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The Reservation Crisis

Securing a campsite at a premier US national park is no longer a matter of planning — it's an algorithmic battle. Here is the real-time status of the 10 most competitive campgrounds in the country.

Official photo of Lower Pines
Yosemite National Park | CA

Lower Pines

Yosemite Valley's highly coveted riverfront destination. With only 60 pitches, this campground is the absolute epicenter of the booking crunch.

Window:5 Months (rolling)
Price:$36.00 / night
Live Status & Specs →
Official photo of Upper Pines
Yosemite National Park | CA

Upper Pines

The largest campground in Yosemite Valley. Choose sites in the outer loops for more privacy.

Pitches:238 sites
Signal:Moderate Signal
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Official photo of Watchman Campground
Zion National Park | UT

Watchman Campground

Located right near the main visitor center. Loop B is best for tent camping near the river.

Pitches:190 sites
Signal:Strong Signal
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Additional High-Competition Campgrounds

Glacier National Park

Fish Creek

MT
178 pitches
$23.00 / night
Arches National Park

Devils Garden

UT
51 pitches
$25.00 / night
Grand Canyon National Park

Mather Campground

AZ
327 pitches
$18.00 / night
Haleakalā National Park

Kipahulu Campground

HI
21 pitches
$20.00 / night
Yellowstone National Park

Slough Creek

WY
16 pitches
$20.00 / night
Yellowstone National Park

Grant Village

WY
171 pitches
$31.00 / night
Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Elkmont Campground

TN
220 pitches
$25.00 / night
Grand Teton National Park

Jenny Lake Campground

WY
61 pitches
$36.00 / night
Yosemite National Park

Camp 4

CA
35 pitches
$10.00 / night
Rocky Mountain National Park

Moraine Park

CO
244 pitches
$30.00 / night
Olympic National Park

Kalaloch

WA
170 pitches
$24.00 / night
Joshua Tree National Park

Jumbo Rocks

CA
124 pitches
$20.00 / night
Shenandoah National Park

Big Meadows

VA
221 pitches
$30.00 / night