Outdoor Reservation and Permit

Outdoor Reservations & Permits | CNS
🌿 CNS Member Planning Tool

🎟️ Monitor National Parks Lottery and Permit

A CNS tool to help members stay informed about wilderness permit lotteries, high-demand permits, and campground reservation opportunities—so you can plan ahead and improve your chances of securing a spot.

Explore the CNS Permit Monitor

Find the right reservation or permit for your next adventure. Explore official public-land booking systems, wilderness permit resources, private campgrounds, and cancellation alerts—all in one place for CNS members and outdoor organizers.

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Official state portal

Washington State Parks

Reserve Washington State Park campsites, cabins, yurts, and eligible group or day-use facilities.

Best for: State park camping and overnight stays.

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Official phone option

WA State Parks — Phone Reservations

Speak with the state reservation service when you need help with a booking or accommodation.

Best for: Reservation assistance and questions.

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Official federal portal

Recreation.gov

Book participating federal campgrounds, timed-entry reservations, permits, and lottery-based experiences.

Best for: National parks, national forests, and many wilderness permit programs.

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Official park guidance

National Park Service Permits

Find park-specific wilderness, backcountry, climbing, and special-use permit requirements. Application processes vary by park.

Best for: Confirming rules before applying.

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Official agency guidance

U.S. Forest Service

Review national forest recreation guidance, wilderness rules, and area-specific permit requirements.

Best for: Forest and wilderness trip preparation.

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Third-party alert service

Campnab

Get alerts when campsites become available after cancellations. Complete reservations through the applicable booking portal.

Best for: Popular campgrounds with limited availability.

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Private marketplace

Hipcamp

Discover private campsites, farm stays, glamping, cabins, and RV-friendly properties.

Best for: Alternative camping experiences and private land.

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Private campground network

KOA

Explore privately operated campgrounds with RV facilities, tent sites, cabins, and varying amenities.

Best for: RV trips and amenity-focused camping.

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Direct booking

Independent Campgrounds

Some local campgrounds and RV parks accept bookings directly through their own websites or by phone.

Best for: Flexible alternatives when major portals are full.

🗺️ Reservation Websites by Washington County

Find county park reservation services and statewide or federal booking portals. Some links lead to park information pages where you can find reservation instructions.

🏕️ Washington Campgrounds & RV Reservation Directory

Explore 35 reservation portals, campgrounds, RV parks, alert services, and planning resources across Washington. Search by name or description, or narrow results by category.

Required Recreation Passes

Choose the right parking or entrance pass for your destination. Passes generally do not replace camping reservations, wilderness permits, or lottery permits.

🌲 Washington state lands

Discover Pass

$45/year or $10/day. Vehicle parking at most Washington State Parks and DNR/WDFW recreation lands. Some exemptions apply.

🥾 National Forest trailheads

Northwest Forest Pass

$30/year (plus online processing fees where applicable). Standard day-use fees at participating USFS sites in Washington and Oregon. Daily passes are also available.

🏞️ Federal recreation lands

America the Beautiful Pass

$80/year for U.S. residents; $250/year for nonresidents (2026). Covers entrance and standard day-use fees at participating federal sites, including eligible national forest trailheads.

❄️ Winter recreation

Washington Sno-Park Permit

Required at designated Sno-Parks during the winter permit season. Daily and seasonal options; some groomed areas require an additional special-groomed-trail permit.

🌲 National Forest access

National Forest Recreation Passes

USFS site-specific, daily, and regional options vary by location. Check the forest's rules before travel; many trailheads accept Northwest Forest or interagency passes.

🚗 Additional access options

WDFW Vehicle Access Pass

Included with certain Washington hunting and fishing licenses and valid at qualifying WDFW lands only. It does not replace a Discover Pass at State Parks or DNR lands.

Pass requirements and prices can change. Check the linked agency before visiting. A forest pass is not automatically valid at Sno-Parks.

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Need help finding a campground, understanding wilderness permit lotteries, or choosing the right reservation portal? Ask Mr. Nature for planning guidance.

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