March 17, 2017 - SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Starting this August, Californians will make their state parks camping and tour reservations through a new, faster, easier to use reservation system that features more open access to data.

ReserveCalifornia will go live for all parks on August 1. A variety of features will be phased in between then and March 1, 2018. Below is a breakdown of the features:

Starting August 1, the new reservation system will provide more user-friendly and intuitive web services, including:

• Additional self-service options
• More campsites available for online reservation
• Interactive campsite maps with more detailed views of campsites.

As additional features of the new service are phased in through March 2018, visitors and staff will enjoy:

• The ability to view the real-time reservation inventory
• Expanded tender/ payment options
• Website trip planning

The new reservation system includes state-of-the-art, computerized point-of-sale and fee collection equipment that will allow debit and credit card payments at more locations. This equipment will be installed in phases across the state, beginning with Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument (Hearst Castle) and Año Nuevo State Park on August 1 and continuing at other state parks through March 2018. Day-use locations at Bolsa Chica and Huntington state beaches will launch new point-of-sale equipment in fall 2017, with installation at South Carlsbad and San Elijo camping facilities shortly thereafter.

The California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) will continue to inform and engage the public on www.ReserveCalifornia.com as implementation of the new reservations system approaches. Information also will be shared on the department’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.

State Parks’ reservations have been handled for the past decade by ReserveAmerica. The department is grateful for the service of this vendor and appreciates their continued support during this transition period. Through July 31, 2017, parks visitors may continue to make reservations through ReserveAmerica.com.

In the last two years, the department has strengthened policies, procedures, guidelines, and organizational structures to support a sustainable entrepreneurial, service-oriented, creative and collaborative culture. Part of this effort included awarding a new comprehensive reservation system contract to support field operations and enhance the experience of visitors with a modern platform. For more information on State Parks’ Transformation effort, please visit www.parks.ca.gov/TransformationTeam.

State Parks protects and preserves the state's most significant natural and cultural resources while delivering public spaces to bring families and friends together and providing a wide array of recreational opportunities for the benefit and enjoyment of all people. Off-highway motor vehicle recreation, boating activities, horseback riding, on and off-road cycling, hiking, camping, and rock climbing are some of the recreational activities enjoyed in 280 state parks organized into 22 field districts throughout the state.
Source: CA. State Parks