Camping Information & Reservations Policies

The following policies apply to accommodations that are available for booking through California State Parks’ reservation system, ReserveCalifornia. This includes camping (with and without hookups), equestrian camping, group camping, lodging (cabins, cottages, hotels, floating campsites, tent cabins, trailers, and yurts), and remote camping. 

Reservations that are made for California State Parks are for personal use only. Any resale, transfer, use, for profit activity, or memberships that are not approved in advance by California State Parks are strictly prohibited and will be subject to immediate cancellation without notice, refund or reimbursement. If you attempt or participate in any prohibited or unlawful activities, your ReserveCalifornia account may be blocked, terminated and cancelled without notice and you may not be allowed to make any reservations or open new accounts. There are currently no approved vendors to operate as third-party partners of the California State Parks reservation system. 

Please click the link for the applicable reservations policy:

Reservations Starting on or after July 1, 2026

Reservations Starting prior to July 1, 2026

 

The policies below are effective for reservations with arrival dates on and after July 1, 2026:

Cancellations and Refunds 

We understand that plans can change. If you need to cancel your reservation, please do so at your earliest convenience so that the site(s) can be made available for other customers to reserve or purchase. There is an additional fee in the amount of $8.25 to ReserveCalifornia for cancellations. This will be deducted from any refund you may be due. The remainder of your reservation costs (site fees) may be refunded. The $8.25 reservation fee charged by ReserveCalifornia at time of booking is non-refundable.

Refund amounts for cancellations are assessed on the following schedule:   

• 7 or more days prior to the reservation start date: All site fees are refunded, minus the cancellation fee. 
• Between 2-6 days prior to the reservation start date: Forfeit the first night’s site fee. Any remaining funds will be refunded, minus the cancellation fee. 
• Less than 2 days prior to the start date or a no-show: No refund. All fees paid are forfeit. 

California State Parks considers the “reservation start” to be 12:00 PM on the arrival date of the reservation. It is not the check-in time. For example, a reservation that begins on a Friday must be cancelled by 12:00 PM on the preceding Friday in order to receive a full refund of the site fees, minus the cancellation fee. 

Allow at least 30 days for the processing of refunds. Retain any refund confirmation messages until the refund is received.   

Reservations can be cancelled online through ReserveCalifornia.com or by reaching the Contact Center at 1-800-444-7275 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. PT. Cancellations within 48 hours of reservation start are not eligible for a refund; however, you can avoid incurring a no-show and help park staff manage the available inventory by calling the park using the phone number listed in the confirmation email or on the park webpage (www.parks.ca.gov/Find-a-Park).

No-Shows

Reservations are held until 12:00 PM the day after the reservation start date. If you have not arrived or called the park prior to that time, your reservation will be considered a “no-show”. No-show reservations are subject to the penalties listed below and will be promptly cancelled to make the site(s) available for other visitors to reserve. Check the confirmation email or the specific park’s webpage for contact information – www.parks.ca.gov/Find-A-Park.  

No-show penalties include: 

• Forfeiture of all fees paid—no refund.
• 365-day restriction on reserving sites using the ReserveCalifornia website and Contact Center after incurring three no-shows within one calendar year. Walkup or first-come-first-serve units may still be obtained.

Modifications 

Changes to reservation dates, sites, or parks, or extending or shortening reservation length are considered modifications. For ReserveCalifornia to process modifications to your reservation, an $8.25 modification fee will be assessed. A maximum of two modifications may be made to an existing reservation and must be made at least 48 hours prior to the reservation start. Modifications are subject to availability.

Modifications can be made online through ReserveCalifornia.com or by calling the Contact Center at 1-800-444-7275 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. PT.   

Exception - The following facilities do not allow modifications:  

• Crystal Cove Beach Cottages   
• San Clemente Holiday Vintage Trailers 

Early Out 

If a party checks out prior to the reservation end date, that reservation may be eligible for a partial refund. Inquire with park staff or call the park to make a request.  

