The best camping spot in every state
Are you planning on going camping this summer? No matter where you live, we’ve got you covered! Here are the best camping spots in every state—from National Parks to private campgrounds, these are stunning and original places to relax and have fun with family and friends!
Alabama – Gulf State Park
No matter what time of year you’re planning your Gulf State Park camping trip, remember to make your reservations well in advance! The campground is located in close proximity to white-sand beaches and turquoise waters, making it very popular. It offers 496 campsites, with plenty of attractions nearby.
Alaska – Hidden Lake Campground
Rated as one of the most popular campgrounds on the Kenai Peninsula, Hidden Lake Campground is located on Cooper Landing, in Alaska. It offers three campsite loops, one of which is on the lake (a great pick!). It is a perfect destination for observing wildlife, including lynx, bears, squirrels and loons.
Arizona – Grand Canyon
Arizona is often referred to as the “Grand Canyon State,” which naturally makes it one of the best places to spend the night. Also, by camping on-site, you’ll be able to enjoy the views before the crowds arrive! The only thing we can’t decide on—North Rim or South Rim Campground?
Arkansas – Petit Jean State Park
Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas’s first State Park, is about an hour and a half from Little Rock and offers 125 campsites. It’s perfect for families, with good fishing, a swimming pool, playgrounds, tennis and basketball courts, and water sports. There are also plenty of trails nearby, with waterfalls and beautiful vistas.
California – Yosemite National Park
California has plenty of national parks to discover, and one not to miss is Yosemite, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From your camping site, you’ll be able to admire sequoia trees and waterfalls and enjoy the wilderness. Please note: Even with 13 campgrounds, reservations are essential.
Colorado – Piñon Flats Campground
When you arrive at Great Sand Dunes National Park, you may think you are in the Sahara, as the park features impressive dunes, some of the tallest in the country, which you can hike or sandboard on. Since it’s also an incredible place for stargazing, why not spend the night? Piñon Flats Campground is the best in the park, maybe even the whole state!
Connecticut – Devil’s Hopyard State Park
The Devil’s Hopyard State Park is great for hiking. Its most famous attraction is Chapman Falls, a sixty-foot waterfall that drops over a series of steps in a formation known as a “Scotland Schist Stone.” Its 78-site camping ground has plenty of amenities, and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Delaware – Trap Pond State Park
If you are planning to go camping in Delaware, the best sites (all 142 of them) are located in Trap Pond State Park. Spend a relaxing night under the pine trees before taking a kayak out in the morning. There are also hiking trails and other water activities, making for a perfect weekend getaway.
Florida – Cayo Costa State Park
It doesn’t get any better than this! Cayo Costa State Park is a carless barrier island, only accessible by boat or kayak, offering more than nine miles of beautiful beaches. Bike, snorkel, fish, swim and look for wildlife, before spending the night in one of 30 campsites.
Georgia – West Rim Campground
West Rim campground at Cloudland Canyon State Park offers beautiful cliff views, great for admiring gorgeous sunrises and sunsets over the canyon walls. The 30 campsites are located along a one-mile loop trail. Don’t forget to make time to explore the
4.8-mile West Rim Loop!
Hawaii – Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
There are two campgrounds in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, on Big Island: Nāmakanipaio and Kulanaokuaiki. During the day, explore the rock formations and unusual flora that survived in this harsh environment, and, in the evening, look for active volcanoes lighting up the sky.
Illinois – Starved Rock State Park Campground
Located just two hours from Chicago, Starved Rock State Park Campground is home to impressive landscapes of sandstone canyons and waterfalls. It is a great place to hike! There are 133 grassy campsites to choose from.
Indiana – Brown County State Park
Popular with mountain bikers and families, Brown County State Park is also a great camping spot with more than 300 campsites. During the summer, many events are organized, making it the perfect destination for a worry-free camping adventure.
Iowa – Maquoketa Caves Campground
With 13 cave structures to explore, including the Dancehall Cave, Maquoketa Caves State Park offers unique landscapes—and the campground is just a short walk away!
Kansas – Historic Lake Scott State Park
Hidden in the western Kansas prairie, Historic Lake Scott State Park offers visitors plenty to admire, including natural springs and wooded canyons. The campground is beautiful, and horses abound! It was even listed by National Geographic as one of the country’s 50 must-see state parks.
Kentucky – Cumberland Falls Campground
Eastern Kentucky’s Daniel Boone National Forest has some of the best natural attractions in the state, including Red River Gorge, the Clifty Wilderness and Cumberland Falls. The latter is a camper favorite, especially around the full moon, when the 125-foot-wide waterfall offers a lunar rainbow known as a “moonbow.”
Maine – Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park offers some of Maine’s most beautiful campgrounds: Blackwoods, Seawall and Schoodic Woods. Here, mountains meet the ocean, so you can enjoy both hiking and water activities. In season, do not forget to grab a lobster roll!
Minnesota – Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
Some campsites on the lakeside portion of the campground at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park offer spectacular views of Lake Superior and historic Split Rock Lighthouse. When camping there, also plan time to go hiking and fishing!
Mississippi – Davis Bayou Campground
For an easy weekend adventure, the Davis Bayou Area is the only Mississippi area of the Gulf Islands National Seashore accessible by car. Spot armadillos and alligators in the morning, then hop on a boat ride to uninhabited barrier islands in the afternoon. It offers 51 camping sites.
Montana – Glacier National Park
With more than 1,000 camping spots and backcountry camping, Glacier National Park is a great place to spend the night. Its 700 miles of trails run through forests, meadows and mountains (all offering amazing vistas), so you will not lack for things to do during your stay.
Nevada – Arch Rock Campground
At Arch Rock Campground, in the Valley of Fire State Park, you can pitch your tent near Aztec red sandstone. Of course, do not miss the campground’s namesake arch, but it is not the only thing to see: you’ll also find petrified trees, narrow slot canyons and petroglyphs.
New Jersey – Pleasant Acres Farm Campground
If you’re looking for something kid-friendly and fun to do for a weekend getaway, head to Pleasant Acres Farm Campground, in New Jersey. In addition to the campground, you’ll be able to experience hay rides, cow-milking and animal-petting.
New York – Adirondack Park
If you are looking for some alone time, look no further than the Adirondacks, which provide six million acres of protected land for you to enjoy, meaning you can camp in hundreds of different places, including private islands.
North Carolina – Big Creek Campground
The Big Creek Campground is perfect for a weekend getaway in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You will sleep in close proximity to a pristine mountain stream and be surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges—and 800 miles of hiking trails!
