Vacation Starts With Campground Reservation

Sun., May 7, 2000

Rich Landers Outdoors Editor

Campers can use their major credit cards to stake out a campsite at many state parks as well as national parks, forests and other areas by making advance reservations by phone or on line.

Many of these campgrounds designated a portion of their sites for reservations, while keeping another group of sites open on a firstcome basis.

Here are reservation contacts worth saving.

National forests and Corps of Engineers campgrounds take reservations up to 240 days in advance. Call toll-free (877) 444-6777, or check the Internet at www.ReserveUSA.com.

For many of the biggest and most popular national parks, call (800) 365-2267. Campground reservations can be made beginning the 5th of each month for dates up to five months away.

For Yosemite National Park in California, call (800) 436-7275. Campground reservations can be made beginning on the 15th of each month, up to five months in advance.

Washington and Oregon state parks reservations can be made by calling (800) 452-5687.

Idaho State Parks reservations are made through individual parks. Get a booklet with info on all the state parks by calling (208) 334-4199, or check the Internet at www.idahoparks.org.

The Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area accepts reservations only for group sites. On the first working day of the year, park managers begin accepting requests by mail. Info: (509) 633-9441.

Montana’s state parks make reservations separately. Contact Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department, (406) 444-2535 or on the internet at fwp.state.mt.us.

British Columbia provincial parks reservations can be made by calling (800) 689-9025 or on the Internet at www.elp.gov.bc.ca/bcparks.

Alberta provincial parks take reservation separately each year beginning May 1. For information, call (403) 944-0313 or check the Internet at www.gov.ab.ca/env/parks.

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