How to reserve campsites at State Parks

[PinSniper]

So there's the online reservation system telling me that 2 parks I'm interested in are reservable only the day prior to arrival.

So I can reserve a site today, at Belfair State Park, but I can't do two nights because the site is taken on that day. How is that possible?

I also see another park, same deal, reserve only the day prior, but I can clearly see under the availability calendar every single weekend for the next month booked out.

How do I make a reservation?

[Chrisb9381]

Good luck. This is why we stopped going to state parks. Some of them book up almost a year out while others are first come first serve.

[sreyemj]

Good luck. This is why we stopped going to state parks. Some of them book up almost a year out while others are first come first serve.

Sometimes they will let you take someone's reserved spot if they don't show. Turns out, loosing $30 isn't enough of an incentive to make people show up for the spot they reserved a year ago (or even call to cancel the reservation).

[snozzberries]

Reservations can be made up to nine months prior to your arrival date.

If you want to camp at a site over Memorial Day 2019, you need to make your reservation 9 months in advance. August 2018.

[golddigger14s]

Our OC group has an annual campout in May, we have to book in August the year prior. Go during the week, and you shouldn't have an issue.

[Nate]

Wife and I go on Thursday afternoons, typically, and depart on Saturday morning. Park is mostly empty. No traffic going to the park, no traffic going home.

It's like a mini-getaway, and then we still have the weekend...a two-fer.

[deadshot2]

Being retired I have more latitude than those still working.

That said, my wife and I quit doing anything involving State or National Parks on weekends and holidays. They start ed to become impossible for weekend "campers" almost 20 years ago.

I now travel mid-week, arriving Monday night and making sure I'm gone by Friday morning.

I've also invested in a nice quiet generator to power my trailer as well as a larger battery bank so I don't need even the generator for night time heat/lights. I recently spent some time at forest service campgrounds that provide nothing but the site with a place to park, a tent space, and a picnic table. Bring everything else. Prices are half that of parks that provide hookups (No, not that kind )

We can thank our Legislature for taking all the money that used to support our State Parks and shifted it to fund programs other than what it was intended for. Like maybe all the social programs that tend to attract more freeloaders from other states.