Olympia – Planning a last-minute camping trip in a state park just got easier.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will start allowing same-day camping reservations at all state parks that have reservable campgrounds, beginning this coming Monday, March 24.

It used to be that campers could only make reservations until 11:59 p.m. one day before their planned stay and otherwise had to rely on the availability of limited first-come, first-served sites.

Now, you’ll be able to book a camping spot until 2 p.m. the same day. First-come, first-served spots will still be available if unreserved.

One advantage for the Parks department is that the change will help them fill sites that get last-minute cancellations.

The commission tested out the same-day system with a pilot program in 2023 at campgrounds in Cape Disappointment, Deception Pass and Millersylvania state parks. The system was expanded to another 24 parks last year.

The Olympic Peninsula is home to 13 state parks with camping.

Check them out and reserve online at washington.goingtocamp.com or by calling 1-888-226-7688.