SACRAMENTO – A new law recently signed by Governor Gavin Newsom will bring big changes to the way campsites are reserved across the state.
COVID restrictions have led to a surge in demand and a market that benefits illegal third-party operators.
The lure of a campfire and sleeping under the stars draws Robert Rodgers and his wife, Jan, to the outdoors.
“It’s all about the outdoors. There are fewer areas to choose from, and I think we need to take advantage of that while we’re still here,” says Robert Rodgers.
“It’s sitting around a campfire. It’s a starry night. It’s the smell of the fresh air,” said Jan Rogers.
The retired couple travel the state in their motorhome, but they know how difficult it can be to book sites in popular state parks during peak seasons.
“By the time we look at it, maybe we look at photos of the campsite, it’s gone. And then you try to find the rest of the campsite and it’s gone and there’s no availability,” says Robert.
The COVID restrictions have led to a surge in demand for campsites and an extremely competitive market.
Illegal third parties – acting like ticket scalpers – employ online scavengers and bots that gobble up reservations as they become available. They are turning camping into a ‘pay to play’ recreation.
“This move to take our most popular sites and put them on a lottery will make it harder because there will be more scrutiny. And the ability to at least weed out bots and others,” said Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, who represents the 16th District in Orinda.
Bauer-Kahan introduced AB 618. It will also increase the forfeiture of reservation fees for anyone who hoards campsite reservations and then cancels the ones they don’t need at short notice.
“Ensuring that we have access to California’s state parks for everyone means overhauling our reservation system and making sure those sites are used,” said Bauer-Kahan.
More than 6.5 million people camp in California parks each year.
The hope is that more people, including Robert and Jan, will have a better chance of booking sites so that more people can cook under majestic redwoods and breathe in the beauty of nature.
“I think if we get back to regular people registering, we could probably solve the problem and a lot of the aggravation,” Rogers said.
Another change under the new law is that a user or third-party vendor will be banned for a year if they fail to show up multiple times.