Nowadays, we are surrounded by the hustle and bustle of modern life, and it is vital to take trips to nature from time to time to fully relax and recover from mundane business.
What can be a better place to go than a beautiful campsite near the seashore or in the forest? And even better if they’re unique and picturesque, right?
So get your camping bags ready because we prepared for you 15 amazing campsite recommendations from those who’ve tested and proven them!
Hidden Valley Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, California
My favorite campsite is Hidden Valley Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, California. It is the first time that I have visited Joshua Tree National Park. I have to admit that it is one of my favorite campgrounds in the U.S., next to Hidden Valley Campground.
The scenery is amazing - green lawns, red sandstone rocks, white boulders, and blue skies as far as the eye can see! It is pretty hard to find a bad campsite at Joshua Tree National Park, but Hidden Valley Campground is the best, in my opinion. The campsite, this time, was hidden deep within the valley and surrounded by juniper trees.
Mia Garcia from iToolab
Jenny Lake Campground, Wyoming
As a retired health professional, I have been fortunate enough to have the time and means to travel with my wife. We have visited many beautiful and unique campsites across the US, but there are a few that stand out in our minds as the very best.
One of the most memorable campsites was the Jenny Lake Campground in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park. The campsite is located near the shore of the stunning Jenny Lake and offers breathtaking views of the Teton Mountains. We spent our days exploring the park's many hiking trails and our evenings enjoying the peaceful surroundings.
Jakob Miller, Founder at Barbecue Pals
Bear Lake Venture Park, Garden City, Utah
This place is a beautiful destination in Garden City, Utah. A great place for people who travel a lot using their RVs. One of the top campgrounds with waterfront camping, a scenic view of Bear Lake, and a lot of outdoor and water sports to keep you and your family entertained. You can even enjoy a nature trail, check out their on-site petting zoo and or simply lie down and relax and enjoy the view while having a sip of your hot brewed coffee. The amenities are excellent, and any traveler will surely enjoy them.”
Owen Redford from Things To Do
Camp Olowalu, West Maui
This beautiful, secluded campground is perfect for those who are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Lahaina Town and reconnect with nature. Camp Olowalu has been around since 1971, and it's easy to see why people keep coming back year after year. Located directly along the coastline, Camp Olowalu offers tent camping, RV hookups, and Tentalows which are your best glamping opportunity in the State. It's also conveniently located just minutes from Lahaina Town, so you can easily head into town for a bit of shopping or dining. The waters are calm, with the occasional longboard wave, perfect for all ages.
Christopher Norberg from Maui Guide
Westmoreland State Park, Montross, Virginia
My favorite place to camp is Westmoreland State Park in Montross, VA. Westmoreland State Park has the best of both worlds. It has the beauty and seclusion of camping in the woods and the idyllic serenity of a beach along the Potomac River.
There are many stunning trails throughout the park. Laurel Point trail is one of my favorites. I've noticed it’s a quieter trail with less foot traffic than others. It winds throughout the forest and comes to Rock Spring Pond, a gorgeous freshwater pond surrounded by the tall poplars only the Appalachians offer. The pond is teeming with fish and is a great place to settle in and cast a line. Westmoreland State Park encourages visitors to look closely for fossils on this beach. Almost everyone on the kayaking tour, about seven of us, came away with fossilized shark teeth.
This park offers something for everyone. Pitch a tent, rent a cabin, or roll in with an RV. They have many park-sponsored activities for all ages. Retirees, lone campers like myself, and families with young or grown children will enjoy all Westmoreland State Park offers.
Michelle McKnight, Camping Enthusiast
The Shady Dell RV Park, Bisbee, AZ
If you are headed to the Southwest US, The Shady Dell RV park in Bisbee, AZ, is a unique camping experience. If you want to visit but don't own an RV, you can rent one at the park. The resort offers visitors the opportunity to camp in some of its beautifully restored antique trailers.
Also, be sure to bring your appetite. Dot's Diner serves incredible breakfast and excellent burgers and shakes right onsite. Most importantly, the park is home to a great group of passionate people about RVing. The rustic vintage style and modern comforts make The Shady Dell RV Park an unforgettable camping experience.
Steve Morrow from Paddle About
The Sipsey Wilderness, Alabama & Minnesota's North Shore
The Sipsey Wilderness and Minnesota's North Shore are, without a doubt, the most beautiful camping destinations in the United States. These are the campsites to visit if you want to experience the earth's wild beauty.
