Spending time outside has been linked to Camping advantages including increased sleep, mood elevation, quicker healing, and greater focus. But going camping isn’t only a remedy for urban anguish and anxiety. It’s also enjoyable in and of itself—a reason to crawl into bed early, gaze at the stars, and dirty your hands with sticky s’mores that have been baked over an open flame.
Every state in the U.S. has breathtaking settings where you may spend the night if you’re searching for an excuse to dust off your headlamp or fire up the RV. These are the top camping spots in every state, from secluded beaches that can only be reached by boat to steep canyons that are best explored by canoe.
Outpost in Gulf State Park, Alabama
At Gulf State Park’s three walk-in Outpost sites, glamping and the outdoors collide. Canvas tents erected on the beach like images from a travel Pinterest board. Four mattresses, an outdoor sink, a porta toilet, a fire pit, and—possibly most importantly—peace and quiet are included in each.
Glacier Bay is a wonder in a state rich in natural beauty, with towering hills, humpback whales, 700 miles of coastline, and blue-tinged glaciers phrazle that calve into the water. The park’s only campsite is breathtakingly green (though a little wet), situated beside Bartlett Cove in a temperate rainforest, and serves as a convenient starting place for boat cruises and paddling excursions. The journey to Havasupai is difficult. Even if you manage to get a permit, you must travel ten miles from the rim to an undeveloped camping that hugs Havasu Creek. But if you persevere, you’ll be rewarded by a collection of thundering waterfalls and freshwater lakes that are all an amazing hue of robin’s egg blue.
Buffalo National River in Arkansas
Throughout its 135-mile journey through the Ozark Mountains, America’s first national river rushes over rapids, producing serene pools, and past steep cliffs capped with verdant vegetation. Plan a float trip to take in the landscape at a leisurely pace while stopping to go on treks to the 200-foot Hemmed-in Hollow falls or the caves in Lost Valley.
Although Californians have a plenty of jaw-dropping campsites to choose from, getting one of the two locations within this state park is the ultimate goal for coastal campers. Take the Waterfall Overlook Trail in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park all the way to the end for a front-row view of McWay Falls, an 80-foot waterfall that cascades from a granite cliff into the turquoise Pacific surf below.
Sand mountains may not be the first thing that springs to mind when thinking about Colorado. But this well-liked park is home to the biggest dunes in the country, which climb over 700 feet into the air. Tents and RVs may stay at one of the 88 sites spread over two different loops. But for a surreal night under the stars, it’s better to get a free backcountry permit and pick your own spot in the 30-mile-long dune field.
White Memorial Conservation Center in Connecticut
At this nonprofit wildlife refuge, which is committed to environmental education. Take a moment to stop and admire the nature all around you. Explore the 40 miles of trails, take a boat ride on one of the 10 ponds, complete the orienteering course. The visit the museum on the property, or forgo the great outdoors in favor of antique shopping in neighboring. The Woodbury or a wine tasting at a nearby winery gentle dunes winds off the sea. Within feet of your tent are one of Delaware’s greatest beaches and lighthouse views. At Cape Henlopen, lay on a blanket and enjoy the sunshine, or visit ancient. Lewes for barbeque from Savannah’s Deli and ice cream cones from Hopkins Farm. This barrier island is a genuine getaway, a remote enclave without roads. That can only be reached by boat and has more than nine miles of immaculate beach. Spend your days exploring the coastline by kayak, riding on the trails inland, or looking for manatees and dolphins. When the day visitors have left, set up tent in one of the 30 remote campsites. And let the sound of the waves lull you to sleep.
Florida’s Cayo Costa State Park
This barrier island is a true hideaway; it is a secluded area without roads, accessible only by boat. And it features more than nine miles of beautiful beach. Spend your days kayaking along the shore, hiking on the interior trails, or searching for manatees and dolphins. Set up camp in one of the 30 secluded campsites after the daytime crowds have gone, and let the waves to soothe you to sleep.
The soaring park offers expansive views deserving of its ethereal name and spans a 1,000-foot gulch on the western flank of Lookout Mountain. The real attraction is located further down, however, where a difficult hike takes visitors past two magnificent waterfalls. And into a canyon where enigmatic tunnels and curious adventurers await. Back on the rim, a range of camping options are available, including 40-foot sites with power hookups, charming yurts.
Cloudland State Park in Georgia
This towering park, which spans a 1,000-foot gulch on Lookout Mountain’s western face. The provides sweeping vistas befitting of its ethereal name. However, the main draw is down below, where a challenging trek leads past two impressive waterfalls. And into a canyon where mysterious caverns and eager explorers await. Back on the rim, choose from a variety of camping choices. Such as private walk-in campsites, attractive yurts, and well-equipped cabins, as well as 40-foot sites with electric connections.
On Oahu’s north coast, at this campsite paradise, you may fall asleep to the sound. The waves while enjoying excellent beachfront space that rivals that of any resort. To practice catching waves, you may join up for a surf lesson or rent kayaks, paddle boards, and bikes on site. When you’ve worked up an appetite, a food truck offers filling dishes like fish tacos and kalua pork omelets.
Starved Rock State Park Campground in Illinois
There are hundreds of miles of trails just outside your sleeping bag at this little campsite in the Sawtooth National Forest. The with sites framed by towering pines and a crystal-clear lake mirroring the mountains. Put on your hiking boots, go fishing for supper. or just settle into a camp chair and read a book. S’mores are a must, so you’re doing it correctly.
A landscape of sandstone canyons and waterfalls that is completely at odds with the Illinois grassland may be found less than two hours from Chicago. Visit the park in the winter to see eagles and experience icefalls. Or go in the spring when the cascades are at their most spectacular. When you get bored of the outdoors, you may have a delicious. Sunday breakfast in the historic lodge that the Civilian Conversation Corps erected. The campsite has electric connections.
Mountain bike singletrack that is 30 miles long and often named the finest in the state is raced down by adrenaline enthusiasts. Families do nature hikes across forested hills before having a blast in the lodge’s indoor waterpark. Among Brown County’s 400+ posts, campers of all stripes may locate a sitehat suits their requirements. Photographers can climb a 90-foot fire tower for breathtaking vistas.
Maquoketa Caves State Park in Iowa
At the entrance to this strange park, guests may check their claustrophobia before donning flashlights. And channeling their inner Indiana Jones to explore a number of subterranean enclosures. That vary from huge hollows to narrow, crawl-your-way-in passages. There are natural bridges, spring wildflowers. And a small campsite in the woods with contemporary amenities when daylight calls.
At this state park in central Kansas, lakeside campsites along a 9,000-acre reservoir allow campers to wake up. To beautiful water vistas and days spent paddling down the beach in kayaks or kicking up dust on the 25-mile bike route. It might be difficult to decide where to camp within the Daniel Boone Forest. Since it spans 700,000 acres and 21 counties. Sandstone cliffs are accessible at Red River Gorge’s Koomer Ridge Campground. Where climbers may also find Miguel’s, a hybrid pizza and equipment store. Do you prefer waterfalls? Choose a full moon to visit Cumberland Falls Campground. Because the 125-foot-wide sheet of water produces the uncommon moonbow, often known as a lunar rainbow.
