Rules & Reservation Policies

Customers may cancel a reservation prior to the day of the reservation check-in date, both online, through the app, or through the contact center. A $10 cancellation fee may apply. For most facilities, customers may not cancel a reservation after 12:00am local time on the reservation check-in date. In these cases, the contact center will not be able to assist either, and only an on-site staff member will be able to assist. There are some exceptions to this rule where a facility will allow a same-day self-cancellation (also known as a “mid-stay change”). Check the facility's page for additional information on their specific business rules.

Depending on when a reservation is cancelled in relation to the check-in date, it may be considered a late cancellation and an additional amount may be withheld.

Camping reservations cancelled on the day before arrival ("late cancellation") will incur a $10.00 cancellation fee AND forfeit the first night's fees (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation).

For example, if your check-in date is August 4th at 11:00am Pacific Standard Time (facility's local time), a late cancellation would be any time after 12:00am local time on August 3rd.

Late cancellations of a one-night campsite reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation.

As a rule of thumb, cancellations to reservations should be made as far in advance of the reservation as possible. Some campgrounds are extremely remote and/or are unstaffed, and last-minute changes may result in challenges in accommodating your changes by either local staff or the contact center.

At staffed facilities, if you need to cancel your reservation after 12:00am (midnight) of the facility's local time on the day before your check-in date (“late cancellation”), on-site personnel sometimes may not be around to assist you, depending on the hour. The Recreation.gov contact center can assist with performing a late cancellation as long as it is not on the day of check-in, where many facilities have rules restricting the contact center from making last-minute changes. However, once the check-in date has started, modifications and cancellations to your reservation will depend on the facility's unique business rules. If their rules allow for same-day modifications or cancellations, you will have the ability to modify/cancel on your Recreation.gov or mobile app. A contact center agent can also assist in these cases. However, if the facility's business rules do not allow for same-day modifications or cancellations, then the modify/cancel options will not be selectable on your Recreation.gov account and you must work with a local facility host, attendant, or manager to make changes. The contact center will also not be able to assist you in those circumstances.

Customers who cancel a cabin, lookout, or yurt reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date (a “late cancellation”) will pay a $10.00 late cancellation fee AND forfeit the first night's fee.

Late cancellations of a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation.

Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 late cancellation fee AND forfeit the first night's fees.

Late cancellation of a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation.

Customers who cancel a group day-use facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will forfeit the total day-use fees.

Once a reservation date begins, customers cannot make a change using either the online system or through the contact center unless the location allows mid-stay modifications (see below for early departures). Many remote locations, such as those managed by the U.S. Forest Service, are not staffed and reservations cannot be managed on-site. Even if the location is staffed, on-site personnel may or may not be able to assist with changes or cancellations.

There are no refunds, modifications, cancellations, or other fee changes allowed with Scan & Pay transactions. This Scan & Pay system is designed to operate the same way as putting cash into a fee tube and cannot be extracted once it is inserted into a fee tube.

If a customer wants to switch dates that are entirely outside of the original reservation dates, there is a $10 change fee.

At facilities that do not allow "mid-stay changes" (also known as in-flight modifications, which are changes on or after the start date) customers and contact center agents cannot modify reservations on or after the check-in date. For these locations, only facility staff can make those modifications. At facilities that do allow "mid-stay changes", customers can self-modify their reservation through their Recreation.gov account online or in the mobile app, or reach the contact center for assistance.

There is no change fee if a customer extends or shortens a reservation if the change includes dates from the original reservation. If they choose to depart early, they may forfeit some or all of the fees.

There is no change fee if the customer changes campsites that are the same price and on the same reservation dates in the same campground. If the campsite the customer is changing to has a price difference, the customer will be responsible for any additional fees or be provided with a refund, based on the price difference.

For reservations that include dates beyond the end of the available booking window, you are not able to make changes or cancel your reservation until four days after the site is available to the general public. For more information, please read the No Modification Rule for Reserved Nights Beyond the Booking Window Help Center article.

A no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date (or for day-use facilities, by check-in time the day of arrival).

• No-show customers are only recorded at staffed facilities. At most remote facilities, all customers are noted as automatically checked-in on the date of arrival.
• It is recommended that staffed facilities hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date.
• It is recommended that staffed facilities hold group day-use facilities until check-in time on the arrival date.

There is no change fee if a customer extends or shortens a reservation if the change includes dates from the original reservation. If they choose to depart early, they may forfeit some or all of the fees.

There is no change fee if the customer changes campsites that are the same price and on the same reservation dates in the same campground. If the campsite the customer is changing to has a price difference, the customer will be responsible for any additional fees or be provided with a refund, based on the price difference.

