There’s something thrilling about hitting the road with no set campsite booked — just you, your rig, and a plan to land somewhere beautiful for the night. First-Come, First-Served camping keeps the spontaneity of the outdoors alive, allowing last-minute travelers and off-the-beaten-path adventurers to find a place to rest without relying on reservations made months in advance.
What Is First-Come, First-Served Camping?
First-come, first-served camping (FCFS) means that campsites are not reservable in advance—they’re available to whoever shows up and claims them first. These types of campsites cannot be reserved online or in advance. Instead, they are claimed in person, usually on the day of arrival. Campers show up, check for available sites, and either self-register or talk to a camp host to secure their spot.
Many campgrounds have a hybrid system, where some sites are reservable and others are FCFS. Knowing how to identify and target these FCFS spots can give you flexibility and an edge.
How It Works:
- No Reservations: You can’t book these sites online or by phone.
- Claim in Person: You must physically arrive at the campground and claim a site.
- Early Arrival Recommended: These sites often fill up quickly, especially during weekends, holidays, or peak season.
- Payment: You typically pay by placing cash/check in a fee envelope at the campground entrance or use an onsite kiosk or app, depending on the location.
- Self-Registration: Many of these campgrounds use a self-registration system where you write down your name, license plate, and site number.
But FCFS camping isn’t as simple as showing up and hoping for the best — especially in popular areas like national parks or during peak seasons. If you’re planning to camp in national parks, national forests, or state and county parks, here are the best tips to help you succeed in snagging a FCFS site, along with how to use Recreation.gov to plan your journey.
Tips for FCFS Camping
Here are our best tips as experienced travelers with FCFS camping.
1. Arrive Early — Especially Midweek
Most campers leave in the morning (usually by 11 AM checkout), so arriving by 8–9 AM gives you the best shot at grabbing a vacated site.
Best Days to Arrive:
- Tuesday through Thursday are the golden days.
- Fridays and Saturdays fill up fastest.
- On holiday weekends, consider arriving a full day early if possible.
Pro-Tip: If you’re targeting a high-demand location (think Yosemite, Glacier, or Olympic National Park), people often line up before sunrise to score a spot.
2. Research FCFS Campgrounds in Advance
Just because you can’t reserve FCFS sites doesn’t mean you can’t plan ahead. Use these tools to find and evaluate FCFS campgrounds before your trip:
Recreation.gov
This is the official reservation portal for federal lands (National Parks, Forest Service, BLM, etc.).
How to Use It:
- Visit www.recreation.gov.
- Search your destination (e.g., “North Cascades National Park”).
- Under “Filters,” select “First-Come, First-Served” to see available options.
- Read campground descriptions. They often include:
- Total number of FCFS sites
- Amenities (toilets, water, etc.)
- Accessibility info
- Season dates and road conditions
- Check visitor reviews for insights about how early people arrive and how fast the sites fill.
Pro Tip: Use the “Alerts and Important Info” tab for each campground listing to find notes about closures, construction, or updated FCFS policies.
3. Know the Rules for National Parks and Forests
National Parks
- Most National Park Service (NPS) campgrounds allow only one vehicle per FCFS site.
- Sites are typically held for the night once you’ve paid and placed a permit or tag on the post.
- Some parks, like Yellowstone and Glacier, offer real-time availability updates on their websites. Bookmark these!
National Forests
- Forest Service campgrounds often have more FCFS sites than national parks and are generally less crowded.
- Look for dispersed camping areas (also FCFS) where you can camp for free with minimal amenities.
4. State and County Parks: Check Their Own Systems
Each state manages its own parks, and their FCFS policies vary:
- Washington: Most state parks are reservation-only, but a few have FCFS sites. Look at parks.wa.gov.
- Oregon: Most Oregon State Parks fill quickly, but some smaller campgrounds are FCFS-friendly.
Pro-Tip: County Parks are hidden gems. They’re often less busy and more flexible. Check the local county websites or use Google Maps to search “County Campground near [destination].”
5. Be Prepared to Be Self-Sufficient
Not all FCFS sites come with the full suite of amenities. Especially in national forests or BLM lands, you might find:
- No potable water
- Vault toilets (or none)
- No trash service
- No cell signal
Bring:
- Extra water
- Trash bags
- A printed or downloaded map
- A backup battery for navigation
6. Have a Backup Plan (or Two)
Even with research and early arrival, it’s possible a campground will be full. Always have a backup plan:
- List 2–3 alternate campgrounds nearby, preferably ones with FCFS or dispersed options.
- Check apps like Campendium, iOverlander, and The Dyrt for real-time user reports.
- Know the boundaries of nearby dispersed camping areas, which are typically available on National Forest lands. These can be a lifesaver.
Pro-Tip: Use Gaia GPS, onX Backcountry, or Avenza Maps for offline maps showing public land boundaries.
7. What to Do When You Arrive at an FCFS Campground
Here’s a step-by-step guide for claiming your spot:
- Drive through the campground and look for sites without tags on the post (or check if there’s a “Site Available” sign).
- Snag it! Park your vehicle or place gear (like a camp chair) to claim it.
- Pay and register immediately, either at a kiosk, pay box, or with a host. Most accept cash or check only — bring small bills.
- Place your permit visibly on the site post or dashboard.
8. Respect FCFS Etiquette
- Don’t “ghost” sites: You can’t claim a site without being physically present.
- One site per party: Don’t hold spots for friends arriving later.
- Leave No Trace: Especially important at unmanaged or minimally managed FCFS sites.
- Be neighborly: If someone is packing up, wait until they leave before hovering too close.
9. Track Trends Over Time
If you find a campground you love, take notes:
- What time did you arrive?
- How many sites were open?
- What day of the week?
- What was the season/weather?
Keeping a simple camping journal helps you plan better next time — especially in high-demand areas.
10. Know When to Bail and Try Boondocking
If all else fails, don’t panic. Head for nearby boondocking spots on public land. You can legally camp on many Forest Service or BLM roads for free (typically 14-day limit), but there are no amenities.
Final Thoughts
First-come, first-served camping is perfect for the spontaneous traveler, the van lifer, and anyone looking to immerse themselves in nature without strict schedules. With a little preparation, flexible timing, and the right tools (hello, Recreation.gov), you can discover some of the most stunning campsites in the country — no reservation required.
So gas up, grab your morning coffee, and hit the road early. The perfect site is out there waiting.