PermitSnag vs Campflare
Campflare is free, scans fast, and covers 10,000+ campgrounds. If all you need is a campground cancellation alert, use it, it is good. PermitSnag exists for the other half of the problem: wilderness permits and lotteries, which Campflare does not cover.
As of July 5, 2026, Campflare is a free campground cancellation alert service covering 10,000+ US campgrounds, with scans as fast as every 15 to 45 seconds on popular sites. PermitSnag tracks 623 US wilderness permits with lottery tooling, group pools, and Fast Lane booking links.
Facts checked against Campflare's public site on July 5, 2026. See every tool we compare on the PermitSnag alternatives hub.
Feature comparison
| Feature | PermitSnag | Campflare |
|---|---|---|
| Core focus | Wilderness permits + lotteries, plus campsites | Campground availability alerts only |
| Permit lotteries | 623 permits with lottery calendar, reminders, pools, odds pages, and cancellation alerts | Not covered |
| Campground coverage | 3,900+ US campgrounds (118,000+ campsites) | 10,000+ US campgrounds |
| Pricing | Free tier with 1 alert (hourly scans). Pro $7.99/mo or $79.99/yr with about 1-minute scans, unlimited watches, SMS included. A la Carte $12 for a single permit. | Free |
| Scan speed | About every minute on Pro | As often as every 15-45 seconds on popular campgrounds |
| Alert channels | Push, SMS, email, and browser notifications | Email and text, plus an iOS app |
| Booking flow | Fast Lane deep links with your dates pre-selected | Links to the reservation site |
Choose PermitSnag if…
- You need a wilderness permit: Half Dome, Whitney, Enchantments, JMT, river permits. Campflare does not track permits or lotteries.
- You want lottery deadlines, group pools, and odds data alongside cancellation alerts.
- You want SMS and push alerts with a booking deep link when seconds matter.
Choose Campflare if…
- You only need campground alerts and want them free. Campflare is the best free option and scans very fast.
- You want the widest US campground coverage.
Try PermitSnag free
One free alert, no card required. See the lottery calendar, browse 623 permits, and set your first watch in under a minute.
Common questions
Is Campflare really free?
Yes. Campflare's campground alerts are free with no paywalls. PermitSnag also has a free tier (one alert with hourly scans), and its paid plans fund permit and lottery infrastructure that Campflare does not offer.
Does Campflare track wilderness permits or lotteries?
No. Campflare covers campground availability only. For permits, lotteries, quotas, and trailhead spots, you need a permit-focused tool like PermitSnag.
Can I use Campflare and PermitSnag together?
Absolutely. Plenty of people use Campflare for car-camping alerts and PermitSnag for wilderness permits and lotteries. They solve different problems.