Camping has been around for countless travelers throughout time to get closer to nature and perhaps even reignite a passion for the outdoors that so many seem to have lost. Is there anything better than pitching your tent with a view good enough to be on the silver screens? Fortunately, we’re lucky to have so many National Parks to explore across the country, so let’s take advantage of them!
With over 3,794,100 square miles of zooming mountains, beautiful beaches, and crystal clear waters, the US offers endless options for those looking to spend a few nights under the stars…But not all campsites are created equal.
Whether you’re a camper that enjoys getting dirty while absorbed by nature, or you want a little more comfort being out in the wild, the scenery and atmosphere of your campsite provide you with an experience that you will never forget.
To help you choose where to park your RV or pitch your tent the next time you go camping, we’ve got the country covered. Here are 11 fantastic campsites with the most stunning views.
…Click “Next” to see them all!
Joshua Tree National Park is the perfect answer for any camper looking to enjoy a unique experience in the desert, sleeping under the starry skies and surrounded by intricate rock formations and cacti. Named after the slow-growing and twisted Joshua trees, the park is located between the Colorado and Mojave Desert and is a rugged and scenic camping spot.
Hidden Valley Campground puts campers in the middle of the park, surrounded by gorgeous desert landscapes while also being close to popular hiking and climbing trails. The campgrounds and park become even more breathtaking at sunset when the colors of the sky are visible against the vast landscape.
Imagine setting up your tent in the shadows of the picturesque Rocky Mountains! Well, Grand Teton National Park gives you that, but so much more. You can get up close and personal on a hike with hundreds of elk that wander through the protected areas nearby.
While at the same time, you can take advantage of the beautiful climate that falls in Wyoming each year in the warmer months. Here, you’ll find several campsites you can choose from. But if that decision’s hard, you can’t go wrong with Signal Mountain. The facilities are exceptional, the locals very welcoming, and the overall atmosphere is magical.
There may not be anything more peaceful than falling asleep at the Carlsbad Caverns National Park after a night stroll, lit only by the moon, where very knowledgeable local park rangers answer any questions you could possibly have about the surrounding region.
You’ll even see some winged creatures that fly all around the incredible caves, which the visitors can explore. And be sure to embark on some of the hiking paths to discover more of the local wildlife. It is all backcountry camping here, and there is no wrong spot to rest. It’s ALL memorable!
Just a small drive from the south entrance of Zion National Park, we recommend Watchman Campground. It’s surrounded by huge sandstone cliffs, tall rocky peaks, juniper woodlands, piñon pine, and lots of sagebrushes.
Right next to the campgrounds, you’ll find the mighty Virgin River running along with it, allowing campers access to bike trails along the riverbank plus hikes to a nearby archeological site.
Camping in Zion, Utah’s first National Park, offers a full range of vibrant geological history, and vivid sunsets that turn the peaks bright orange and red. You may want to bring your camera along for the experience to snap all the fantastic views you come in contact with.
We realize that Denali may not be the first place that comes to mind when considering a camping trip, but Alaska has some of the best scenery in our country, and Denali National Park is the perfect example.
Here, you’re greeted with over six million acres of land bursting with wildlife, hiking trails, gorgeous bodies of water, and mountains, including North America’s tallest peak.
This is a must-see visit for those in search of the perfect wilderness adventure. There are 300 sites to choose from, whether your home is a tent or an RV, and each has better views than its neighbor.
The White Mountains cover more than a quarter-mile of New Hampshire and are a natural sanctuary for any outdoor enthusiasts. It also includes the highest elevation point in the North East! Visitors who wish to see the vast mountains, lakes, and captivating forests of New Hampshire can head to Huttopia White Mountains to find a full-comfort glamping experience.
It’s located on the banks of a lake near North Conway. Less than two and a half hours from Boston, Huttopia White Mountains provides a tranquil “camping” experience, but with a full range of activities, including hiking, fishing, canoeing, and let’s not forget about roasting marshmallows on the campfire.
In the beautiful Yellowstone National Park, Slough Creek is relatively small for fishing fans at just 16 sites, but its location makes it incredibly popular. Placed at the heart of the Lamar Valley, it’s not uncommon to have wildlife walking through the campsite daily.
As the sun goes down and the campfire begins to fade, you can even listen for the distant howling of a wolfpack, something campers can often hear as they get ready to retire for the day.
You can also try Clarks Fork, a tranquil spot in wonderful Wyoming for fishing, swimming, and canoeing. You’ll find this campground off Beartooth HWY. It’s known as one of the most scenic highways in the country and is just a stone’s throw away from Yellowstone National Park.
The whole region is spectacular, but you really can’t beat this campground, with a cascading waterfall just a short walk away. Be aware, though, that the area is well known for its grizzly bears, so make sure you pack some bear protection!
How would you like to share your lunch with some wild horses on a long barrier island off the coast of Maryland? Assateague Island National Seashore is well known for its Atlantic beaches, dunes, marshland, and pine forests.
The island is home to bald eagles and seabirds. But perhaps most famously, wild horses that are descendants of some late 17th-century stock brought over by colonists attempting to avoid livestock taxes. The herd now thrives and blends in with the rest of the wildlife.
Camping in the Assateague Island National Seashore contains two campsites. One is for horse camping, and the other is an oceanfront and bayside camping, where travelers can soak up the breathtaking views of the Atlantic ocean with wild horses in the backdrop.
This National Park has many untouched forests, alpine meadows, beautiful lakes, and rugged mountains. When visiting Montana, adventurous visitors enter a hiker’s paradise. A great spot to pitch a tent would be at the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness Area, stretching over 900,000 acres across Montana and Wyoming.
The broad area offers unbeatable hiking trails and alpine lakes cradled in between the area’s namesake mountain ranges… Just don’t forget to pack the bear spray.
As another great option, located about three miles from the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road, a scenic mountain road through the Rocky Mountains, Apgar Campground is the largest in the park. It’s located amongst the trees and wildlife that range from mountain goats to grizzly bears. Campers will relish in nature with day hiking and sunsets on Lake McDonald, guided horseback riding, and kayak rentals.
The stunning landscape of sand-colored buttes, towering rock formations, and one of the US’s most extensive areas of grassland prairie make this a truly memorable place to visit. Of course, the best way to experience all that the Badlands has to offer is by spending the night in your RV or tent, where you can feel as close to this incredible landscape as possible.
Badlands National Park and its surrounding area include tons of options for camping, but we recommend Sage Creek Campground, where you may wake up to the sound of bison wandering past your tent! It’s a regular event at this campground and definitely adds to the magic of this area. Watch the prairie lands turn a golden color at sunset and dawn, and at night, listen to hear the howls of the local foxes.
Located on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, Orchard Beach State Park is a panoramic campsite in Manistee County, Michigan, with a stairway leading directly from the campground to the beach. Manistee was initially a lumbering settlement that has preserved its Victorian ambiance and is a quaint town with a remarkable history.
While you’re on your camping trip, you should also take some time to take the trolley on a historical tour of Manistee and get familiarized with the city better. Campers can also enjoy the self-guided hiking trails that border the park, making it perfect for casual hikers, fishing off the two piers, charter boats, or enjoying the beaches along the lakeshore.
What did you think about all of the amazing locations we found? Have you been camping, and have some first-hand experiences you can share with us? Let us know in the comments below!
…And be sure to also check out: 11 Underrated National Parks That Deserve Your Love
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when can i leave ,lol beautiful
You have left out the best of ALL. The GREAT SMOKEY MOUNTAINS of TN\NC