The United States is home to over 3,794,100 square miles of beaches, lakes and mountain ranges. As such, it plays the perfect host to enthusiastic campers looking to spend a day or two in complete solitude under the stars. Here is a list comprising of some of the best and most scenic campsites located in different parts of the country. If you are ready to pack and go, take a pick from these sites for an enthralling camping experience.
1. Grand Canyon National Park
Location: Arizona
What’s not to love about the Grand Canyon National Park which offers campers some of the most stunning views they can ever come across. There are numerous campsites in the area offering your vantage viewing points to watch dramatic sunrises and sunsets.
The canyon is also notorious for its hiking trails which can be a challenge even for the most experienced hiker.
Better yet, some campgrounds are located close to bathrooms, meaning you get to enjoy it out in the wild without actually roughing it.
2, Memaloose State Park
Location: Oregon
The Memaloose State Park offers campers miles upon miles of grassy campsites, most of which are located on the banks of the scenic Columbia River. The campsites offer great views of the Columbia River Gorge in addition to offering access to numerous wild blackberry wines.
The river also plays host to some of the country’s best windsurfing, a great plus if you are into the sport.
Better yet, there are many hammock ready trees just waiting for you to string your hammock and relax on.
3. Glacier Bay National Park
Location: Alaska
The Glacier Bay National Park houses many campsites located off the beaten path. The park is every bit a camper’s paradise, offering endless miles of hiking trails, waterways for rafting and kayaking and wildlife watching. Don’t be surprised to catch a grizzly bear rummaging through your campsite more than once.
4. Mount Rainier National Park
Location: Washington
Camp on the active volcano that is Mount Rainier in Washington. Housing eye catching landscapes and glacial areas, the park offers campers numerous secluded and tranquil camping sites to choose from. Hike the numerous trails along the mountain or camp right on the banks of the White River and enjoy a great game of fishing on the glacial river teeming with trout and salmon.
5. Assateague Island National Seashore
Location: Maryland
If you love horses, then a camping trip to the Assateague Island National Seashore is a must. Located along the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean, the barrier island is home to herds of wild horses that can simply stun you with their magnificence. Camp along the shores of the island among these wild beasts and take in the spectacular views of the coastline. Have your own horse? It doesn’t get better than this for sure!
6. Big Bend National Park
Location: Texas
The Big Bend National Park is home to numerous camping sites that let you enjoy clean mountain air and stunning views.
Most of the campsites in the park also come with facilities like flushing toilets, running water, picnic tables and outdoor grills.
If you love camping, but prefer to do it in a less strenuous way, then this is the place for you. An added bonus: by nightfall, you will be treated to one of the best stargazing treats in the country.
7. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Location: Michigan
Not many are aware of the raw, un-spoilt natural beauty of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Featuring vast pine forests that surround the picturesque Little Beaver Lake, the area is a hit with campers. In addition to the numerous hiking trails, one will definitely be enthralled by the boating facilities on the lake, including a boat ramp that can be used to launch boats. Not to be missed out are the starry night skies and the breathtaking views of the lake and its surrounding areas as well.
8. Olympic National Park
Location: Washington
What’s so special about the Olympic National Park you ask? Well for starters, it has at least a million acres of land with serene views for you to choose from for pitching your tent. The area is also home to three varied ecosystem.
The one chosen most by campers though is the rainforest region which is lush and grandiose with hard to beat summers.
There’s plenty to do here in the form of hikes and treks to isolated glens, beaches and hot springs as well as the snow-capped mountains above.
9. Acadia National Park
Location: Maine
Another camper’s paradise in the country, the Acadia National Park is literally covered with millions of acres of lush forest.
It is also home to over 6000 lakes and more than 32000 miles of breathtaking rivers.
While a hike to the Cadillac Mountain peak will allow you to witness spell binding sunsets, the numerous hiking trails around the park will have you asking for more. Check for registered campsites that allow you to park your tent for the nights though as camping elsewhere on the park is prohibited.
10. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore
Location: Michigan
Secluded beaches, green fields, lush forests and sweeping sand dunes! What more could you ask for on a camping trip? The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore houses several camping sites along the majestic sand dunes that can be seen for miles around. While exploring the sand dunes is an adventure you can’t miss, an early morning session of kayaking on Lake Michigan that flanks the dunes is a must.
11. Yosemite National Park
Location: California
This park is definitely a must visit for those who want to really rough it up in the wilderness without any signs to civilization or technology.
This essentially means you will be stepping into a dark age like zone where there are no cars, no roads, no buildings and most importantly, no electricity.
The park is filled to the core with breathtaking hiking trails designed to challenge you with different levels of difficulty as well as enthrall you with amazing views of the surrounding regions. Must visit points during the hike include the Half Dome, the High Sierra Peaks and the Yosemite Valley.
