Hearst Castle

San Simeon, California · Campsite openings, cancellations & sold-out date alerts

State ParksMedium parkWatched around the clock

Sold out for your dates? We'll tell you the second a site opens.

Cancellations at Hearst Castle get rebooked in minutes. We check ReserveCalifornia around the clock and alert you before the crowd refreshes the page.

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Park type

State Parks

Medium park

Online booking

Available on ReserveCalifornia

Official state reservation system

Alert coverage

Checked around the clock

Openings, cancellations & new dates

Why campsites open up at Hearst Castle

California's refund rules create a predictable wave of cancellations. Because campers lose money if they cancel late, most drop their reservations right before the refund deadline — which means openings cluster about a week out from any given date.

If they cancel…They get back
7+ days before arrivalFull site fees refunded, minus the cancellation fee
2–6 days beforeFirst night's fee forfeited; the rest refunded, minus the fee
Under 2 days / no-showNo refund — all fees forfeited

Source: California State Parks camping policies (refund schedule for arrivals on or after July 1, 2026).

How booking Hearst Castle works

  • Sites are reservable up to 6 months ahead on a rolling window — each new date opens exactly six months out.
  • New inventory releases every morning at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time.
  • There is no waitlist — a cancelled site just reappears in search, first-come, first-served.
  • Have your login and payment saved so you can book in under a minute when your alert lands.

Source: ReserveCalifornia FAQ (California State Parks).

Where Hearst Castle is

750 Hearst Castle Road

San Simeon, CA 93452

35.5836, -121.1206

Get directions

Getting a campsite at Hearst Castle

How do I get a campsite at Hearst Castle when it's sold out?

Cancellations happen constantly — the trick is being first to know. Set an alert for your dates and we'll watch Hearst Castle on ReserveCalifornia around the clock, then notify you the moment a site opens. Alerts run on a Pro subscription ($9.99/mo, cancel anytime).

How far ahead can I book Hearst Castle?

California State Parks campgrounds, including Hearst Castle, are reservable up to 6 months in advance on a rolling daily window — each new date becomes bookable exactly six months out, released at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Peak summer and holiday dates at popular parks can sell out within minutes of release.

When do campsites usually open up at Hearst Castle?

Openings are driven by California's cancellation policy. Campers get a full refund (minus the fee) only if they cancel 7+ days before arrival; cancel 2–6 days out and they forfeit the first night; under 2 days there's no refund. That refund cliff produces a predictable wave of cancellations around 7 days before a date — the best window to catch an opening at Hearst Castle.

Does ReserveCalifornia have a waitlist for Hearst Castle?

No. ReserveCalifornia has no waitlist or notification feature. When a site at Hearst Castle is cancelled it simply returns to inventory at full price, first-come, first-served — whoever books it first gets it. That's exactly why an alert service exists.

Where do I book a campsite at Hearst Castle?

Reservations for Hearst Castle are made on ReserveCalifornia, the official booking system for California State Parks. GetParkAlerts is independent — we tell you when a site opens; you book it directly on the official site.

Parks near Hearst Castle

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