If you’re hoping to book a last-minute national park RV campsite for one more trip in late summer or early fall, it might seem like a lost cause. It’s true that lots of people on national park road trips book their campsites months in advance, but don’t despair just yet. There are a few tips and tricks to try and nab a last-minute national park campsite.

Keep in mind that if you’re headed to a national park, your campground likely won’t have RV hookups. There are very few campgrounds within the entire National Park Service system that offer electric, water, or sewer hookups. If you’re angling for a last-minute RV site, it’s even less likely that you’ll get a spot with hookups, which means you should have a plan for camping off-grid, with all the water and power you need for your trip.

With that settled, here are a few things to try to snag a last-minute national park campsite.

1. Go During the Off-Season

Looking for campsites in late summer, and especially in early fall, can mean less competition for campsites at national parks. After Labor Day, when most kids head back to school, your chances of finding a site are even better. Summer is often the most popular season at national parks, but in warm-weather parks like those in Arizona, Florida, and California, winter can be crowded. If you want to plan a summer RV trip that avoid crowds and increases your chances of finding a site, plan accordingly .

You’ll also often have better luck if you can camp during the week instead of on weekends. Anytime from Sunday afternoon through Thursday is often less crowded at national parks.

2. Set Up Alerts

Hipcamp Alerts is a free service where you can enter the park you want to visit and dates you want to camp, and you’ll get a notification if a site becomes available. The Dyrt and Campnab have similar programs that start at low prices for the service. You can also check Recreation.gov. Choose the campground and dates you want, and if it’s booked, click the Availability Alert (it has a little bell icon) to be notified if a spot opens up.

3. Look for First-Come First-Served Sites

If you can’t get a reservation at a national park, many also have first-come, first-served campgrounds. If you show up and a campsite is free, it’s yours. Arriving during the week, or the off-season can be especially helpful in this case. Of course, there’s always a risk that you could show up to a first-come, first-served site and it could be full. Have a backup plan in case you can’t find a spot and need somewhere to spend the night. 

5. Check Nearby Private Campgrounds

If there are truly no campsites at the national park you wish to visit, you don’t necessarily have to scrap your trip. You can look for alternatives in nearby places. In fact, you may find that you like these spots even more than a campground inside a popular national park. Many of the popular parks have towns that have popped up around the entrances to the park.

There are often lots of private campgrounds here where you might be able to find a spot. If you’re someone who likes more amenities when you camp, this is a great option. Many private campgrounds offer not only hookups, but perks like a pool, shower house, and laundry. Keep in mind that since they offer more, these campgrounds also tend to cost more than public campgrounds at national and state parks.

6. Dispersed Camping

You can also look for nearby Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land where you can camp. The western United States holds most of the BLM land, and it’s a great option near several national parks. Some BLM land has designated developed campsites where you pay to camp. Alternatively, there are several free RV camping destinations that allows boondocking .

If you’ll be dispersed camping, you’ll likely have a 14-day limit before you need to move on. Camp on durable surfaces, preferably where other people have camped before, so you’re not disturbing new ground. You’ll need to bring all of your own power and water, and you’ll need to pack out all your trash and waste. Consult the BLM Maps webpage to make sure you’re allowed to be in the area where you plan to camp.

7. Consider Other Parks

When looking for ways to multiply your RV campsite options may also want to consider a less-popular national park or site for your trip. The most popular national parks are definitely worth a visit, but there are many hidden gems as well. You’ll find fewer lines for entry, food, and popular landmarks at less popular parks, and you won’t be sharing trails with hundreds of other people.

Parks like Black Canyon of the Gunnison in Colorado and Great Basin National Park in Nevada have hiking, scenic views, and fascinating features like caves and canyons. As a general rule, national parks near big cities, or easy to reach, are much more popular than parks that require a longer drive and are less developed.

Finally, you can also consider a nearby state park as an alternative to a national park. Buffalo Bill State Park is about an hour from Yellowstone’s East Entrance. and also has wildlife and scenic views. Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada has striking red sandstone and makes a great alternative to Zion or Arches National Park.

Hopefully, these tips can help you rescue a national park road trip, even if you don’t have a reservation at the time you want to go!

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