You cannot reserve a spot, it is first come first serve only. It fills up very quickly, you will not be able to find a spot on a Friday. People start showing up Wednesday to take up spots for the weekend, unless you get there early Wednesday or Tuesday it is very unlikely you will be able to camp here. I have been 6 times and never got a spot, I generally will go to Horse Flat or Chilao instead as they rarely fill up. Neither have water spigots though as far as I remember. One time when I could not find a spot at Buckhorn, I just got a parking pass and left my car in the lot at the campground, then hiked down to the Pacific Crest trail for some backwoods camping. Absolutely legal if you are at least 100y from the trail, and make sure to get any necessary permits. There is also a stream near Buckthorn if you hike down the trail at the back of the camp for about 1.5 miles. There's even a little waterfall and some trout!
Yeah come early and plan on staying. You reserve a camping spot by actually camping in it. There is no mercy, and it is understood that if people do something cute like put up notes and string caution tape and then not stay Wednesday and Thursday night, the spot is fair game. If you need to reserve two spots, bring two tents and two people to sleep in them. It's only fair and it's what the longtime campers expect and understand.
First come, first serve. Bring cash and change for a $20, 10/5 / 5 singles. Also a pen or pencil to write with to fill out form. fyi, NO CELL RECEPTION 📵
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