Good fits for California scans
Use FirstCampsite for California State Parks listings, Recreation.gov campgrounds, and supported permit areas. It is especially useful for sold-out trips where you can act quickly if an opening appears.
California campsite alerts
California campsite and campground cancellation alerts
California campsites often sell out around national parks, the coast, and summer weekends. FirstCampsite watches Recreation.gov and California State Parks listings for openings that match your dates.
First scan free for new users. No credit card required.
Watch Recreation.gov and California State Parks campground availability
Include supported California wilderness and backcountry permits
First scan free with no credit card required
First scan free
Build a campsite alert
Pick a place and dates. We watch for cancellations.
Need a permit alert? Supported permit results are labeled in search. See the current permit list. Don't see your campsite or permit? .
Try Yosemite, Whitney Portal, or a California campground
Cancellation alert guide
How this helps with booked-out trips
Build a focused scan
Choose a campground or permit you would actually book and the dates you can use. If several California destinations work, create separate scans so every alert is easy to act on.
Start with the free credit
New accounts include one scan credit, so you can test a real California campground or permit search without entering a credit card.
FirstCampsite activity
Results from real campsite and permit scans
Public totals are calculated from aggregate scan records and omit user identities, contact information, and private trip dates.
Total scan requests
96
Targets requested
44
Successful scans
47
Active now
3
Common questions
Does this cover California state park reservations?
Yes. FirstCampsite can scan supported California State Parks listings as well as Recreation.gov campgrounds and configured permit areas.
Can I scan more than one campground?
Yes, but each active watch should be specific enough that you would act on the alert if it appears.