CA California Porch

State Parks

State park passes and reservations

Start here for day-use fees, annual passes, camping reservations, and the up-to-six-month booking window.

Cornerstone guide Last reviewed June 29, 2026

State parks do not all charge the same way. A beach lot, campground, museum, and historic park can each have a different fee setup.

For camping and lodging, ReserveCalifornia is the official reservation service. Many campgrounds fill fast, and State Parks says to reserve up to six months ahead.

For a day trip, check the exact park page first. Many parks charge by vehicle, while some historic parks and museums charge per person.

First moves

  1. 1

    Look up the exact park page before you drive.

  2. 2

    For camping or lodging, use ReserveCalifornia and read the current booking and fee rules.

  3. 3

    For repeat day use, compare the pass page with the parks you actually visit.

Watch for

  1. 1

    Processing fees and change or cancellation rules can be separate from campsite or lodging fees.

  2. 2

    Passes do not cover every park, every fee, or every special activity.

  3. 3

    Rules for dogs, fires, parking, and closures can change by park.

Go deeper

Camping and public lands

How to check the manager, reservation, fire, food, pet, water, road, and closure rules before you camp.

Check the manager before the rule

Use this first when you are not sure who sets the rule for the place you want to visit.

Directory paths

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Use the related shelf when this guide is the right lane, or jump back to the full directory if the task changed names.

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