Reservation holders that are approved for an Early Out refund will forfeit two nights site fees. The nonrefundable $8.25 reservation fee and the $8.25 cancellation fee will be deducted from the balance of any refund they may be due.   

In cases of inclement weather, when the campground remains open, but the reservation holder chooses to leave, refunds may be issued under the Early Out policy.  

Accessible Overnight Facilities

• If an accessible overnight facility is required, this must be specified at the time of the reservation.
• The disabled person who requires use of the accessible overnight facility need not be the reservation holder.
• Visitors reserving accessible overnight facilities will be asked to provide proof of disability. California State Parks will accept the following as proof of disability:

o   Valid Permanent Disabled Person (DP) Parking Placard, DP License Plates, or Disabled Veteran (DV) License Plates issued to the disabled person by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

o   Valid Disabled Discount Pass (DDP) issued to the disabled person by the California Department of Parks and Recreation.

o   Other similarly reliable documentation issued by a governmental entity demonstrating the need for an accessible overnight facility. Such documentation includes, but is not limited to, DP Parking Placards, DP License Plates, DV License Plates, or disabled discount passes issued by governmental entities other than the State of California, including local, out-of-state, or foreign governmental entities.

• The person to whom the proof of disability has been issued must be an occupant of the accessible overnight facility for the entirety of the stay.
• Possession of valid proof of disability does not automatically qualify for a reservation discount. Only individuals with a valid California State Parks’ Disabled Discount Pass (DDP) or Distinguished Veterans Pass (DVP) are eligible to receive a discount. Reservations associated with a valid California State Parks' DDP or DVP will be discounted at the time of booking only.
• Whether use of an accessible overnight facility is subject to reservation or on a first-come first-served basis, unoccupied accessible overnight facilities shall be held for people with disabilities until 5:00 pm each day. If an accessible overnight facility is not occupied by 5:00 pm the site may be occupied on a first-come, first-served basis by a person without a disability for one night only. This process repeats daily.
• Reservations for accessible overnight facilities will not be honored, and all fees associated with the reservation will be forfeit, under the following circumstances:

o   A reservation made by an individual in which no occupant of the accessible overnight facility is disabled, or

o   A reservation made by an individual who is unable to provide credible proof of disability for themselves or someone else in the party, or

o   A reservation made by an individual in which the proof of disability provided is issued to an individual who is not an occupant of the accessible overnight facility, or

o   A reservation made by an individual that provides proof of disability that is known to be stolen, altered, forged, or counterfeit.

Closures

• In the event of an evacuation or park closure, California State Parks will make every effort to notify impacted reservation holders.
• A refund for the nights the park was evacuated and/or closed will be initiated by California State Parks automatically (allow time for processing).
• Review the cancellation policy for information on refund processing.
• At most parks, check-in begins at 2:00 p.m. on the reservation’s start date. Check your reservation confirmation to verify your reservation’s check-in time.
• Upon arrival, be prepared to present the reservation confirmation message, photo identification, and valid proof of disability (if you reserved an accessible overnight facility).
• For reservation discounts, proof of discount eligibility must be shown at check-in.
• Fees include entry for one vehicle and one legally towed vehicle or trailer. Additional vehicles will be charged per-night at the park. Although a site may hold two or more vehicles, a reservation only covers one vehicle (except for group or specialty sites).
• Park- and campground-specific information regarding occupancy limits, pet rules, and other critical information may be found specific park’s webpage– www.parks.ca.gov/Find-A-Park. Please review the Park and Campground specific information provided.
• Campsite assignments are made upon arrival unless the reservation is in a site-specific park. For parties that reserved two sites in a non-site-specific park, the park staff will try to assign adjacent campsites, subject to availability.
• Check out time is noon. Please leave the reserved site in good condition and follow any specific instructions provided by park staff.
• If you plan to arrive after 12:00 PM the day after the reservation start date, you must provide notice of late arrival each day by 12:00 PM to staff at the state park unit where the reservation is held to hold the remainder of your reservation.
• Each campground has a limit on the consecutive number of nights a camper may stay. Once this consecutive night limit has been reached, the campground must be vacated, and no one in the party may return to camp in the same park for 48 hours.
• For most parks, there is a 30-night maximum stay limit per customer in a calendar year; please check individual park policy limits.
• Creating multiple profiles in the reservations system to bypass the stay limit is not acceptable. Reservations made under individual unique multiple user IDs will not be honored.

