11 Best Camping Sites in the United States

From east to west and north to south, the land of the free offers tons of camping experiences. Whether it’s warm summer camping or cold winter camping, the USA has it all. Whatever the climate looks like – as long as it’s not extreme weather conditions – you can always have the best camping in United States, providing that you are well prepared. We compiled a list of the best camping spots in the US for the ultimate experience in 11 different states. Let’s check it out!

Paynetown, Monroe Lake, Indiana

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Paynetown Campground on the banks of Lake Monroe starts our list of the best camping in the USA. The campground sits just outside of the University of Indiana Campus and the town of Bloomington. This site sits pretty on the shores of Monroe Lake, Indiana’s largest lake, making it one of the best camping sites in Indiana.

Because of its lakeside setting, there are innumerable outdoor recreation activities possible here. These include everything from birdwatching, boating, fishing, and hunting to picnicking, hiking, and more. What’s more, families will have a ball as there’s not just an activity center, but also a playground for children. However, one of the most popular activities here is fishing. Monroe Lake, which was earlier known as the “dead sea” due to dwindling fish populations, is now flourishing with healthy populations of catfish, lunker bass, and crappie! So make sure that you pack your fishing gear, such as fishing backpacks, fishing binoculars, and more.

Paynetown Campground features 318 sites, a mix of tent-only, electric, non-electric, and shelter sites. Moreover, every site has a picnic table and a fire ring, while electric ones have full hookups for sewer, water, and electricity. Finally, communal amenities include potable water, showers, and clean restrooms.

The Ozark National Forest, Arkansas

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Crystal clear lakes, soaring limestone bluffs, and virgin forests make the Ozarks the best of the best camping sites in Arkansas, which is a sin not to include it on our list of the best camping in United States. Stretching across four states, including Arkansas, the Ozark National Forest is home to mountains and caverns. Intrepid explorers, for instance, will love Blanchard Springs Caverns, where there are guided tours for wild caves adventures. Another huge attraction is the 14-mi North Sylamore Trail, which has many forested landscapes. Finally, there’s also the unique site of Moccasin Gap Horse Camp, which offers hitching posts and well water for horses.

The U.S. Forest Service has developed campgrounds at Blanchard Springs, Barkshed, and Gunner Pool. The latter is the most popular for drive-in/walk-in. Stretching along the scenic North Sylamore Creek, the tent and RV campground at Gunner Pool is private and shaded but primitive. So, there are no water or electrical hookups here, but campsites do have tent pads, lantern poles, picnic tables, and grills. Additionally, there’s also trash/recycling collection, fire rings, and pit toilets. How about packing some Camping Snacks and Fun Camping Games for spending time here?

The site is open throughout the year for intrepid travelers to enjoy being cut off from the rest of the world. The best bit? You can access the Sylamore Hiking Trail from right within the campground! The number of sites might be limited here. Still, since they sit right by the water, this site offers a beautiful experience.

Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas

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Palo Duro has the best camping spots in the US for one good reason: it’s one of Texas’ Best State Parks. A Texas panhandle road trip is incomplete without staying over at this stunning state park, famous as the “Grand Canyon of Texas.” In fact, it’s the USA’s second-largest canyon after the famous Grand Canyon.

There’s so much to do in this Texas’ best camping site, and that too for all kinds of travelers. Enjoy a musical at the natural amphitheater, hike down to the base, and tuck into a delicious lunch along the Red River. Snap pictures of the massive canyon walls, which Georgia O’Keeffe once said were filled with “dramatic light and color.” Apart from that, hiking, fishing, birding, and mountain biking are the most common activities here.

You have the choice of three kinds of campsites here, such as electric campsites (Hackberry, Sagebrush/Mesquite, Juniper), water campsites, hike-in primitive campsites, and two group camping ones. While Juniper is tent-only, the other electric ones can accommodate up to 60-feet-long RVs! Nevertheless, they all have restrooms with showers, paved sites, lantern sports, 30/50-amp and water hookups, tent pads, fire rings, and picnic tables. The water campsites are tent-only ones in the Fortress Cliff or Cactus areas and have restrooms, water, fire rings, and picnic tables. Finally, the primitive ones don’t have trash stations or potable water but restrooms are available.

Don’t let winter stop you from camping at Palo Duran! It’s the best way to get some respite from snow shoveling and get some much-required Vitamin D. Plus, you get to skip the summer heat and the crowds!

Fort De Soto Park, Florida

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In Fort De Soto Park, one of the best camping sites in Florida, you’ll see five offshore islands that are connected by either causeway or bridge. This historic site and an expansive park offer one of the most stunning beaches in Florida and other treasures to discover. It’s located on an island in Tampa Bay Area, for your best camping in the USA.

