Debunking the 7 AM theory

This year, we’ve noticed a surge of new campsite availabilities at around 7:00 AM in B.C. (and 8:00 AM in California). Some are convinced that campsites are only released at this time. We’ve looked into this and can definitively report that it is not the case.

Sure, I’ve personally received more alerts for openings at BC Parks’ campgrounds between 7:00 and 7:30 AM. However, others seem to trickle out at different times throughout the day.

Here’s a screengrab from one of our member’s scans. (I redacted some information to protect this member’s privacy.) As you can see, a batch of new availabilities comes up at around 7:00 AM, but a number of them open up at other times too. So, this one’s a bit of a head-scratcher.

Booking systems may be holding some campsites for release at a set time and letting the others go immediately. This seems unlikely, though, as there’s no clear pattern. They don’t all go out at 7:00 on the dot. They’re spread out over roughly a half-hour. And, as I said, we do see spots come available at all hours.

I should also note that there’s little good reason for parks to hold sites until the next morning. Releasing all of their newly canceled spots at one time would increase server load at an already busy time. Additionally, holding supply for any length of time could result in some campsites not getting rebooked.

One possibility is that these booking systems are holding cancelations made after a certain time (e.g. 8 PM) until the following morning. This could serve as a means of preventing abuse of booking window loopholes.

The best answer I have for this event is that people are changing or upgrading new spots each morning—and then canceling the ones they had previously booked. This is just a hunch, but it’s the only one that makes sense to me.

So, if you’re looking to save a buck, you might consider visiting your park’s website each morning at 7 AM and refreshing for a half hour or so. You certainly could find a canceled spot come available at around that time. If you want to be notified of all the new cancelations—and you’re lazy like me—you can let Campnab do the work for you.  😎

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