New State Park Reservation System

Travelers to many of California’s state parks are now able to reserve campsites up to seven months in advance instead of the former limit of 56 days or less. With the Destinet reservation service--which also provides reservations at several national parks, including five in California--travelers can use a credit card to reserve family and group campsites at almost 80 of the 110 state park campgrounds, as well as booking tours at Hearst Castle. They can also cancel a reservation and make a new one without incurring a cancellation fee.

Among the popular campgrounds covered by the reservation system are those at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Emerald Bay State Park and McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park. For campsites, call: (800) 444-7275. For Hearst Castle: (800) 444-4445.