[efangs]

OK explain to me why I have to book a campsite 6 months in advance

[kwk1]

Hypothesis: population growth looks like /, while public land growth looks like - or \ (e.g. cursory search for statistic shows federal acreage drop of 4.9% from 1990 to 2018)

[john-radio]

I'm not sure where you live, but try googling about the terms "free camping" or "dispersed camping" for your area. There are lots of natural areas (edit: in a lot of places) where you don't need a special permit to pitch your tent.

[seattle_spring]

In a large part due to scalpers, and also people who book spots "just in case", but have no incentive to cancel if they end up not going.