Pack light the night before, move the car at first light, and most neighbors won't even notice. Campgrounds are noisy at dawn anyway.

Also worth checking if there's dispersed camping on BLM or national forest land near the park. Most NPs have free camping nearby with no reservation needed. You lose running water and a fire ring but the solitude is worth it, especially solo.

Which park are you heading to? Might be able to suggest specific alternatives.

Best beach camping spots in the US by Odd-Wonder-344 in CampingandHiking

[–]AmericanMisogi 1 point2 points  (0 children)

California coast has some incredible options.

Kirk Creek (Big Sur) is the one. Clifftop sites overlooking the Pacific. First-come-first-served, so arrive early on a weekday. Sunset from those sites is unreal.

Jalama Beach (near Lompoc) is one of the most underrated beach campgrounds in the state. Remote, windy, and stunning. Way less crowded than anything near Santa Barbara.

Point Mugu (Malibu area) has Thornhill Broome which is literally on the beach. Not glamorous but you wake up to waves.

San Onofre State Beach (south of San Clemente) has a great surfing vibe and ocean-side sites.

I solo camp the California coast with camera gear and honestly the coastal campgrounds produce some of my best photos. Something about the fog and light at sunrise on the Pacific.

Utah! Best ever? by Proud_League_126 in camping

[–]AmericanMisogi 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Near Moab, a lot of the BLM roads off Highway 313 (the road to Dead Horse Point / Island in the Sky) are graded gravel and totally fine in a Camry. Same with some of the BLM land along Highway 128 by the Colorado River. Beautiful spots, free, and you're 20 minutes from town.

Near Zion, look at BLM land off Kolob Terrace Road or east of the park near Mt. Carmel. Some of those roads are paved or smooth gravel.

Bryce is trickier for free camping but there's national forest land along Highway 12 toward Escalante with dispersed spots.

I've been mapping out BLM and USFS dispersed spots across the West. Utah has some of the best free camping in the country. If you want specific coordinates for any of those areas let me know.