S’mores and More: America’s Best Campsites

Looking for a spot for your next vacation? The next time you have a long weekend and are looking for an outdoor getaway, check out one of these beautiful campgrounds across the US.

Large white tent with wooden steps on sand surrounded by trees

Alabama- Outpost at Gulf State Park

At the Outpost Campsites at Gulf State Park in Alabama, you can stay in a tent on the beach set up with four cots. The campsite also comes with a sink for dishwashing. If you’d like to opt for a more minimalist experience, you can stay at a camping area on a trail.

California- Half Moon Bay State Beach

Half Moon Bay State Beach in California has 52 campsites on Francis Beach. On your trip, you can spend your day laying in the sun, fishing, and picnicking across four miles of beach. You can visit the Half Moon Bay State Beach Visitor Center for free every Saturday and Sunday.

Person eating at picnic bench beside tent in large open area

Colorado- Piñon Flats Campground, Great Sand Dunes National Park

Head to Piñon Flats Campground in Great Sands Dune National Park. Pitch your tent at a scenic spot so you can gaze at the dunes and the Sangre de Cristo mountains. There are fire grates and picnic tables at each site so that you can enjoy the view while you’re eating.

Delaware- Cape Henlopen State Park

Explore the beautiful beach on Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware. Swim through the ocean, bike across trails, fish, horseback ride, and everything in between. The recently renovated campground has picnic tables, and camp store, and a play area for younger travelers.

Cluster of tents in clearing in wooded area

Florida- Cayo Costa State Park

Visit the primitive campgrounds of Cayo Costa State Park that are close to the beach and offer picnic tables, ground grills, and potable water. You can spend your days hiking, biking, fishing, or even scuba diving.

Illinois- Starved Rock State Park Campground

Make sure you plan ahead for booking this popular spot. Starved Rock State Park, located along the shore of the Illinois River is perfect for fishing, boating, and hiking throughout the park’s eighteen canyons.

New Hampshire- Harbor Hill in the White Mountains

Visit Harbor Hill in the White Mountains of New Hampshire for a well-rounded experience, complete with playgrounds, a sport court, a swimming pool, a rec hall, an athletic field, and a personal campsite. Take the time to stargaze in your private camping area for some classically beautiful views.

Large canvas tent with wooden porch. Porch has wooden chairs and guitar placed on it.

New York- Camp Orenda

If you’re looking for a more polished experience, Camp Orenda in New York is the perfect place to go glamping. You can hike through trails along the beautiful rivers and lakes through the Adirondacks by day. At night, you’ll have all-inclusive dinners and a private, furnished cabin to go back to.

North Carolina- Big Creek Campground, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Visit Big Creek Campground at Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina for an adventurous outdoor experience. The nearby Big Creek Trail follows the water of Big Creek and even leads hikers to a waterfall. Visitors are also welcome to fly fish and visit the park sanctuary to see animals and plants.

Bench on grassy hill overlooking large body of water

Oregon- Cape Blanco State Park

Cape Blanco State Park in Oregon features the famous Cape Blanco Lighthouse built in 1870 and the Historic Hughes House, both of which offer seasonal tours. The park features eight miles of hiking trails that lead to the beach, lookouts, fishing spots, and the lighthouse. A huge bonus? The campground features first come first served electrical sites with water.

South Dakota- Badlands National Park

Badlands National Park in South Dakota has a whopping 244,000 acres and is home to bison, sheep prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets. Campers are free to stay for up to 14 days as they spend their time hiking or just taking in the beautiful sunsets, sunrises, flowers, and wildlife. Visitors can either stay in Cedar Pass Campground or Sage Creek Campground.

Family with camping area set up in woods

Texas- Chisos Basin Campground, Big Bend National Park

The Chisos Basin Campground in Texas’s Big Bend National Park is near the national park’s beautiful trails and has tall cliffs surrounding the area. The park is full of wildlife and historical sites that campers can visit during their stay.

Virginia- Big Meadows Campground, Shenandoah National Park

The wooded areas of Shenandoah National Park have over 200 campsites. This park has over 500 miles of trails, 101 of which are part of the Appalachian Trail. It’s also full of plants and wildlife, so viewers can catch a glimpse of the animals during their stay. Another popular feature of the park is Skyline Drive, which runs along the top of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Campers can drive along this expanse and gaze at the park over one of 75 scenic overlooks.

Wisconsin- Apostle Islands National Seashore

Apostle Islands National Seashore in Wisconsin offers just about everything campers could ask for to enjoy an outdoor vacation. The nearby Stockton Island has bogs, dunes, lagoons, savannahs, and pine forests. Campers can take shuttles to different islands for a small fee to soak in everything that each island has to offer, including lighthouse tours and hiking.