Sold out? What to do next

Popular dates at the Northwest's big campgrounds can go within minutes of opening. Missing the release isn't the end: people cancel, and those sites go back on the booking system one at a time.

1. Set a cancellation alert

Start with Campflare, which is free and sends email or text alerts when a site opens up. If you want more frequent scans and text alerts, Campnab is a paid option.

Washington's booking site can also notify you when a site opens from a cancellation. Idaho's system has no cancellation alert, so Campflare is the free way to watch it.

2. Watch the later releases

Some places hold permits or sites back. Multnomah Falls releases a second batch of permits at 7 a.m. Pacific two days ahead. Kalaloch opens loops C and D two weeks ahead and loops E and F four days ahead, after loops A and B go at six months. The Enchantments have a daily lottery the day before each trip.

3. Try same-day

Washington takes same-day campsite bookings until 2 p.m. on your arrival date, and most Oregon campgrounds take same-day online bookings with the reservation fee waived.

4. Stay nearby instead

Each campground and permit page has a lodging map.

• Multnomah Falls timed-use permit: Columbia River Gorge, I-84 Exit 31, OR
• Enchantments overnight permit: Alpine Lakes Wilderness, near Leavenworth, WA
• Deception Pass State Park: Oak Harbor, WA (Whidbey and Fidalgo islands)
• Cape Disappointment State Park: Ilwaco, WA (Long Beach Peninsula)
• Kalaloch Campground: Olympic National Park coast, near Forks, WA
• Silver Falls State Park: East of Salem, OR
• Fort Stevens State Park: Hammond, OR (near Astoria)
• Farragut State Park: Athol, ID (Lake Pend Oreille)

What never works

Booking bots and resellers. State reservation systems ban automated booking, and a resold permit can be cancelled. This site never books for you and never checks booking sites automatically.