The Best Places To Camp
Some of America's best places to camp might be right in your backyard.
Best places to camp
You might be wondering which nearby camping areas are the best places to camp. The abundance of fantastic camping locations around the United States is one of its best features. On a weekend (or longer) camping excursion, nature lovers can take in the crisp air, stunning mountains, and crystal-clear lakes and streams.
These gorgeous settings offer many picnic spots, hiking paths, fishing, swimming, and other outdoor recreation opportunities in addition to tent camping. Your ideal outdoor vacation is waiting, from the piney woods of Maine to the clear lakes of Alaska.
Acadia National Park, Maine
The natural gem of the Pine Tree State is Acadia National Park, which is on Mount Desert Island. To provide a picturesque backdrop for your hiking and camping, the park has 17 million acres of woodland, 6,000 lakes and ponds, and 32,000 kilometers of rivers and streams.
There are three campgrounds in the park where you can pitch your tent: Schoodic Woods, Seawall, and Blackwoods. Acadia is experiencing a staged reopening; campgrounds won’t open until July 1, but there are plenty of hiking routes open right now.
White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire and Maine
Take a glance no farther than the northernmost region of the Appalachian Valley for a challenging hike. The vistas are especially enchanting when leaf-peeping season is at its height in the fall, the vistas. Additionally, there are other campgrounds in the forest, totaling hundreds of campsites. At the moment, some of the shelters, climbing sites, and campers are still closed.
Minnewaska State Park Reserve, New York
This state park reserve is located on Shawangunk Ridge, upwards of 2,000 feet above sea level, and surrounded by rugged terrain just 94 miles outside of New York City. That is a lot of space for biking, hiking, and taking in the scenery. The park is currently running at a reduced capacity.
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Shenandoah National Park, located not far from Washington, D.C., boasts 500 miles of trails, such as an eight-mile climb up Old Rag Mountain that is a must-do for experienced hikers. You may enjoy numerous gorgeous vistas of the forest and waterfalls in this magnificent park. There are five campgrounds to select from, and its amenities are accessible in the spring, summer, and fall. The park has reopened, however the number of campsites is now limited. You can see the website here for up to date information.
Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland
The Assateague Island campgrounds are only nine miles south of Ocean City, with 37 miles of beaches for camping, swimming, surfing, paddle-boarding, crabbing, biking, kayaking, and spotting wild horses. Assateague Island National Seashore reopened some campgrounds on June 15.
Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
You can have one of the world’s largest barrier reefs right outside your tent in this beautiful National Park. Campers can rent some snorkel gear and spend their days on the beach or explore Fort Jefferson. This area is also great for bird-watching, so make sure you pack a pair of binoculars. The campground is currently open, but tours of the fort and the ranger-led programs are temporarily suspended.