Sipsey Wilderness is in northwest Alabama near Haleyville. When I visited this campsite, I got off the main trails, followed numerous little creek branches, and got my camp set up in the wilderness itself, with the view of much scenic beauty throughout the place, such as the Sipsey Fork river and the gigantic trees of Alabama. Sipsey Fork offers excellent kayaking, fishing, horse trails, and walking trails, among other things that I experienced. I went camping here in October, around fall, but you can also go in the summer because the creek is much more relaxed then.
With the full moon rising and a beautiful view of Lake Superior, Minnesota's North Shore was a paradise. We were lucky to witness the massive moonrise on Superior, which only a few people get to see, so choose a date after doing some research to catch this serene view, preferably on a full moon night, to see the unrealistic beauty.
Shailen Vandeyar from Camping Console
Grizzly Reservoir, Colorado
One of the most beautiful US campsites we ever stayed at was Grizzly Reservoir in Colorado.
The track was pretty rough, and we weren't sure if we were going to make it in the van. It was slow going, but we eventually reached the campsite.
Our reward?
A beautiful lake-side campsite surrounded by pines with snow-covered mountains in the background, it was like something out of a postcard. We spent the weekend hiking, paddling, and sitting by the fire staring in awe at the mountains. It was absolutely breathtaking, and the first time I fell in love with the great American outdoors.
Kelli Lovett and Eddie from The Vanabond Tales
Morro Strand State Beach Campground, Morro Bay, California
I road trip a lot and have stayed at many campsites. One of my favorites is Morro Strand State Beach Campground in Morro Bay, California. This campground is open to RVs, vans, and cars that are camping in tents. What makes this campground so unique is that you get a stunning view of Morro Rock from your campsite. If you're lucky to get a spot with a direct view, you can wake up to the rock and admire those beach views while cooking breakfast or working from your laptop.
Jeanine Romo from Le Wild Explorer
Colter Bay Campground, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
We have enjoyed weekend camping trips in our travel trailer as a family of four over the past several years. One of our favorite campsites yet was in the Grand Teton National Park, at the Colter Bay Campground. The proximity to the best parts of Teton National Park can’t be beaten.
At night, campers can walk to the shores of Jackson Lake to watch the sunset behind the Tetons while the kids play on the sandy beach. The Colter Bay Marina nearby offers rentals for canoes, kayaks, and powerboats to explore the lake.
Erin from Super Simple Salty Life
@supersimplesaltylife
Mora Campground Near Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, WA
Mora Campground, Rialto Beach is like walking into a powerful melancholic Narnia. I've spent my lifetime camping around the country, but the Olympic Peninsula always calls me back. There's an energy out there that's powerful and vibrating. Sites are tucked in beneath massive moss-covered trees, and on a big ocean day, you can fall asleep to the sounds of crashing waves. It's a short walk to the beach (avoiding the parking hassle), and once you're there, you can walk for hours exploring the wild sculptures of driftwood.
Jack Bynum from Indigo Alpine Guides
@indigo_alpine
French Farm Lake, Michigan
On a two-week Michigan road trip, we camped for a night at French Farm Lake outside Mackinaw City. It was my absolute favorite free camping spot! There are only six sites, and you have to be in an official site to stay (they send cop cars around to make sure extra people aren’t camping there). The small size means it’s a quiet space where you can enjoy nature (and not the noise of rowdy campers). We lucked into a spot right next to the shores of the lake.
Waking up to cook my oatmeal and enjoy my coffee while watching the morning fog burn off the lake was unforgettable. The campsite is also right near the bridge to the UP and the Headlands International Dark Sky Park, so I would definitely recommend this to night sky photographers!
Lindsey Danis from Queer Adventurers
Cumberland Island National Lakeshore & More
I have traveled around the US over the last 10 years. We opt for camping often and have stayed at some beautiful places. Our favorite campgrounds include the Platte River Campground at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Watkins Glen State Park in the Finger Lakes region of NY, and Cumberland Island National Lakeshore.
Cumberland Island only accommodates tenting, and you’ll need to take a ferry or private boat to reach the island. Once there, the campsites are very private and just a short walk from the beach. Have you ever been alone on a beach along the Atlantic Ocean? If this is an experience you’d like to have, Cumberland Island is a great place to start.
Samantha from PA on Pause
We hope you found just the right camping spot for your next escape to nature. And in order for your trip to go as smoothly as possible, discover our rural wireless high-speed internet to stay in touch with your loved ones or enjoy calm movie nights near the campfire wherever the road takes you.
