State park authorities mention that they are introducing alottery-style drawing systemfor chosen campsites in three of California’s most popular state park campgrounds: Malibu Creek, Morro Bay, and McArthur-Burney Falls.
The updated system launched this month at Malibu Creek, giving potential campers the chance to participate in a lottery for spots that may become available eight months later — specifically between March 1 and April 1, 2026.
Drawings take place seven months before the stay, allowing winners 30 days to claim and settle their reservation payments. Each visitor is limited to one entry per drawing. ADA-compliant sites are included.
The initiatives will start later this summer in Morro Bay, located in San Luis Obispo County, and at McArthur-Burney Falls in Shasta County, wheregrowing crowdshave presented difficulties for visitors and staff in recent years. Campsite booking fees (which include nightly charges and an$8.25 reservation fee) remain the same and the lottery process is free, but charges may be introduced in the future.
Meanwhile, the parks department has also simplified its reservation websites to allow campers to navigate more seamlessly between the information siteparks.ca.gov and the booking site reservecalifornia.comand check for more up-to-date information on what is available. In announcing the upcoming changes, park officials stated that travelers will be able to view “almost real-time campsite status and availability at other nearby campgrounds.”
The shift to a lottery system was anticipated from late 2023, when California’s legislature passed several initiatives aimed at decreasing no-shows and providing more individuals with access to the most sought-after locations. In prior years, reservations atmany campgroundshave disappeared within minutes of opening.
A state parks representative stated in an email on Tuesday that the lottery system will feature 21 out of 63 campsites at Malibu Creek, 15 out of 135 at Morro Bay, and 20 out of 125 campsites and cabins at McArthur-Burney Falls.
The system originated from a trial initiative at the State Ravine Cabins within Mt. Tamalpais State Park, where rangers introduced a reservation lottery in 2023. This approach remains active today.
To create a fairer environment for individuals who frequently participate in the campground drawing process, the state has implemented a points system. “Those who do not succeed in their applications will be given one point to apply in future drawings, which improves their likelihood of winning until they receive a reservation,” the state states.FAQon the system explains. “After a guest secures a reservation, their points are deducted and their balance resets to zero.”
Across the state, California’s campground system keeps most of its 15,000 campsites available for online bookings at 8 a.m., six months in advance, on a continuous basis. (In simpler terms, at 8 a.m. on August 3rd, the state will begin accepting reservations for stays on the night of February 3rd.)Telephone reservationsare still available at (800) 444-PARK (7275).
In May, a representative from the state parks department mentioned that the most popular campgrounds in the state over the past two years have included Pismo State Beach, Crystal Cove State Park, Refugio State Beach, Half Moon Bay State Beach, Doheny State Beach, Bolsa Chica State Beach, San Clemente State Beach, New Brighton State Beach, San Elijo State Beach, and Morro Bay State Park.
This narrative first was published inLos Angeles Times.
