Campsite Odds

Booking odds · October

Cottonwood Group in October: How Hard Is It to Book?

Cottonwood Group · CA · Joshua Tree National Park

The verdict

Lottery-hard

Booking difficulty 10 out of 10. Gone within minutes of release. Bring a plan B.

Sells out in daysBased on 3 years of reservation data

Popular October dates usually sell out within a few days of release.

Cottonwood Group in October scores 10 out of 10 for booking difficulty — lottery-hard. Gone within minutes of release. Bring a plan B.

Across the last 3 years of reservation history, the typical October booking was locked in about 112 days before arrival, with the campground running roughly 87% full that month. The lightest arrival day is Monday, so shifting to a midweek start is the single easiest way to improve your odds.

Lead time

How far ahead people book

Same day: 6% of bookings6%Same day1–3d: 8% of bookings8%1–3d4–7d: 4% of bookings4%4–7d1–2wk: 6% of bookings6%1–2wk2–4wk: 7% of bookings7%2–4wk1–2mo: 14% of bookings14%1–2mo2–3mo: 3% of bookings2–3mo3–6mo: 16% of bookings16%3–6mo6mo+: 35% of bookings35%6mo+Median booking lead time: 112 days ahead
Demand split

Weekend vs. weekday demand

Weekend (Fri–Sat)Weekday (Sun–Thu)

Best odds: arrivals are lightest on Monday in October. A midweek arrival is your easiest booking.

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Booking window · October 2026

When October reservations open

Reservations for Cottonwood Group in October 2026 operate on a rolling 6-month window releasing at 7:00 AM ET.

October 1 stays open

April 1, 2026

at 7:00 AM ET

Release style

6-Month Rolling Window

Releases daily 6 months ahead at 7:00 AM ET

Campsites for October 1, 2026 become bookable on April 1, 2026 at 7:00 AM ET. Each subsequent date throughout October releases day-by-day exactly 6 months prior to arrival.

Facility note: Standard Recreation.gov 6-month rolling window: sites become bookable 6 months before arrival at 7:00 AM ET.

Plan B

Easier nearby options in October

If your dates are flexible, these nearby campgrounds are typically easier to book.

FAQ

Cottonwood Group in October: common questions

How hard is it to book Cottonwood Group in October?
Cottonwood Group rates 10 out of 10 for October — Lottery-hard. Gone within minutes of release. Bring a plan B.
How far in advance should I book Cottonwood Group for October?
The typical October reservation was made about 112 days before arrival, so plan to book as early as your dates allow.
When do October reservations open for Cottonwood Group?
Reservations for Cottonwood Group in October 2026 open on a rolling 6-month window. Sites for October 1 become bookable on April 1, 2026 at 7:00 AM ET, with each subsequent day releasing day-by-day 6 months ahead.
What is the best day to arrive at Cottonwood Group in October?
Arrivals are lightest on Monday. A midweek arrival is usually the easiest booking.

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