Rules and Reservation Policies

As you book camping, day-use, and cabin reservations on Recreation.gov, please review these standard policies that apply to most locations. Keep in mind, that there are many exceptions, so it is best to review reservation information on individual facility pages for those policies and procedures that pertain to specific locations. Policies listed for specific locations supersede these Recreation.gov site-wide policies.

For tickets and permit locations, policies and fees vary widely and it is especially important to review the details listed for each activity.

FEES AND DEFINITIONS
Recreation Fee: Recreation fees are the fees a visitor pays for things like overnight camping, a day-use pavilion, group facilities, a tour or a permit. Recreation fees vary by location and/or activity.
Reservation Fee: A fee may be charged at the time a reservation is made to cover the cost of reservation services. This fee is in addition to the Recreation Fee and is non-refundable.
  • Fees for camping, day use, group sites, cabins and lookouts: $8 if made on-line; $9 if made through the call center; $3 if made in-person.
  • Fee for Tickets: $1 if made on-line or through the call center.
  • Fees for Lottery Application and Permits: Variable – see local information.
  • Fee for Vehicle Tickets: $2 if made on-line; $3 if made through the call center.
Change Fee: A service fee may be charged at the time a modification is made depending on the changes.
Cancellation Fee: A service fee will be withheld from any refunds for a cancelled reservation.
Cut-Off Window: The latest date and/or time that you can make an advanced reservation or a change to an existing reservation. Cut-off windows vary by location, but are typically between 0 to 4 days before your arrival date. More details below.
Late Cancellation: If you cancel your reservation too close to the start date, additional service fees may be withheld.
No Show: A No Show customer is one who does not arrive at the field location or fails to cancel a reservation by a specified date/time.
Refund: A full or partial credit of recreation fees.

Camping, Day-Use and Cabin Reservation Policies and Rules

Reservation Cancellations & Changes

Changing an Existing Reservation: When changes are made prior to the cut-off window:

Late Cancellations or Cancellations within the Cut-off Window

No-Shows

Early Departures

Interagency Pass Discounts

Refunds

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

Recreation.gov Billing Information

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

Changes to Policies and Procedures

Recreation.gov reserves the right, when necessary, to modify reservation policies. These policies were last updated September 2019.