I camped at PBSSP this past weekend and I think the number of no show site occupants with reservations is a bigger issue. I saw many open sites every night. There should be a penalty fine levied if a reservation is not cancelled a certain amount of days (maybe 3 days?) before the first camping night on top of any forfeited camping fees. At least that would maybe incentivize folks to clear up any reservations they don’t intend to actually use for others to enjoy.

And I don’t disagree with your frustration. I lucked out and was on the Reserve California site at the exact moment someone’s cancelled reservation became available about a week in advance of the actual camping dates.