Camping can be excellent no matter where you are, but some camping destinations are so breathtaking they take the experience to another level.
We’ve compiled a list of ten of the most beautiful places you can camp across the United States. These campgrounds cover everything— from beaches to deserts to the middle of mountains!
Read on to start planning a trip to an incredible new camping destination!
Camping Destinations in the Western States
1. Cedar Pass Campground, Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Cedar Pass Campground has tent and RV campsites surrounded by unique rock formations and buttes covering Badlands National Park.
From June through September, guests can visit the Ben Reifel Visitor Center to watch actual paleontologists prepare and process fossils that are recovered inside the park.
Due to harsh South Dakota winters, this campground is only open from April through October yearly, and reservations are encouraged.
2. Piñon Flats Campground, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
When you think of rolling dunes, you probably think of North Africa or the Middle East, but Piñon Flats Campground in Great Sand Dunes National Park is full of them!
This campground is ideal for tent camping but does have a few sites that will fit smaller RVs. However, there are no hookups available.
This is popular because of its incredibly unique views of Sahara-like dunes! Campsites are available for reserving from April through October and should be booked at least six months, if not a full year in advance.
3. North Rim Campground, Grand Canyon, Arizona
Mere steps from the Northern edge of the Grand Canyon, the North Rim Campground is a place you’ve got to visit!
The campground is situated in a forest of ponderosa and aspen trees, so there is plenty of shade and beautiful golden colors in the fall.
While RVs aren’t explicitly banned, many campsites can’t fit them, and the maximum length of car and trailer combined can’t be longer than 22’.
4. White Tank Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, California
White Tank Campground only has 15 first-come, first-served campsites, but simple doesn’t mean skippable.
This campground in Joshua Tree National Park is a camping destination unlike any other. You will be sleeping next to massive boulders and rock formations that will blow your mind.
There’s hiking, climbing, and geological exploration to do, but stargazing is one of the best things you can do here. There’s no light pollution, and clear nights will have you gazing straight at the Milky Way!
5. Rio Grande Village Campground, Big Bend National Park, Texas
If you want to truly unplug in beautiful nature with a group of friends, look no further than Rio Grande Village Campground.
This cell phone-signal-free campground has a group site accommodating up to 40 people!
It’s open year-round but is best enjoyed any time but summer because of the intense Texas heat.
This camping destination is right by the Rio Grande, which means incredible views and some rafting and kayaking fun to be had!
Camping Destinations in the Eastern States
6. Edisto Beach State Park, South Carolina
Only an hour away from one of the oldest cities in the country and full of the same history and character, Edisto Beach State Park in South Carolina is low-country camping at its finest!
You can choose to camp by the beach or stay near the marshes. Both are beautiful in their own way, but it’s hard to beat the shell hunting you can do on the beach!
Tent camping and full-hookup RV camping are available at both.
While it’s not in the state park, visit Botany Bay. It’s one of the most photographed spots in the country because of its bleached-oak tree-filled beaches.
Edisto Beach is unique because you can watch the sunrise at the island’s north end and then see the sunset over the water at the other end because of the way it’s situated geographically!
7. Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
While Fort Jefferson wasn’t fully finished or armed, Dry Tortugas National Park, in its shadow on a primitive island, is a camping destination you don’t want to miss!
The campground is only accessible via private small boats, like a canoe or kayak, or a ferry. You’ve got to pack in and pack out everything you need for your stay.
Reservations aren’t accepted, but if you arrive and find the campsites already occupied, an overflow space can accommodate more campers.
8. Oceanside Campground, Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland
Oceanside Campground has drive-in and walk-in options right next to the Atlantic Ocean.
Drive-in sites can accommodate small RVs, but there are no hookups available. The walk-in sites are only available from mid-March through mid-November, while the drive-ins are open year-round.
What makes this a camping destination you’ll want to visit are the wild horses that roam Assateague Island National Seashore. These are the same horses written about in Misty of Chincoteague. Remember– these horses are feral. Enjoy their beauty, but keep a reasonable distance from them.
9. Loft Mountain Campground, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
At the top of Big Flat Mountain, Loft Mountain Campground has breathtaking mountain top views to the east and west!
Some sites can be reserved up to six months in advance, while others are first come, first served.
Open from Memorial Day through Columbus Day, visitors to this campground enjoy easy access to two nearby waterfalls and trails to the Big Run Wilderness area.
10. Letchworth State Park, New York
Nicknamed the “Grand Canyon of the East,” Letchworth State Park campground is a must-visit.
Full hookup RV sites are available alongside regular tent camping sites.
This campground is full of amenities– a gift store, playgrounds, ball fields, showers, swimming pools, and more. Breathtaking views and modern conveniences? It doesn’t get much better than that!
An added benefit of this camping destination is that you can bring a furry friend with you. Up to two domesticated pets can join you on your camping trip.
Wrapping up Breathtaking Camping Destinations
Whether camping in the Badlands of South Dakota or on the beach in South Carolina, there are many incredible camping destinations to explore.
While this list spans the country, many more camping destinations exist to experience. Make sure you’re ready for your next adventure by checking out our 25 Tips for Tent Camping!
- About the Author
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Stephanie Lamberth is a writer who enjoys exploring new places and helping others feel prepared to make incredible memories.
While not a seasoned wilderness expert, Stephanie has enjoyed and learned a ton on the camping trips she’s taken and has a unique perspective as the child of full-time RVers. With firsthand exposure to the RV lifestyle, Stephanie has insight into the comforts and challenges it can bring.
Stephanie can help bridge the gap between rookie samper and seasoned outdoorsman to help you make the most of your own camping adventures!
She currently lives in Tennessee with her husband and three children.
Stephanie can be reached at stephanielamberthwriting@gmail.com