Check In and Check Out

• At most parks, check-in begins at 2:00 p.m. on the reservation’s start date. Check your reservation confirmation to verify your reservation’s check-in time.
• Upon arrival, be prepared to present the reservation confirmation message, photo identification, and valid proof of disability (if you reserved an accessible overnight facility).
• For reservation discounts, proof of discount eligibility must be shown at check-in.
• Fees include entry for one vehicle and one legally towed vehicle or trailer. Additional vehicles will be charged per-night at the park. Although a site may hold two or more vehicles, a reservation only covers one vehicle (except for group or specialty sites).
• Park- and campground-specific information regarding occupancy limits, pet rules, and other critical information may be found specific park’s webpage– www.parks.ca.gov/Find-A-Park. Please review the Park and Campground specific information provided.
• Campsite assignments are made upon arrival unless the reservation is in a site-specific park. For parties that reserved two sites in a non-site-specific park, the park staff will try to assign adjacent campsites, subject to availability.
• Check out time is noon. Please leave the reserved site in good condition and follow any specific instructions provided by park staff.

Late Arrivals

• If you plan to arrive after 12:00 PM the day after the reservation start date, you must provide notice of late arrival each day by 12:00 PM to staff at the state park unit where the reservation is held to hold the remainder of your reservation.

Stay Limit

• Each campground has a limit on the consecutive number of nights a camper may stay. Once this consecutive night limit has been reached, the campground must be vacated, and no one in the party may return to camp in the same park for 48 hours.
• For most parks, there is a 30-night maximum stay limit per customer in a calendar year; please check individual park policy limits.
• Creating multiple profiles in the reservations system to bypass the stay limit is not acceptable. Reservations made under individual unique multiple user IDs will not be honored.

The policies below are effective for reservations with arrival dates on and before June 30, 2026:

Making Reservations

Reservations can be made up to six months to the day in advance of the arrival date (rolling window). Each new date opens at 8 a.m. PST. Reservations can be made at most state parks as late as two days prior to your planned arrival, subject to availability. A limited number of state parks offer same-day reservations.

• Online Reservations
• Telephone Reservations

Reservations that are made for California State Parks are for personal use only.  Any resale, transfer, use for profit activity, or memberships that are not approved in advance by the State are strictly prohibited and will be subject to immediate cancellation without notice, refund or reimbursement. 

ADA Site Reservations

Visitors reserving accessible campsites are required to possess a valid Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Disabled Placard or Disabled License Plate and corresponding Identification Card issued by DMV.  Disabled veterans possessing a valid Disabled Veteran's License Plate and corresponding identification card also meet the requirement.

If you require an accessible campsite, you must specify this at the time of the reservation.

Whether use is subject to reservation or on a first-come, first-served basis, unoccupied accessible campsites shall be held for persons with disabilities until 5:00 pm each day. If an accessible campsite is not occupied by 5:00 pm the site may be occupied on a first-come, first-served basis to a person without a disability for one night only. This process repeats daily.

Stay Limits

For most of our parks, there is a 30-night maximum stay limit per customer in a calendar year; please check individual park policy limits.  

