Do you hear the call of the wild? Over 15 million Americans who’d never been camping before tried this exciting experience for the first time in the last two years — and the trend shows no signs of slowing down.
The good news? More and more people are connecting with nature. There’s a downside, too, though. Because of this spike in popularity, finding a spot at a campsite is harder than ever before! That means you may need to work a little harder to carve out the perfect camping experience for you and your party, and you may even want to look a little further afield.
Want the best possible camping trip? We’ll help you narrow down your options with a list of the best US states for camping — and will give you some fantastic campsites to consider, too.
1. Rhode Island: Best Overall
It might seem unbelievable that the country’s smallest state would have the most expansive camping opportunities, but it’s not far from the truth!
It isn’t just that Rhode Island’s best campsites are equipped with the best amenities, that the state has an amazing variety of landscapes, from lush forests to picturesque coastlines, or that there are exciting activities for every taste — from fishing to kayaking, and from hiking to swimming.
It’s also that all the things you could possibly want to experience while camping in Rhode Island are within convenient driving distance, and Rhode Island is one of the safest places to go camping.
So, where? To get your brainstorming session off to a great start, we recommend checking out:
- Burlingame State Park in Charlestown, which has wonderful fishing and hiking opportunities, beautiful picnic tables, and clean restrooms.
- Fishermen’s Memorial State Park and Campground in Narragansett, is a peaceful campsite with a relaxing village vibe.
- George Washington Campground in Chepachet, is a primitive camping facility best for people who don’t need modern amenities and simply want to enjoy a “back to basics” camping experience with beautiful coastal views and swimming opportunities.
2. Utah: Best for Desert Camping
Utah’s raw, breathtaking beauty makes the state the perfect place to go road-tripping. Whether you’re traveling in an RV or plan to pitch your tent at one of Utah’s otherwordly national parks, you can’t miss out on the sheer variety the Salt Lake State offers — and you’ll be good to go even if you plan to do absolutely nothing but admire all the natural wonders.
Are you up for a more active camping trip? Besides hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, and river rafting, you definitely have to check Utah’s dark sky parks out. Protected from the light pollution that defines so many areas, these parks allow you to admire the Milky Way galaxy in all its natural glory.
Looking for a place to camp out? Our top three picks for Utah are:
- Watchman Campground in Zion National Park is open all year and has trash collection and restroom facilities available. Campers aren’t allowed to start fires, but the fact that you’ll have access to the campground’s trolley system, exciting trails, and stunning views of red rock cliffs more than makes up for that! Plus, Zion National Park is famous for its amazing stargazing opportunities!
- Dead Horse Point State Park Campground is an international Dark Sky spot that looks out over the Colorado River. You’ll be able to explore the nearby Canyonlands National Park and enjoy exciting mountain biking trails here.
- Goblin Valley State Park Campground. Whatever you do here, it’s going to rock! When you get bored of taking in the view (hoodoos and goblins all around!), you can take rock climbing lessons.
3. Massachusetts: Best for Woodland Camping
We know — Massachusetts doesn’t usually feature high on lists of places to go camping. However, if it’s a woodland experience you’re after, you couldn’t choose a better state. That’s not just because of the modern amenities and beautiful views, but also because Massachusetts’ Department of Conservation and Recreation has embraced a staggered booking model that ensures you can reserve your spot ahead of time (and you won’t be left without a place to camp).
Campers have a total of 32 sites to pick from, including woodland and coastal campgrounds, but our three favorites are:
- Mount Greylock State Reservation. Located in Lanesborough, this is the perfect place to go camping if you’re looking forward to enjoying the state’s highest peak in a relaxed environment. Open year-round, you’ll have the chance to try hunting, snowmobiling, hiking, skiing, or mountain biking — depending on the date you choose.
- Nickerson State Park. You’ll feel right at home at any of the 400+ campsites in this beautiful National Park in Brewster, on Cape Cod. Nickerson is great for fishing, boating, kayaking, and horseback riding!
- Mohawk Trail State Forest. Looking for a zen experience in one of the country’s most stunning woodland areas? You’ll come face to face with lots of wildlife, but otherwise, this forest is best for campers who simply want to relax.
4. Colorado: Best for Mountain Camping
If you’re from a warm state and you can’t wait to escape the heat, Colorado is an absolutely fantastic place to go camping. Think of exceptionally cool summers as a nice bonus to go along with the Rocky Mountain views! Colorado is not just one of the best states to enjoy the mountains, though — it’s also a top pick if you’re after a true wilderness experience. Because the state allows dispersed camping, you’ll be able to pitch your tent in nature without any amenities.
So, where in Colorado should you go? Good question! Why not start your planning by checking out these great spots?
- Moraine Park. This campground in Rocky Mountain National Park is a wonderful base from which to plan your hiking, lakeside, and wildlife-viewing adventures.
- The Great Sand Dunes Oasis campground gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in a uniquely stunning landscape while enjoying pretty unusual activities. Sandboarding, anyone? Yes, it’s a thing!
- The campground at Mueller State Park is definitely a great choice for all hiking enthusiasts, because you won’t get bored with the exciting trails and beautiful mountain views any time soon.
5. Minnesota: Best for Lakeside Camping
Minnesota isn’t called the land of 10,000 lakes for nothing. Whether you love fishing, boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, or swimming, it’s your best camping destination if you crave a lakeside camping adventure. Of course, Minnesota is also a good choice if you simply want to enjoy the sound of rustling leaves, the smell of campfires, and the gentle breeze in your hair.
Where should you pitch your tent? With so many options to pick from, it isn’t easy to narrow your choices down, but you could start here:
- Itasca State Park is home to the beautiful Mississippi River headwaters — as well as several relaxing campgrounds. Campfires aren’t just allowed, but even encouraged (responsibly, of course), as firewood is for sale there.
- Split Rock Lighthouse State Park also offers several exciting campgrounds, including the new Shipwreck Creek campground. Hike the trails, explore the lighthouse, or just soak up the relaxing atmosphere.
- Voyageurs National Park is the place to go if you love boating, primitive camping, or camping in winter. This vast park has a multitude of campsites, and while you’ll need to hike a few miles to find your woodland paradise, nobody will disturb you when you get there.
That Sounds Great, But Where Should We Go?
If you enjoyed this quick look at some of the most exciting campsites for a true wilderness experience, we wouldn’t blame you if you’re having trouble deciding where to go camping. After all, you only have so much free time — and you can’t see everything on your bucket list this year.
These questions should help you narrow down your choices:
- Do you prefer woods, beaches, mountains, desert landscapes, or lakeside camping? Don’t even think — just answer the question!
- Will you be pitching a tent, or do you plan to pull up in an RV? Many campsites cater to both camping styles, but not all do. If you’re planning to pitch a tent, do you prefer campgrounds with modern amenities, or do you want to test your skills and try out primitive camping?
- What outdoor activities would you like to try this year? Go on — pick some that you’ve never dipped your toes in before. Whether it’s paddleboarding, snowboarding, sandboarding, rock climbing, fishing, or mountain biking, choosing an activity will force you to narrow your campground choices down a fair bit.
- How experienced are you? If you’re going camping for the first time, we’d recommend a campground with modern amenities to ensure you can enjoy your time in the wilderness without feeling totally lost.
Once you decide where to go, don’t forget to make reservations in advance (where possible). Too many would-be campers leave it too late, and discover there’s no space at the campground of their dreams. Don’t be one of them, especially if you’re going out of state!
