Here’s Your Best Plan B for Sold-Out Summer Campsites

If you can’t score a reservation, find a nearby alternative.

With the 4^th of July just around the corner, you might be scoping out some prime camping spots in the Golden State. As many of these campsites sell out pretty quickly, there’s sometimes a need for a reliable Plan B. Sunset recently recommended a few last minute options for us procrastinators. Check out a few of our favorites:

Location: Lassen Volcanic National Park

“Juniper Lake: Tucked into the southeast corner of the park, this 18-site campground has one drawback: no running water. (So bring your own, or a purifier.) But the pluses are many: a stunning lakeside location; the nearby half-mile hike to Inspiration Point, where you’ll see half of Northern California from the summit. $10; 530-595-4480.

“Plan B: Warner Valley Campground, in the south-central part of the park, also gorgeous, is near the Devil’s Kitchen geothermal area. $14; nps.gov/lavo or 530-595-4480.”

Location: Yosemite National Park

“Yosemite Creek Campground: If you’ve been thinking, Gee, maybe it’d be fun to go camping at Yosemite this summer, conventional wisdom would answer: “Wrong-o! Too late!” But there is an exception. Yosemite Creek—a large campground 5 miles up a bumpy winding road, off Tioga Road en route to Tuolumne Meadows—doesn’t take reservations. Your pine-shaded, creekside site will put you within an hour of Yosemite Valley and a half-hour of Tuolumne Meadows. So there. $10, $20 park entry; opens early Jul.

“Plan B: The 57 sites at Porcupine Flat Campground, 3 miles farther up Tioga Road toward Tuolumne, are also no-reservation. BYO water. $10, $20 park entry; opens early July; nps.gov/yose”

Location: South of Lake Tahoe

“Union Reservoir in Stanislaus National Forest: Walk-in sites are scattered judiciously in the pines along the edge of a small Sierra lake, miles from the nearest store or gas station. They come with peaceful water views but without frills—frills like, say, tables, flush toilets, or trash cans. Tip: Bring a canoe and paddle your gear out to claim one of the reservoir’s small islands as your own mini kingdom for the weekend. Free; 209-795-1381.

“Plan B: Try the no-reservation campground at New Spicer Reservoir on the same turnoff from State 4. $22; no phone.”

Get more Plan B camping options here.