# Recreation.gov API: Search campgrounds and recreation experiences

> Finds campgrounds, cabins, permits, tours, timed entries and day-use experiences near a place or within a park or forest on Recreation.gov. Distances and nightly prices are included when listed; prices are not availability quotes.

Unofficial. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Recreation.gov.

- Page: https://fous.com/methods/recreation.gov/search-campgrounds
- Method: `recreation.gov/search_campgrounds`, version 1
- Website: recreation.gov
- Returns: name, type, park or forest, state, description, distance, nightly prices, sites, reservable flag, link
- Effect: read (it gets data and changes nothing)
- Sign-in: none needed
- Cost: 1 credit per completed run (1¢ with pay as you go); failed runs are free
- Verified: Nov 2, 2026

## Inputs

| Field | Type | Required | In the run below | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `type` | string | no |  | Experience category, for example campgrounds. One of "campgrounds", "permits", "tours_and_tickets", "day_use", "all". Default "campgrounds". |
| `location` | string | yes | `"Grand Canyon"` | Place, park or forest to search near, for example Grand Canyon or Asheville, NC. |
| `max_results` | integer | no |  | Maximum number of listings, for example 20 (up to 50). Default 20. |
| `radius_miles` | number | no |  | Search radius in miles around the place, for example 50. Default 50. |

## Output

From a run on Oct 23, 2026, shortened. Its input:

```json
{
  "location": "Grand Canyon"
}
```

Its output:

```json
{
  "results": [
    {
      "link": "https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232490",
      "name": "MATHER CAMPGROUND",
      "type": "Campground",
      "state": "Arizona",
      "latitude": 36.0497222,
      "longitude": -112.1204694,
      "facility_id": "232490",
      "distance_miles": 2,
      "park_or_forest": "Grand Canyon National Park",
      "price_currency": "USD",
      "number_of_sites": 288,
      "reservable_online": true,
      "short_description": "Due to high demand, Mather Campground recommends reservations during peak season: March 1- November 30. You may book reservations up to 6 months in advance.     Mather Campground is on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. Grand Canyon is one of…",
      "nightly_price_max_usd": 50,
      "nightly_price_min_usd": 6
    },
    {
      "link": "https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234488",
      "name": "Tusayan - Montane",
      "type": "Campground",
      "state": "Arizona",
      "latitude": 35.9369444,
      "longitude": -112.1230556,
      "facility_id": "234488",
      "distance_miles": 13.14,
      "park_or_forest": "Kaibab National Forest",
      "price_currency": "USD",
      "number_of_sites": 160,
      "reservable_online": true,
      "short_description": "Perhaps the biggest draw to Tusayan-Montane Campground in northern Arizona is its proximity to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Located just 4 miles south of the park entrance in beautiful Kaibab National Forest, Tusayan-Montane is a quiet, peaceful…",
      "nightly_price_max_usd": 20,
      "nightly_price_min_usd": 10
    },
    {
      "link": "https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232489",
      "name": "North Rim Campground (AZ)",
      "type": "Campground",
      "state": "Arizona",
      "latitude": 36.2102778,
      "longitude": -112.0605556,
      "facility_id": "232489",
      "distance_miles": 18.84,
      "park_or_forest": "Grand Canyon National Park",
      "price_currency": null,
      "number_of_sites": 87,
      "reservable_online": true,
      "short_description": "The North Rim Campground is located on the remote and rustic North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona, approximately 210 miles (338 km) from Grand Canyon Village, AZ on the South Rim. It is nestled in a thick ponderosa and aspen forest just on the…",
      "nightly_price_max_usd": null,
      "nightly_price_min_usd": null
    }
  ]
}
```

## Run it

From code, with a Fous API key in `FOUS_API_KEY`; the answer's `data` holds the output:

```bash
curl https://api.fous.com/v1/runs \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $FOUS_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"method":"recreation.gov/search_campgrounds","input":{"location":"Grand Canyon"}}'
```

From an AI agent connected to the Fous MCP server: its `run` with the same method and input. To connect one, give it `set up https://fous.com/SKILL.md`.

## Ask your agent

- Find campgrounds within 30 miles of Yosemite Valley with nightly prices listed
- Show me timed entry tickets for Arches National Park this spring
- Any cabins near Asheville, NC under a 25 mile radius?
- List day-use areas inside Pisgah National Forest with descriptions and links
- What permits and guided tours are available around Zion, sorted by distance, up to 15 results?