User IDs

Please note our California State Parks Reservation Policy: Reservations that are made for California State Parks are for personal use only. Any resale, transfer, use for profit activity, or memberships that are not approved in advance by the State are strictly prohibited and will be subject to immediate cancellation without notice, refund or reimbursement. For most of our parks, there is a 30-night maximum stay limit per customer in a calendar year; please check individual park policy limits. Creating multiple user IDs to bypass the 30-night rule is not acceptable. Reservations made under individual unique multiple user IDs will not be honored. If you attempt or participate in any prohibited or unlawful activities, your account may be blocked, terminated and cancelled without notice and you may not be allowed to make any reservations or open new accounts.

Checking In & Out

You may check in to your campsite any time after 2 p.m. on your reservation start date. 

When you arrive, present your confirmation messages and a form of photo identification.

If you arranged for a discount when you made your reservation, proof of eligibility must be shown at this time.

Campsite assignments are made upon your arrival unless your reservation is in a site specific park. If you reserve two sites in a non-site specific park, park staff will try to assign adjacent campsites, subject to availability.

Dogs must be kept on leashes no longer than 6' and in a tent or enclosed vehicle at night. Except for service animals, pets are not allowed in park buildings, on trails, or on most beaches.

Check out by noon on your departure date.

Please leave the campsite in good condition. The camper who follows you will appreciate it.

Cancellation, No Show and Early Out Policies

If you need to change your arrival/departure date and/or site, you must call ReserveCalifornia at 1-800-444-PARK or log into ReserveCalifornia.com by 6 pm the day before your arrival date. If you cancel your reservation after 6 p.m. the day before your arrival date you will be charged a cancellation fee of $8.25, the first night’s campsite fee and your reservation fee will be forfeited.

Cabin reservation holders will forfeit the first night fees when cancelling 6 or fewer days prior to arrival.

For cabin and other alternative camping, please check the park specific cancellation policies on www.ReserveCalifornia.com under Alerts and Important Information, Site Alerts, and confirmation letter.

The $8.25 reservation fee is non-refundable. 

If you cancel a reservation, a cancellation fee of $8.25 will be assessed per reservation. Cancellations can be made online or by calling our Customer Call Center at (800) 444-PARK (7275).This service is available 7 days a week, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST (except New Year' Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day). Customers will be charged a $8.25 cancellation fee if cancelled after 6:00 p.m. the day before arrival, and will forfeit the unit fee for one night and the $8.25 reservation fee. Customers will be charged a $8.25 cancellation fee if cancelled before 6:00 p.m. the day before arrival and forfeit the $8.25 reservation fee.

No Show - A campsite will be held for you until 12 p.m. the day after your arrival date. If you have not called the park before that time, you will be considered a "no show" and the park will cancel your reservation. You will be refunded the amount paid for the campsite, less the non-refundable $8.25 reservation fee, the $8.25 cancellation fee, and one night use fee. If you miss your first day but plan to arrive later, you must call the park each day to hold the remainder of your reservation.

Early Out - If you must leave the park one or more days early, a cancellation fee of $8.25 and reservation fee of $8.25 will be assessed per reservation; you must check out before 12 p.m. Retain your camping confirmation letter until you have received your refund or your charge card has been credited. Allow at least 30 days to receive your refund. 

In cases of inclement weather, when the campground remains open, but you choose to leave, refunds will be issued based on the early out policy.

Closures - If California State Parks closes a campground due to an emergency or disaster, our reservation provider will make every effort to notify you. In the event of an evacuation or park closure, you will receive a refund for nights the park was evacuated and/or closed.

Modification Policy

If you need to change your arrival/departure date and/or site, you must call ReserveCalifornia at 1-800-444-PARK or log into ReserveCalifornia.com by 6 p.m. the day before arrival. Visitors will be charged a $8.25 modification fee per reserved campsite for change in dates, sites, parks, extending or shortening stay requests. Two Modifications may be made to an existing reservation with the exception of Crystal Cove Cottages. No modifications will be accepted for Crystal Cove Cottages.

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