The campground is considered one of the best Florida’s best waterfront camping. Fort De Soto Park campground has over 7 miles of waterfront sites with stunning white sandy beaches and blue-green water. There are also scenic bridges and stunning mangrove-lined islands. The campground has 238 family camping sites with facilities. These include electricity, water, picnic tables, and charcoal grills. Besides, they provide showers, modern restrooms, dryers, washers, and sanitary disposal stations. If you need Wi-Fi, it’s available at the office and camp store.

Here, visitors will find other facilities like a campground store and play area. If you’re planning to camp with your fur baby, make sure to get sites in Area 2 (sites 86-164). Entertain yourself while camping here by canoeing, kayaking, birdwatching, or exploring the nature trail. If you plan to kayak but don’t have one, you can choose one of these recreational kayaks. Before coming, we recommend checking the availability in advance as the campsites get full quickly. Visitors may make reservations up to six months in advance and limited to one individual per day.

Platte River Campground, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan

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Next on our list of the best camping in United States is Platte River Campground, part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The campground, and the park, lies tucked on the northeastern shores of Lake Michigan, an hour north of Manistee. The lakeshore is famed for massive, scalable dunes, making for some gorgeous pictures. But, that’s not all. It also has miles of forested trails, sandy beaches, and even historic shipwrecks and farmsteads. Besides guided tours of the dunes, there’s so much more to do here. Hike through beech-maple forests and swim at one of the many beaches here. Are you the adventurous kind? Take part in an enthralling “rescue mission” of shipwreck survivors at the Maritime Museum.

Clearly, there’s a lot of ground for you to cover here, which is exactly why there are also plenty of places to camp. The Platte River Campground is the best of them all, featuring a mix of tent-only and RV sites, some even with electrical hookups. The year-round site has both pull-through and back-in sites for RVs, walk-in sites for the more adventurous peeps, and even hike-in, tent-only group sites for up to 25 people. Amenities such as potable water, a dump station, a seasonal amphitheater, food storage lockers, seasonal trash/recycling, as well as seasonal Wi-Fi and cell reception, make this a favorite with campers. Add to that both flush and vault toilets, as well as hot showers throughout the year, and this is almost a glamping experience!

For those who enjoy a more rustic experience, there’s even a backcountry campground as well as the rustic D.H.Day Campground. It’s one of the best camping sites in Michigan!

Jones Lake State Park, North Carolina

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The 2,200-acre-huge Jones Lake State Park is not just one of the best camping spots in Nort Carolina but also one of the country’s greatest geological mysteries! There’s a lot to see and do at one of the best NC camping places, especially watching the phenomenon of the Carolina Bays. Outdoor enthusiasts will love the plethora of activities on offer, including aquatic and hiking activities. Walk the four-mile trail looping around the bay lake and enjoy swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding in the shallow waters. It even offers environmental and historical education programs! That sounds like the best camping in the USA.

However, one of the most popular activities here is fishing, so bring your fishing binoculars and kayak fishing tackle boxes. You have tons to catch, such as yellow perch, chain pickerel, and catfish! During summer, the visitor center even has tours about the ecology of the bay lakes, which includes Spanish moss-covered pond cypress stands and bay thickets.

This NC camping spot features 20 first-come, first-serve wooded campsites. Only one site has water and electrical hookups, but they all have a picnic table, a grill, and a fire ring. What’s more, campers also have access to the park bathhouse with hot showers and flushing toilets.

Elk Creek Campground, Blue Mesa Reservoir

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Spoiler alert! Elk Creek Campground tops the list of Colorado’s best camping sites, making it a must on our list of the best camping in United States. It’s tucked on the northern shores of the magnificent Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado’s largest water body. So, those looking for summertime fun on the water will love this place, which is famous for its fjord-like reservoirs, narrow canyons, and mesas. What’s more, this place has evidence that humans lived here as far back as 10,000 years ago! So much so that it’s conserved as the Curecanti Archeological District and is even listed on the National Register of Historic Places! Clearly, it’s a history lover’s haven.

But, that’s not all. Recently, archaeologists uncovered dino fossils in this area. Thanks to the reservoir, there’s a lot of water fun and opportunities here, such as boating, swimming, and fishing. What’s more, the region features lots of mountain biking and hiking trails. Those who love thrill on wheels can drive the 4WD vehicles along the picturesque Alpine Loop Byway. Moreover, this loop is home to some of Colorado’s best towns, including Ouray. Aside from being famous as the “Switzerland of America,” it also has fantastic hot springs and is amongst the Best US Winter Vacation spots.

This campground, which is open only from late spring to early fall, lies within the Curecanti National Recreation Area. It’s perfect for tent camping, with every site featuring tent pads, picnic tables, and fire rings. Some campsites even have electricity hookups, and there are RV hookups as well. Furthermore, common facilities include an amphitheater, a small marina, flush toilets, and drinking water. However, since there’s sagebrush around, be cautious when starting fires at the campsite.