## Input schema

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "location"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "type": {
      "enum": [
        "campgrounds",
        "permits",
        "tours_and_tickets",
        "day_use",
        "all"
      ],
      "type": "string",
      "default": "campgrounds",
      "description": "Experience category, for example campgrounds."
    },
    "location": {
      "type": "string",
      "minLength": 1,
      "description": "Place, park or forest to search near, for example Grand Canyon or Asheville, NC."
    },
    "max_results": {
      "type": "integer",
      "default": 20,
      "maximum": 50,
      "minimum": 1,
      "description": "Maximum number of listings, for example 20 (up to 50)."
    },
    "radius_miles": {
      "type": "number",
      "default": 50,
      "minimum": 0,
      "description": "Search radius in miles around the place, for example 50."
    }
  }
}
```

## Output schema

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "results"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "results": {
      "type": "array",
      "items": {
        "type": "object",
        "required": [
          "name",
          "type",
          "park_or_forest",
          "state",
          "short_description",
          "distance_miles",
          "nightly_price_min_usd",
          "nightly_price_max_usd",
          "price_currency",
          "number_of_sites",
          "reservable_online",
          "link",
          "facility_id",
          "latitude",
          "longitude"
        ],
        "properties": {
          "link": {
            "type": "string"
          },
          "name": {
            "type": "string"
          },
          "type": {
            "type": "string"
          },
          "state": {
            "type": [
              "string",
              "null"
            ]
          },
          "latitude": {
            "type": [
              "number",
              "null"
            ]
          },
          "longitude": {
            "type": [
              "number",
              "null"
            ]
          },
          "facility_id": {
            "type": [
              "string",
              "null"
            ]
          },
          "distance_miles": {
            "type": [
              "number",
              "null"
            ]
          },
          "park_or_forest": {
            "type": [
              "string",
              "null"
            ]
          },
          "price_currency": {
            "type": [
              "string",
              "null"
            ]
          },
          "number_of_sites": {
            "type": [
              "integer",
              "null"
            ]
          },
          "reservable_online": {
            "type": "boolean"
          },
          "short_description": {
            "type": [
              "string",
              "null"
            ]
          },
          "nightly_price_max_usd": {
            "type": [
              "number",
              "null"
            ]
          },
          "nightly_price_min_usd": {
            "type": [
              "number",
              "null"
            ]
          }
        }
      }
    }
  }
}
```

## See more

- [Recreation.gov API: Check campsite availability](https://fous.com/methods/recreation.gov/check-campsite-availability.md): Finds Recreation.gov campsites free for every night of a stay at a campground, with site details. Nightly prices are shown only when a campground lists a single nightly rate. Availability can change before booking.
- [NPS API: Get National Park Service site visiting details](https://fous.com/methods/nps.gov/get-park.md): Finds a National Park Service site by name in the NPS state directories and returns its fees, hours, visitor centers, contacts, directions and entry booking guidance.
- [GetYourGuide API: Search activities](https://fous.com/methods/getyourguide.com/search-activities.md): Finds GetYourGuide tours, tickets and activities in a city, optionally matching words, available on a day, sorted by popularity, price or rating, with prices, ratings and booking features.
- [Airbnb API: Search stays](https://fous.com/methods/airbnb.com/search-stays.md): Searches public Airbnb homes for a destination and travel dates. Each stay comes with its price, rating, room details and listing link. Prices are the displayed trip totals, including fees.
- [NPS API: List park alerts](https://fous.com/methods/nps.gov/list-park-alerts.md): Lists current alerts for a named National Park Service park from its Current Conditions page, in the order shown on the page.
- [Viator API: Search tours](https://fous.com/methods/viator.com/search-tours.md): Finds tours and experiences in a city on Viator, with optional keywords, date, currency and sorting. Prices are starting prices.
- [PlugShare API: Search EV chargers near a place](https://fous.com/methods/plugshare.com/search-chargers.md): Finds public PlugShare charging stations near an address, city or ZIP code, nearest first, with driver PlugScores and charging details. Cost and opening hours appear when listed.
- [Expedia API: Search hotels](https://fous.com/methods/expedia.com/search-hotels.md): Finds Expedia hotels in a destination for given dates, with public USD prices, reviews, property class, refund status and links. Nightly prices are per room; totals include all requested rooms, taxes and fees.
- [All Recreation.gov methods](https://fous.com/methods/recreation.gov.md)