Where recorded, no-show customers are assessed a $20.00 no-show fee and forfeit the first night's fees for a campsite or forfeit the entire day-use fees for a day-use facility. We recommend customers contact the facility if they are en route to their reservation but cannot make it by the check-in date. In these cases, no refund will be issued, but the facility can ensure that a "no-show" fee is not assessed.

At staffed facilities, if a customer departs prior to their reservation's scheduled check-out date, they may be eligible for a partial refund depending on whether the facility is able to mark and make the site available to new visitors. Please remember that reservations at these facilities prevent other visitors from using these sites and so early departures may not be eligible for refunds.

Please notify staff at the facility if you depart early to allow others to use the site.

If customers request an early departure after the facility check-out time, the customer will not receive a refund for that night.

This fee is associated with a reservation at a facility that offers a monthly payment plan, better known as Long Term Stays. This is a one-time, non-refundable fee and a portion of the reservation cost charged at the time of booking to secure the full stay dates. The remaining balance will be due 30 days ahead of arrival and can be paid at any time after booking. If the first full month's balance is not paid by that time, the reservation will be cancelled, and the dates will be released for others to book.

Cancellations: The Due Now fee set by the managing agency and is non-refundable. Customers can cancel at any point prior to the reservation start date. If the Due Now amount is less than the first night's use fee, customers will incur a charge of the first night's use fee plus a $10 cancellation fee. If the Due Now amount is greater than the first night's use fee, cancellations will not be charged a cancellation fee.

Modifications:

• If a customer wants to switch dates that are entirely outside of the original reservation dates, there is a $10 change fee.
• Facility must have "mid-stay changes" (also known as in-flight modifications, which are changes on or after the start date) turned on to allow modifications after the arrival date.

No Shows: No shows will incur a $20 no-show fee and forfeit the Due Now and the first night's use fee.

Early Departures:

• At staffed facilities, if a customer departs prior to their reservation's scheduled check-out date, they may be eligible for a partial refund depending on whether the facility is able to mark and make the site available to new visitors. Please remember that reservations at these facilities prevent other visitors from using these sites and so early departures may not be eligible for refunds.
• Please notify staff at the facility if you depart early to allow others to use the site.
• If customers request an early departure after the facility check-out time, the customer will not receive a refund for that night.

This non-refundable fee is determined by the total number of nights reserved and is a portion of the reservation cost charged at the time of booking to secure the full stay dates. The remaining balance will be due 30 days ahead of arrival and can be paid at any time after booking. If the remaining balance is not paid by that time, the reservation will be cancelled, and the dates will be released for others to book.

Cancellations: The Down Payment fee is set by the managing agency and is non-refundable. Down Payments are charged as a nightly rate. Customers can cancel at any point prior to the reservation start date. Customer is charged Down Payment in full plus a $10 cancellation fee.

Modifications:

• If a customer wants to switch dates that are entirely outside of the original reservation dates, there is a $10 change fee.
• Facility must have "mid-stay changes" (also known as in-flight modifications, which are changes on or after the start date) turned on to allow modifications after the arrival date.
• If removing nights from the reservation, customer will not be refunded the Down Payment amount for the nights removed.

No Shows: No shows will incur a $20 no-show fee and forfeit the Down Payment and the first night's use fee.

Due at the time of booking, the security deposit is used to cover damages and theft and may be refunded if the facility is left in an acceptable condition (determined by the managing agency). Refunds are returned to the original method of payment.

If customers want to modify a tour or timed entry tickets, they will need to make that change prior to the late cut-off window. If there isn't a cut-off window, they can make changes prior to the tour start time.

The cut-off window varies by location. Check the Fees and Cancellations section for the ticket location on Recreation.gov.

Customers may cancel their reservation prior to the start time of their ticket both online and through the contact center and this may allow other visitors to enjoy this recreation opportunity.

All non-refundable cancellation fees will be withheld from any refund amount provided.

Depending on how close to the arrival time you request the cancellation, it may be considered a late cancellation (see below).

Some ticket locations have a unique late cancellation policy that determines what is considered a “late cancellation” of a reservation.

There are no refunds for tickets that are cancelled late. Review the Fees and Cancellations section of a ticket facility's page to determine if they have a late cancellation window in place.

Permit policies and fees are unique to each location. Please ensure that you have reviewed the information provided on the facility's Overview, Need to Know, and Fees & Cancellation sections before you book.

After you book a permit reservation, you may not change the permit holder's information. If you need to change this information you must cancel and rebook.