Harris Beach State Park, Oregon

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Continuing our list of the best camping spots in the US is Harris Beach State Park. It’s located next to the ocean and near the town of Brookings. The park is a wildlife sanctuary to the famous Bird Island. Many of Oregon’s beautiful and rare birds call the place home.

People flock to Harris Beach State Park for its clean beaches, impeccable ocean views, whale sightings, tide pools, and spectacular rock formations. Those are a few reasons Harris Beach State Park is considered one of the best camping sites on the Oregon Coast.

The campground offers tents, RVs, and yurt sites for rent. So, whether you’re a biker, hikers, RV dweller, car camper, or fancy for camping in style, the park accommodates your need. There are more than 150 campsites available, including 90 sites that cater to RVs. Some RVs campsites offer full hook-ups, while others only have electric plug-ins. The state park also provides at least 60 tent sites. 

Each pull-up campsite has a picnic table, parking spot, and fire rings. Other amenities include restrooms, nearby water, and showers. Here, you can access the sandy beaches and enjoy the beautiful views through its paved pedestrian path. Get one of the best sunglasses for the beach for the most excellent looks while you’re camping. Also, don’t miss enjoying the surroundings, such as Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. 

Devil’s Lake State Park, Wisconsin

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Devil’s Lake State Park is the best camping site in Wisconsin, with more than 27,000 acres of natural areas and parkland open to the public. Located in Baraboo, Sauk Country, Wisconsin, it’s the home to Devil’s Lake, one of the main attractions in the park. Devil’s Lake, also known as De Wakacak, is historically meant Spirit Lake.

As one of the oldest natural areas and largest parks in the state, you’ll find hundreds of miles of hiking and cycling trails overlooking Devil’s Lake’s vibrant blue color. The park also has beautiful sandy beaches and abundant wildlife with over 100 bird species. This popular park offers a natural attraction for outdoor adventurers with its beautiful and unique surroundings. Here, you can hike, swim, kayak, and camp. If those don’t give you the best camping in United States, we don’t know what will!

The campsite is available both for tents and RVs with three different campgrounds. There’s a total of 400 campsites with electricity and non-electricity sites. Meanwhile, there are two grounds sites with RV electrical hookups and a dump station. Don’t worry about the amenities! Each campsite features modern amenities for visitors’ convenience. These include toilets, showers, an area for parking, a picnic table, and a metal fire pit. Within walking distance, you can get views of the lake or the shoreline.

Tuolumne Meadows Campground, Yosemite

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Tuolumne Meadows Campground is located at 8,600 feet (2,600 m), making it cool at night, even in the summer. Hence, it’s considered one of the best camping sites in Yosemite. The campground has 304 tent and RV sites. Also, Tuolumne Meadows Campground is popular among campers for its amenities.

It’s near a general store, a restaurant, a post office, and a mountaineering school. There’s also a visitor center nearby. Lyell Canyon and Elizabeth Lake are very close to the campground. The tent and RV sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 35 feet. Meanwhile, the seven group sites are not allowed RVs or trailers.

There are also four-horse sites with space for trailers up to 27 feet. However, make sure to check the site details if you make a reservation since not every site can accommodate RVs or trailers of these lengths. Looking for RVs to rent but not sure what types you should choose? You could check our list of the best RVs to rent.

Amenities in the sites include a fire ring, food locker, and picnic table. Besides, a bathroom with drinking water and flushing toilets are nearby. The dump station is available on Tioga Road, west of the campground. Though it’s considered one of the best camping spots in the US, you’ll find no hookups in the campsites.

Joshua Tree National Park, California

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In 800,000-acres ( 3,237 square kilometers) of Joshua Tree National Park, you’ll find several best camping sites in California. The park has five reserved campground options: Black Rock, Cottonwood, Indian Cove, Jumbo Rock, and Ryan Campground. Black Rock and Cottonwood Campgrounds offer water, flush toilets, tables, fire grates, and a dump station. Meanwhile, Indian Cove, Jumbo Rock, and Ryan Campground include pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire grates. But, there is no water in these three campgrounds.

Besides, campers can choose spots from its three first-come-first-served campgrounds. These include Hidden Valley, White Tank, and Belle Campgrounds. Only Hidden Valley Campground is open year-round, while the two others are temporarily closed during the summer. These campgrounds have amenities, like pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire grates. But, you won’t find water here.

Cottonwood, Indian Cove, and Sheep Pass are the best available if you come with a group. These group campsites can accommodate 10-60 people. Also, the Indian Cove Group Campground is open for small RVs or trailers.

Since the park is famous, all campgrounds are usually packed on weekends from October through May. Hence, we recommend you make a reservation or come earlier to get the spot for the best camping in United States. While you camp here, don’t miss exploring the otherworldly desert landscape of staggering rock formations in this park. Another activity you can’t miss is a night of stargazing. Get one of the best tents for stargazing for your next camping.