Steve, there are a lot of spaces at the Backpackers Campground. It is located about 100 feet from the trailhead. There is a small fee ($8 last time I checked), and a one night max stay. You share sites with other people, you don't get the site to yourself. When I spent 3 weeks there in August a few years ago as part of a research project, I don't think I saw it ever full, and that was before the expansion. It has dedicated Bear Boxes, as well.
The no-show comment referred to the Family Campground (traditional drive-in campground a little bit further down the road)