Permit holders may not modify or cancel a permit that has been printed.

Christmas tree permits sold by the U.S. Forest Service are non-transferrable, non-refundable, not replaceable if lost or stolen, and are void if altered or reproduced.

Site passes are non-transferrable, non-refundable, not replaceable if lost or stolen, and are void if altered or reproduced.

Activity passes are non-transferable, non-refundable, cannot be replaced if lost or stolen, and are void if altered or reproduced.

Application Fee: Some locations require a review of the reservation application by the facility manager. In these cases, the application fee is paid for during your reservation payment process and is non-refundable regardless of whether the facility approves or denies the application. If the facility approves your application, then a reservation will be awarded and you will be notified by the facility. If the facility denies your application, the application fee is non-refundable.

Modifications: Modifications can be made for reservations when there is no change to the reservation cost. These modifications may include the date, venue/location, group size, and/or the number of vehicles. All modifications are subject to availability on a facility-by-facility basis. Modifications can be made via the contact center or by the facility.

Cancellations: Cancellations made more than 14 days before the scheduled arrival date will be refunded the use fee and the deposit (if applicable to the location) minus a $10.00 cancellation fee. No refunds will be given for cancellations made 14 days or less before the scheduled arrival date. Cancellations can be made via the contact center or by the facility.

Security Deposit: Due at the time of booking, the security deposit is used to cover damages and theft and may be refunded if the facility is left in an acceptable condition (determined by the managing agency). Refunds are returned to the original method of payment.

The following are the only Interagency Passes that provide a discount on camping reservations and some tickets:

Eligible pass discounts only apply to individual campsites and may apply to a ticket for the pass holder. Interagency pass discounts do not apply to group reservations, cabins, shelters, and multi-use sites (doubles, triples, etc.).

Pass discounts only apply to the recreation use fee for the location. Other charges such as electricity or water hookups, reservation or other fees are not eligible for a discount.

The holder of the pass must occupy the site for which the discount is applied.

The pass discount may only apply to one site during any given time period.

You must provide your pass and photo identification upon check in. If you received a pass discount for which you were not eligible, you must pay the difference in price upon arrival.

Customers may submit a refund request online through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 calendar days of the end date of their reservation. Customers may also request a refund request through the contact center at any time after their reservation has ended.

Once the refund request has been submitted, all decisions regarding refunds and refund amounts are made by the facility managers at the location of the reservation.

Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be credited to the original bank or credit card used to pay.

In the event that a customer cancels the card before the refund is issued, the customer will need to contact their card company to have the funds released.

We cannot issue refunds to any card other than the original card used to pay.

In some instances where a card refund is not possible, we will issue a US Treasury check. In this case, customers will receive notification at the email address associated with the user account to input their mailing address. If your account mailing address is incomplete, you will have 120 days to respond to recurring email communications from Recreation.gov requesting you add your mailing address to your Recreation.gov customer profile. Without your mailing address, a Treasury check with your refund cannot be mailed. If by 120 days you have not provided your mailing address, your Treasury check refund will not be sent and Recreation.gov will close the request. You may contact the Recreation.gov Contact Center at any time to provide your mailing address and reopen a closed Treasury check refund request.

Recreation.gov does not accept cash or check payment for advance reservations. Some locations may accept cash or check on-site. Refunds for cash or check payments will be sent by Treasury check to the mailing address associated with the reservation.

Please ensure your Recreation.gov customer profile includes your mailing address and that mailing address is up to date. If your account mailing address is incomplete, you will have 120 days to respond to recurring email communications from Recreation.gov requesting you add your mailing address to your Recreation.gov customer profile. Without your mailing address, a Treasury check with your refund cannot be mailed. If by 120 days you have not provided your mailing address, your Treasury check refund will not be sent and Recreation.gov will close the request. You may contact the Recreation.gov Contact Center at any time to provide your mailing address and reopen a closed Treasury check refund request.

It may take up to 6-8 weeks for the Treasury check to arrive.

• In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within your Recreation.gov customer profile. Exception: Depending on agency policy, reservation fees for free tickets, free campsites or free permits may not be refunded.

• Service Fees: These include reservation fees, cancellation fees, lottery application fees, and change fees
• Donations and any associated fees
• Scan & Pay Camping payments
• Site Passes and Activity Passes
• Christmas Tree permits
• Due Now fees
• Down Payments
• Venues Application Fee

Reservation transactions will appear on customer"s credit card statements as "Recreation.gov 877-444-6777 NM".

Recreation.gov reserves the right to modify reservation policies. These policies were updated in May 2024.