Ready for a getaway? Studies have shown that camping can promote better sleep patterns. Spending time enjoying the great outdoors can also reduce stress and lower blood pressure.
If that’s what you want out of a vacation, grab your backpack, pack up your car, and get ready to commune with nature at one of these unbelievable camping destinations.
Before You Go
An outdoor vacation requires some special preparation. Pack for the weather. Bring sunscreen, and be sure to match your activities to your fitness level.
You’ll also want to make sure you have the right camping gear. Good equipment will ensure that you aren’t suffering while you’re roughing it!
Check out places like this website to get ideas about what you should take with you on your camping trip.
Ready, Set, Explore
Now that you’re all packed, it’s time to scope out some of the best campgrounds in America. Here are some of our favorites:
Head For the Mountains
Crater Lake, Oregon is home to one of the most breathtaking lakes in the world.
Drive the rim. Take a boat tour to the island. Swim, hike, and check out some amazing waterfalls.
For the best camping, go in the summer, since snow frequently forces road closures in the winter.
The park features two campgrounds, and there are several other campgrounds nearby. You can pitch a tent or take an RV. The park can accommodate either.
Blow Off Some Steam
Yellowstone National Park is located in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. The park is situated on a supervolcano, so it is home to some of the country’s most unique geological features.
Predictable geyser eruptions, colorful hot springs, and diverse wildlife are just some of the park’s many attractions. Go rafting, take a hike, or immerse yourself in Native American culture.
Most of the campgrounds are only open in the summer, but a few stay open year-round. There are many camping options, so you’re sure to find one that suits you.
Travel Back In Time
Big Bend National Park in Texas is a world-famous camping destination. Here, you’ll find a Fossil Discovery Center that will take you back 130 million years.
You can see the Rio Grande River, take scenic drives, or take a walk in Santa Elena Canyon. The park provides an unforgettable nature experience.
The park features four campgrounds, and three of them are RV friendly.
Swim With the Fishes
If beaches and coral reefs are your thing, Dry Tortugas National Park is for you. Dry Tortugas is located near Key West, Florida.
Swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and paddle boating are just a few things to do in the park.
Camping in Dry Tortuga is a unique, but primitive, experience.
You can pitch your tent on the sand next to a palm tree. However, RVs and trailers aren’t allowed. You should be prepared to provide all of your own food, water, and shelter.
Play In the Snow
For nature lovers, Acadia National Park provides some of the best camping in the USA. Located off the coast of Maine, Acadia features winter hikes, skiing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing.
Of course, there are still plenty of things to do the rest of the year. Campers can go horseback riding, bicycling, or take a walk to look at the fall foliage.
There are many places to camp around Acadia, and most of the campgrounds come with plenty of amenities.
The Ultimate in Camping Destinations
There are few places that rival the Grand Canyon for jaw-dropping scenery. Panoramic views of colorful vistas makes for one of the world’s most spectacular landscapes.
Explore geological wonders, history, archaeology, and culture all in one place.
Go whitewater rafting on the Colorado River. Hike the South Rim.Experience Native American culture.
And don’t forget your camera.
Campgrounds around the Grand Canyon accommodate tents and RVs, and they’re open all year.
Visit Cliff Dwellings
Abandoned cliff dwellings are one of the main attractions at Colorado’s Mesa Verde National Park. Here, you can drive the Mesa Top Loop Road, hike or bike the trails to the overlooks, or explore the cliff dwellings.
There is only one campground at the park, and it is open to tents, trailers, and RVs.
Fall For Waterfalls
The Great Smoky Mountains run along the border between Tennessee and North Carolina. You can tour historic cemeteries, admire the fall foliage, or hike popular trails to view numerous waterfalls.
In addition to traditional camping, this park features horse camps. At these camps, you can hitch your horse to racks located at the site, and there is water available for the horses.
Try Something Different
Up for some adventure? Try camping at Napali Coast State Wilderness Park in Hawaii.
You can take in beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean and Kalalau Valley waterfalls. Hike along beaches and cliffs. Take a helicopter or boat tour.
To camp, you’ll need a permit. If you want to camp at Miloli’i, you’ll need a boat. There is no way to get there by land.
The Toughest Part? Deciding Where To Go
As you can see, nature enthusiasts have a lot of good camping options.
You can head south and snorkel at the beach. You can turn north and hike through mountains. You can even hop a plane, take a boat, and pitch a tent in Hawaii.
Whatever you decide to do, be sure to explore some of these great camping destinations on your vacation. After a few nights under the stars, you just might sleep a little better.
To read more about topics like this, check out our world travel category.
