Legal . SMS Program
SMS Terms
Last updated: July 8, 2026
This page summarizes the Ranger SMS program, operated at try-ranger.com. For full details, see our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
Program description
Ranger is a campsite cancellation alert service. When you set a watch on a specific campground and date range, Ranger sends an automated text message the moment a previously sold-out site in that range becomes available on Recreation.gov, with a deep link to book on the vendor site. Ranger does not book the site for you and never collects payment.
The same opt-in also covers the other trip-condition alerts you can choose to create on the alerts page, when you provide your number and check the consent box for each: a heads-up when a weather window opens for your dates, when a permit reservation window opens, and when a road or area closure affecting your trip is lifted. Every message type carries the same STOP and HELP keywords and the same frequency and rate disclosures. You only ever receive messages for watches you set yourself.
How to opt in
Opt-in is a manual, affirmative action by the end user on the public web form at try-ranger.com/alerts. No number is ever added without the person entering it themselves and checking the consent box. The steps are:
- Search for a campground and select the date range you want to camp.
- Enter your own mobile phone number on the "03 / GET NOTIFIED" step.
- Check the SMS consent box (it is unchecked by default and is separate from any Terms acceptance). The submit button does nothing until it is checked.
- Tap "Start watching" to submit. Ranger sends one confirmation text; you reply YES (or tap the confirmation link) to activate the watch. This is a double opt-in, so nothing recurring is sent until you confirm.
No account, login, or payment is required, and consent to SMS is never a condition of using Ranger or of any purchase. Ranger records the exact consent language, your IP address, your browser user-agent, and the timestamp at the moment you submit, as proof of consent for TCPA compliance.
The opt-in form and its full consent language are reproduced below exactly as they appear on the alerts page:
03 / Get notified
Phone numberReference reproduction of the live opt-in form at try-ranger.com/alerts. On the alerts page this step appears once you have selected a campground and dates; the checkbox is unchecked by default and the form cannot be submitted until you check it.
Message frequency
Varies based on campsite availability. Typically 0 to 3 messages per week per active watch. You only receive a message when a site in your chosen window actually opens up, plus the one-time confirmation message at signup.
Message and data rates
Message and data rates may apply, depending on your mobile carrier and plan. Ranger does not charge you for the SMS itself.
Sample messages
Confirmation message (sent once, immediately after you submit the opt-in form):
Ranger: Reply YES to activate alerts for Watchman Campground (Zion), or tap to confirm: https://www.try-ranger.com/c/AbC123 Reply STOP to opt out. Reply HELP for help. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply.
Availability alert (sent only when a site actually opens in your dates):
Ranger alert: 2 sites just opened up at Upper Pines (Yosemite) in your date range, earliest Jul 12. Book: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232447 Reply STOP to end, HELP for help.
Reply HELP and you receive:
Ranger: Free campsite cancellation alerts. Reply STOP to unsubscribe. Message and data rates may apply. Contact: [email protected]
How to opt out
Reply STOP to any Ranger SMS at any time. This immediately deactivates every watch on your phone number and stops all further messages. Reply HELP for support, or email [email protected].
No sharing of SMS opt-in data
Mobile information, opt-in consent, and the phone numbers you provide to the SMS program will not be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. The categories of personal information described in our Privacy Policy that may be shared with subprocessors (such as Twilio for message delivery) exclude any SMS opt-in or text-messaging originator opt-in data, which will not be shared with any third parties.
Phone number handling
Phone numbers are stored as a one-way HMAC-SHA256 hash for database lookups, plus a Fernet-encrypted value used only to send your SMS alerts. The encryption key is held separately from the database. See Privacy Policy for full detail.
Delivery
SMS is delivered via Twilio, acting as our message subprocessor. Twilio processes your phone number solely to transmit messages to your carrier, under their own privacy policy.
Contact
Questions about the Ranger SMS program: [email protected].