Recreation Information Database Search

Search the Recreation Information Database (RIDB) for campgrounds and recreation facilities near a location. Use when finding campgrounds, recreation areas, or federal facilities by location/radius. Supports geocoding (city names) and lat/lon coordinates.

Security Scan

The skill's code and instructions match its stated purpose (searching RIDB) but the package metadata omits the required RIDB_API_KEY credential, an incoherence you should resolve before installing.

Purpose & Capability

Name/description, README, SKILL.md, and the single Python script all describe and implement searching RIDB and geocoding via OpenStreetMap; the requested network access and patterns are appropriate for that purpose. However, the registry metadata claims no required environment variables or primary credential while both the SKILL.md and scripts require a RIDB_API_KEY — a mismatch.

Instruction Scope

Runtime instructions are scoped to geocoding (Nominatim) and RIDB API calls, with CLI flags and JSON output. The SKILL.md directs setting RIDB_API_KEY and using the provided script; there are no instructions to read unrelated files, collect extra system data, or post data to unexpected endpoints.

Install Mechanism

No install spec; this is instruction+single-file script using only the Python standard library. Nothing is downloaded or written during install, minimizing install-time risk.

Credentials

The code requires a RIDB API key (RIDB_API_KEY env var or --api-key) which is proportionate to the purpose. The problem is that the registry metadata incorrectly lists 'Required env vars: none' and 'Primary credential: none' — this omission is an incoherence that could mislead users about what secrets the skill needs.

Persistence & Privilege

The skill is not always-enabled, does not request system-level persistence, and contains no code that modifies other skills or system configuration. It only runs as a CLI and makes outbound requests to expected APIs.

What to consider before installing

This skill appears to do exactly what it says (search RIDB and geocode locations) and the code is a simple Python CLI using only stdlib and network calls to RIDB and OpenStreetMap. However, the registry metadata fails to declare the required RIDB_API_KEY credential. Before installing or running: (1) verify you obtained the RIDB API key from https://ridb.recreation.gov/profile and are comfortable providing it to this script, (2) inspect scripts/search.py yourself (it’s short and readable) to confirm there are no unexpected network endpoints, (3) prefer running it in a restricted environment (or container) if you don’t fully trust the source, and (4) ask the publisher to correct the metadata so required credentials are explicit. If the metadata is corrected to list RIDB_API_KEY as a required credential and nothing else, this would likely be coherent/benign.

RIDB Search

Search recreation.gov's database for campgrounds and facilities near a location.

Setup

Requires a free RIDB API key:

1. Go to https://ridb.recreation.gov/profile
2. Sign up and generate an API key
3. Set environment variable: export RIDB_API_KEY=your_key_here

Usage

Search by location name (auto-geocodes):

python scripts/search.py --location "Bend, OR" --radius 50
python scripts/search.py -l "Yosemite Valley" -r 25 --camping-only

Search by coordinates:

python scripts/search.py --lat 44.0582 --lon -121.3153 --radius 50

Options

Flag	Description
--location, -l	Location name to geocode (e.g., "Bend, OR")
--lat	Latitude (use with --lon)
--lon	Longitude (use with --lat)
--radius, -r	Search radius in miles (default: 50)
--limit	Max results (default: 50)
--camping-only	Filter to camping facilities
--reservable-only	Filter to reservable facilities
--json	Output JSON (for programmatic use)

Output

Human-readable (default):

📍 Geocoded 'Bend, OR' to 44.0582, -121.3153

Found 23 facilities within 50 miles
------------------------------------------------------------

🏕️  Tumalo State Park
   ID: 234567 | ✅ Reservable
   Org: Oregon State Parks
   URL: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234567

JSON output (--json):

{
  "query": {"latitude": 44.0582, "longitude": -121.3153, "radius_miles": 50},
  "total_count": 23,
  "facilities": [
    {
      "id": "234567",
      "name": "Tumalo State Park",
      "reservable": true,
      "url": "https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234567"
    }
  ]
}

Notes

• RIDB contains federal recreation data; some state/private campgrounds may not be listed
• The id field is the campground ID used for availability checks on recreation.gov
• Radius is in miles (RIDB native unit)
• Geocoding uses OpenStreetMap/Nominatim (free, no key required)