12 Amazing Places to Go Camping in the US This Year

If you are planning a camping trip in the US, there are plenty of amazing spots where you can pitch a tent and enjoy the outdoors. From mountains and forests to beaches and deserts, each destination offers something unique. Whether you are after peaceful views, exciting trails, or just fresh air and quiet nights, there is a place that fits your style. These camping spots are loved for their natural beauty, easy access to activities, and relaxing atmosphere. No matter the season, you will find something memorable in each of these locations. Bring your gear, grab a map, and get ready for a great camping experience.

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Acadia National Park, Maine

Acadia blends rocky Atlantic coastlines, dense forests, and rugged mountain trails. Early risers can summit Cadillac Mountain to catch the nation’s first sunrise, while kayakers explore sea-carved coves. Backcountry paths and cozy front-country campgrounds create a sense of both solitude and adventure.

As a top spot for fall color and seaside views, the park offers sites like Blackwoods and Seawall that feel remote yet are close to facilities. Add in short hikes and tidal pools, and you get a complete outdoors experience with minimal fuss.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina

The Smokies offer misty ridges, thick forests, and abundant wildlife sightings. Campgrounds like Elkmont and Cades Cove blend history with nature, and moderate trails lead to waterfalls and scenic lookouts. This park is a dream for campers wanting a blend of easy access and wilderness beauty.

Repeatedly ranked among the most visited parks in the United States, it has well-maintained amenities, ranger talks, and chances to spot black bears, deer, and salamanders. The surrounding towns add charm with local crafts, food, and cultural richness.

Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim), Arizona

Camping at the South Rim brings epic sunrises and sunsets over the canyon. Mather Campground offers convenient facilities and easy shuttle access, while backcountry spots like Desert View allow tents only and plenty of solitude.

Because of high demand, first-come sites at Desert View are highly prized by those craving quieter canyon rim views. Both types of camps put visitors right where the canyon’s grandeur begins.

Yosemite National Park (Upper Pines), California

Upper Pines sits at the heart of Yosemite Valley, surrounded by towering granite walls. Campers are close to Mirror Lake, waterfalls, and the valley’s iconic rock features like El Capitan and Half Dome.

This campground offers a mix of accessible amenities and raw beauty. For more isolation, backpackers can head into remote meadows and ridge-top camps under a blanket of stars.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Bryce mesmerizes with its orange hoodoos and amphitheater-like formations. Campsites feel like part of a natural art gallery, and sunrise and sunset bring fiery lights and deep shadows across the landscape.

Cool evenings bring clear starlit skies, and trails like Navajo Loop wind through surreal spires. It is both peaceful and mind-opening, perfect for contemplative campers.

Zion National Park (Watchman Campground), Utah

Watchman puts tents and RVs just steps from the Zion Shuttle, under the watch of soaring sandstone cliffs. The Virgin River hums nearby, and scenic loops like Watchman Trail begin right at your site.

The campground offers a comfortable base for hiking iconic routes like Angels Landing and The Narrows. As twilight falls, canyon walls glow with warm colors framed by crisp night skies.

Joshua Tree National Park (Hidden Valley), California

Hidden Valley campers camp among massive boulders beneath open desert skies. The area’s geology invites climbers and nature lovers to roam among giant rock formations during sunrise and sunset.

It offers backcountry trails and short loops but still allows access to camp amenities like fire rings and picnic tables. At night, the desert sky fills with stars, a photographer’s paradise.

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

In Grand Teton, campers wake to jagged mountain reflections in Jenny Lake. Teton Range dominates the horizon, while shady forests house elk and moose. The park’s campgrounds mix rustic stillness with access to boat docks and hiking trails.

Sun-washed peaks and mirror lakes define each morning, while evening light brings quiet wildlife moments. It feels both untamed and intimate, ideal for nature lovers.

Rocky Mountain National Park (Moraine Park), Colorado

Moraine Park lies in a broad, elk-filled valley, with sweeping views of Glacier Gorge. Sites are nestled beside streams and forests, and trails connect to alpine lakes and mountain ridges.

High elevation means crisp air and fewer bugs, making it peaceful. With early reservation systems and wilderness permits for backpackers, it offers both comfort and adventure.

Yellowstone National Park (Grant Village), Wyoming/Montana

Grant Village lets you camp close enough to Yellowstone Lake to fish or paddle at dawn. Thermal features, wildlife, and great hiking are within reach. Both tent and RV sites offer access to showers and ranger programs.

Expect buffalo, elk, and perhaps bears browsing near your campsite. Trails range from leisurely loops to backcountry forays amid springs and geysers.

Big Bend National Park (Chisos Basin), Texas

Chisos Basin feels like a secluded mountain haven inside the Chihuahuan Desert. Cool pine-shaded campsites open to trails heading up to Emory Peak and overlook desert canyons far below.

By night, you can see a sweeping star dome with no light pollution for miles. It is wild and remote, ideal for serious nature and sky gazers.

Canyonlands National Park (Needles Campground), Utah

Needles Campground places you inside quiet red-rock labyrinths. Each site faces a fire ring and picnic table, with access to impossibly surreal sandstone spires at sunrise.

Trails lead through Chesler Park and Elephant Canyon, offering space and solitude. It is a dream destination for desert campers who want spectacular views with minimal crowds.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.