The United States is blessed with incredible natural beauty. From Alaska to the Virgin Islands, Maine to Samoa - and everything in between - there are amazing natural wonders for your eyes to feast upon. And is there any better way to experience our nation's beauty than camping? We don't think so! Camping allows you to immerse yourself in your surroundings and for the time you're there, feel a part of them. With this in mind, we've selected a baker's dozen of U.S. camping destinations scattered across the country that are worth traveling to in order to experience them.
1. Olympic National Park - Washington
Olympic National Park in Washington is a place that feels unlike any other in the Lower 48 - which makes it a perfect bucket list camping destination. With more than a dozen developed campgrounds in the park, as well as backcountry camping opportunities, Olympic has much to offer any camping enthusiast, whether you're arriving by RV or backpacking to a secluded beach site. Most campgrounds are seasonal and are subject to short-notice closures due to the sometimes-extreme weather on the peninsula. You can find specific campground information on Recreation.gov. Check in with a ranger at the park for backcountry permitting information.
2. Koke'e State Park - Kauai, Hawaii
If you're hoping to camp in Hawaii, Koke'e State Park is an amazing place to do so. Perched on the edge of spectacular Waimea Canyon, Koke'e is the perfect place to establish a base camp for some of the best hiking you'll find in Aloha State. Dramatic views of Kauai's wilderness interior, waterfalls tumbling hundreds of feet into the rain forest below, and sweeping Pacific Ocean panoramas are all things you can look forward to in the park. For more information on camping, facilities, and fees - or to make reservations - visit Department of Land and Natural Resources website.
3. Glacier National Park - Montana
There may not be a more beautiful NPS unit than Glacier National Park in Montana. The dramatic Rocky Mountain setting is studded with stunning features like Alpine lakes, rugged wilderness, waterfalls, and, as the park's name implies, glaciers. You'll also find some of the country's most iconic megafauna, such as black bears, grizzly bears, and moose in the park. Several developed campgrounds offer amenities ranging from electrical hook-ups to camp stores. But you can definitely camp away from other visitors with a permit for the backcountry. Check out Recreation.gov for reservations and other information.
4. Redwoods National and State Parks - California
The feeling of camping among the tallest trees on Earth is... well, indescribable. It's awe-inspiring and humbling, and really something you just need to experience for yourself. Fortunately, this is something you can do at Redwoods National and State Parks in Northern California. The land encompassed by these parks is jointly managed by the National Park Service and the state of California. And it is here that the world's tallest trees grow. In fact, the single tallest specimen is somewhere in the park, though it's location is not disclosed to protect it from too many visitors. But, honestly, from the ground, it's almost impossible to say that one massive redwood is taller than the next. Four developed campgrounds are located in the park, and all are managed by California State Parks. Visit Reserve California for reservation and facilities information.
5. Dead Horse Point State Park - Utah
Southern Utah is home to some of the most iconic landscapes in the entire country - Zion, Arches, and Canyonlands National Parks, as well as Natural Bridges National Monument and Monument Valley, which straddles the Utah-Arizona border on the Navajo Nation. These popular national parks can be extremely crowded. But there's a way you can enjoy the same landscape with far fewer people. Dead Horse Point State Park, near Moab, Utah, is situated on the Green River between Canyonland and Arches, and it shares the same topography as these popular national parks. You'll find two campgrounds at Dead Horse Point - Kayenta and Wingate. Both offer RV and tent camping, and you'll also find some hike-in sites if you'd like some extra privacy. Visit the park's webpage for more information or to make reservations.
6. Rocky Mountain National Park - Colorado
One of the nation's first and most visited, Rocky Mountain National Park is truly a wondrous place. With several peaks topping 14,000 feet, Alpine lakes, and valleys teeming with wildlife, the park is also home to the headwaters of the Colorado River. A visit to Rocky Mountain National Park should be on any outdoor-loving American's bucket list. To reduce crowding in the park, a timed entry system is in place from late May through mid-October, and all visitors must have a permit to enter during this time. One loophole, though, is that those with camping reservations may enter the park anytime during their reservation dates. Five developed campgrounds and some of the most gorgeous backcountry in the Lower 48 beckon campers to the park. For reservations and information, visit Recreation.gov. The backcountry office at the park can help with permitting for those who wish to camp outside developed areas.
7. Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness - Minnesota
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness offers a total backcountry experience in the Northwoods of Minnesota, along the Canadian border. You can only enter the Boundary Waters by hiking or paddling, but once you arrive at your campsite, you will be rewarded with serenity, stars, and the sounds of wilderness denizens, like loons, moose, black bears, and wolves. If you prefer a more front-country experience, several Boundary Waters-adjacent campgrounds in the Superior National Forest are available near Ely, along the Gunflint Trail, and elsewhere on the forest; camping is also available in Voyageurs National Park. Anyone wishing to stay overnight in the BWCAW needs a permit, which are available via lottery between May and October. Check out our Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness guide for more detailed planning information. Front country campsites on the Superior National Forest or in Voyageurs National Park can be reserved on Recreation.gov.
8. Badlands National Park - South Dakota
Many national parks protect places that are unique landscapes, and the badlands areas of the Dakotas are nothing if not unique. That's why Badlands National Park in South Dakota should be near the top of your list as a camping destination. Spend your days hiking and exploring this eerie landscape, watching bison and big horn sheep negotiate the terrain. By night, you'll see an explosion of stars against the firmament. The park is home to two developed campgrounds, and you can reserve a site on Recreation.gov. Check with the backcountry office for the permits you'll need to leave the park's developed areas.
9. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - Michigan
People who visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan tend to fall in love with it. Designed to highlight the rugged beauty of Lake Superior's shoreline along this part of the Upper Peninsula, the park offers many opportunities to interact with the world's largest lake: white sand beaches, kayaking, and shoreline hikes through a Northwoods setting. You'll find three, small rustic campgrounds in the park, all of which are seasonal and require a reservation, which can be obtained from Recreation.gov. Backcountry camping is available with the appropriate permits.
10. Great Smoky Mountains National Park - North Carolina/Tennessee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the National Park System's jewel of the east. Straddling the North Carolina and Tennessee state lines, Great Smoky Mountains preserves some of the most unique and diverse ecosystems in North America. It's also pretty easy on the eyes. This is another national park that should definitely be on your must-visit list, whether as a day trip or part of a longer camping adventure. Be warned, however, that this is the most visited national park, so it definitely can be crowded during peak season. Make your camping reservations on Recreation.gov well in advance of your planned visit. As home to a popular stretch of the Appalachian Trail, even the park's backcountry can occasionally feel less than serene. But the park's beauty definitely makes up for it.
11. Big Cypress National Preserve - Florida
If you're as fascinated by the south Florida, Everglades ecosystem as we are, then you'll definitely want to plan a camping trip to the less-trafficked and more pristine Big Cypress National Preserve. This fragile, one-of-a-kind landscape is showcased in this preserve than it is anywhere else in south Florida. Hike the preserve on boardwalks and backcountry trails, paddle its waters, or simply sit outside your tent at night and enjoy some of the darkest skies in this part of the country. The preserve offers eight front-country campgrounds. Most are closed during the heat and rains of the summer, but a couple are open year round. You can make reservations and get more detail on individual campgrounds at Recreation.gov.
12. Acadia National Park - Maine
There is no better place to get a taste of the wild Maine shoreline than Acadia National Park. With terrain that includes beaches, woods, and a couple of the hairiest hikes in the eastern United States, Acadia offers a little something for everyone. Although there's plenty of wild natural beauty here, Acadia - thanks to its history - has a tamer, more genteel quality than you might expect to find at a national park. That's part of it's charm and a reason to add it to your camping vision board. A handful of developed campgrounds are scattered throughout the park. Sites can be reserved through Recreation.gov or Acadia's designated smartphone app. You should be aware, though, that no backcountry camping is permitted anywhere in the park.
13. Rogers Rock Campground - New York
Although not a spot that most people outside New York are familiar with, Rogers Rock Campground in the Adirondack Mountains is a hidden gem of a campground. Located on the northwestern shore of beautiful Lake George, near Hague, NY and the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area, Rogers Rock is a perfect combination of water, mountains, and woods. Recreational opportunities, ranging from hiking and fishing to swimming and kayaking abound in the area. One thing that really sets this campground apart, though, is that several of its campsites are located on the small, nearby Lake George Islands. The island sites are far enough apart that you may not even realize that anyone else is there with you. Learn more about Rogers Rock Campground and make reservations at New York Department of Environmental Conservation website.
After checking out these spots, we're sure you'll want to start planning your next camping trip right away. And whether you're a backpacker, an RV enthusiast, or a car camper, REI is a great resource for gear and even trip planning. Which of these U.S. camping destinations will you visit first? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to tell us about any other places you would add to our list.
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