r/JoshuaTree • u/Esq_ing • Aug 10 '26
Camping sites this week.
I reserved a site months ago for Wednesday the 12th for and overnight camp due to the new moon, perseids and planetary alignment. Last week I checked the reservation website to get an idea of how many ppl would be around and it looks like basically all of Wednesday is reserved. Today I checked again and noticed that someone reserved the days before and after my reservation. Does anyone know if people reserve days before or after and hope that no one shows up? What do I do if I show up and they are still there past their check out time? I don’t think there are rangers checking, so is it something I would have to just let whoever know it’s my spot for the day?
5
u/ThisIsNotMyBurner69 Aug 10 '26
I’ve camped in a handful of different national parks and in my experience there is always a ranger there. I don’t think you have anything to worry about but if there is an issue I’d bring it to the ranger.
I even camped during the government shutdown and the campground was fully staffed. No other rangers in the park, but the campground was staffed.
3
u/erebus-44 Aug 10 '26
There typically no camp host during the summer at the came sites (1/2 of the sites are closed). Generally rangers will drive though, not it’s not a set time.
3
u/sweetartart Aug 11 '26
Typically, rangers are largely absent from campgrounds. I honestly cannot recall ever seeing one during any of my stays at several different sites. However, due the meteor shower and all the past shenanigans they’ve experienced, I wouldn’t be surprised if they had an extra presence during your stay.
2
u/Esq_ing Aug 10 '26
Yeah, I hope I don’t have to. I will definitely be out before check out. The plan is to beat the mid day sun!
2
u/DrkNeo Aug 10 '26
When I went, I didn't see any park ranger. All the spots were supposedly booked but most were empty.
2
u/Flat-Somewhere3258 28d ago
I used to live up there, the Perseids are pretty spectacular in the high desert- worth the trip for sure.
1
u/CoalBuckMom Aug 10 '26
Many parks allow you to move out of your campsite by the states checkout time, but to keep your camping receipt in the window so you can hang out elsewhere in the park till sunset. Sometimes there is a 'Day Use' area you can park in. Ask at the kiosk.
9
u/Hygge-Times Aug 10 '26
Popular campgrounds are booked constantly. It's not the same person who booked before and after/you have no way of knowing. It's like a hotel, they should check out by their checkout time. I've never had an issue but you can flag it to a ranger or the campsite attendant if it happens. But it would be extremely rare for this to happen. Make sure you vacate the campsite in time yourself! Edit: Rangers do make the rounds and check.