After hiking through the woods, soaking in the scenery, and cooling down in the clean waters of a nearby stream, you and your friends settle in for an evening of stargazing, beer, and s’mores around the campfire. Then, you’ll tuck yourself away in your tent for a few (mosquito-free) hours, emerging to the first glimmer of dawn light and birds singing. This is what camping is all about. Away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, yet close enough to feel nature’s magnificent and reassuring embrace.
So that you may celebrate the National Park Service’s centennial in style, we’ve compiled a list of the top 100 camping spots around the nation. Find out when is the ideal time to visit each natural marvel, how much it will cost you, and what its finest attributes are.
We’ve also made sure that, in the post-COVID tourist world, each of them is available and open to the public. Because of the pandemic, we will let you know how hours and availability have altered.
Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia National Park is most famous for its breathtaking Atlantic shoreline. The many nooks and rocky inlets provide an abundance of picture opportunities. Acadia, like many other well-established national parks, has many camping options. Smuggler’s Den, the Backwoods, Bass Harbor, and Seawall are all examples of such places.
There is enough for tent camping and RV parking. Campers and RVs may find lots of shady spots to park at Smuggler’s Den, and the park’s expansive open field is ideal for setting up tents. The distance between them must be large enough to provide a safe level of separation. You may rent semi-permanent lodgings if you want a more hotel-like atmosphere.
Big Sur, California
In theory, Big Sur might qualify as a campsite for every American camping trip. Private campers with ocean views may be found here, and so can backcountry camps amid the Redwoods.
Fifty-five authorised trail camping locations may be found throughout Big Sur’s 237 miles of the route. Take in the unique Santa Lucia fir trees, which can be found nowhere else on the planet. Waterfalls, hot springs, and natural pools invite exploration along the various rivers and streams.
White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire
Those searching for a more rustic experience may choose to go to White Mountain National Forest. Although it is on federal territory, it lacks the facilities of a truly national park. It’s a great location to show off your abilities to others.
The bald eagle, the coyote, the Canadian lynx, the river otter, and the porcupine are just a few of the many animals that make their home in these regions. White Mountain National Forest is a popular destination for hikers due to its proximity to the Appalachian Trail and the abundance of peaks that tower above 4,000 feet. Several New Hampshire state forests and parks surround the region, forming a continuous natural preserve over most northern New Hampshire.
You may either choose to camp in a specified area or wander into the woods, depending on your level of camping experience. There is a wide variety of options, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding a place to spend the night.
Havasu Falls, Arizona
Havasu Falls is home to some of the most secluded campgrounds in the United States, requiring special permission and a 10-hour climb to get there.
While Havasu Falls is unfortunately closed because of the COVID-19 virus, it cannot be left off any list of the greatest camping in the United States. Havasu Falls is a popular destination, so if you want a reservation for 2021, you should start looking now.
Havasu Falls, on the Havasupai Indian Reservation, has some of the most beautiful waterfront campsites in the United States. Rivers and waterfalls of calming turquoise cut through the striking red limestone, making for a lovely camping spot.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Grand Teton National Park is one of the best in the United States, yet it often gets neglected in favour of Yellowstone to the north. A hiker’s heaven, this is one of several such locations. Grand Teton is the centrepiece of a chain of stunning mountains that fill the park. Within the park, you’ll find six different large campsites.
Remember that even in the middle of summer, the temperature might drop significantly at night. You should bring some warm clothing for the evenings in case you spend the night outside. Jenny Lake and Signal Mountain campsites get a disproportionate number of tourists to Grand Teton National Park, so if you want to stay in one of them, you should make haste. Once inside, take advantage of the lakes and rivers and soak in the majesty of the setting.
Do you want to know where you can go camping in the United States that will be the most enjoyable experience? Potential outcomes are indefinitely varied. That’s why we’ve only included the very finest options here. The gorgeous camping in the United States includes prime beachfront settings, RV parks you’ll never want to leave, and our favourite hiking locales.
Information about many of the following locations is widely accessible through the internet or by phone since they are US Forest Service campsites.
Lastly, read more about travel around the world here.
