Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Launches Online Camping Reservations and New Fee Structure

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area will launch a new online reservation system and fee structure for its group campground on May 2. The Circle X Ranch Group Campground accommodatesgroups of 10 to 75 people and is located in Malibu.

“This new system not only provides better customer service, but also
promotes efficiency,” said Acting Superintendent Lorenza Fong.  “We want to
make reserving the campground as convenient as possible for the greatest
number of people.”

Currently the park manages the former Boy Scout campground through an
in-house process that is only available between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Beginning May 2, campground reservations will only be taken through
www.recreation.gov, www.reserveamerica.com or by calling 1-877-444-6777
from 8 am to 6 p.m.

The reservation system incorporates a new fee structure, which replaces the
previous rate of $2 per person. Under the former system, the number of
actual campers often fluctuated from the time of the reservation, resulting
in numerous additions and subtractions upon check-in. The new tiered
system charges a flat rate of $35 per night for 10-35 people, $75 for 36-50
people and $125 for 51-75 people.

The last day to make reservations through the old system will be April 27,
2012 for camping dates up until July 31st. As part of the transition,
the reservation system will be unavailable from April 28 to May 1.

For additional information, please contact the visitor center at
805-370-2301.