Permits need more detail than campgrounds
A permit scan may depend on route, zone, entry point, date, and group size. That is why focused scans are better than broad permit searches.
Permit cancellation guide
How to watch national park permit cancellations
Some trips are blocked by a permit instead of a campsite. FirstCampsite supports a growing set of Recreation.gov permit scans for dates and options that match your plan.
Useful when a permit is the limiting factor
Works with supported Recreation.gov permit areas
Keep each route or zone as its own scan
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 a supported permit
Cancellation alert guide
How this helps with booked-out trips
Separate backup routes
If several permit options could work, create separate scans. That makes an alert easier to evaluate when one specific route or zone opens.
Use the supported permit list
FirstCampsite is expanding permit support area by area. The permit list shows which Recreation.gov permits are currently configured.
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
47
Targets requested
25
Successful scans
20
Active now
4
Common questions
Does FirstCampsite support every Recreation.gov permit?
No. Permit support is limited to configured permit areas, and support is expanding over time.
Should permits be prioritized over campgrounds?
For trips where the permit is the limiting factor, yes. A permit scan can matter more than a campground scan.