Why do openings for campsites on the White Rim Trail fill instantly?l

[24 TRD OR]

Yesterday was the day to make reservations if you want to camp on the WRT next spring. I was able to get the sites I wanted for the days I wanted, so I'm not complaining, but curious, really. I was all set before 8am MST. I just needed to make one click and I would be able to make my pick. I watched the time on the computer and as soon as it displayed 8am I opened the reservation page and at least 80% were already taken. How?I'm no tech guru, so I don't understand what disadvantage I would need to overcome if I wanted to plan another trip in the future. No slow dial up and the computer I have is fast. I feel really lucky to have gotten what I wanted. Any insight would be appreciated. It may help other forum members to have a fighting chance.

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[Mtnbikes]

I don’t have the answer, but what I do know is it has gotten ridiculous. I’ve been camping for over 30 years and have not seen it this bad. I use to call the night before or in some cases just show up and could easily get a site at one of our state parks. This is not the case anymore. Now you have to book months in advance and be flexible with a plan B.

 

[Pappy]

Simple. It's a popular place. Just like the Needles in Canyonlands. When my wife and I honeymooned on the White Rim we walked in for the permit. Shoot, I don't even remember getting a permit. But, that was in 1988.

 

[24 TRD OR]

Am I paranoid or is the use of bots or other software being used to get these bookings? I mean it was literally 2 seconds after 8am and it was literally over 80% reserved. I get it is more competitive now than it was back in the day, but it takes more than 2 seconds to make a selection and press "book now" so that it's no longer available. I can't help but feel like it's a little bit rigged. Not by the NPS, but by those booking the reservations. Again, I got mine, so I can't really complain. Just sharing a concern.

 

[Appalachian Taco]

Yesterday was the day to make reservations if you want to camp on the WRT next spring. I was able to get the sites I wanted for the days I wanted, so I'm not complaining, but curious, really. I was all set before 8am MST. I just needed to make one click and I would be able to make my pick. I watched the time on the computer and as soon as it displayed 8am I opened the reservation page and at least 80% were already taken. How?I'm no tech guru, so I don't understand what disadvantage I would need to overcome if I wanted to plan another trip in the future. No slow dial up and the computer I have is fast. I feel really lucky to have gotten what I wanted. Any insight would be appreciated. It may help other forum members to have a fighting chance.

Try signing up on Campflare.com

 

[24 TRD OR]

I took my trip to White Rim and it was awesome. We were camping at white crack and arrived pretty early, around 1230pm. Not long after we got there a large group of cyclists came along with a support truck and they all had lunch there. Many cyclists were telling me how lucky I was to get that campsite and I agreed, it was luck, really. When I was speaking to the guide for the group, (this was a commercial tour guide) he told me that the NPS releases 8% of the campsites 1.5 years early. That partly explains why so few campsites are available. I also noticed a large group of kids (ages 10-15?) along with some chaperones and couldn't help wondering if they also got early access. Anyway, the truth is this...when everyday people try to book spots at the White Rim, there is a percentage already booked, so there is even less chance of getting the campsites you want on the dates that you want them.

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